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 | 1870 | A. C. Mayberry v. Daniel Cliffe& Charles Merrill | Davidson | Damages | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 268 | 70 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. J. Fitzpatrick v. John Cheatham | Maury | Debt |
Suit over note given Louisa Winn by DeWitt Winn, a dec. Confederate soldier. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 276 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. L. Green, exe. of Joel Hembree, dec. v. William T. Pyatt, exe. of John Pyatt, dec. | Roane | Debt |
Hembree and Pyatt owed each other money, as proven by notes. The specie named in the note was Confederate money, which the plaintiff claimed was unacceptable for payment as it was worthless and illegal currency. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 23 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. J. Register v. State | Montgomery | Conversion of Property |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he appropriated two cows from W. J. Shearon. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 327 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Absalom Foshee v. Enoch Collins | McMinn | Trespass and Damages |
Collins sued Foshee and several other defendants for trespass and damages of $40,000 for taking and converting to their own use Collins' personal property, including: horses, mules, hogs, bushels of corn, wheat, hay, cattle, sheep, etc. Collins also suing for being maliciously forced out of his house, destroying his farm houses and other property while def'ts occupied them as camping grounds. Suit began in 1865. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Anus, Beattie, & Co. v. S. C. Rogers | Shelby | Patent Rights | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 11 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | Alexander Stuart v. Samuel S. McCuistion | Jefferson | Recovery |
Recovery of court costs. Case listed in: "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, for the Eastern Division, for the year 1870," Volume 1, p. 427-431. Case originally Stuart v. James C. Bradford left state and no property with court jurisdiction and that Bradford was insolvant. Clerk (McCuistion) seeks to recover costs of motion from Stuart. Stuart appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1068 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Andrew Rader v. William E. Mathes | Greene | Trespass |
Plaintiff in error is accused of entering into a contract with the defendant in error to sell and deliver 200 barrels of superfine flour at the cost of $6.00 per barrel and then failing to deliver. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1218 | 47 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Andy Williams v. State | Hamilton | Murder |
Related documents may be located in ET 814. Andy Williams, also known as Andrew Williams or Henry Williams is accused of murdering Adolph Dutch, by beating him with a stick or club. Adolph Dutch was a jail guard who took his prisoner, Andy Williams, to look for a watch he had stolen and hidden near Birds Mill, 6 miles from Chattanooga. On their journey Williams hit Dutch from behind, killing him. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1218 | 89 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. L. Miller v. James Wilson | Hamilton | Replevin |
Wilson sued Miller to recover a barrel that used to hold molasses but now holds soap. Court ruled in favor of plaintiff for ownership of the barrel and 5 cents damages. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1238 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. M. Johnson v. R. H. Kroft | Hamilton | Debt |
This case revolves around the failure of Johnson to appear in court to act as a witness for Kroft in a previous trial. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Andy Nolen v. D. B. Cliff | Williamson | Unknown |
African-American lawsuit |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 170 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. J. Darr v. J. F. Wright | Wilson | Debt Dispute |
Case involves a challenge to a previous judgment rendered without defendant present. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 342 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. P. Massengill v. A. M. Shaddin | Jefferson | Trespass |
Opinion Only |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 68 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. Fowler, et al. v. R. McDaniel, admr. of W. W. Lillard | Monroe | Covenant Broken |
Additional defendants: A. Dean and J.W. Arcley. In original suit of W.W. Lillard v. Henry Sheets, Lillard obtained judgment of $12.54 against Sheets. McDaniel [alt. McDonald] sued Dean, as constable of the previous case, and defendants, his sureties, for broken covenant and failing to return execution to plaintiff's damage $100. Justice ruled in plaintiff's favor. Defendants appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1216 | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Andrew Rader v. Samuel J. Moore | Greene | Trespass and Damages |
The defendant in error bought one hundred barrels of super-fine flour from the plaintiff in error for $555. The plaintiff in error is accused of accepting payment but failing to ship the flour. Plaintiff in error claims that payment was made in Confederate money which had no value and that the defendant in error fraudulently represented himself as an agent of the Confederate Government. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1218 | 35 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | A. L. Leinart v. John A. Smith & D. F. Smith | Union | Trespass and Damages |
