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 | 1891 | Abe Gay v. State | Knox | Nuisance |
Gay "did unlawfully keep and maintain a certain filthy hog-pen in, at, and near which he did cause & suffer offal, filth and noisome substances to be collected and remain in and upon his premises in, along and upon Clinton Street, or road in or near the City of Knoxville, thereby corrupting and rendering impure the air, endangering the lives and health of the Citizens..." |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | A. A. Woods and J. F. Woods, in error v. Morris Deitch, Assignee in error | Knox | Debt |
The defendant in error, Deitch, brought suit against the plaintiff in error for debt due under $50. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1784 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | A. C. Ellas v. Knoxville Foundry & Machine Company | Knox | Land, Fraud |
In 1884 the deft. filed a bill in the Scott Co. Chancery Ct. for the sale of 2010 acres in that county to satisfy a judgment in its favor & against A. J. C. Robbins. Plntff. paid $2,250 for what he believed was the entire tract, but learned 500 acres had had been excepted out of the decree without his knowledge. This 500 acres was heavily timbered & had induced the plntff. to buy the tract in the first place. He alleged the deft. had defrauded him by exempting this land. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1775 | 276 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Bearden & Ferguson v. J. R. Gaylon, et al. AND J. F. Scott v. J. R. Gaylon, et al. | Knox | Deed Dispute |
Complainants F. C. Bearden and Archie Ferguson did business as Bearden & Ferguson, a firm that dealt in lumber, sash, doors, blinds, and other building materials. The company furnished such for erecting a house on a lot for Gaylon. He contracted the building to one Manis by verbal agreement. Manis never recorded the deed or paid anything on the house, so a real estate company sold the property to Gaylon. Gaylon sub-contracted the masonry to Scott, who eventually asked for a Mechanic's lien. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1771 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Coal Creek Mining & Manufacturing Co, In Error v. Wayne & Wilson, In Error | Knox | Breach of Contract |
The plaintiff accused the defendant mining company of breach of contract for failing to deliver coal to the plaintiff per the terms of their contract. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1781 | 742 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | C. Grainger v. Knox County | Knox | Damages |
Sued for $1000 in damages. Claim was the county had used a 552 1/2 foot long and 10 feet wide strip of land on the Rutledge Road without compensating him for it. Due to poor handwriting the first name of the plaintiff is unable to be determined. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 59 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Ed Murry, Arthur Wright, & J. L. Lillard v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Case file is incomplete; orders and opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | East Tennessee, Virginia, & Georgia Railway Co., in error v. Trent Canning Co., in error | Knox | Debt on Account |
The defendant in error, Trent Canning Co., sued the plaintiff in error for debt due under $500. The plaintiff in error was ordered to pay $74. 55 to the Trent Canning Co. but appealed. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1781 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Eunice E. Ballard, et als. v. Ephraim B. Scruggs, et als. | Knox | Equity |
Bill filed to recover 2/9 of divided interest in a tract of land; deed under sale was made but are seeking rent accounts for other land tenants; Lucy Scruggs, the life tenant, died after the execution by the Sheriff; arguing the sale was not valid to begin with. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1780 | 175 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | George DeArmond v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 8 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | George Rowland & Wife, Mary Rowland v. West Knoxville, A Municipal Corporation | Knox | Trespass |
Ca. 10 June 1889 plntffs. purchased a lot in West Knoxville situated between 2 ungraded roads that had never been laid out as streets. Later they had the lot surveyed by the Co. Surveyor & erected a fence to avoid encroaching upon the adjacent roads. Def. ordered the fence torn down, alleging that it was encroaching upon its streets & that the entire lot was part of the street. Plntffs. asked court to enjoin the city from trespassing upon or interfering with the lot. See ET 1066. Maps in M-17-19. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1758 | 296 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Henry Parker v. State | Knox | Public Nuisance |
Parker was charged with allowing trash to pile up on his property. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 | 7 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Henry Jackson, alias Henry Hampton v. State | Knox | Robbery |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 | 4 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | H. G. Bayless v. W. J. Berg; Vendome Company v. W. J. Berg; F.S. Atkin v. W.J. Berg; J.M. Daily Jr. v. W.J. Berg (consolidated cases) | Knox | Debt |
