Order Cases Online
The files located in the Tennessee Supreme Court Cases represent an especially valuable resource for historical and genealogical research at the Tennessee State Library and Archives [TSLA].
Use quotes for an exact search. ex. "J. W."
View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
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View Entry | 1934 | Arthur Holtsinger, admr. for Jud Moore v. Della Swann | Jefferson | Equity |
Moore died, and Swann was a beneficiary of his will. He owned a number of municipal bonds, and several properties. He had no direct kin, and bequeathed his estate to cousins, whom were in disagreement about the will & bequests. Suit sought to establish appropriate equity for beneficiaries. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 16a | 66 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1811 | Abel Morgan& Mary Morgan v. Adam Meek | Jefferson | Slaves, Ownership of |
Case involves a dispute over a slave named Sam. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 52 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1812 | A. L. Campbell v. John Seahorn | Jefferson | Land and Title Dispute | East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 49 | 19 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1814 | Archibald Sloan v. Leanna Cox | Jefferson | Divorce | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 55 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1820 | Adam Meek v. J. Perriman | Jefferson | Land and Title Dispute | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 58 | 36 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1859 | Andrew L. & Mary Ann Mason v. B. J.& Dorthula A. Ward | Jefferson | Fraud |
Def's name is Benjamin F. Ward. William Gregory died owning land on south side of French Broad River, leaving pla. Mary Ann (who later married Andrew) as his widow. Richard Gregory, dec. administered Wm's estate but never assigned dower to Mary Ann, so Pla. now claim dower out of that land. Wm & Mary Ann had 1 child, Def Dorthula. At time of suit, both parties lived on the land at issue. Pla. claim Def. are trying to cheat & defraud them out of Mary Ann's dower. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 680 | 126 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1882 | Aaron Lynch et al.v. Hugh A. Rogers et al | Jefferson | Unknown | East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 751 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1888 | Amanda R. Meek, et al.v. J. C. Douglass, et al. | Jefferson | Estate Settlement |
Briefs only. Case involves A. A. Douglass as a Guardian for someone. Other plaintiffs: E. E. McBee & Emma McBee. Plaintiffs are heirs of G. C. McBee, dec. Other defendants: A. A. Douglass, admr. of G. C. McBee, dec. Only date on one page is 1888. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1091 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | Andy Moyers & Wife v. J. V. Kinnick, guard., et al | Jefferson | Unknown |
Partial Case. Affirmed. A sale of real estate is ordered in Dandridge, TN. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1078 | 2 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1870 | Alexander Stuart v. Samuel S. McCuistion | Jefferson | Recovery |
Recovery of court costs. Case listed in: "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, for the Eastern Division, for the year 1870," Volume 1, p. 427-431. Case originally Stuart v. James C. Bradford left state and no property with court jurisdiction and that Bradford was insolvant. Clerk (McCuistion) seeks to recover costs of motion from Stuart. Stuart appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1068 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | A. P. Massengill v. A. M. Shadden | Jefferson | Assault and Battery |
Additional Cause of Action: Trespass. Date: Unknown. Opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 74 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1850 | Allen Moyers v. Henry Smith | Jefferson | Debt Dispute |
Smith agreed to sell Moyers 3 adjoining tracts (incl. John Smith farm, old Campbell farm & old Daniel Inman tract) in Cocke County. Dispute re Smith's failure to make good on title bond & his multiple misrepresentations to (& dealings with) Moyers. Suit says Betsey Smith, Henry's sister, is "an idiot" & Samuel Smith, Henry's brother, is "insane and a lunatic." Moyers describes himself as illiterate & under great imbecility of mind, at times approaching insanity, & asks guardian be appointed for him. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1136 | 222 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1849 | Aaron V. Brown v. Benjamin F. Newman et al | Jefferson | Covenant Broken |
Add. defendants: George Gregory, Robert Birchfield, Allen Butler, john B. Hammer, James Harp, Excr of Alexander Harp (dec.), Casper Branner, John Lawrence, David Helf, James Newman, and others listed in file. Plaintiff is the heir of James C. Jones. Suing for damages totaling $4,000. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1167 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1873 | Andrew L. Mason v. William Evans by next friend S. S. McCuistion | Jefferson | Trespass |
