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 | 1851 | Archibald C. White v. Isaac C. Thomas | Lincoln | Trespass and Damages | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 232 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Annie Lee Mathews v. John P. Mathews | Lincoln | Petition for Divorce |
Plaintiff, Annie Mathews, sued for divorce from the defendant, John Mathews, charging him with "ill treatment, adultery with one Lizzie Hatcher, col.," and frequent accusations against her of infidelity. The case discusses the character and occupation of Lizzie Hatcher as a prostitute and the nature of the defendant's relationship with her. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1081 | 45 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | A. G. Schuab & Bros. & others v. J. W. Ruth | Lincoln | Replevin | Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 619 | 45 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1894 | A. C. Stewart and wife v. R. S. Grigsby | Lincoln | Debt |
Plaintiffs in error hired the defendant in error, a real estate broker, to sell a tract of land located in Lincoln County. Defendant's duties also included having the land surveyed and removing clouds from its title. In exchange for these services the plaintiffs agreed to pay 10 percent of the sale price. Defendant complained that the plaintiffs failed to compensate him for his services and instituted a suit for attachment. Plaintiffs appealed. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1024 | 111 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1889 | A. K. Edmonson v. State | Lincoln | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Defendant, a school teacher, is accused of carrying a pistol in public. According to witnesses, the defendant was in a heated exchange with a person named Brock who was a tenant on the defendants property. The defendant believed he was owed rent from Brock and had an attachment placed in the hands of Forrest Patrick who was deputized as a special officer. Patrick brought Brock to the home of Edmonson where the exchange occurred. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 832 | 15 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | Ann Sanders v. James W. Rawls | Lincoln | Damages |
The plaintiff's son, Thomas Sanders, went to the defendant's business as a vendor of goods and medicines for the drug, quinine, for his father, John Sanders. Instead of selling the quinine, the defendant negligently and carelessly sold him two unlabeled bottles of a poisonous drug. The plaintiff's husband, John Sanders, took the drug and became poisoned, dying a few hours later. Plaintiff sued for damages in the sum of $10,000. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 854 | 67 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1881 | A. J. Greenlee v. A C. Bostich | Lincoln | Debt | Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 669 | 79 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1836 | Brice M. Garner v. John Maze | Lincoln | Bank Note | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 198 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1871 | B. E. Lane v. F. W. Keith | Lincoln | Debt Settlement | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 330 | 50 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1896 | B. M. Hopper v. Mayor & Alderman of Fayetteville | Lincoln | Damages |
Plaintiff sued the city, alleging that they dumped the carcass of a hog, or hogs, that died with cholera on his property, whereby transmitting the disease to his hogs. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1083 | 31 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1868 | Benjamin J. Chafin[?] v. William J. Hosch[?] | Lincoln | Ejectment |
Chafin is sometimes spelled Choffin. Hosch is sometimes spelled Hash. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 549 | 21 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1886 | Benjamin March v. A. A. Dickerson et al. | Lincoln | Guardianship of Minors |
Alexander Smith, as guardian of A. B. and Mary J. White, held a note for their funds against defendant Dickerson. Confusion followed Smith's death, and this case is an attempt to work out how to handle the children's funds. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 635 | 95 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | Bank of Tennessee v. H. H. Sugg | Lincoln | Debt | Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 666 | 220 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1890 | Burk Milum (col.) v. State | Lincoln | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Plaintiff in error is accused of attempting to rape Alma Hicks, daughter of Lewis Hicks, the plaintiff's employer. Lewis Hicks claims he entered his home to find the plaintiff assaulting his daughter. The plaintiff claim it was Alma who initiated the interaction. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 872 | 36 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | B. S. & S. Paplanus v. The Knoxville Fire Insurance Company | Lincoln | Damages |
Plaintiffs are merchants and partners under the firm name and style of B. S. & S. Paplanus. Plaintiffs note that in November of 1889 a fire destroyed their store-house and stock of goods. Plaintiffs note that said storehouse and stock of goods were insured from fire damage by the defendant, and complain that the defendant has refused to compensate them for their losses. Defendant claims plaintiffs were never insured. Additional documents located in MT 976. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 914 | 200 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | Coldwell, Cummings, & Company v. S. M. McElroy | Lincoln | Debt Settlement |
