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 | 1820 | Abram DeGraffenreid v. John Kimbro | Rutherford | Land and Title Dispute |
This dispute over a tract of land in Rutherford County includes a survey of the land in question. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 179 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1838 | Alfred Miller v. David Mitchell | Rutherford | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 306 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1840 | Arthur M. Edwards v. Amzi Jones | Rutherford | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 202 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1846 | Asa Todd v. Robert Cannon | Rutherford | Ejectment | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1846 | Albert M. Fleming & Peter E. Fleming v. William H. McCabe & Joseph Ramsey | Rutherford | Damages |
Case involves a 8 year old negro boy. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1854 | Alfred Miller v. B. G. White et al. | Rutherford | Debt |
Additional defendants: Stokley White, Augustus H. White, J. F. Howland, and L. H. Carney |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1843 | Aguilla Davis & Thomas R. Richardson v. Benjamin Clayton, et al. | Rutherford | Notes |
Additional defendants: Mary Wills, Thomas C. Black, James W. Morton, William Wills. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 385 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1886 | Arnold & Butler, Murfreesboro v. Nashville, Chattanooga,& St. Louis Railway Company | Rutherford | Damages |
Recovery of damages to an iron safe; verdict and judgment of $27.00 plus court costs. Damage of safe while in transit in 1883. Ben Batey, Sheriff of Rutherford Co. Jurors: W.M. Lamb, W.C. Wood, N. Macon, W.J. White, C.T. Reed, A.W. Leathers, G.A. Brown, and John P. Marlin. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 654 | 44 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | A. J. Smith v. The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway | Rutherford | Damages |
Smith sued Railway for killing his black mare, which was hit by train & died from injuries sustained when hit. Witnesses included Charles Dahney, train engineer; Nelson Jolly, fireman on train; James Woodfin & Newton Miller, who each valued mare at $75. Mare killed near Halllyburton's Crossing. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 754 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1885 | A. W. Gray & Sons v. E. W. Talley, et al. | Rutherford | Breach of Contract |
Additional defendants: D. H. Talley, J. B. Murfree, A. Jetten. E. W. Talley and D. H. Talley are surviving partners of Talley & Co. The Talleys along with Murfree and Jetten are executors of P. C. Talley, deceased. Leonidas Gray and Alsup G. Gray are partners in A. W. Gray & Sons. The contract was to pay value plus interest of machinery after the sell of said machinery (two horse thresher). A. W. Gray & Sons is also listed as A. W. Gray's Sons in the case. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 748 | 95 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1837 | Alfred M. Osbourne v. John M. Williams | Rutherford | Trespass with Force of Arms | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 209 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1845 | Albert M. Fleming v. Joseph McCracken | Rutherford | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 236 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1875 | A. J. Smith v. R. N. Uselton | Rutherford | Debt Settlement | Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 14 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1878 | A. G. Rosenfield v. G. Gugginheim | Rutherford | Libel |
See also Gugginheim v. Rosenfield, Docket 6809 |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 31 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | Alexander M. Dougal & wife v. Julius C. Wade et al. | Rutherford | Estate Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: Eleanor Dougal. Additional Defendants: Ozius H. Wade, William Wade, Charles R. Wade, Elizabeth C. Wade, John Wade, William B. Hollowell, Sarah Hollowell, Joseph B. Jonhs, Margaret Johns, Sarah C. Wade, Lewis Wade, James Williamson, Robert Williamson, S. A. C. Williamson. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 317 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1846 | Asaph Allsup v. Charles Dement & Hiram A. Drennen | Rutherford | Debt Dispute |
The parties bet and waggerd over the Presidential elections on October 31, 1844, between James K. Polk and Henry Clay. The plaintiff bet and waggered a gray mare. There appeared to be a dispute over who won the election depending on the electoral votes. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 1 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1841 | Archibald Hatchett v. George A. Sublett | Rutherford | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 380 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1841 | Benjamin McCulloch v. John M. Tilford | Rutherford | Debt |
Amount of debt $536.50 |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 205 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1846 | Benjamin Webb & Gwynn Foster v. John Patterson | Rutherford | Slaves, Selling of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 223 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1854 | Beverly Randolph, exe. of Anderson Searcy v. Henry & Lucy White | Rutherford | Other |
This is a slave case that deals with petitioning the court for someone to oversee "negroes" that are being hired out. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Brice Lane v. State | Rutherford | Assault with Intent to Kill | Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 130 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1919 | Bud Ivie v. State | Rutherford | Murder | Middle | Range: 21 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 140 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1865 | Bank of Tennessee v. C. L. Nelson et al. | Rutherford | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1819 | Bennett Smith v. James M. Lewis, et al. | Rutherford | Debt |
Additional Defendants: Frederick Barfield, William Barfield. Bennett Smith was assignee of Daniel Marshall. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 178 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1827 | Bennett Smith v. William Smith | Rutherford | Debt |
Debt was $104.80. Defendant was ordered to pay interest on debt as well. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 185 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1835 | Beverly Randolph v. Henry White et al. | Rutherford | Slaves, Selling of |