Defendant is described as a "lunatic" in the file; Robert Evans and James Evans are listed as his guardians. The plaintiff loaned the defendant $500 when he was of sound mind, but never recovered the funds before he was institutionalized. Plaintiff also sues for $500 in damages for breach of an agreement the parties entered while the defendant was of sound mind. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1223 | 74 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1868 | Aaron Kimbrough v. O. R. Watkins et al. | Jefferson | Trespass with Force of Arms |
Additional defendants: Barnibas Rice, Benjamin Cluck, and George W. Welling. Plaintiff claims he was unlawfully arrested and imprisoned for 8 months by the defendants who were soldiers in the Confederate Army. Plaintiff also claims he was forced to join the Confederate Army. The documents contain the testimony of Samuel A. Bell who commanded the squad that arrested Kimbrough. Bell notes he was operating under the orders of Col. E. D. Blake. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1225 | 29 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1867 | A. M. Shadden v. A. P. Massengill | Jefferson | Trespass and Damages |
Massengill "has removed himself from the State or so obscures or conceals himself" to avoid paying Shadden $1,000 for trespass. Massengill accused of whipping Shadden w/hickory stick & keeping him from retrieving his mare at Rebel camp. Alexander Shadden said Massengill maliciously beat him w/sticks, forcibly took his blue roan mare, in June 1862. Massengill's mom says Jefferson County prejudiced agnst her son; asks for chg in venue |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1231 | 63 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | Alexander Courtney v. Garrett Lane et al | Jefferson | Estate Dispute |
Plaintiff is acting as guardian and next friend of Nancy Caroline Lane, Pleasant T. Lane, and Lucy Ellen Lane, minors and heirs at law of Isaac Lane (dec.). Add. defendants: Enoch Marshall, as administrators of the estate of Isaac Lane (dec.), James Cox, Edna Cox, James H. Cunningham, and others listed in the file. The deceased was twice married and heirs from both marriages are disputing over their rights to his estate. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1250 | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | A. G. Watkins v. F. W. Taylor et al. | Jefferson | Debt |
Incomplete casefile. County, court of origin, and additional parties are unknown. Plaintiff was surety for James Bradford on a note to L. D. Franklin. Franklin brought suit for payment but died before a judgment was rendered. Taylor qualified as Franklin's admr., revived the suit and recovered judgment. Plaintiff is accused of fraudulently conveying land so as to avoid creditors. See ET1666 for complete file. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1645 | 4 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | Alice Jones v. East Tennessee Virginia & Georgia Rail Road Co. | Jefferson | Damages |
The plaintiff brings suit seeking damages related to the death of her husband Andrew Jones. Andrew was traveling from Chattanooga to New Market on a train owned and operated by the defendant when he was thrown from the train to the tracks and crushed by the train's wheels. The plaintiff states that Andrew was attempting to depart the train at the time of the accident but complains that the defendant did not give him sufficient time to do so safely. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1640 | 43 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Andrew Miller et al. ex parte | Jefferson | Estate Dispute |
Additional defendants: J. C. Cawood, James A. and Susannah Looney, Morris B., H., Charles L., Charles, William, William Y., and Frederick B. Miller, William, Polly, Lewis, and Francis Harman, Catherine Hicks, Fred, and M. Gast, and James, and Peggy Dyke. Plaintiffs are the heirs of Charles M. Miller dec. and are seeking the partition of land left after his death. Said land is described as being situated in the Second Civil District of Jefferson County near the French Broad River. |
East | Range: 20 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1571 | 20 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | Alexander Long v. B. M. Branner admr. of J. R. Branner dec. et al. | Jefferson | Debt |
Add. Def: Deborah C. Branner, wife of J. R. Branner dec., and John Talbot and G. M. Branner admr. of J. R. Branner dec. The plaintiff worked as a mechanic for J. R. Branner, building a dwelling house and large stable located at Mosely Creek in Jefferson County. Branner was to pay Long $2 per day, board him, have his washing done, and pay his train fare every three months. Branner died in 1869 and his widow asked the plaintiff to continue work. Plaintiff is now seeking back payment. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1620 | 56 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1809 | Arthur Campbell, lessee v. Adam Peck | Jefferson | Land and Title Dispute | East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 54 | 24 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1823 | Alexander Outlaw v. Richard Fen | Jefferson | Ejectment | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 56 | 58 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1870 | A. P. Massengill v. A. M. Shaddin | Jefferson | Trespass |
