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
Use quotes for an exact search. ex. "J. W."
| View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Entry | 1874 | Alexander Thompson v. State | Madison | Larceny, Grand |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | A. S. Booth v. State | Shelby | Malicious Stabbing | West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 39 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1874 | Alexander Shaw v. State | Madison | (unknown) |
Indictment. Cause of Action: Mule Stealing. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Albert Johnson v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Andrew Louder v. State | Hancock | Motion for a New Trial |
Plaintiff was convicted for the murder of his wife, this case file is a motion for a new trial based on the jury selection. Plaintiff alleges that jury was not impartial and requested a new trial. |
East | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1598 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Burdine Preston v. State | Wilson | Larceny |
Stealing of currency and goods of W. P. Phillips. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 355 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Bony Craig v. State | Knox | Motion for a New Trial |
This case file is a motion for a new trial for a case where plaintiff was convicted of murder. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1602 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Charles E. Andrews v. State | Shelby | Larceny |
Additional Parties: Buckner H. Madrin, J. P. Graham, M. McClune, J. W. Pickler, S. L. Barrinds |
West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 51 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Chris Hickman v. State | Montgomery | Liquor, Sale of Illegal |
Selling whiskey on a Sunday. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 353 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Calvin Porter v. State | Madison | Arson |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Calvin Medley v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Charles Jones v. State | Madison | Horse Stealing |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Charles Clinton v. State | Madison | Murder |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Charles Brannon v. State | Monroe | Assault and Battery |
Listed on cover sheet as "mayhem." For assaulting & putting out eye of William Henderson. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1622 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Emanuel Kirby v. State | Rutherford | Breaking and Entering |
Verdict and sentence only. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 368 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Eugene Hall v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Elias Curry v. State | Madison | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Gib McKinney v. State | Madison | Other |
Cause of Action : Mule Stealing. Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | George Dixon v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | John McTigue v. State | Davidson | Robbery |
McTigue asked Swissman David Wilds to visit a saloon on College St in Nashville late one night. They went later to a small house where men were playing cards. They were joined by Mr. Erwin. During their time they realized that McTigue had robbed them of various objects including pocket knives and money. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 44 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James Sheehan v. State | Perry | Resisting an officer | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 28 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1874 | Jack Davis v. State | Madison | Murder |
Indictment |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | John Simmons v. State | Knox | Motion for a New Trial |
Case file is a motion for a new trial in a case where plaintiff was found guilty of larceny. |
East | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1592 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Joseph Hoge v. State | Rhea | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Plaintiff in error is accused of disturbing worship at a public schoolhouse with laughter, loud talking and other disruptive behavior. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1601 | 9 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James Limbaugh v. State | Hawkins | Murder |
Plaintiff in error is accused of murdering William Morrison by beating him with a club. Morrison was visiting his niece who lived on one end of a "double home," owned by the plaintiff. After visiting with his niece, Morrison and the plaintiff began walking away from the home but soon began arguing. According to witness testimony, the plaintiff demanded that Morrison go home to be with his wife. Morrison likewise told the plaintiff to treat his wife better. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1601 | 199 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James Downing v. State | Obion | Arson |
James Downing was charged and convicted of burning down the house of the M.M. Faught. Faught was an attorney in Obion County. |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James T. Simpson v. State | Madison | Horse Stealing |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Joseph Ayers v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Procedendo only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 98 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | John W. Mathes, v. State | Washington | Motion for a New Trial |
Plaintiff filed a motion for a new trial in a case where he was charged with fathering the bastard child with Rachel Green. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1621 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James Henry & Samuel Stone v. State | Blount | Nuisance |
Henry and Stone were accused of building a dam across the Little River, which backed up and flooded a road and highway. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1621 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | James Morris v. State | Knox | Larceny |
For stealing 100 lbs. of [illeg.] worth $100 from J. R. McCallum. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1622 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Lewis Kelly v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Mike Calnagin v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Rufus Wall v. State | Williamson | Larceny |
Horse stealing. Incomplete. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 353 | 35 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | R. W. Berry v. State | Madison | Larceny |
Indictment. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. John C. Jackson | Putnam | Murder |
Murder of Thomas McCloud; Additional defendants: Lewis Jackson, Simpson Jackson |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. J. Fletch Woodward, et al. | Warren | Murder |
Hon. W. P. Hickerson, Judge, 6th Judicial Circuit. John J. Lowry, Circuit Court Clerk, Warren Co. Additional defendants: Gilbert Flynn, James Flynn; murder of Enoch Cooksey |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 172 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Alex Shaw | Shelby | Larceny | West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 15 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Shade Westmoreland | Hamilton | Murder |
John Edwards "Shade" Wetsmoreland alias "Shade Woods" was accused of murdering William Emberling. High profile case covered as far away as Chicago. Also a part of Hamilton County folklore. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1612 | 78 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. William A. Britt, et al. | Carroll | Fraud |
Britt was the tax collector for Carroll county. He failed to pay the govt. the full amount he was supposed to. A large portion of the money he collected was kept for himself. |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. George Stevens | Davidson | Murder |
George Stevens, an African American man, was accused of shooting and killing George Burns, another African American man. Burn's wife Celia Burns pressed charges. The appeal commuted the charge from second degree murder to voluntary manslaughter. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. William Williams & M. M. Williams | Clay | Forfeiture |
Incomplete case file. Williams was charged with being "deranged" and carrying a pistol. He was ordered to pay a fine, but was jailed, and not able to be released on bond. They were accused of forfeiture their original bond. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 11a | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Stephen W. Massey, Gilbert Norris, & Shug Saylor | Putnam | Other |
In 1874 Massey, Gilbert Norris, & Shug Saylors broke into Narcissa & William Waterson's house. They were disguised in women's clothing, table cloths, & handkerchiefs. The testimony reveals they were titillated at the possibility they could fool people w/ their disguises. They had weapons & swore at & threatened Waterson and her family, Massey attempted to rape her daughter Rutha. Charge: prowling in disguise; attempted rape. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 11a | 104 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. John Eatherly | Cheatham | Breach of Bond |
Eatherly was accused of illegally carrying a weapon and plead abatement on the first judgment. One of the jurors was his uncle, and Eatherly's council argued that this made the judgment unlawful. In Cheatham County a mile from Ashland City the defendant allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired it. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 13 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. William Johnson | DeKalb | Assault and Battery |
In 1873 Johnson allegedly beat up William W. Coldwell. He was charged with assault the same day and an affidavit was created with a witness statement supporting the charge. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 13 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. James M. Slagle | Putnam | Adultery, Open and Notorious |
Slagle & Nancy Slagle was accused of "unlawfully, publicly, openly and notoriously, live and dwell, cohabitate together in lewd acts of fornication and adultery as they were unmarried to and with each other to corruption of their own and the morals of the community where they lived, to the evil example of others and against the State…" |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18a | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. John George | Lincoln | Murder |
Victim: Hosea Towny. John George was accused of maliciously shooting Towny with a pistol on November 29 1868. Mary Hinton in her testimony described a dog fight between George and Towny's dogs. Towny accused George of hurting his dog. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 25a | 156 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. William A. Waters | Warren | Larceny |
Waters was accused of stealing money from L. P. Woodlie. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 32 | 235 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Steve Johnson | Davidson | Gambling | Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 56 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. George Johnson | Lauderdale | Larceny |
Mr. Johnson was African-American |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 38 | 0 | Order A Copy |