Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1865 A. M. Torbett v. J. H. Worthy & George Worthy Monroe Other

Torbett was apparently a bond broker and the Worthys were endorsers. However, at least one of the notes were written for Confederate money. The suit sought to determine the amount of debt owed, its validity, and recover the debts.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 6 6 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Alexander E. Smith v. Conrad Eisenhower Cocke Other

The Confederate Eisenhower (also spelled Icenhour) forcibly took a "rifle gun" from Union sympathizer Smith during the Civil War. Smith was asking for compensation. Governor Isham Harris mentioned in transcript. Case has its roots in the March 19, 1862, order of Tennessee's "Rebel Legislature" to confiscate arms from Union sympathizers. See also State v. Brotherton and Boyer (1866), Box ET 1139.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 6 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Alfred H. Haynes v. The East Tennessee & Georgia Rail Road Company Bradley Negligence

Haynes contracted with railroad to do some repair work and, while he was performing said work, an unscheduled train running from Chattanooga to Cleveland appeared & hit Haynes, thereby injuring him. He sued the railroad for trespass on the case, claiming $10,000 in damages.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1200 15 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Andrew J. Trewhitt v. Lemuel M. Jones et al Bradley False Imprisonment

Add. Defs: Wm H. Tibbs, John G. Carter, Wm A. Camp, Lemuel Shugart, E. F. Johnston, Joseph Tucker. Trewhitt said Defs took him by force & imprisoned him in Knoxville & in Mississippi. He claimed $20,000 damages, asked court to attach Defs' property; he believed Def. had absconded & left Tennessee. Court did so. Camp & Carter dismissed as Def.; default judgment against the rest. Jury awarded $5,000 damages. This was during Civil War; Trewhitt arrested as Confederate conscript. Mentions Capt Foster.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1200 64 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 A. P. Grinstead v. James V. Hayes et al. Davidson Debt

Additional Defendants: John H. Minton, B. G. Hayes

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Abner Shacklett v. Rebecca Polk Attachment

Plaintiff filed for an attachment against defendant to secure the payment of a note of $10,000.00.

 Middle Range: 33 Section: 7 Shelf: Box Number: 526 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Alexander Haun Jr. by next friend v. Pleasant A. Witt Jefferson Trespass with Force of Arms

Alexander Haun Jr. sues by next friend Alexander Haun, Sr. for trespass, assault and battery, and false imprisonment against Pleasant A. Witt. sued for damage in the sum of $3,000.

 East Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 788 49 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 1865 Burrell Badgett, et al. v. M. D. Bearden, admr. of Seth Lea, dec. Knox Trespass with Force of Arms

Additional Plaintiffs: W. N. Maxwell. sued for damages in the sum of $25,000.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 83 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 C. Carter v. Turner Foster et al. Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Additional Defendants: Mariah Porter, George Hitchings, John Gleares, Henry Gleares, the Bank of Tennessee, William Gleares, F. R. Cheatham, John Gleaves, and W. D. Robertson.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 David Randal et al. v. A. Barton et al. Coffee Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiffs: H. H. Harrison. Additional Defendants: J. A. Carden, C. O. Purvis, W. B. Gibson, and Silas McBer.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 David Chandler v. John Headrick Blount Trespass and Damages

Case also involves charges of slander.

 East Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 26 61 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Enoch Fly v. Tolbert Fanning Davidson Trespass and Damages Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Eli Odom v. William Cantrell Sumner Debt Dispute Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 G. Turner v. State Giles Theft

brief only; appeal of livestock theft; no date mentioned - cited an 1865 act; incomplete

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 302 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Henry Harris v. J.W. Thornburgh Grainger Debt, Petition on

Thornburgh executed $100 note in favor of Harris, who gave Confederate money (rebel money) for the note, which Thornburgh used to pay another debt & to pay a high price for medicine. Dispute over whether Confederate money qualified as consideration. Thornburgh argued no consideration for note, since Confederate money not recognized by law as money at all & had no legal value.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Henry J. Fritts v. Wiley H. Monnger Roane Trespass and Damages

The defendant allegedly aided and gave to rebel soldiers two rifles owned by the plaintiff. The defendant did so under malicious and vindictive circumstances and the plaintiff is sued for damages in the sum of $60.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1198 16 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Horace Maynard v. John J. May et al Knox Debt on Account

Add. defendants: Reuben E. Fox, administrator of the estate of Joseph W. Fox (dec.). The plaintiff is sued to recover a debt on account in a sum under $100.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1198 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 John Thompson v. Turner S. Foster Davidson Debt Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 317 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 John Roberts v. Samuel C. Swan Knox Recovery of Money/ Wages

Roberts sued for $5,000, but Swan "absconded or so conceals himself that the ordinary process of the Law cannot be served upon him."