Plaintiff accuses the defendants of harassment and threats of violence. The defendants believe that the plaintiff took a horse belonging to John A. Smith during the Civil War and sent a threatening letter to the plaintiff which is recorded in the case file. The Smiths are noted to be Union men and Leinart appears to have supported the Confederacy. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | B. J. Semmes v. J. M. Tomemy | Shelby | Debt Settlement |
Raphael Semmes probable relative of B. J. was the editor in chief of the newspaper Memphis Bulletin while a man named P. B. Wills was President of the company. Tomeny was sold 100 shares of stock in the company and the company later was revealed to be insolvent and was sold off piecemeal leaving a large unpaid debt. Tomeny sued for payment. Apparently Raphael Semmes went to Alabama sometime between the case and the company being sold. |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 11 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Bank of Tennessee v. Thomas B. Swan | White | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 327 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | B. G. Hampton et al. v. William G. Massey | Davidson | Debt Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: J. T. Pentecost, W. M. Clark, and Jolly Parrish. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 327 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | B. G. Green v. William H. Wisener& G. W. Thompson | Bedford | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 327 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | Ben Drake v. James Grooms | Bedford | Debt Dispute |
Debt involves a horse. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 323 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Benjamin Milam v. Henry Rogers | Dickson | Property Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 286 | 12 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | Bank of Tennessee v. Peter I. Myers et al. | Overton | Debt Settlement |
Additional Defendants: Samuel C. Moore, and Josiah S. Copeland. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 349 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | County of Shelby v. W. E. Smith | Shelby | Debt Settlement |
Debt due for Warrants issued by President of the Board of Commissioners for the County of Shelby. Writ of Error |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 10 | 73 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | C. C. Mayhue, admr. of G. A. Conn, dec. v. John Taylor | Hamilton | Bond Dispute | East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 704 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | Charles Vinton | Davidson | Larceny |
Incomplete case file. A letter and a pardon from Governor D. C. Senter for Charles Vinton who was convicted of larceny in 1866 in Hawkins county. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 715 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Catherine M. Barrett, et al. v. Thomas A. Anderson, Louis Morgan, Von A. Anderson | Franklin | Estate Dispute/ Settlement |
Add'l pls: C.W. Barrett, E.S., G.D., & C.M. Monroe, Moses G. & Sophia M. Copp, H.S. & Susan D. Smith, George W. & Anna S. Eastman, and Louisa S. Monroe. Barrett was widowed by Samuel B. Barrett of Boston, her children's father was Edmund Monroe. Barrett owned 20k acres of land at his death, leaving them to his widow, who divided & sold them to Edmund Monroe, who then died intestate. Conflicting deeds were discovered. Suit was filed to settle estate & land ownership. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 10a | 471 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | C. B. Duncan, et al. v. James Scott, et al. | Cumberland | Ejectment |
The case involves a large tract of land that was subdivided into multiple parcels owned by the parties in the suit. The boundaries of land ownership were disputed, and this case sought to clarify the chain of deed and land boundaries. Def's: Alexander &Matthew Morrow, Robinson Keys, John Parsons, Elizabeth Grew & Headley Turner. Pl's: Jesse, Caroline F., &Elizabeth McClain, Cicero B., Erastus B., & Andrew J. Duncan. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 23 | 256 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Charles A. Merrill v. Samuel Young et al. | Williamson | Debt Dispute |
Additional Defendants: Nelson Wilson and Rial Alkerson |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 323 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Constantine Perkins admr. of Robb Whitfield, (col), dec. use of Viney Whitfield, col. V. Lawrence Johnson et al. | Giles | Debt |
Additional defendants: Henry Clay Crow, John A. Jackson; Plaintiffs are African American. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 320A | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Charels Reid & Arthur McIntyre | Madison | Unknown |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. Cause of action not listed. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1309 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Catherine D. Williams v. Mary Hollingsworth, et al. | Greene | Ejectment |
Additional defendants: Thomas Wyatt & wife Nancy, Hampton McGill & wife Rebecca, and Mary Hollingsworth, heirs of Nancy Hollingsworth, dec. Williams sued Nancy and Mary Hollingsworth for ejectment to her damage $500. Williams also suing to recover tract of land. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1216 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Caswell C. Lyons, admr.,& Heirs v. Valentine Wyrick, et al. | Union | Land and Title Dispute |
