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 | 1868 | Abner Estess v. F. M. Presswood, et al. | Polk | Ejectment- Unlawful Detainer |
John Presly, Jonathan Thomas, Jacob Baring , and Miranda Baring held possession of a tract of land, then Estess took possession of the land in 1849. Brown was a tenant of Baring and paid rent, and Estess rented from Baring in 1862. Apparently Estess attempted to take ownership of the land but had no deed, and was ejected. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 17 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1856 | Abraham McKissee & Andrew Kerr v. Myron Rogers | Polk | Debt | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 78 | 30 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1928 | A. W. Lewis, et al. v. R. L. Kirkpatrick, et al. | Polk | Unknown |
Case references the "Law Court" of Washington County. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | A. A. Warlick v. James Halcomb & Tennessee Electric Power Co. | Polk | Unknown |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1942 | Anna Scarborough v. Frank Pickens & J. P. Pickens | Polk | Fraudulent Conveyance | East | Range: 7 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 538 | 135 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1942 | A. J. Gaddis v. Polk County | Polk | Recovery of Money/ Wages |
Exhibits: minutes from Quarterly County Court of Polk County. Complainant sued to recover his salary as Highway Commissioner of Polk County during 1936, 1937, 1938. |
East | Range: 7 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 550 | 377 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | Austell Cabinet Company v. Center & Abernathy& L. H. Abernathy | Polk | Debt |
Debt of three notes for a total of $365.95. |
East | Range: 8 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 966 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1872 | A. H. Wilson v. William Lemons | Polk | Ejectment |
The defendant owes $17 in goods and chattel. For more of case see William Lemons v. A.H. Wilson in ET 1236. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1208 | 71 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1872 | Andrew Schmidt v. Martin Menks | Polk | Breach of Contract |
Plaintiff entered into a contract with the defendant to pay him $1,000 in return for one seventh of the proceeds of the sale of the defendant's one fourth share in a mine known as the Mobile Mine and formerly owned by the Spring Place Mining Company. Menks is a resident of Georgia and the mine rests in Fannin County Georgia on lots 54, 56 and others in the 9th district. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1211 | 111 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | A. S. Jarnagin, et al. v. John D. Kinsey | Polk | Deed Dispute |
Dispute over the ownership of a tract of land in Polk County. Jarnagin had already begun harvesting timber on the land. Other plaintiffs: Milton P. Jarnagin, Jasper C. Bell, and Alfred Caldwell. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1207 | 80 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Alex H. Keith v. John Thomas, et al. | Polk | Sale of Land/Property |
This case is regarding the sale of what was known as the Patrick Nash land. The purchase of this tract of land was for usage of mining copper ore, minerals, wood, and water. Additional Defendants: William H. Peet. Exhibit: Newspaper clipping advertising sale |
East | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1590 | 307 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1924 | Ab Ellis v. Jesse Hammond et al. | Polk | Unknown |
Final Decree only. Additional Defendants: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 94 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | A.W. Raht et als v. James M. Meek | Polk | Estate Dispute |
This case involved a dispute between the surviving heirs of Julias E. Rahl, deceased and creditors of one John Caldwell who sold their father his land which became part of his estate. Others mentioned in case F.A. Raht, Louisa Raht, August Raht, and Matilda Raht. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1829 | 105 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Albert Poe v. State | Polk | Manslaughter |
Poe was found guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter. Earl Martin testified that Poe assaulted him w/a knife after Martin's date w/Ruth Davis (Poe's former sweetheart). Poe had threatened Martin before. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1076 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | Andrew V. Hannah, Overseer v. Robert F. Sloan | Polk | Other |
Hannah was appointed overseer of a road going from William Fagg's shop to the widow White's ford on the Ocoee River, & it was ordered he have all the hands in the 3rd district in order to build the road. Sloan failed to work on the road, despite having been given notice to do so, so Hannah sued him to recover 75 cents per day for such failure & recovered a $2.25 judgment. Jury charge includes explanation of what made a road a first class road, which was basis of authority for overseer & assigned hands. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1177 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1867 | Abner Estep v. F. M. Preswood et al. | Polk | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional defendants include: Mary Preswood, and John Boring. Rebecca Boring, Henry Boring, Stephen Boring, and Mariah Boring are underage and represented by their Next Friend, Elizabeth Boring. The plaintiff and defendants are arguing over a parcel of land which both parties claim as their own. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1191 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Bob Cole v. State | Polk | Manslaughter, Voluntary |
