Order Cases Online
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].
Use quotes for an exact search. ex. "J. W."
View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
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View Entry | 1846 | Alfred H. Wynne, exe., of Elizabeth O. Spiers, dec. v. Charles Spiers | Sumner | Wills, Contested | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1845 | Alexander Williams, Valentine Sevier, Betsy Gass, exe's of John Gass, dec. v. William & Margaret Ross, Henry B. &Elizabeth Ross, Sarah Gass, Alexander Gass, George M. Gass, heirs of John Gass, dec. | Greene | Wills, Contested |
John Gass, was legislator for a number of years & married a younger woman following the death of first wife. Following an injury from a horse riding accident, his heirs accused him of being mentally feeble. They sued because they wanted to void his will. |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 17a | 238 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | A. B. Beech, et al. v. Alvin Williams, exe. of Martin S. Stockard | Maury | Wills, Contested |
Additional Complainant: Sarah S. Beech and S. B. Stockard |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 41 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1949 | American Trust Banking Company v. Clay Williams et al. | Hamilton | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendants: Roger Williams, Clara Williams, Vance Wrinkle, Stacy Wrinkle. 6 Folders. Additional Box Number: 332. Case includes deed of trust, power of atty, letters, and death certificate. |
East | Range: 6 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 330 | 1383 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1941 | Allie Warner et al. v. Beryl Booth, exe. of M. C. Blair, dec. | Washington | Wills, Contested |
Exhibits include previous case documents, handwritten letters canceled checks, , Add. Plaintiffs: Sue Ferguson, Marx Henderson. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 388 | 803 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1941 | Alice H. Barton v. S. S. Preston, exe. of Mary Lee Hall, dec. | Washington | Wills, Contested |
Exhibits include handwritten letters and postcards, canceled check. |
East | Range: 6 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 435 | 530 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1894 | A. S. Reeves Sr., et al. v. W. Hart Reeves, et al. | Trousdale | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendants: A. S. Reeves Jr. Defendants, the minor sons of A. S. Reeves Sr. and Martha (Mittie) Reeves dec., brought suit contesting their mother's will. They complained that at the time the document in controversy was written, their mother was legally and mentally incompetent. Martha Reeves died in 1879. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1020 | 289 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Armitage Taylor v. A. A. & J. D. M. Hatcher | Overton | Wills, Contested | Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 62 | 165 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1860 | Anthony Allen v. Martha Sloan et al. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendant: John H. Sloan. Dispute involves a debt and property. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 299 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1884 | A. C. Bryan, et al. v. Robert Chaney, et al. | Sumner | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendant: Sallie Bryan. Additional Defendants: William Turley[?], Sophia Turley[?], Edmond Hardy, Elizabeth M. Hardy, James L. Perrin, Susan H. Perrin, William Perrin, Samuel Mitchell, Tabitha Mitchell. Sallie Bryan and A. C. Bryan brought this suit claiming to have the will of Hillary M. Chaney, dec. that gave them title to a farm in Sumner County. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 591 | 610 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1840 | Andrew Galbraith v. Robert Wright& others | Hawkins | Wills, Contested |
Robert Wright and others believe that an "instrument of writing" presented as the last will and testament of Arthur W. Galbraith is not real and should not hold up in court. Arthur Galbraith was an infant at the time of death and could not have valid will Others listed in suit are Priscilla Wright, John Sprowl, Malinda Sprowl, James Watterson, and Sarah Watterson. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1169 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | Benjamin Corn, et al. v. Belsey Willis & John Bostick | Coffee | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs: Elizabeth Corn, Mary Bostick, Lewis Bostick, Fonsk Bostick, Albert Bostick, Nancy Bostick, and Little Berry Bostick. Case also involves debt and property dispute, plus child custody issues. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 247 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Bettie P. Franklin, exe. James Franklin, dec. v. Bessie F. Reed & husband | Sumner | Wills, Contested |
