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 | 1873 | A. G. Mason, admr. of A. G. Graham et al., dec. v. B. L. Burson, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Caption and first page are mostly missing, so additional parties are difficult to determine. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 240 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1839 | Benjamin R. Strong, exe. of Joseph C. Strong, dec. v. Charles Ready & wife, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiff also executor for Jane Strong, deceased. Others mentioned: Ann E. Strong, Joseph L. King (Ann's guardian), P. Dickenson, J.C. Moses, Jane Strong. Slaves mentioned in will. Exhibits includes statements of first distribution & second distribution of estate, calculations, & receipts. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 51 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1916 | Cleveland Atkinson v. Charlie Peters et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Cleveland & State Atkinson v. Charlie Peters, W. A. Wray, Reese Patterson; Ida Martin, Fannie & Virginia Peters, Mattie Moser, & Charlie Atkinson is the full name of the case. W. B. Peters died with $500k worth of property, leaving all but State, Charlie & Cleveland $1 in his deathbed will. Heirs said will was a fraud. Second part of case pages 372-712 missing. 5 folders. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1a | 375 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1847 | Curry P. Armstrong & William H. Sneed v. James C. Moses & wife | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Armstrong was admr. of William Park, dec., who left bulk of estate (including slaves) to wife, Jane Crozier (?) Park. Document includes Park's will which details his bequests to family: daughters Susan (widow of Sen. Leonidas W. Baker) & Sophia; sons-in- law James H. Armstrong (Ann Eliza's husband), James P. Moses, and George W. Churchwell (Sophia's husband). |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1121 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | Charles T. Rodgers et al. v. William Rodgers et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Court of Origin unknown. Additional Defendants: Unknown. Additional Plaintiffs: William Rodgers, Thomas Rodgers, John Rodgers, children of Samuel R. Rodgers. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 28 | 5 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1924 | Charlton Karns, exe. et al. v. George Dilley Wingert | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Final Decree only. Additional Plaintiffs: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 97 | 1 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1948 | Charles Walker, et al. v. Opal Walker Queener, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
To contest the Will of Kate E. Walker, dec.. Additional Complainants: Dewey P. Walker, Willie Walker Capps, Gladys Holbert, Glenn Dinwoodie Longmire, Jack Dinwoodie. Additional Defendant: Etta Walker McPhetridge. |
East | Range: 6 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 484 | 400 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1938 | D. H. Jenkins, exe. of Cynthia Bailey Walker, dec. v. Daniel R. Bailey et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Too many additional defendants to name. Jenkins brought suit to construe Cynthia Bailey Walker's will, especially as to the right of the Executor to sell and transfer her real estate. He was also sued to get a judgment against James T. Bailey and his wife for the rent due. Plaintiff had a purchaser lined up who was willing to pay $2800 for the land. Plaintiff wanted to follow Cynthia's will in which she wanted the land sold and proceeds divided among her siblings. Exhibits include Cynthia's will. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1267 | 186 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1927 | Ed Hackworth et al. v. Willie Hackworth et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Add. Plaintiffs: Ed Hackworth, Bertha Gallaher, S. C. Calloway, William Calloway, Ellison Calloway, Carrie Blanche Calloway, Jno. R. Cox, Blair Hackworth. Add. Defendant: Annie Hackworth. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 399 | 266 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1935 | Estate of Isadore B. Finklestein, dec. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
The will was contested by the widow, the legatees and the general creditors of the deceased. |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 893 | 152 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | Eliza Cooper, exe. v. Mary May | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Cooper was executrix of her late husband Thomas Cooper's will. He died in 1885 and left his entire estate to his widow. Mary May purchased Eliza's home in 1886 and occupied it. Eliza had left in the cellar--with May's permission--considerable personal property which she was to retrieve later. Thomas was very distrustful of banks and habitually kept money (including 31 gold coins) hidden in the house. One of May's children found the coins, so Eliza asked its return. Unfortunately, May spent it. |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1743 | 51 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1926 | Floyd Marshall& wife v. Mrs E. M. A. Shea et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | George B. Walker v. Samuel Potillo and Others | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Additional plaintiff Susan Baker. Additional defenant William Walker. Walker was seeking the money that was left to him by his father in his will. Walker stated that Potillio and Wm. Walker who were made the executors of the will used the funds for their own purposes. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1692 | 89 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1942 | Hamilton National Bank of Knoxville v. W. P. Haynes, Jr. et al | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Also see ET 641 for additional folders. Deceased: Nellie H. Jennings. Exhibits include trust deeds, income lists, minutes of meetings, chattel mortgages, court documents, itemized account statements, correspondences. Add. Defendants: Knox County Tuberculosis Sanatorium Inc., Carson-Newman College, Margaret Haynes, Elizabeth Campbell, W. P. Haynes III, Ray Simmonds, Mount Rest Home for Aged Women, Lillian Rutherford Haynes, St. John's Orphanage Inc., Mary Jennings. |
East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 639 | 1175 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1867 | H. L. Clift, admr. of James Clift, dec. v. The Heirs of James Clift | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1889 | J. S. Fox, exe. et al in error v. M. M. Braine et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs: Marcus, Barnabos, and Mary Ann Braine, and Elizabeth (Braine) Coons. The Braine heirs requested the probate of the will of Rhoda Braine, dec., be set aside because Rhoda was not of sound mind when executors Fox and J. F. J. Lewis executed the will. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1838 | 454 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | John Cox & Marvel Hill, exe. of Curd Cox, dec. v. John Rhodes & wife Polly Rhodes et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
John & Polly contested will of Curd Cox (Polly's dad), which left property to Curd's grandson Menoah Jett & all of Curd's sons & daughters--John Cox, James Cox, Richardson Cox, Moses Cox, Sally Conner, Milly Hill, Henry Cox, Elizabeth Jett--except Polly. Jury found will to be valid. Add. Def. were securities for John & Polly: Wm B. Coapland & Pleasant R. Grills. Slaves named in will: Jane, George, Harriet, John, Mary. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1164 | 55 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1943 | Kermit Faulkner v. James Henry Washington | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Deceased: George Washington. Exhibits include will, letters of administration. |
East | Range: 7 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 503 | 194 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1861 | Levi McCloud, Charles W. Karns, exe. of Henry Chiles, dec. v. Mary J. Chiles | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Estate of Henry Childs dec., Levi McCloud is the exec. of the will. Mary contests the will. Charles W. Karns is co-executor with McCloud. Case file mentions slaves, "Daphne," "Bob," "Reuben," and others- slaves may be repatriated to "west coast of Africa." Executors asking for court's assistance in interpreting Henry's will. Related case (mentioned in this case): Levi McCloud, Charles W. Karns, exe. v. Jesse Wilkans & William Rogers in ET Box 1154. Please note that this is East TN case. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 646 | 325 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | Levi McCloud & Charles W. Carnes [Karns], exe. v. Jesse Wilkans & William Rogers | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiffs are executors for Henry Chiles (dec.). Chiles was illiterate upon death and relied on others to do business on his behalf, including the defendants. He owned several slaves who he decreed to free upon his death. Plaintiffs allege that the defendants made fraudulent additions and revisions to the business ventures and estate of Chiles, including the selling of the slaves in his possession. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1154 | 224 | 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 | 1942 | Mary Carmack v. Fidelity-Bankers Trust Co. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Mary Carmack is the widow of James C. Carmack and is contested his will. The exhibits in this case include various testimonies and a telegram. 2 folders. Affidavits and telegram |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 801 | 806 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Margaret & Marjorie Carey, by their guardian, J. A. Archer v. Kate Carey et al | Knox | Wills, Contested |