Opinion Only |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 68 | 5 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1816 | Archibald Sloan& Leannah Sloan v. William Cox, exe. | Jefferson | Alimony | East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 55 | 20 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1939 | Alcey Hurst v. State | Jefferson | Larceny | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 143 | 69 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1885 | Ashbury Bradford v. State | Jefferson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Ashbury Bradford was charged with assault with intent to commit manslaughter. He assaulted the body of Thomas Howell with a knife. The men were fighting over one of them having their arm around a woman. |
East | Range: 19 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1906 | 43 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1836 | Andrew Britton v. Thomas & William Johnson | Jefferson | Damages |
Origin of damages: Covenant broken. |
East | Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 676 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | A. A. Sharp & Co., et al. v. Henry A. Farnsworth | Jefferson | Promissory Note |
Plaintiffs: Alexander A. Sharp, John F. Sharp, and Russell Birdwell, partners in trading under the name firm of "A. A. Sharp & Co." Recovery of $434.50 in debt and damages. Note was executed in the store house of Joseph A. Branner & Co., Dandridge, c. Aug. 1855, the purpose was for the balance on a lot of hogs. |
East | Range: 9 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize Box 17 | 37 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1865 | Alexander Haun Jr. by next friend v. Pleasant A. Witt | Jefferson | Trespass with Force of Arms |
Alexander Haun Jr. sues by next friend Alexander Haun, Sr. for trespass, assault and battery, and false imprisonment against Pleasant A. Witt. sued for damage in the sum of $3,000. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 788 | 49 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1898 | A. C. Parrott et al. v. N. R. Manard et al. | Jefferson | Unknown |
Affirmation of court decree in favor of the plaintiff. It indicates that the school warrant mentioned in the case be declared and void. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 817 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1844 | Abraham Zimmerman v. John N. Maser | Jefferson | Scire Facias |
Previously, Zimmerman collected against Allen Church and Maser, administrator of the estate of Isaac Church (dec.) for $334 for damages of a breach of covenant. Maser replied to judgment, saying the estate had no goods, money, or chattel to levy agai- nst the debt, and Zimmerman claims it is because Maser used them for his own gain before and during the trial. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1135 | 31 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | A. J. Pickle, Road Commissioner v. Jacob Williford | Jefferson | Other |
Incomplete file; briefs only. Pickle sued Williford, road hand for refusing to work on public roads, task from which Williford insisted he was exempt due to disability per county court order. Court said county court had authority to grant exemption but only upon proof of permanent disability, which was lacking in this case; because it was issued summarily, order was void. Williford appealed to SC. Pickle claimed Williford was not disabled but had personal issue w/road overseer. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1167 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1869 | Alexander A. Tally v. William Courtney | Jefferson | Slaves, Selling of |
Courtney advertised and held a public sale of slaves before the Emancipation Proclamation during the war when the Confederacy controlled East TN. Tally purchased a woman, Fanny, and her two children for $2050. Tally made the purchase with only currency available at time (Confederate money; both parties knowing its depreciated value) but then Courtney later sued Tally for debt in order to get amount in good bank notes. Tally argues Fanny free at date of sale, so note/money does not matter anymore. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1185 | 97 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1869 | A. M. Wood v. Thomas D. Arnold | Jefferson | Debt, Balance on |
Plaintiff sued for debt by unpaid note in the sum of $500, created in 1863. This was an apparent pattern by the defendant to fail to pay his executed notes for large sums, according to the plaintiff. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1186 | 45 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1822 | Benjamin Neal, et al. v. William Cox & Parry Talbot | Jefferson | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Defendants: Betsy Cox, Polly Cox, and P. Barkey Cox (heirs of Dudley Cox). Case involves a contested will. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1087 | 101 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1939 | Bill Pierce, et al. v. State | Jefferson | Larceny |
Charges also include Burglary. Additional Plaintiffs: Robert Pierce and Bass Denton. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 141 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1936 | Bernice Rickard& Arthur Moree v. State | Jefferson | Murder |
Murder of Dave Newman. |
East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 979 | 187 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1845 | Benjamin F. Newman v. Vredenburgh Thompson et al. | Jefferson | Office Holding, Illegal |