The pl's were commission merchants & def was the surviving partner of the firm of McElroy McKinney & Miller, merchants & druggists. Pl's sued in 1861 upon a debt owed for merchandize advanced, plus shipping fees received by the pl's for def's to sell. Def' alleged they never received the goods. See box MT 330 for Add'l documentation. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 12 | 64 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1884 | C. A. French, et al. v. Frederick Borden, et al. | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Will of William Neeld. Additional plaintiffs: Oliva French (wife of C. A.), William P. Neeld, Rebecca Neeld, Lucy Neeld, Manning M. Dean, Ida Dean (wife of Manning), Thomas J. Carter, James N. Cooley, Hannah Neld, Robert E. Neld, James Borden, Hugh D. Neeld, Ada Carter, Walter Carter, Earnest Carter, George H. Bradshaw, Nancy Bradshaw (wife of George), Margaret Carter, and William F. Fleming. Additional defendants: Jessie Neeld, Eva Neeld, Bertha Neeld, Harry Neeld, Mary Neeld, etc. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 639 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | Chafin & Co. v. Henry C. Harris, admr. of Joel M. Harris | Lincoln | Garnishment | Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 669 | 34 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1837 | Cornelius W. McGuire, et al. v. State | Lincoln | Taxation Disputes |
Additional Plaintiffs: John Robertson; David C. Cowan; Joseph F. Brown; Moses Hage; Sterlen [?] Huff; William Huff; Luda Cathren; Elisha Benett; Joseph McCrackin |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 200 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Corporation of Fayetteville v. Charles R. Anglin | Lincoln | Ordinance Violation |
Anglin was accused of firing a pistol within the Fayetteville city limits. Exhibits include a copy of the booklet, "Charter, Rules of Order and Ordinances of the Corporation of Fayetteville" (1873). |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 54 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | C. A. H. McKinney v. W. J. Wiley | Lincoln | Ejectment- Unlawful Detainer | Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 50 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1880 | Carrigan& George to the use of S. J. George v. Jacob Anthony | Lincoln | Debt Settlement |
Plaintiffs: J .G. Carrigan and S. J. George |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 52 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | David Price & wife v. Jasper Smith | Lincoln | Slaves, Ownership of |
The name of the Plaintiff's wife is not listed. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 263 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | D. A. Coble v. Austin Hewitt | Lincoln | Damages | Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 619 | 23 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1878 | D. A. Benson, exe. of A. D. V. Benson v. William Benson et al. | Lincoln | Conveyance, Illegal |
Additional defendants: H.T. Benson, Margaret Cashin, Nancy Cashin, Emerandy Benson, Sony Benson, Robert Benson, H.D. Benson, Mandy Stone, Fawsey Stone, Mary Echols, and A.J. Benson. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 46 | 120 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1869 | D. M. Perkins v. W. B. Beatie | Lincoln | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 320 | 25 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1849 | Dinner & Boyles, admrs. of R. Farqularson, dec. v. Joseph Scott, et al.. | Lincoln | Debt |
Additional defendants: William W. and J. Thompson, Martha P. Steele and William Steele. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 669 | 99 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Drew Hill v. State | Lincoln | Assault |
Plaintiff in error is accused of assaulting J. N. Lloyd with a knife. The victim had been in an argument with Sam Hill, father of the plaintiff, prior to the incident. Case file notes plaintiff is a mechanic and made the knife used in the assault himself. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 878 | 79 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | E. L. Gillette v. N. S. Brooks | Lincoln | Debt |
The Defendant in error entered into an agreement with S. Montgomery Smith (acting as the agent of the plaintiff in error) to clear land at the rate of $6.49 per acre. Defendant claims he cleared a fraction of 27 acres and is still owed payment for his work. Casefile notes that the defendant cannot read or write. The plaintiff died during the course of the trial and the suit was revived in the name of Mrs. Josephine M. Gillette exe. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 953 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1845 | Elizabeth Thurston v. John Summnerford, et al. | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Other defendants: John Roach. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1851 | Edward A. Mosley, et al. v. Samuel E. Gilliland& Matt Marshall | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs: James and Ann Finch. Case deals with a competing wills concerning slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 232 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | E. L. Gillette v. E. B. Stegall | Lincoln | Debt |
The defendant in error claims that he was hired by the plaintiff in error to build several houses on the plaintiff's land in Elora, Tennessee. Defendant was seeking payment for the completed work. Plaintiff died during the course of the trial and the suit was revived in the name of Mrs. Josephine M. Gillette exe. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 956 | 39 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1824 | Fain & Crawford v. Brice M. Garner | Lincoln | Debt |
John Fain and Samuel Crawford were partners in trade and Brice M. Garner owned them $119.00 for value received. At this time Garner was clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Session for Lincoln County. The debt was not paid for several months and extensions were given, with still no payment. Garner had partners named Samuel Baker and Charles Boyles. They were not listed in the original case. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 364 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | First National Bank of Fayetteville v. D. W. Clark | Lincoln | Debt Settlement | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1889 | First National Bank of Fayetteville v. Janey Pearce, surviving partner of Pitts & Pearce& W.J. Moyers | Lincoln | New Trial |
Original suit shows Plaintiff sued to recover payment on a note for $1,000 from Moyers, including interest and court costs, resulting in winning a payment of $1,348. Current file is a petition for a new trial due to insufficient evidence. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 733 | 26 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1857 | Flavel Dickinson v. Moses Cruse | Lincoln | Other |
