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 | 1887 | Alex Smith, in error v. State | Knox | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Alexander Smith was charged with carrying an illegal and concealed weapon-a pistol-in the woods in the 22nd District of Knox County. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Abe McClellan, Asst. Warden v. E. H. Johnson | Hamilton | Habeas Corpus |
Incomplete file; only McClellan's brief to Supreme Court. 1875: Johnson convicted of robbery in Shelby County; sentenced to 21 yrs, 5 yrs of which Gov. Alvin Hawkins commuted in 1883. Also in 1883, TN passed law allowing time off sentence for "good time". Also passed law to allow leasing out of prisoner labor (1st work release program in country). This case involves Johnson's 2nd attempt to use the "good time" law to get out of prison, despite 2 escapes & 1 attempted escape. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1167 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Charles Burnett v. State | Knox | Public Indecency |
"Profanity." Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Charles Bennett | Knox | Unknown |
Procedindo only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 98 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Dave Ruffin (col.) v. State | Lauderdale | Other |
Cause of Action: appeal to overturn charge |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 394 | 50 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Edward Isaacs v. State | Davidson | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape |
Amanda Hudson was in her home when a described Negro man came into her kitchen and tried to grab her. She and her children ran outside, grabbed rocks and sticks, and beat the man until he ran away when he saw a neighbor coming with a shotgun. He was apprehended 4 miles away. Defense claims the police arrested the wrong man because they lost the actual perpetrator. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 729 | 99 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Frank Owen v. State | Grundy | Robbery |
Plaintiff, alias Frank Owens, charged with robbery by force and violence against Pete Coury. A firearm was used during commition of said crime, bringing charge of assault with intent to kill. Owen was said to have distroyed a States Warrant for his arrest Plaintiff appeals verdict of guilty on both counts. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 731 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | George Tallent v. State | Bledsoe | Larceny |
G. W. Tallent (alias) was charged with unlawfully stealing a piece of calico of the value of $2 from James Swofford. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1848 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Henry Bruton (alias Henry Brewton) v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Henry Bruton alias Brewton v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Procedindo only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 98 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Jennie Moore v. State | Cocke | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
The State charged Moore with carrying a pistol illegally and sentenced her to pay a $50 fine and court costs or serve time at the workhouse if unable to pay. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1847 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | James Melton and Rebecca Pratt in error v. State | Knox | Unlawful Cohabitation |
The State charged Pratt and Melton with lewdness for having sexual intercourse and cohabitating as man and wife without being legally married. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1847 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | John W. Wright v. Robert W. Townsend | Shelby | Property Damage |
Case arose from the shooting & injuring of 4 milk cows. |
West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 404 | 77 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Jeff Sherwood, in error v. State | Knox | Assault, Felonious |
Sherwood was charged with felonious assault on the body of B. H. Nowland with a pistol |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | James Durham v. State | Sumner | Murder |
Incomplete case file. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 710 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Jerry Gross v. State | Davidson | Other |
This is an appeal. Plaintiff was indicted for abusing a minor female under the age of 10, Laura Williams. J. Gross was found guilty and sentenced to serve a term of 10 years in the TN State Penitentiary. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 731 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | John Wright v. State | Knox | Unknown |
Procedindo only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 98 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | John Wolfinbarger, in error v. State | Grainger | Robbery |
Wolfinbarger was charged with stealing 3 gold coins+ (each $20) from Royal Jennings by means of violence and from stealing 3 gold coins from Eliza Wilsworth by means of violence. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 99 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | James V. Ballyjack v. State | Davidson | Arson |
Arson charge for burning the house of Mrs. Betsey Hamlett. Elisha Griggs was also charged. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 689 | 285 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Joe Jackson v. State | Montgomery | Possession of Illegal Weapons |
carrying a pistol unlawfully |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 696 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Nancy Cavanaugh v. State | Knox | Other |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge of public drunkenness. Case file is incomplete; summary and bill of debt only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | P. H. Monahan v. State& State v. P. H. Monahan | Davidson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
In this appeal, plaintiff had previous judgment of guilt regarding an assault with intent to commit murder in the first degree and malicious shooting case. Victim was Laura D. Carney. Result of jury trial was sentence of 10 yrs. in TN State Penitentiary Plaintiff, who lived at the Carney Boarding House and had been engaged to Laura, attempted to kill her once she ended their relationship. Plaintiffs lawyers claimed insanity, as two Monahan first cousins suffered this condition. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 806 | 352 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | Price Peck v. State | Davidson | Murder |