Add. Defs: William Caldwell, Milton H. McSpaddon, Daniel Meek, Montgomery Thornburgh, Nathaniel Hann, Robert Martin, Samuel Moser [Maser?], Edward B. Snoddy, Edward Riggs, Thomas B. Rippato (all county justices who voted against Newman). Under TN law, illegal for defaulter to hold office. Def. adjudged Newman a defaulter (for state revenues unaccounted for by him as sheriff & collector), vacated his office, & elected new sheriff, Marcus J. Parrott. Newman said their action was illegal. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1128 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | Berry Mitchell, assignee of W. M. Bradford, assignee of S.W. Inman, for the use of William Harris v. James C. Bradford & Theo. J. Bradford | Jefferson | Bond Dispute |
Suit for $621 on a bond executed by defendants, who claim Mitchell contracted with them to receive other notes in satisfaction of the debt they owed Mitchell, but Mitchell refused to receive said notes. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 13 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1861 | Bryant Byas v. Robert Martin & Samuel Vance, exe of John Vance Sr, dec | Jefferson | Contract Dispute and Damages |
For period of 6 years before death of John Vance Sr, Byas & his wife performed large amount of work for Vance, at his request, & promised to pay them what work was reasonably worth, but he never did so. Jury ruled in Byas' favor, awarding $95 in damages. Witnesses: Galloway Cates (pssbly Vance's brother-in-law), Alexander Newman, Edmond Foster, Thomas Wright, Elizabeth Byas (Bryant's sister-in-law), Mary Cates, William McNight, William Williams, Patrick Pierce, others. Alternate spelling for pla.: Briant |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 | 34 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | B.M. Branner, et al. exe. et al. v. Richard& Isaac F. Hayworth | Jefferson | Debt |
Additional defendants: G.M. Branner and John Talbott, exers. Of John R. Branner, dec. and W.C. Kyle. Hayworths sued defendants for debt to their damage $7000. John R. Banner, George M. Branner, and Kyle together with W.A. Branner (not sued) executed a promissory note to the plaintiffs for $5000, which was unpaid and due. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1246 | 13 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | Berry Mitchell v. Adam Allen | Jefferson | Injunction |
A few years prior to this case, the defendant filed a suit against the plaintiff seeking to recover the price of a horse, alleged to have been lost during the war. The plaintiff alleges he was the target of unfair arbitration. This suit acts as an injunc- tion and enjoinment prohibiting the further prosecution against the plaintiff. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1249 | 44 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1934 | B. S. Sisk, admr. of Ethel Sisk, dec. v. Brown Funeral Home | Jefferson | Debt, Execution on |
Sisk owed funeral home $800. |
East | Range: 10 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1475 | 82 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | B. M. Branner, et al., exe. of John R. Branner, dec. v. E. A. Sawyers, et al. | Jefferson | Notes |
Sawyers borrowed $1,200 from John Branner in 1868. To secure the loan, Sawyers conveyed a tract of land to Joseph M. Logan. Logan, the deed's trustee, died in 1869 but never sold the land. His heirs were S. T. Logan and C. R. Logan. The Branner estate then sought repayment of the loan from the Logan heirs. Plaintiffs included John TalbottG. M. Branner. An exhibit includes the original note with eleven 5-cents internal revenue stamps. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1634 | 173 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | B. M. Branner, et al. v. Dandridge Bank, et al. | Jefferson | Debt Dispute |
Additional Parties are difficult to determine. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 43 | 411 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1818 | Benjamin Neal v. William Cox | Jefferson | Other |
Cause of Action: Trespass on the Case. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 58 | 152 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1858 | B. F. McFarland v. R. M. Hook, J. J. Bryan, et al. | Jefferson | Unknown |
Case incomplete; writ of error only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1904 | Bobo Brothers & J. A. Galbaith v. Southern Railway Company & C. N. O.& T. P. Railway Company | Jefferson | Unknown |
Court orders Bobo Brothers to recover money from Southern Railway. No specifics of case are given. Incomplete case. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1936 | Buford M. Ellison et al.v. G. W. Long, Agent | Jefferson | Garnishment |
Plaintiff, an employee of Universal Exploration Co., assigned a portion of his wages to W. G. Shipe & Co. in exchange for merchandise. G. W. Long, agent for the estate of R. E. Long, served notice of garnishment against Universal Exploration in attempt to collect on an unsatisfied judgment which the estate had procured against Ellison. G. W. Shipe & Co. petitioned the court to stop Long's garnishment on grounds that Ellison's wages had been assigned to them before Long's notice was filed. |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 889 | 64 | Order A Copy |