F. M. Carey died owning large estate, leaving widow Kate (3rd wife), 2 minor twin children Margaret & Marjorie by 2nd wife, & adult children by 1st wife: sons G. C. & Murphy (exes), F. M. Carey Jr., Pearl Carey Chesney, Nola Standifer. Will disinherited the twins (now 5 yrs. old), leaving property to widow Kate & his adult children. Twins live with Archer, their maternal grandpa, who also cares for twins' mom Mary Manilla Carey, who has been ruled insane. Kate's maiden name was Nottingham. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1350 | 65 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1935 | Margaret Katherine Kelly v. Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co. et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendants: Walter V. and Mary Clark; J.M Cracroft; and Dr. Thomas Bryon Cracroft. The plaintiff sued on behalf of Mary Jean Kelly and John Thomas Kelly, both minors. Copy of will of John T. Kelly. |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 864 | 88 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1945 | Ruby Williams Rucker et al. v. Gena Williams Ewell et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Exhibits include handwritten will and postcards, typed will, receipt. Add. Plaintiff: Roe Williams. Add. : Marguerite Williams Wolford, Margaret Cooper Bauman, Marie Wallace White. |
East | Range: 6 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 455 | 311 | 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 | 1828 | Sampson David Heirs, et al. v. Martha David & John Bridgeman | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Deceased Sampson David, left specific instructions in his will as to the emancipation of his slaves. He asks that the enslaved workers be hired out in order to earn the amount necessary to transport them to a state or colony where slavery was outlawed. Martha died the next year intestate, & without settling her husband's estate. The enslaved people were taken possession by an heir; David's request deemed illegal. Incomplete case; cuts off in mid-sentence. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 5 | 4 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | Samuel H. McClanahan, et al. v. William J. Kelley, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Estate settlement of Polly McClanahan. Two legal wills filed in dispute. Wm. & Susan Kelley with John & Martha Meek witnessed the filing of Polly McClanahan's will naming Samuel Rogers executioner. He died, and Wm. Morrow was named. The family was huge, naming too many parties for this space. However, Samuel McClanahan and wife claim the right two 2/3rds of Polly's estate. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 3a | 37 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Sibella Cliburne, In Error v. J. H. Mynatt, et al., exe. of Martin L. Mynatt, dec. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Estate of Martin L. Mynatt, dec. (17 Sept. 1877?). Plaintiffs: Sibella Cliburne (daughter), Calvin M. Cliburne. Last will & testament dated 27 Oct. 1854 contained in case; mentions negroes in possession of estate. Defendants: Linville M. Mynatt, J. H. Mynatt, Hugh L. W. Mynatt. Others: Richard G. Mynatt, Hardin D. C. Mynatt, & Martin S. L. Mynatt. |
East | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1662 | 102 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1899 | Thomas Bearden, et al. v. A. P. White | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Case is incomplete; brief only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 88 | 3 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | Thomas D. A. Draper v. Ino. R. Draper et al | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs Francis Bayless, Ruth Miller, Pleasant M. Miller, Oliver N. Miller, Madison Smith, Mary Smith and S. miller. Additional defendants to many to name so last names are given: Draper, Hutch, Jones, Hickman, Benny, White,Grant and Stanley Thomas Draper dec. left his last will and testamnet. The plaintiff stated to the court that his wife was entitled to real estate and personal property left by Thomas Draper. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1695 | 73 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1906 | Virginia Swepson Cowan, exor., et al. v. M. H. Walker | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Final Decree only. Additional Plaintiffs: Lillian Swepson Spilman, E. Hepburn Saunders. Deceased: Robert Redd Swepson. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 87 | 1 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | William Ledgerwood & Wife v. Theodore M. Gault, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Wife: Mary Ledgerwood (nee Gault). Addtl Dfnts: Pastsy, Florence, Jno., and Martha Gault, and Martha Sanders. After the death of the patriarch Joe Gault, his heirs contested the structure and content of his will, namely the partitioning of land and monies. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1627 | 206 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | William Ledgewood & wife, et al. v. Theodore Gault, exe. of John Gault, dec. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Petitioners claim that John Gault left valuable land to heirs Mary Ledgewood, Martha Weaver, John Gault, Florence Gault, the children of hwas late son Robert, widow Patsy, and Theodore Gault. Plaintiffs claim John was feeble and infirm a few hours before his death and was "induced by persuasion and artifice" at that time to write a new will leaving most of his lands to defendant Theodore M. Gault. Plaintiffs claim that John signed this will while in "the very throes of death." Will attached. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1636 | 126 | Order A Copy |