The plaintiff allegedly assaulted Mrs. Board and killed Otto Board. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 731 | 157 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Alex Allen | Knox | Assault and Battery |
Defendant was charged with assault and battery. He "did beat, wound, and ill-treat," Edward Maples on September 1 1886. Defendants also called Alexander Allen. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1861 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. George Harrison (col) | Cocke | Larceny |
Defendant was charged with larceny for stealing "one gray more of the value of one hundred and twenty dollars of the goods and chattels of Young Hudson" on June 10, 1885 Defendant is identified as "colored." |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1861 | 66 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Wyly Grills | Cocke | Land |
Wyly Grills was charged with "unlawfully and feloniously cutting out and destroying certain land marks on the line between the lands of W. R. Fine and F. W. Grills" on Nov 10th 1886. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Frank Striker | Hamilton | Larceny |
Striker was charged with larceny for stealing cash from a Mr. McMullin. Rose Walker, Kate Cook, and Emma Williams all testified in the case. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1849 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Thad Mitchell | Hamilton | Assault, Felonious |
Cause of action: "Felonious Assault to commit Larceny." Jessie B. Bramon testified that he was camping in a wagon when some men came up and asked him if he had any guns. When he replied no, they asked if he had any money. When Bramon's son came up, they hit him with a rock. Bramon, Bramon's son Martin, J. M. Matheus, M. S. Goins, Henry Mayfield, James Hamilton, and J. E. Conner all testified in the case. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1849 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Tom Howard | Dyer | Larceny | West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 312 | 94 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Charles Bates | Shelby | Larceny |
Defendant also indicted for receiving stolen goods. Goods stolen from William Forgarty on 20 August 1886. |
West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 318 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Charles Maxwell | Shelby | Murder |
Defendant indicted for stabbing Elbert Riley to death on 15 May 1886. |
West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 318 | 79 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Ellick Jones, et al. | Shelby | Larceny |
Additional Defendant: Solomon Jones. Defendants also charged with receiving stolen property. Stole 900 lbs. of seed cotton from J. B. Jones on 31 Oct. 1886. Ellick also spelled "Alex" in the record. |
West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 318 | 31 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Fred Davis | Shelby | Larceny |
Davis accused of larceny and receiving stolen property. |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 97 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Thomas Murray | Shelby | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 10 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Bob Jackson | Dyer | Murder |
Defendant was sentenced to 17 years hard labor for the murder of Ras Woods. His brother, Alex, had been found not guilty. |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 61 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. G. W. Harris | Shelby | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Convicted for carrying a pistol. |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Charles Tolbert | Shelby | Larceny |
The defendant accused of stealing 20 U.S. silver coins. |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. O. M. Narel | Shelby | Robbery |
Convicted of stealing $7.50 from F. M. Stiles. |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 390 | 42 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. John Jones | Shelby | Murder |
Victim: Henry Buford |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 392 | 260 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. H. Johnson et al. | Madison | Murder |
Additional defendants: J. V. Hudson, G. Whiswork Johnson |
West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 395 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Fred Davis | Shelby | Receiving Stolen Goods |
Davis is accused of knowingly receiving and concealing property valued at $100 belonging to Oliver Hibler. |
West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 396 | 60 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Oliver Bowden | Shelby | Rape | West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 395 | 137 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State V. George H. Millington | Shelby | Murder |
The victim's name in this case was Tom Kennedy, who was allegedly shot by the defendant. |
West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 398 | 285 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Jule Hicks | Madison | Liquor Violation | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 397 | 15 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Davy French | Carroll | Other |
Cause of Action: Knocked down a sign on a public road. |
West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 399 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. L. C. Baker | Gibson | Assault with Intent to Commit Rape | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 399 | 214 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. George Sey | Shelby | Larceny | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 399 | 35 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. J. E. Cuff | Decatur | Breach of Trust |
Defendant was charged with selling a peanut crop and keeping the proceeds instead of paying the money to John Phifer, to whom he owed a debt that the crop yield was to pay for. |
West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 416 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Thomas Daulton, W. H. Hatley, & Bill Shearley | Benton | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 430 | 10 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Belle Lovelace | Henry | Larceny | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 423 | 14 | Order A Copy |