Cole originally charged with the murder of Hayden Raper. Whiskey was involved. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1076 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | B. B. C. Witt v. Polk County | Polk | Debt on Account |
The complainant, a lawyer, sues the County of Polk for the sum of $758.96, a balance claimed to be due on account for fees for services rendered the county by the complainant. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 786 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Beeler v. Ezekiel H. Dunn& wife | Polk | Debt |
William Cameson had notes due to the plaintiff. Cameson died and in the will named Anne Cameson his Executrix. Anne married the defendant, Ezekiel Dunn. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 | 115 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | Bernard Manufacturing Co. v. J. N. Johnson | Polk | Promissory Note |
Plaintiff failed to return 12 investment notes of $25 each to J. N. Johnson upon the dates of their maturity. Johnson sued for the value of the notes. Bernard Manufacturing Co. of Iowa City, Iowa consists of Theodore O. Loveland & James L. Records. 2 folders. Exhibits include the 12 promissory notes. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1356 | 172 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Bob McNeely v. State | Polk | Manslaughter |
Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1943 | B. E. Biggs, et al. v. Roy H. Beeler, Attorney General, et al. | Polk | Petition for Injunction |
Polk Co. & R. E. McClary successfully challenged the constitutionality of the state's new abolition of the poll tax. In 1943, the General Assembly passed a bill outlawing the poll tax. For years, the tax had been a way of legally suppressing voting privileges of poor whites and African Americans. Under the constitutional provision for a poll tax, counties required proof that male citizens had paid the tax. (The name Biggs is not obvious in the brief & argument.) |
East | Range: 7 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 552 | 552 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | Bill Grooms et al.v. B. E. Biggs Jr. | Polk | Liquor Violation |
Add. Plaintiffs: Johnnie Grooms, Ralph Grooms. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 758 | 35 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | B. B. Goode v. Tennessee Cooper Company | Polk | Injury and Damages |
The plaintiff was employed by the defendant and was seriously injured on the job. |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 909 | 183 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1927 | Cleveland National Bank, et al. v. D. A. Arnwine, et al. | Polk | Fraudulent Conveyance |
Suit was filed against D. A. Arwine, B. E. Biggs, S. B. & B. F. McClary in order to prove the fraudulent nature of a deed executed between the McClarys conveying farmland. S. B. was accused of selling the land to prevent it being taken & sold to pay off another debt. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 7 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | Charles Couch v. The Equitable Life Insurance Society of the United States | Polk | Insurance Claims and Policies |
Case includes disability claims. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 63 | 226 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1881 | Charles Owens v. A. E. Dunn, admr. of E. H. Dunn, dec., et al. | Polk | Wills, Contested |
Complainant argued that he should be entitled to his late wife's share in E. H. Dunn's estate, as she was his daughter and had a son before her death. Complainant also argued that A. E. Dunn, admr., had not distributed profits as outlined in the will. Defendants are Ann Eliza Dunn, N. B. Dunn, John B. Cooke, John M. Dunn, Eliza Dunn, Matilda H. Cooke, and T. C. Owens. Note that Dunn died during the Civil War and that much of his estate's "real" property was lost as a result of emancipation. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 75 | 149 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1924 | C. A. Webb & Company v. Lona Wolfe, et al. | Polk | Bond Dispute |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 93 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1934 | Cleveland National Bank v. F. D. Copeland, et al. | Polk | Debt |
Additional Defendants: Mrs. F. D. Copeland, Dr. T. J. Hicks and wife, D. G. Merrill, H. W. McClary. Debt due by notes. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 780 | 80 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | Charlie Hayes et al. v. S. S. Kittrell et al. | Polk | Unknown |