The plaintiffs sued the defendant for failing to pay various bills, including rent and other debts. The four individual suits began separately but were consolidated and heard together. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1784 | 247 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Irene P. Swift v. John L. Swift, et al. | Knox | Partnership Settlement |
Additional name: John F. Horne. Defendants ran W. A. Horn and Company, wholesale drug traders, plaintiff worked at Swift's Pharmacy (corner of Cumberland and Crozier). She claimed to have been duped out of thousands of dollars and land in Palestine, TX. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1088 | 48 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Joseph Doomis, in error v. State | Knox | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Upon the court finding Doomis guilty, he requested a new trial. Doomis testified that the pistol was No. 32 and old/rusty. Ida McMillan, a witness for the state, claimed to have seen Doomis with the gun--loaded. Several people testified that McMillian's reputation was very bad, was single and had been to the work house. Doomis claimed "she fell out with him" and prosecuted him for carrying a gun out of revenge. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1778 | 46 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | J. M. Greer & Co. v. S. L. Gibson | Knox | Debt |
J. M. Greer & Co. was a partnership of J. M. Greer, J. R. McDowell, and J. G. Duncan. Debt was on promissory note. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 114 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | J. L. Henderson v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Case file is incomplete; bond only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Joseph Doomis v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Case file is incomplete; orders and opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | John Hudson v. State | Knox | Assault and Battery |
Hudson's name also spelled Hutson in documents. For assault and battery of B. L. Harbison. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 36 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | J. W. Hannum v. State | Knox | Murder |
State argued that Hannum killed H. O. Wilson in his home in Blount Co. on May 21, 1890 using a pistol. The State's theory was that Hannum's love interest Nan West, with whom he had a child and lived with for 4 to 5 years, was found with H. O. Wilson. Hannum repeatedly threatened Wilson's life and then committed murder. Exhibit: map of Maryville, TN and J. T. Hanna Anchor Woolen Mill and 1890 almanac. See ET 1799 for additional part of case. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1798 | 1068 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | John Rose, In Error v. State | Knox | Breaking and Entering |
The State charged John Rose of breaking and entering into the home of J. E. Campbell through force of arms and committing larceny. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1790 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | John Coker, in error v. Board of Mayor and Alderman of Knoxville | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
John Coker, alias Floyd, was charged with disorderly conduct/aiding and abetting by his presence and dancing with a prostitute at the house of Mary Oakes on Mabry Street and causing a general disturbance to the neighbors. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1790 | 9 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Joseph Ruohs v. The Town of Athens, et al. | Knox | Breach of Bond |
Plaintiff Joseph Ruohs purchased 22 bonds of $1k each issued by the town of Athens, in order to by shares of $22k in stock in the Nashville & Tellico Railroad Company, meant to mature in 20 years. Ruohs accused the defendants, who comprised the Board of the Mayor and Alderman, of failure to pay interest on bonds and therefore, defaulting on said bonds. The plaintiff further accused some defendants of fraudulently avoiding liability by resigning their official posts. See additional case ET 4a about bonds. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1776 | 480 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | James & Abbott v. The German American Insurance Co. & James & Abbott v. The Insurance Company of North American & James & Abbott v. The Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Company | Knox | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Complainants were merchants principal office located in City of Boston, MA, with contracts of insurance against loss by fire throughout the U.S., particularly in State of TN. Contract dispute with several insurance companies relative to policies issued in Knoxville and Tennessee. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1771 | 251 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Joseph Allen v. S. P. Condon and the Morrison Transfer Company | Knox | Personal Injuries |
This was a personal injuries case. The plaintiff was injured in the course of excavating the foundation of a stable for the defendants company. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 44 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | James H. Vineyard v. P. T. Forbes | Knox | Damages |
Damages for the "misrepresentation of mare very old, lame, & diseased." |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1768 | 35 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | John C. Ogg v. J. M. Allison | Knox | Land, Fraud |