James Franklin of Gallatin died 1891. Bessie Reed and husband petitioned the court claiming that J. Franklin's will (her father) was "executed when he was neither of sound mind or disposing memory" and "was illegally, improperly, and unduly influenced". The first cases in 1893 resulted in mistrials. In 1894 a final trial sided with the def. James Franklin owned "Kennesaw" a 300 acre horse farm. The large case contains rich historical details as told through 87 personal testimonies. Includes summaries. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1052 | 485 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1846 | Bryan Ward et al. v. John Y. Roper Sr. et al. | Sumner | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs: E. P. Lowe, Matthew H. Ward, exe. of John W. Ward, dec. Additional Defendants: John Y . Roper, Jr. The deceased was married to Mary E. Ward, daughter of the defendant. They had 2 children, Mary and John, both under 10. The dispute in this case seemed to be over the guardianship and education of the two children. This case is located in MT OV 1. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 1 | 127 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1839 | Benjamin R. Strong, exe. of Joseph C. Strong, dec. v. Charles Ready & wife, et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiff also executor for Jane Strong, deceased. Others mentioned: Ann E. Strong, Joseph L. King (Ann's guardian), P. Dickenson, J.C. Moses, Jane Strong. Slaves mentioned in will. Exhibits includes statements of first distribution & second distribution of estate, calculations, & receipts. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 51 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | B. P. Curtis et al. v. State ex rel. J. M. Moreland | Carter | Contested Election |
Incomplete case. Briefs, amendment, and stipulation only. Additional defendants: R.T. Johnson Jr. and C.J. Range. Moreland was a candidate for the office of Sheriff in the 1930 election. Moreland charged def. (election commissioners) with fraudulently altering the returns from the election in order to elect W.J. Fair, another candidate. Moreland sought mandamus to compel the def. to recount and certify the true result. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1333 | 178 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | Benjamin Trent v. J. E. Starnes et al. | Hawkins | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendant: H. S. Rogers. Plaintiff is the brother of Jesse Trent dec. Plaintiff states that after the death of his brother, a document purporting to be his last will and testament was admitted to probate court at the instance of the defendants. Plaintiff is questioning the validity of said will and claims that undue influence was exerted upon his brother in order to obtain its execution. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1601 | 74 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1873 | Catherine Perritt et al. v. George Martin et al. | Lewis | Wills, Contested |
Lewis P. Totty and John B. Grey contested the will of Harrison Totty, dec., February 3, 1858. George W. Martin & Matilda Totty were the executors. He left the majority of his property to his widow, but requested the balance of his property be sold and proceeds divided up. He left Perritt $5, however she died on September 22, 1873 before the case could be heard. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 23 | 154 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1869 | Coatney Ann Hatcher & J. D. H. Hatcher v. Joseph Taylor et al. | Overton | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendants: William Reader, M. J. Taylor; dispute of will of Harris Hatcher, deceased See possible related case in MT 62. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 341 | 137 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1884 | C. A. French, et al. v. Frederick Borden, et al. | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Will of William Neeld. Additional plaintiffs: Oliva French (wife of C. A.), William P. Neeld, Rebecca Neeld, Lucy Neeld, Manning M. Dean, Ida Dean (wife of Manning), Thomas J. Carter, James N. Cooley, Hannah Neld, Robert E. Neld, James Borden, Hugh D. Neeld, Ada Carter, Walter Carter, Earnest Carter, George H. Bradshaw, Nancy Bradshaw (wife of George), Margaret Carter, and William F. Fleming. Additional defendants: Jessie Neeld, Eva Neeld, Bertha Neeld, Harry Neeld, Mary Neeld, etc. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 639 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1856 | Caroline Wade v. Robert Cantrell & John Tubb admr. of William Wade | DeKalb | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiff is appealing a will dispute over her husband's property, including slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 265 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1858 | Calvin S. Brown, exe. of Caswell Martin v. Samuel H. Jones et al. | Maury | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendants: William Porter, William Voorhies, David Lowell, Jesse Wells, Alexander Wells, Benjamin Dowell, John Hamilton, William Garney, and Martin Eawin. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 269 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Caroline A. Young v. T. T. Watson et al. | White | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendant: A. J. Gamble. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1947 | Claudie Gregory v. Nellie Gregory Susong, exor. of Minnie Gregory, decd., et al. | Greene | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendants: D. A. Gregory, exor. of Minnie Gregory, decd., Andrew D. Gregory, Albert A. Gregory, Remer Gregory, Gano Gregory, Ivan J. Gregory, Nellie K. Gregory (Susong). |
East | Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 590 | 282 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1894 | C. R. Badoux, et al. v. E. F. Badoux, et al. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Add pla. unknown. Add def: R. G. and W. H. Badoux. Defendants were the sons of Kate Badoux who died in 1891. Defendants complained that the last will and testament of their mother was executed under undue means and by improper influence. Defendants stated that their mother was insane at the end of her life and spent time in the Cincinnati Sanitarium. Her illness was described as chronic dementia with mental impairment. Casefile notes that Ms. Badoux was originally from Lorraine, France. 2 folders. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 969 | 502 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1939 | Dock Fowler v. Mary Hampton, et al. | Bradley | Wills, Contested |
Plaintiff suing as executor of estate of Belle Fowler, dec. Add. Defendants: Nancy Holder, Irene Hicks, Paulene Hixson, Henry Hagler, Jewell Morton. |
East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 635 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1942 | Dorothy McKinney Bussell v. Kenneth McKinney, exe. of A. J. McKinney, dec., et al. | Loudon | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendant: Mrs. Otzie McKinney. Exhibits: ledger. |
East | Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 586 | 464 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1882 | D. W. Knight et al. v. James P. Adkisson et al. | Cheatham | Wills, Contested |
Additional Complainant: A. Nork (?) Additional parties: Margaret R. Knight |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 54 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Delphy Ann Small v. William Allen, exe. of William Travis, dec, et al. | Stewart | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendants: Coleman Travis, J. M. Travis, William Allen, Mary Allen, E. T. Bogart, William Man, Frances Man. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 565 | 114 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1887 | Dr. Edward N. Franklin v. Dr. John W. Franklin | Sumner | Wills, Contested |
2 folders. John A. Franklin (dec.) left a will that divided his estate among his heirs in which E.N. Franklin is named as trustee. Bill filed over the authenticity of the hand-written will. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 751 | 422 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1917 | Emma Nimmerfall, et al. v. M. E. Link, exe. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Link is exe. of the estate of Mrs. Mary Kiber, deceased. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 114 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1948 | Edna Miller, et al. v. Lena Smith, et al. | Campbell | Wills, Contested |
Additional defendants: Myrie McNeely. Additional Plaintiffs: Ulys Lineart. Two folders. |
East | Range: 5 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 192 | 484 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | Eliza Ann Hammer & Anna Hammer v. Samuel A. Hammer | Maury | Wills, Contested |
Anna Hammer was a minor and daughter of plaintiff and was suing by next of friend W. H. Anthony. Austin W. Hammer, deceased and husband of Eliza Ann Hammer left his estate to his wife and daughter. The defendant was the executor and writer of the will that was being contested. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 3 | 213 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1927 | Ed Hackworth et al. v. Willie Hackworth et al. | Knox | Wills, Contested |
Add. Plaintiffs: Ed Hackworth, Bertha Gallaher, S. C. Calloway, William Calloway, Ellison Calloway, Carrie Blanche Calloway, Jno. R. Cox, Blair Hackworth. Add. Defendant: Annie Hackworth. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 399 | 266 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1947 | Ed Haynes v. John Wayne Mullins et al. | Union | Wills, Contested |
Deceased: Magge Haynes. Exhibits include promissory notes, correspondences, will. Add. Defendants: Ernest K. Mullins. |
East | Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 589 | 299 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1830 | Elizabeth & Lennard Huff v. John Allen et al | Cocke | Wills, Contested |
