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 | 1859 | Alfred Bone & R. A. Youngblood v. J. G. Parris& Isaac Gunter | Cannon | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Allen Brown v. Hugh Brown | Maury | Slaves, Ownership of |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he unlawfully possesses slaves that belong to the Defendant. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Alexander Fall & George W. Cunningham v. Zachfield Martin& John Y. Roper | Macon | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | A. J. Hillard v. State | DeKalb | Other |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he induced "a white female girl to leave her father for the purpose of prostitution and concubine." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Asa L. Stamps et al. v. Willis W. Wilhoite | Bedford | Debt Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: John McGhee and Hugh Jones. Plaintiffs are appealing the charge. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Absolom Masley et al. v. Hugh Douglass et al. | Bedford | Debt Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: Benjamin Masley and Robert Masley. Additional Defendant: Byrd Douglass |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Andrew J. Polk et al. v. President& Directors of Bank of Tennessee | Maury | Debt |
Additional Plaintiffs: Andrew J. Lucruz. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 287 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Alfred King v. Samuel S. Finley | Hamilton | Debt Dispute |
Includes appeal. An 1857 suit, King v. Finley, saw a judgment against defendant for $257. Defendant claimed that he was only the security of James Rojers, while plaintiff questions that he was a principal on the note in question, co-owner of the debt. Note: 1857 suit was Alfred King v. James Rogers, S.S. Finley & A.W. Moore |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 | 47 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Alexander R. Anderson, William D. Williams, William Ross& Robert Mason v. State, Albert P. Mercer& M. L. Patterson | Greene | Injunction |
Complainant acting in the office of County trustee received money. Before Complainant could put the money into the Bank, it closed. Complainant prays that the court issues an injunction restraining the defendants from demanding the money with interest. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Absolom Johnson & Milton Draper v. Charles G. Price | Jackson | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 277 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Absolom Pharis et al. v. Bank of Tennessee | Jackson | Debt, Execution on |
Additional Plaintiffs: Elizabeth Pharis. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 267 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | A. J. Duncan v. Z. W. Martin & John Y. Roper | Macon | Debt Dispute |
Dispute involves a tract of land and slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Andrew J. Polk& George W. Polk v. W. T. Berry et al. | Maury | Debt Dispute |
Additional Defendants: W. B. Bayless and H. A. Gleaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | A. A. Sharp & Co., et al. v. Henry A. Farnsworth | Jefferson | Promissory Note |
Plaintiffs: Alexander A. Sharp, John F. Sharp, and Russell Birdwell, partners in trading under the name firm of "A. A. Sharp & Co." Recovery of $434.50 in debt and damages. Note was executed in the store house of Joseph A. Branner & Co., Dandridge, c. Aug. 1855, the purpose was for the balance on a lot of hogs. |
East | Range: 9 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize Box 17 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Bank of Tennessee v. George Polk, et al. | Maury | Debt Dispute |
Additional defendants: Andrew Polk and Lucius Polk. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Burrell G. White v. Joseph M. McBride | Marshall | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Benjamin Little et al. v. Franklin H. Lytle | Bedford | Debt |
Additional Plaintiffs: William Little, M. Little |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 287 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Bank of Middle Tennessee v. Joshua Hale et al. | Jackson | Other |
Cause of Action: Trespass on the Case. Additional Defendants: Jamison Brown, W. R. Kenner, P. H. Leslie. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 287 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Berry Mitchell, assignee of W. M. Bradford, assignee of S.W. Inman, for the use of William Harris v. James C. Bradford & Theo. J. Bradford | Jefferson | Bond Dispute |
Suit for $621 on a bond executed by defendants, who claim Mitchell contracted with them to receive other notes in satisfaction of the debt they owed Mitchell, but Mitchell refused to receive said notes. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Bank of America et al.v. Bank of Louisville | Montgomery | Recovery of Money/ Wages |
Monies had originally been paid by W.E. Newell and Co. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 262 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Bank of Tennessee v. G. W. Greer, et al. | Bedford | Trespass and Damages |
Additional Defendants: A. J. Greer, C. A. Warren, H. C. Scales, and F. F. Fonville. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Bank of Tennessee v. James W. Campbell, et al. | Knox | Debt |
Other defendants: W. B. Edeline; Charles S. Williams; Jacob S. Stewart. For debt of $600. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Benjamin Staples & William Scott v. James Duncan et al. | Morgan | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Defendants: Vandeman Byrd, Francis M. Byrd, G.W. Keith. A portion of the land parcel in question ran near the KentuckyTurnpike Road. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1173 | 46 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Charles M. Partee v. William Hassell | Maury | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 287 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Cornelius Bowman & C.G. Alexander v. Addison Bowman et al. | Claiborne | Land and Title Dispute |
Add. Defs: Daniel Bowman, Richard Davis, John Ashburn, Levi Harp. Cornelius possessed 3 TN land tracts (50 acres, 150 acres, 1400 acres) per grant (aka patent) from KY. Defs. also possessed & claimed title to land. Elijah Jones appointed to survey land. Unlike most of TN, disputed land lies in portion of northern TN border subject to compact between TN & KY wherein KY given right to issue land grants. Geographical references: Cumberland River, Jackson Creek, Cumberland Mtn, Log Mtn aka Coopers Ridge. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Christian Shanks v. Leon Taylor | Hawkins | Petitions for Certiorari |
sale made by Shanks sometime since the said sale became the purchaser of some property sold by Taylor but refused to take a not only endorsed by Taylor; requesting case be heard in Supreme Court |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1130 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Charles Campbell v. John Campbell | Claiborne | Ejectment |