Opinion only. Complex land and title dispute. Lyons took deed of conveyance from Anderson Acuff for a tract of 140 acres. Acuff had obtained judgment against Lyons for unpaid purchase money. Land was sold by sheriff to L.M. Ellis. Deed eventually came to Wyrick. Lyons and Ellis had made verbal agreement on the redemption of the land but Ellis sold to J.L. Mynatt. Plaintiffs charges a vendor's lien was created in favor of Lyons. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1217 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | D. Weaver, Trustee v. Charles Jones & W. H. Robinson | Shelby | Debt Settlement |
Involving Planter's Bank of Tennessee. |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | D. J. Dickinson v. Josiah Horton et al. | Wayne | Debt Settlement |
Additional Defendants: Henry Burkett, Benjamin Burkett, and William Ingram. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 294 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Daniel Seay v. N. C. McCullough & Securities | Wilson | Failure to Return Execution |
Sherriff of Wilson County |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 324 | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Daniel R. Rowlings v. Eli Crabtree | Hamilton | Debt |
Crabtree sued Rowlings for $383 debt for work and material used to build Rowlings' house. Crabtree using mechanic's lien on said house in order to attach it and sell it to satisfy the debt. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1239 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Daniel Hammock v. Edward Clark | Grainger | Trespass with Force of Arms |
Hammock was a soldier in the United States Army and is accused of taking various goods from the home of Clark. Hammock claims that when he confiscated Clark's property, he was operating under the orders of his commanding officers. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1238 | 88 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Daniel Riggles et al. v. D. B. Ladd | Marion | Unlawful Detainer |
Related documents may be found in ET 1068. Additional Plaintiffs: James Riggles, Calvin Riggles and Y. G. Heiskell. Ladd is accused of entering onto and detaining from the plaintiffs, a tract of land belonging to said plaintiffs. The land in question lies on the south side of the Tennessee River in Marion County. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 | 81 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | D. F. Rogers & wife v. M. M. Kincaid & Robert Dossett | Grainger | Unknown |
Incomplete file: cover page & index only. Index indicates full transcript had 125+ pages. Surnames of deposition witnesses listed in index: Castle, Rogers, Monday, Alexander, Huffaker, Caywood, Maupin, Dossett, Kincaid, Gratiz, Inoyer, Lynch, Evans. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | D. C. Douglass for use of Y. C. Douglass v. Daniel Jones admr. of Rufus Jones dec. | Monroe | Damages |
Plaintiff sues the estate of Rufus Jones for debt due on a note for $500. Defendant claims the note was paid before the suit was filed. D. C. Douglass and Y. C. Douglass are brothers. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 | 52 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | E. G. Davidson v. Martha E. Green, exe. of M. L. Haley | Shelby | Recovery of Land/Property |
Debts of the estate of M. L. Haley. |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | E. Thomas v. Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad Company | Carroll | Damages |
Plaintiffs horse was killed by train. |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 25 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Enoch Cunningham v. D. A. McGrady | Davidson | Non-payment of Goods/ Wages/ Servic |
Case involves recovery of fees paid for services rendered; lien involved. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 328 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Emerson Wilson v. State | Blount | Assault |
Victim: Sam Lemon. Emerson (also spelled "Emmerson") charged with Affray (fighting of 2 or more people in a public place). Victim was James Lemons, who Wilson & 2 others (Ben Owens & James Brown) chased through James W. Everett's field & through house of P.S. Dowell's mom. Fight involved rock throwing, hollering & swearing. Wilson convicted & fined $5. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 813 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Enoch Marshall v. William E. Dodson | Jefferson | Slaves, Selling of |
Case listed in: "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, for the Eastern Division, for the year 1870," Volume 1, p. 95-97. Plaintiff sued for the recovery of damages in the sum of $500, the balance of a slave he had purchased. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1068 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | East Tennessee& Virginia Rail Road Co. v. W. P. Brewer | Sullivan | Debt |
The plaintiff in error was sued by Brewer for $3,000 due from work and labor as well as money owed from a loan. Brewer worked for the RR Co. as both a depot agent and general agent. The case file provides an interesting narrative regarding the inner workings and structure of a rail road company as well as the attempts by the RR to evade both the Federal and Confederate militaries. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 | 39 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Edwin Thompson v. George G. Perkins | Madison | Failure to Return Execution |
Perkins is the late sheriff of Madison County. |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | Edgar Pierce v. Thomas Stewart | Loudon | Notes |
The note in question was for the amount of $95.00. The plaintiff sued "for the use of J.A.I. Foute." |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 786 | 21 | Order A Copy |