Plntff. employed deft. as a clerk in his general store. Ogg sent Allison to buy a piece of land from Alexander Calloway with whom plntff. had previously done business. Plntff. charged that Allison instead purchased the land for himself, using the store's funds, & had the title made out in his own name. Ogg did not know of the fraud until he saw the record in the Registrar's Office. Plntff. asked the court to transfer title to him & enjoin deft. from transferring the deed in an effort to cloud the title. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 | 278 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Knoxville Cumberland Gap and Louisville Railroad Co. v. Board of Mayor and Alderman of the City of Knoxville | Knox | Unknown |
Record book only. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1781 | 60 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Lenoir Manufacturing Company, for use of Insurance Companies v. East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Co. | Knox | Insurance Claims and Policies |
Plaintiff Insurance Companies: Knoxville Fire Insurance Co., East Tennessee Insurance Co., Island Home Insurance Co., Planters Fire & Marine Insurance Co., and too many other companies to list. The suit was brought on behalf of the Lenoir Manufacturing Company by the plaintiff insurance companies to recover amounts paid by them for the loss of personal property charged to have been burned by sparks from the defendant's engine as the result of the defendant's negligence. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1796 | 316 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Lucy Badgett v. State | Knox | Larceny |
Badgett, Frank White, and Sarah Gossett were accused of stealing a gold coin worth $5 from R. R. Reagan and William Hardy. This case was related to "Frank White v. State" in ET 1638. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1763 | 44 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Margaret Hockeryos (?) v. Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, & Louisville Railroad Co. | Knox | Damages for Wrongful Death |
Plaintiff Margaret Hockeryos, widow of Franz Hockeryos (died 8/25/1889), sued the defendant railroad for $25,000 in damages for the negligent injury and, three days later, death of her husband as a passenger on the train. This massive case is split between two large bound volumes in two cases; box 1793 and 1794. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1793 | 1506 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Margaret A. Shields v. Riverside Improvement Co. | Knox | Land and Title Dispute |
Case in 2 folders. Margaret Shields, wife of John, sued Riverside Improvement Company in order to set a deed aside made years previously. However, because Shields was a woman, and the original deed executed while she was a minor, the legitimacy of the original deed was questioned. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1762 | 687 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Michael Bowler & wife, in error v. John Crowley, Exec. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
"This was a contest over the will of Daniel Crowley, dec'd. between a disinherited child and the other children. Verdict and judgement were in favor of the latter, and the disinherited child appealed in error…" D. Crowley died 1890. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1783 | 90 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | R. L. McBee, in error v. Samuel G. Bowman, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiff, in error request for a new trial (See case in box ET 1748) was overruled and he appealed in error. Dispute involves "Riverdale Place" located on French Broad in Knox County, which was sold by J. Wylie Bowman, dec. 1889, to R. L. McBee. Several wills have been contested by members of the Bowman family in an effort to acquire the property. Case too large for folder. See ET 1748 & 1816 for additional part of case. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1778 | 638 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Robert Bradley v. State | Knox | Larceny |
For stealing a pair of shoes ($2) & a pair of socks ($0.25) from E. J. Harrison. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1767 | 25 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | R. F. Rivernac v. Knoxville Street Railroad Co. | Knox | Injury and Damages |
Plaintiff Rivernac sued the defendant company for $5000 in damages for injuries sustained to his arm when he was riding on one of the defendants street cars and it crashed into another car. He claimed permanent injury and loss of time and money due to the negligence of the defendant company in the operation of their business. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1784 | 69 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Rebecca J. Kelly, admr. of Alexander Kelly, et al. v. Frank Hughes | Knox | Debt |
Plntff. admr. & widow of Alexander Kelly, who died intestate in Knox Co. in May 1890. She sued the deft. to collect on an unpaid note for $644.32 that was due & payable at the time of her husband's death. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1772 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Ross Fulton v. State | Knox | Murder, 1st degree |
Co-defendant: Charles Fulton. "on the 5th day of November 1890, in the county of Knox and State aforesaid, unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, premeditatedly, feloniously, and of their malice aforethought an assault did make upon the body of Henry Robinson with certain deadly weapons, to wit - pistols, knives, and rocks…" "the said Henry Robinson certain mortal wounds from the affect of which he the said Henry Robinson in a few days thereafter died." |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 | 109 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | State v. Emanuel Brown | Knox | Debt Dispute |