Deceased: Joseph Huff. Add. Defendants: Margaret Huff Allen, John & Charity Huff Smith, James & Linda Huff Ellington, Joseph Padget, William & Polly Huff Gilliland, Joseph Huff. |
East | Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 670 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1936 | Ellen Anderson Wright et al.v. Nell Wright Carpenter et al | Hamilton | Wills, Contested |
Exhibits include correspondences. Deceased: Sydney B Wright. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 769 | 385 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | E. F. Tucker v. W. G. McDonald | Wilson | Wills, Contested |
Over will of Samuel King McDonald, dec. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 637 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1845 | Elizabeth Thurston v. John Summnerford, et al. | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Other defendants: John Roach. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1851 | Edward A. Mosley, et al. v. Samuel E. Gilliland& Matt Marshall | Lincoln | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiffs: James and Ann Finch. Case deals with a competing wills concerning slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 232 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1916 | Ellen McCline et al.v. McMurray Ridley et al | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Additional parties: Hanna Merritt, Bettie Merritt Nichols, Robert Nichols, Jesse Morgan, John Robert Nichols, Mary Ellen Nichols, William Henry Nichols Ellen Merritt, Mary Merritt, Susie Frierson. This case involves a former slave and raises the question of the legitimacy of her three children who were born in slavery. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 163 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Elizabeth J. Barton v. William Barton et al. | Cannon | Wills, Contested |
Additional Defendants: James Taylor and wife Elizabeth and Joseph Ramsey and wife Hannah. Dispute involves debt, land, and slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1822 | Esom Graves v. Reuben Graves | White | Wills, Contested |
Property includes a slave. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 335 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | Elijah D. Robbins, et al. v. David C. Lewis | Franklin | Wills, Contested |
other plaintiffs: Mary E. B. Robbins |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 388 | 88 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1939 | Edd & Phoebe Peters v. W. H. Popejoy | Union | Wills, Contested | East | Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 607 | 228 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1906 | Edward D. Rapp, exe. of Jacob Storz, dec. v. Frederick Jabob Storz & Sophia Baltt Storz | Shelby | Wills, Contested | West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1033 | 472 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1886 | Frank T. Reid v. George A. Reid et al. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Other defendants: Sophia Reid Chappell & A. R. Chappell; Bessie Reid, Eliza Reid, & Mariah Reid, minors under the guardianship of George B. Guild. The parties involved disagree whether a will entered into evidence is, in fact, the last will written by the deceased John Reid. Both docket numbers 11711 and 11911 appear on this case. Another case in the same box (Murray v. Cunningham) is marked 11910,11911. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 613 | 84 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Francis H. Gordon v. Alice Gordon et al. | Wilson | Wills, Contested |
Additional material in MT 755. Additional Defendants: George Gordon, John Bowen, Mary Bowen, Milley Bowen, William Givens, John Bowen and wife Frances, Sarah Gordon, William Minton and wife Matilda, Matthew Gordon, James Gordon, John Bilbo and wife Sarah, John H. Gordon,Mary Gordon, Henry Givens and wife Elizabeth, Bythella Gordon, Jane Gordon, Williamella Gordon, William Moores and wife Nancy, Alice Moores, William W. Moores, Mary Wallis, Leonidas Wallis, and R. Gordon. Disputes of debt, land, and slaves. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 295 | 551 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | Felix R. Smith, admr. of Jesse Smith dec. et al. v. J.D. Smith et al. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Additional Plaintiff: Ezekial Smith. Last will and testament of Jesse Smith. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 358 | 148 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | Ford v. Ford | Johnson | Wills, Contested |
Landmark case describing basic civil rights of slaves. The significant decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court concerning the legal right of slaves to bring suit. The Supreme Court remanded the case for retrial and Justice Nathan Green wrote the court's opinion declaring slaves possessed "many rights which are inherent in man." |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 258 | 216 | Order A Copy |