Plaintiff is guardian of John A. Gracy. Plaintiff hired out defendant's slave named John for a job. There is an issue as to the rights of hire vested in the guardian as such as the slave was the property of John Gracy and a warranty is at issue as the slave, John, became sick. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 267 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | George W. Martin v. Sarah Norman, et al. | Lincoln | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional defendants: Kelly Norman, Morgan Pitcock, and William Boyce |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1866 | Gideon Harvey, et al. v. State | Lincoln | Breaking and Entering |
Additional Plaintiffs: James Clark and Hiram Pearson. Plaintiffs are appealing the charge of stealing a sack of cornmeal. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | George Stone v. State | Lincoln | Murder |
Plaintiff in error is accused of murdering Thornton Burkley. Plaintiff has a twin brother named Tye Stone. Plaintiff does not deny taking part in the murder but blames the actual killing on Clem Massey. Plaintiff states that Masey came to him with a plan to kill Burkley and take the money had collected for his, "cross-ties." |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 872 | 71 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | G. M. Steel et al. v. James& Ginsey Smith | Lincoln | Debt |
Additional Plaintiffs: R. P. Feeny |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 291 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1887 | George D. Doyles v. W.A. Millard | Lincoln | Error in Proceedings |
The court erred in permitting evidence to be read such as the original note executed by J.H. Burnam to Millard and the minutes of said court to be read by the deputy clerk The original case involved a dispute over land. Also included: W.A. Millard v. George D. Doyles |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 753 | 66 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | Geo. T. Curtis, et al. v. S. Montgomery Smith | Lincoln | Replevin |
Additional plaintiffs: Elizabeth Curtis, and Jas T. Simmons and wife Sarah Simmons. Plaintiffs were the heirs of John A. Curtis dec. Plaintiffs brought suit against the defendant for unlawfully taking out of their possession and detaining from them 7,000 ft. of lumber harvested from the property of John A. Curtis. Casefile notes said property had been owned by the Curtis family for 30 years at the time of the suit. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 984 | 50 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | George Alexander v. State | Lincoln | Murder |
Plaintiff in error was accused of killing William Payne with a knife. The murder occurred in Payne's store known as the Narrow Gage Bakery located on the west side of the public square in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Payne and Alexander were arguing inside of the store before the murder. State believes Alexander initiated the attack. Alexander testifies that Payne first attacked him with weights, forcing him to react in self-defense. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 958 | 137 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | Georgia Home Insurance Co. v. C. A. Crunk | Lincoln | Insurance Disputes |
Def. in error was the owner of a two story frame shingle roof home situated on the north side of Market Street in the town of Fayetteville, TN and insured against fire by the pla. in error. Said home was destroyed by fire on March 27, 1890. Def. now states pla. refuses to make payments. Pla. claims a tornado caused the initial damage which led to the fire and believes this releases them from liability. Also see "The London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Co. v. C. A. Crunk," located in MT 892. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 892 | 91 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | Harden Wardin, Samuel & Mary Walker v. James M. Bell, Margaret Robinson, Hiram Armstrong, William Wright, C. N. Crawford, & William Ingle | Lincoln | Ejectment- Unlawful Detainer |
Wardin sued to recover a tract of land in Lincoln County unlawfully occupied by the defendants. The land was previously owned by Henry Moore, dec. He also owned 12 enslaved people named: Mary, Solomon, Emaline, Rachel, Leah, Anderson, Green, Eliza, Hannah , Lucy, Amanda, Eglatine. Not all of the bequests were paid from the estate, and the suit suggests selling some of the widow's life estate to fulfill the bequests. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 6 | 92 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | Howe Sewing Machine Co. v. William J. Stegall | Lincoln | Debt Settlement |
Additional parties: M. W. Woodard. Recovery of a $30 debt. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | Henry Clay v. Ada Taylor et al | Lincoln | Debt |
This suit began as an enforcement of lien for $33.65 balance claimed by plaintiff, a carpenter, who had painted and glazed a house for F.P. Taylor under contract. F.P. Taylor then died intestate, leaving his widow Ada & two minor children. Additional defendants: the Taylor children, Cornelius & Mattie. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 739 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | H. L. Moore v. Anna B. Bright, admr. of W. C. Bright, dec. | Lincoln | Debt |
Moore sued estate of W.C. Bright for debt that Bright owed Moore on a $175 promissory note. The primary issue appears to have been the required timeframe within which a debt claim against an estate may be brought. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 754 | 28 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1834 | Harry L. Douglas et al.v. John Pruitt et al | Lincoln | Other |
Additional Plaintiffs: Larkin F. Wood. Additional Defendants: James A. Pruitt and Elijah C. McLaughlin. Cause of Action: Covenant Appeal |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 196 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1873 | H. C. Whitaker & J. J. Sebastian, et al. v. John E. Harren, et al. | Lincoln | Estate Dispute/ Settlement |
On the third day of November 1863 Joseph Sebastian, dec. died with an intact will. Whitaker and Sebastian were named executors. Sebastian's widow married William Spencer, jr. The estate included an enslaved woman, Ann, and her children who had been sent to Nancy Sebastien before her father's death. The suit was filed in order to fulfill a bequest that would equal the value of the enslaved people. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 11 | 188 | Order A Copy |