Plaintiff was offered a deed of conveyance by papers signed by both the parties for the plaintiff to occupy a certain tract of land and cultivate the crops, which the defendant later wanted to use to pay off taxes. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1172 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Charles M. Murray & Anderson Sands v. W. H. H. Shields | Blount | Ejectment |
The defendant trespassed on property owned by the plaintiff's and in which Murray lived. He ejected Murray from the property with damages of $500. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1176 | 11 | 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 | 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 | 1859 | Calvin Estes v. William P. Kirk, et al. | Lawrence | Covenant Broken |
Additional Defendants: C. H. Nicholson, John A. Hagan, R. H. Ross, James Y. Lucas, H. C. Angel. The covenant mentioned was to collect and pay over all the money charged by him as Constable. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Cornelius Shugere v. James White | Hawkins | Damages |
Complainant wishes for defendant, the overseer of a public road, to pay a debt of two dollars and twenty five cents for failure to work the public road to which he belongs as required by law. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1139 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Cordelia E. Millard v. Nathan M. Jones | Sullivan | Trespass and Damages |
The parties had promised each other to be married, and though the plaintiff was ready to hold up her end of the promise, the defendant married another woman. sued for damages of $5,000. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1142 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | David Burns v. William Fleming et al. | Sumner | Estate Dispute |
The heirs of John Burns, deceased, are disputing over their right to their father's estate |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 262 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | David Kuho Sr. v. Francis Feiser | Morgan | Forcible Entry and Detainer |
Cause of action listed in document as "forcible and unlawful entry and detainer." Plaintiff claimed to own a plot of land in Morgan County & that the defendant "unlawfully detains the possession of the same from him." |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Decatur L. Bronson v. James R. Martin | Knox | Other |
Trespass on the case. W. W. Williams signed promissory note to def. Martin for $6571.66, payable at Bank of Charleston in Charleston, SC., & Martin endorsed it to Bronson, but when it came due, neither maker nor endorser paid it. File includes testimony regarding handwriting of Williams & handwriting of Martin. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 55 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | D. M. Wilson v. Edward& Nathaniel Baxter | Davidson | Damages | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 270 | 7 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Dillard Love & Wife v. The East Tenn. & Va. Rail Road Company | Washington | Damages |
The railroad graded the road bed for their tracks before an agreement had been made with the land owners. Wife's name is Margaret. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 72 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | David Campbell& Company v. Reeves& Brenan | Knox | Contract Dispute and Damages |
The plaintiff supplied the defendant with peaches, fresh oysters and tomatoes. The defendant was to sell these items and give some of the proceeds to the plaintiff. The defendant sold the items but did not give any of the proceeds to the plaintiff. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1178 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | E. A. Foster& William Voorhies v. Johnson Davis | Maury | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 277 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | Ewell & Elizabeth Leigh v. John A. Briggs | Maury | Land and Title Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 | 17 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1859 | E. S. Fleming v. William Wood et al. | Bedford | Debt Dispute |
Additional Defendants: H. W. Norton and James Johnson. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Elijah Jones & Others v. Preston Lawson & William Lawson | Hawkins | Trespass |
Stems from an 1845 forcible entry case and involves the heirs of Thomas Harmon: Othnal [?] and Mahala Bruner; Branch and Phebe Tucker; William and Jane Owens; David Jones; John and Ellen Morrison; Allen Jones; Sally Bailey; Enoch and Mary Jones; Elijah Jones (an infant); John Harmon; Peter Harmon; Nancy Harmon; and Louisiana Harmon. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | East Tenn. & Va. Rail Road Company v. R. M. Hooke | Hamilton | Trespass and Damages |
This involves a Bill of Exchange on the Merchants bank fro $2550.60 that was refused by the bank.. Hooke was partners with Jesse J. James, dec. And E. S. Miller in the J. J. James & Co. Elbert F. Sevier was administrator for James. Damages for $4000. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Edwin H. Childress v. Andrew J. Polk et al. | Maury | Trespass and Damages |
Additional Defendants: Lewis Polk and George Polk. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 289 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Ezekiel Taylor & Enoch Wallace v. Thomas Hooks | Anderson | Trespass and Damages |
Plaintiffs enter plea of trespass and damages of $50 against Hooks. Circuit Court found for defendant. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Elijah Evans v. The Justices of Union County | Union | Wrongful Termination |
Plaintiff was a justice of the peace in 2nd Civil District & was removed from office. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Euclid Waterhouse v. John J. Humphreys | Hamilton | Other |
Trespass on the Case, $500 damages claimed. Waterhouse claims to have sold Humphreys, at his request, 6 hogsheads of bacon, for which Humphreys has failed to pay. Per testimony of J.F. Cummings, firm that shipped the bacon was Caldwell Cummings & Co. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Elisha & Lavinia Doherty v. H. C. Markham | Scott | Land and Title Dispute |
Land dispute between Elisha & wife Lavinia (name also spelled Daugherty) & Hiram C. Markham (name also spelled Marcum). Related case (referred to in this transcript): Hiram C. Marcum v. Lavinia Daugherty & Elisha Daugherty, et al, ET Box 1174. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1142 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | Elijah Russell & wife v. Hugh Cain | Hawkins | Debt on Account |
The defendant is the guardian and trustee of Grace Boykin. Case is a plea of debt due by account in the sum of $200, which the defendant has unlawfully detained. G. Boykin wrote a letter to the plaintiff's wife requesting that she be taken to their house due to an unpleasant situation and for her health. She was supplied with food and lodging with the understanding her family would pay the plaintiffs. Also suing for damages in the sum of $500. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1176 | 12 | Order A Copy |