According to the case file the Defendant did unlawfully "leave and fail to pay his board bill." Case incomplete; brief and summons only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 6 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Sarah Thompson in her own right and as next friend v. J. W. Sneed | Knox | Ejectment |
Thompson sued Sneed to recover a house and lot in Knoxville. She brought the suit in her own right and as next friend of Andrew Copeland, a minor. Andrew's father, Peter Copeland, was married to Sarah. Sarah had fenced the property, improved it, and paid taxes. She then offered it for sale. Title disputed by A. G. Buffet & Co., which claimed to have bought it from Peter; Sarah could not remember signing it. Confusion ensued. Her marriage to Peter was challenged; evidence that she married Robert Conner. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1782 | 39 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | State v. Samuel Jack | Knox | Illegal Restraint |
The state brought this case for William Warren who has been legally convicted of manslaughter in the western division of the state. Warren denied that his confinement in this penitentiary is legal. He claimed that he was leased out by the defendant to the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company for work and that his detention and removal was illegal. Note 2 folders. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1763 | 191 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | State v. Matthew Newton | Knox | Breaking and Entering |
Deft. found guilty of breaking into the "dwelling house" of J. C. Campbell on the date of 20 June 1890 with the intention of committing larceny. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1762 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | State v. Joseph Prater & Eliza Parker | Knox | Unlawful Cohabitation |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 | 4 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Sarah B. Bicknell, admr. of Robert Williams, dec., et al. v. East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad Company | Knox | Damages for Wrongful Death |
Other plaintiffs: George Bicknell (husband of Sarah). Bicknell filed suit for damages in death of Williams dec 1875 (who worked for railroad) in circuit court in Monroe County. That case went to the Supreme Court & she was awarded $6,000 damages & costs. Between the time the case was initially filed & the time of the SC judgement, the railroad was sold. Includes suit was to compel payment of the judgement against railroad. |
East | Range: 18 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1961 | 582 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | State v. James L. Henderson | Knox | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Deft. found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon on his person on an unspecified date in 1890 "for the purpose of going armed". |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 | 31 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | T. B. Rather, admr. of Victoria Wright, dec. v. East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Company | Knox | Damages |
Plaintiff sued for $10,000 in damages due to negligence. George Wright, his wife, Virginia and child were involved in a collision between their wagon and a steam locomotive at a public crossing in Loudon County. Plaintiff's claim a pile of cross timbers… and other debris prevented them from seeing the train. Defendants argued that they were not guilty due to the Plaintiff's own negligence. Exhibit is blueprint of the railway and public road. |
East | Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 688 | 225 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Trigg, Dobbs, & Co. v. Saxton Company | Knox | Contract Dispute and Damages |
A dispute between the parties regarding a contract for the delivery and payment of lumber. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 812 | 6 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Thomas Feaster and Emma Feaster v. E. F. Mynatt, et al. | Knox | Land and Title Dispute |
Other defendants: M. F. Caldwell; Barney Irwin. Feasters hired Mynatt & Caldwell (attorneys) for $250 to defend Frank Holly, who was charged with murder in Williamsburgh, Ky. Feasters paid $57 in cash & thought they signed a mortgage on their lot on Franz St. in Knoxville to Mynatt & Caldwell for the remaining $193. Feasters were illiterate & what they signed was a warranty deed for the full $250. Mynatt & Caldwell then proceeded to sell the lot to Irwin. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1764 | 169 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | W. R. Watson v. J. Allen Smith & Co. | Knox | Debt |
Plaintiff was resident of New York, engaged in business of milling; defendant was milling operation in Knoxville known as the "City Mills," located on Crozier St. Partnership developed between plaintiff Watson & Smith & Co., firm of "W. R. Watson & Co." Dispute arose between business entities in 1889 over milling operations - "short system" and repairs to machinery. Business dissolved by mutual consent in Aug. 1889, leaving debts between parties involved. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1802 | 290 | Order A Copy |