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Joseph Pinkerton & John McEwen v. M. F. DeGraffenreid Williamson Debt Dispute Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 James Sartin v. S. P. Goodman& J. C. Walker admr. of H. P. Forrester Grundy Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 John Holland& William Rigsby v. Elijah Neely Cannon Debt Dispute

Case specifically references the Civil War. Holland purchased a horse from the Defendant "for the express purpose…to be used in the Calvary services of the Confederate state." After Union forces won the war, Defendants are sued for their money back.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Jesse Matlock v. William Littleton, Jr. Roane Debt, Balance on

Plaintiff is sued to recover a debt in the sum of under $500 for rent of land for the year 1864.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1198 19 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 John A. McKamy, guardian for William R. Dail, admr. v. H. B. Bowling & D. H. Cummings Anderson Debt

John A. McKamy was the guardian of Peggy C. McKamy for the use of W. R. Dail, administrator for the late Peggy C. McKamy. Question regards the lawfulness of U.S. Treasury notes to pay a debt.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 L H. Squires, et al. v. J. D. Bone, admr. Of William Bone, dec. Smith Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiffs: John Moores and E. A. Wright. Case also involves a debt dispute.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Mathew Watson v. Henry Bassett Davidson Unlawful Detainer

Lot is on Cedar street between Cherry and Sumner

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 307 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Mary Roehl, by her next friend J. M. Roehl v. William Boond Washington Debt

William Boond borrowed $4500 from Mary Roehl. Boond owned a tract of land in Jefferson County near Talbot's Station. The Roehls' requested an attachment of the land in order to satisfy the debt. See box ET 1595 for additional documents.

 East Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 13 179 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 M. H. Mays& E. S. Spencer v. Thompson& Claiborne Maury Debt Dispute

Defendants' full names are not listed.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Maury Brown, et al. v. Lew Owen, et al. Land and Title Dispute

Dispute also involves debt. Case file is incomplete; brief only.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 71 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Mary Cate v. Thomas G. Cate, Robert McRee, Sr., & S. McRoy Hamilton Petition for Divorce

Original bill was filed to obtain a divorce and alimony from the bonds of marriage.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1161 29 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Nancy Stephens v. W. H. Shelton et al. Bedford Debt Dispute

Additional Defendant: John Jakes. Plaintiff is an elderly woman who claims that the Defendants pressured her into taking Confederate money to pay a debt they owed her despite her protests.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 N. E. Morgan et al.v. John Cloud Claiborne Ejectment

Additional plaintiffs: J.J. Servell & S.E. Coltrel, securities. In this ejectment case, Circuit Court found for plaintiff, awarding him title of land in question, but only assessed damages at five cents. Defendant had lived on 100 acre tract since 1858. Said land belonged to N.E. Morgan's father William, dec'd, and bequeathed to him in his will. Originally, plaintiff sought damages of $300.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1139 31 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Peyton McCrosky v. State Sevier Assault, Felonious

This is an appeal. Peyton, a free black man, was accused of assault upon Leannah Reed, who was white, shooting and wounding her hand & arm on 22 March, 1865. Circuit court found Peyton guilty and sentenced 5 yrs. hard at the TN State Penitentiary. All of this came out of a scuffle between Peyton and Leannah's son Harrison Reed over a bottle of Whiskey. When Peyton wouldn't give it up to Harrison, he called for his mother to bring his pistol. The firearm discharged when Peyton grabbed for it.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1139 24 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 Rose & Turner, admrs. of G. D. Wright, dec. v. Johnson & Robinson, admrs. of J. D. Johnson, dec. Roane Debt Dispute

Dispute over $2,700 for the purpose of paying and satisfying the liability credited when said receipt was executed and the same was never applied in the way in which it was supposed to be.

 East Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Pharaoh Lancaster & Henry W. Smith Smith Larceny

Multiple counts of larceny with some being termed as Grand Larceny.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 172 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Julius Swagg Franklin Gambling

Defendants is accused of betting on a game of cards.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 S. W. Summers & wife Frances v. Jane C. Wilson, et al. Coffee Wills, Contested

Additional Defendants are not listed by name. Case also involves disputes over debt and slaves.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 60 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Austin Norman Davidson Theft

Stole 100 lbs. of bacon. Defendant is a free person of color.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. E. P. Brien& Moses Rice Davidson Theft

Stole two mules. Moses Rice is a free person of color.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Francis Mitchell Monroe Robbery

This Sept. 1865 term of court held in the Masonic Hall at Madisonville, the Monroe County Court House having been ' burned or destroyed'. Defendant charged with assaulting J.A. Gad and stealing bacon, a bay horse, goods worth $140. Though defendant pled not guilty, Circuit court found him guilty and handed down a sentence of 5 years hard labor at the TN State Penitentiary.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 37 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. John R. McClain Knox Murder

Frank R. McClain also listed as a defendant in the file. Victim: Abraham Hoover.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1194 44 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. William A. Robertson Marion Assault and Battery

Incomplete case file. Assault was against W. Goodman.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1200 6 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Amos L. Griffith & M. W. Sherry Marion Forgery

Case relates to execution issued on judgment in case of M.W. Sherry v. Robert Dunkin [Duncan]. After Dunkin paid the judgment, Defs allegedly marked out the endorsement evidencing such payment on the judgment itself, with intent to defraud Dunkin. Def. indicted for forgery but indictment dismissed as being legally insufficient.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. William Jones Davidson Theft

Theft of a brown mare

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Thomas Grant Franklin Assault with Intent to Kill Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Clinton Mynatt, et al. Union Robbery

Additional Defendants: M. L. S. Mynatt and Elvin Skaggs Case incomplete; opinion only.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. John H. Casey Grainger Robbery

Defendant pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to confinement in the state penitentiary and hard labor for ten years. He was rendered infamous and ordered to pay the costs of prosecution.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1120 4 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Eugene Parham Grainger Robbery

Judgment only. Case is incomplete.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1121 3 Order A Copy
View Entry 1865 State v. Frederick Rehagan Davidson Murder

Incomplete case file. Certified copy of judgment only overruling motion for a new trial and pronouncing sentence in murder case.

 Middle Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 765 2 Order A Copy

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