Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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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].
Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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| View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Entry | 1875 | A. C. Crosswhite, et al. v. State | Johnson | Breach of Bond |
2 cases tried together, both with same cause of action. 1st case seeking $1500 damages & 2nd case seeking $700. Other plaintiffs: R. H. Donnelly; John Crosswhite; I. F. Shawn[?]; S. Q. Duggert; R. R. Butler; J. C. Donnelly; J. A. Southerland. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1605 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | Benjamin G. Wilson, et al. v. Samuel E. McQueen | Johnson | Other |
Wilson accused McQueen of "detaining" his sorrel mare, described as about fifteen hands high and with a star on her forehead. Plaintiffs include R. L. Wilson and C. [Beard?]. Calaway Elrod and E. S. Dugger also involved. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Clyde Rainbolt v. State | Johnson | Assault with Force and Arms |
Knifing Victim: W. H. Stout. Name also spelled Raimbolt and Railbolt. |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 143 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1947 | Eugene Lindsey v. State | Johnson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
"Assault with intent to commit voluntary manslaughter." Victim: George Hurst. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 255 | 116 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | Fayette (alias LaFayette) McGreer v. State | Johnson | Murder |
He was charged with the murder of one George Grindstaff…He stabbed him to death. |
East | Range: 18 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1955 | 85 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1941 | Fred Musgrave v. State | Johnson | Liquor Violation |
"Selling Liquor." |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 143 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1849 | Gammon & Vanel v. James H. Jones; Michael Clem v. James H. Jones; Elizabeth Johnson, Excr v. James H. Jones | Johnson | Injunction |
Assault with attempt to commit murder in the first degree. Victim: William H. Crouch. This case is a continuation from the original and an injunction due to the defendant failing to appear in court. It was later discovered he had left the state, stating he was on a business trip. Suing to obtain their equity rights on the defendant's home and property. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1168 | 68 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1949 | James Lowe v. State | Johnson | Murder | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 132 | 229 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Larton Dugger v. Nancy L. Rambolt | Johnson | Trespass and Damages |
This is an appeal. Original bill saw Nancy Rambolt as plaintiff with a plea of Trespass with $10,000 damages. Defendant Duggar and plaintiff became betrothed on Oct. 1, 1854; plaintiff brought suit in 1857 when she discovered he was already married. Defendant had stopped courting plaintiff, who was pregnant. Defendant denied he promised to marry plaintiff. Circuit Court ruled for plaintiff and assessed damages at $250. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1139 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Mollie Shoun v. State | Johnson | Assault and Battery |
Victim Hazel Adams |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 887 | 38 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1939 | Paul Shoun v. State | Johnson | Liquor Violation |
"Possessing Liquor." |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 143 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | State v. Carl Baker | Johnson | Liquor Violation |
Possession of Liquor. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 109 | 67 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | State v. Elmo Matherly& L. S. Wolfe | Johnson | Manslaughter |
"Voluntary Manslaughter." |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 111 | 247 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Russell Carr | Johnson | Embezzlement |
"Stealing 20 bags of flour." |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 141 | 69 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | Sherman Stallans, et al. v. State | Johnson | Larceny |
"Petit Larceny." Additional Plaintiff: George Stallans, Jr. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 257 | 114 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | State v. D. W. White | Johnson | Disturbing the Peace |
State charged the defendant with disturbing an educational and literary meeting at Hally Spring's College with noise and rude and indecent behavior. The circuit court jury found him guilty and ordered he pay $20 and cost of suit. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1813 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | State v. Clarence Potter | Johnson | Manslaughter, Voluntary |
Deceased victim: Stacy Roark. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 725 | 191 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1837 | State v. John P. Blevins et al | Johnson | Assault and Battery |
Victim: William Blevins. Add. Defendant: Armstead Blevins. |
East | Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 678 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. James M. Brooks | Johnson | Larceny |
Prosecuted for mule stealing. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 743 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. Joe Payne | Johnson | Other |
The defendant was charged with "dynamiting fish" on the Watauga River. |
East | Range: 8 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 948 | 42 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. C. A. Bradley | Johnson | Embezzlement |
Defendant found guilty of embezzling $2997.86 from estate of his ward, E. S. Bradley, dec.. 1925. C. A. Bradley brother of E. S. Bradley, who was judged "non compos mentis" in 1911. E. S. Bradley's children & heirs: Irvin & Essie Bradley. Promissory Notes Originally on Page 48. |
East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1020 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1857 | State v. James Robinson | Johnson | Liquor, Sale of Illegal |
For illegally selling liquor to John Sheffield. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1933 | State v. L. B. Morley | Johnson | Assault |
Defendant charged with assault for stabbing a man several times. |
East | Range: 10 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1531 | 230 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | State v. Dudley Wagner | Johnson | Liquor Violation |
Transporting Liquor. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 111 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1939 | State v. C. V. Caldwell | Johnson | Larceny | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 141 | 181 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1940 | State v. Don Mast | Johnson | Liquor Violation |
"Possessing Liquor." |
East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 143 | 42 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | Stella Johnson v. State | Johnson | Manslaughter |
"Voluntary Manslaughter." Victim: Arthur Cutshaw. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 255 | 64 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Joe Bush alias T. J. Layne | Johnson | Murder |
Victim: John Nave. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 783 | 238 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. James Collins | Johnson | Manslaughter, Voluntary |
Victim listed as Frank Bunton. |
East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1018 | 336 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. John Logan | Johnson | Larceny |
Incomplete file. Original case unknown. Judgment only. Additional cause of action: Receiving stolen goods. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1084 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. John Teague | Johnson | Larceny |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1143 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1855 | State & David S. Turner v. Lawson Widby | Johnson | Other |
Turner accused Matilda Wilcox, wife of C. C. Wilcox, of unlawfully trading with a slave, the property of M. M. Wagner. Widby claimed the Turner family's accusation was made from malice and ill will "for the purpose of venting their spleen…." Matilda was said to have purchased a turkey from the unidentified slave. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1162 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1855 | State v. Taylorsville Turnpike Co. | Johnson | Misdemeanor |
Def. charged with not keeping public highway in repair -- specifically, the Taylorsville Turnpike, which led through the county from North Carolina line near headwaters of cove creek by Taylorsville, down Laurel fork of Holston River to Virginia line. State of road said to be "ruinous, decayed & out of repair" & "obstructed with rocks, stumps, nuts, runners mud holes, ditches & underwood" such that passage was not safe. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1164 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Samuel E. McQueen v. Jordan J. Heck | Johnson | False Imprisonment |
Heck accused Sheriff McQueen of maliciously confining him to the county jail for 150 days. (Plaintiff had been indicted for bigamy.) Heck, described as a mean man, was said to have a wife each in Johnson and Greene counties. He "struck a violent lick" against McQueen during an altercation over a mysterious accusation. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Thomas J. Layne Alias Joe Bush v. State | Johnson | Unknown |
Incomplete documents includes only the "Order to Extend Time." |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 827 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | William D. Blevins v. State | Johnson | Assault |
Blevins was accused of putting out Jacob Shawn's eye. Change of venue requested and denied. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 16 | Order A Copy |