Additional Defendants: Lacy White, wife of Henry White. Selling of negro slaves who belonged to Lacy White's father, Lacy Anderson, deceased. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 195 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1846 | Benjamin Brothers v. James Rankin et al. | Rutherford | Other |
Additional defendants - E. O. Dromgoole and William S. Batton securities in the amount of $1234.69 |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 221 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1867 | Beverly Randolph exe. of Searcy v. Henry Bridges | Rutherford | Estate Settlement |
Henry Bridges is the husband of Lucy White, deceased who was the widow of Mr. Searcy. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 172 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | Bill Tucker v. State | Rutherford | Liquor, Sale of Illegal | Middle | Range: 21 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 134 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1856 | Beverly Randolph, exe of Searcy v. Henry White & Wife | Rutherford | Debt Dispute |
Wife: Lucy White. For 700 hundred dollars, Henry White purchased the use of slaves for a set amount of time. The Defendant claims that she should have use of said slaves for a year. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 249 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | B. W. Henry et al. v. E. D. Thompson & R. H. Elam | Rutherford | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: C. M. Brooks and E. A. C. Norman. Case also involves a debt dispute. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1819 | Benjamin Forbes v. David Ledbetter | Rutherford | Debt |
Amount of debt $600.00 |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 363 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1818 | Cuthbert & Elizabeth Cheely v. James Morton, admr. of William Roberts, dec. | Rutherford | Other |
Cause of Action: Writ of errors. Original cause concerns debts allegedly owed by William Roberts to Elizabeth Cheely. The suit was filed against his estate to settle the debt. After being heard in the County Court this writ of errors was filed to rectify supposed mistakes made in the hearing. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 5 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1843 | Charles P. Morton. v. James Morton et al. | Rutherford | Debt |
Amount of debt $820.75 |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 310 | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1847 | Chairman of County Court v. Susan Woods& Levina Green | Rutherford | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 224 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | C. C. Starnes v. W. H. Mankin et al. | Rutherford | Debt Dispute |
Additional Defendants: John Mankin and J. H. Herrland. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1843 | Charles B. Crawford v. Benjamin Clayton | Rutherford | Child Custody | Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 385 | 20 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1882 | Clement Jordon v. Leland Jordan, admr. of M. C. Jordan | Rutherford | Estate Settlement |
Action on a note executed by Clement Jordan and payable to M. C. Jordan, guardian of minor heirs of Joshua Jordan, dec.. Also involved/mentioned: Richard Williamson, A. E. Jordan. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 657 | 46 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1895 | C. D. Kiger v. State | Rutherford | Murder |
Plaintiff in error was accused of murdering W. B. Smith (aka Buck) by stabbing him with a knife. Plaintiff was indebted to Smith and angry that Smith had been talking badly about him. Smith owned a store located on the east side of the public square in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and had a wife (Kate Smith) and two children. 2 folders. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1030 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | C. L. Carson v. Nashville, Chattanooga, & St. Louis Railroad, et al. | Rutherford | Damages |
Carson sued for damages after his horse was spooked by a train operated by the dfnt., tossing him to the ground and breaking his leg. Addtl dfnts.: The Salem Turnpike Co. and the Mayor & Aldermen of Murfreesboro. 3 folders. See MT 885. See MT OV 10 for oversize map showing railroads. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 995 | 347 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1894 | C. H. Byrn v. A. J. Blackman | Rutherford | Debt |
Defendant was indebted to several parties including the plaintiff, Neilson and Sanders, and Leach and Woods. Plaintiff brought suit and received judgment. The major controversy in this case was which party was entitled to funds garnished from a judgment previously won by the defendant against W. E. Puckett and R. D. DeJarnatt. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 990 | 66 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1921 | Dewy Coffey v. State | Rutherford | Trespass | Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 412 | 26 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1922 | Delia Carpenter v. State | Rutherford | Careless Driving |
Charged specifically with driving while intoxicated. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 414A | 36 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1822 | David Dickinson v. John Newnan | Rutherford | Debt | Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 183 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1840 | David Mitchell v. James M. Tompkins | Rutherford | Debt |
James Tompkins owes David Mitchell $600. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 203 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1843 | David D. Wendel et al.. v. William E. McLin, admr. Of Robert McLin | Rutherford | Failure to Pay |
Additional plaintiffs - James E. Wendell and Samuel Hodges Sale involved two mules |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 211 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Dub Smith v. State | Rutherford | Larceny |
Smith was an African-American charged with stealing buggy wheels. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 130 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1921 | Dewy Coffey v. State | Rutherford | Liquor, Unlawful Transportation of | Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 413 | 28 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1834 | Edward Carver& John Hensley v. James Ellison& Joseph Lindsey | Rutherford | Injunction |
Details of case not given. Court rules plaintiffs and defendants must pay some costs. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 194 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1845 | Elijah D. Wheeler v. Edwin A. Keeble | Rutherford | Debt Dispute |
Oversize |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 0 | Order A Copy |