Final Decree only. Date: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 94 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Calvin Thurman v. William Reynolds & William Hughes et al | Polk | Land and Title Dispute |
2 folders. Related to Calvin Thurman v. David Jenkins & William Miller in ET79. Add. defendants: David Jenkins & William Miller. Issue over 40 acres of land. Missing first eight pages. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1173 | 342 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | C.M. McClay v. M. Mayfield et al | Polk | Debt, Balance on |
Add. defendants: R.H. Baldwin & Susan Mayfield. Debt due by note for $88.85. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1173 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Charles M. McClary v. Isaac H. Mayfield | Polk | Unknown |
Incomplete file. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1173 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1932 | C. B. Dalton et al.v. L. E. Kimsey et al | Polk | County Issues |
Additional plaintiffs and defendants listed in file. Issue of appropriating certain sections of land in said county for the use of schools, a fixed policy of the government. |
East | Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1382 | 269 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1924 | City of Benton v. Charles C. Guinn | Polk | Ordinance Violation | East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 634 | 22 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1935 | Crane & Company v. Etowah Electric Sign Corporation et al. | Polk | Recovery |
Crane and Company is seeking the recovery of $1,088.47 plus interest from the defendants as they claim they provided materials/services and were not paid. |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 909 | 219 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | Cleveland National Bank, et al. v. D. A. Arnswine, et al. | Polk | Petitions for Certiorari |
Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | Christmas Watson v. State | Polk | Unknown |
Incomplete case file; order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 21 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1857 | Columbus Witt v. State | Polk | Other |
For public obscenity. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1209 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | Charles C. Guinn v. J. D. Clemmer et al. | Polk | Damages |
Charles Guinn is sued for $25,000 in damages. He is sued the members of the Board of Education because he says he was unjustly removed as a member of the Board. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1338 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | Ducktown Sulphur, Copper & Iron Company Ltd. v. W. P. Ledford et al. | Polk | Damages |
Final Decree only. Date: Unknown. Additional Defendants: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 92 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | Ducktown Sulphur, Copper & Iron Company Ltd. v. W. L. Johnson | Polk | Damages |
Final Decree only. Date: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 92 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | Ducktown Sulphur, Copper & Iron Company, LTD, v. J. R. Simmonds | Polk | Damages | East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 1 | Order A Copy | ||
| View Entry | 1948 | Docia Ann Cloer v. John P. Cloer et al. | Polk | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Defendants: Elijah Cloer, William Cloer, Miney Cloer Mantooth, Fannie Cloer Shannon, Mary Cloer Smith, Esther Cloer McClure, Rosie Cloer Fisher, Glen Waldrup, Oma Waldrup, Ruth Waldrup. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 63 | 68 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | D. C. Haskins & George Cloud v. J. E. Raht & James Gamble | Polk | Debt Dispute |
Dispute also involves the use of land. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | D. G. Merrell v. Arthur Merrell | Polk | Land and Title Dispute |
Complainant file suit for the purpose of having a boundary declared. Exhibits: plat map, 2 drawings. |
East | Range: 7 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 550 | 235 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Dr. A. W. Lewis v. Dr. H. P. Hyde, et al | Polk | Contested Election |
Dr. Lewis was elected jail physician of Polk county, before his term was up, Dr. Hyde was elected to replace him by and approved by W. V. Davis. Dr. Lewis says the election was unlawful Additional Defendant: W. V. Davis, County Judge |
East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1028 | 92 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | Ducktown Sulphur, Copper & Iron Company Ltd. v. James R. Morgan | Polk | Damages |
Final Decree only. Date: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 92 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | Ducktown Sulphur, Copper & Iron Company Ltd. v. J. R. Simmonds | Polk | Damages |
Final Decree only. Date: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 92 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1857 | David Westmoreland& Jesse Westmoreland v. State | Polk | Theft |
For stealing sacks of flour from Robert W. McClary and Henry Loudon. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 45 | Order A Copy |