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 | 1814 | Armsteat Stubblefield v. Elijah Howell & Louis Payne | Warren | Land, Contract Dispute |
Stubbelfield purchased acreage from Howell paying with notes in the amount of $500. Stubblefield had considerable debts. The case was filed to settle ownership of the property and to settle the debt. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 | 58 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | Alice M. Watkins v. N. Deitzen, et al. | Hamilton | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional defendant: J. Deitzen. Dispute over the construction of adjoining buildings with shared walls on Market Street. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1828 | 71 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | Amedee A. Mellier Jr. v. Susan M. Marshall | Davidson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Mellier purchased a tract of land through his agent A.V.S. Lindsley and the defendant's agents Long and Ashworth. In a written contract, Long & Ashworth stated they had the authority to sell said property any time within 20 days for $12,000 for 1/3 cash and balance in 1 and 2 years. Mellier offered to pay Marshall $4000 (1/3 of purchase price), but Marshall refused to accept because another agent offered to pay her several hundred dollars more. Pla. Suing for def. to fulfill contract. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 838 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1835 | Allen Yowell v. Thomas Hopkins | Warren | Land, Contract Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 195 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1887 | Armitta J. Scott, admr. of Samuel F. Scott v. William J. Scott | Morgan | Land, Contract Dispute |
The deceased had a contract to remove tan bark from a large tract of land, which the plaintiff, administrator and wife of the deceased, had taken control of after his death. The defendant claimed he had rights to remove the tan bark and had declared his ownership of the contract publicly. The plaintiff sued to affirm her ownership and right to remove the tan bark for the benefit of the deceased's estate. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1847 | 33 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | Asa P. Oakley et al. v. Jacob Miescher | Franklin | Land, Contract Dispute |
Other plaintiff: Samuel R. Oakley. Plaintiffs' land was sold to pay a debt owed to defendant, who later allowed them to buy it back with interest. They are claiming that he owed them rent, since he was living on the land after they signed a contract to purchase it from him. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 621 | 129 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1918 | A. E. Elmore & May C. Elmore v. H. W. Brennan | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Plaintiffs sued claiming they had purchased lots from defendant, paying a down payment and agree upon monthly payments. Plaintiffs claim defendant took back possession of the lots. Lots are listed as being #35, 36 & 37 of Hillcrest Subdivision in Memphis. Sued to have the contract rescinded and for damages of $478.50. Sale is noted as "resting in parol". |
West | Range: 79 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1559 | 70 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Abram Fleenor Sr. v. Henry Lorts | Sullivan | Land, Contract Dispute |
Fleenor bought a tract of land from Lorts, who he accused of misrepresenting the northwest property line of the land holding. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1650 | 151 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1881 | Charles H. Taylor et al. v. Edward Richardson et al. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Plaintiff: Thomas F. Duffie. Additional Defendant: A. H. May. Dispute concerns contract giving full title to a plantation in Phillips Co., AR. Taylor and Duffie partners in firm Taylor, Duffin & Co. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 170 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1889 | Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern Rail Road Co. et al. v. Zach T. Wright | Dyer | Land, Contract Dispute |
Other complainant is the Newport News & Mississippi Valley Co. Suit concerns a railroad right of way granted to a previous railroad company by a previous land-owner. The complainants say the Wright, the current land owner, continues to live in a house that he knows is within the boundaries of the railroad's right of way. Plat map drawn on oil cloth. |
West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 440 | 165 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1840 | Charles K. Gillespie v. John Mount | Bradley | Land, Contract Dispute |
Gillespie held occupancy on a tract of land and Mount held another tract. An agreement on an exchange of land was made between the two parties for mutual benefit. They drew a deed for Mount to pay Gillespie $7.50/acre for any extra land he acquires in the transaction with interest or a $2,000 penal sum. Mount has not paid any of the money due Gillespie for the extra land and Gillespie claims Mount is trying to cheat him out of land and money. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1146 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | C. K. Wyly v. M. C. Dowell | Benton | Land, Contract Dispute | West | Range: 84 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 152 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1905 | C. H. Crisman v. H. P. Crowley | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute | West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1003 | 97 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1883 | Charles. S. Douglass et al. v. John N. McKoin et al | Sumner | Land, Contract Dispute |
2 folders. Add. Plaintiffs: H.H. Sugg. Add. Defendants: Emma S. McKoin. Douglass's and Sugg sold McKoin a tract of land, for which a deed was made. McKoins wrote two notes for land along with probate, but payments were past due and plaintiffs state they are in the rights of the deed to sell the land for payment. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 801 | 238 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | David Whitby, et al. v. John D. Armour, et al. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Co-complainants: Richardson Whitby, Melvin Whitby, Y. A. & Minerva Whitby Carr, John W. Whitby, I. R. & Susannah Whitby, Jessie R. Whitby, D. & Cynthia Whitby Chapman, James & Lucinda Whitby McKee, William W. Whitby, Wiley W. Whitby, Thomas Whitby, Eliza Whitby Smith, Thomas Bryant, John R. Whitby, James R. Hammett, David R. Hammett, Sarah E. Hammett, Nancy L. Hammett. It is mentioned several times that several of the plaintiffs were freeborn. File includes a brief for the retrial. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 84 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Dr. W. F. Monorief v. V. T. Lilly et al. | Carter | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional defendants: Ada Mae Lilly, W.O. Lilly, J.S. Lilly and Minnie Lilly, W.R. Allen, trustee, and Lilly Real Estate Co. V.T. Lilly and wife Ada Mae and W.O. Lilly were partners selling real estate. J.S. and Minnie Lilly were owners of properties they wanted to sell. Monorief bought land for $4000-$1000 in cash and 4 notes of $750. Pla. Was unable to sell property and wanted def. to return his money and relieve him of land. Monorief suing for his $1000 and his notes to be cancelled. 3 folders. |
East | Range: 10 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1337 | 663 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1870 | Dorsey B. Thomas v. J. H. Wyley et al. | Benton | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Defendant: Oscar F. Brown. |
West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 56 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1906 | David Dewalt v. Jo C. Marley | Lauderdale | Land, Contract Dispute |
Incomplete case. |
West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1057 | 11 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Eliza L. Martin, exe. v. J. M. Rainey et al. | Davidson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Ms. Martin exec. of Robert Martin dec. Additional defendant Eliza Rainey. Plaintiff conveyed to defendants on 12-1-1875 a parcel of land in Davidson Co. for $3495. She received $2000 in cash & placed a lien on the land to secure the payment of the three notes due 6, 12 & 18 months after 12-1-1875. The first note was unpaid when plaintiff brought an action to sell the land. Defendants claimed they received no notice of sale & that a sale was not justified since the second & third notes were not due. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 28a | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1941 | Ellsworth Schultz v. Ed Anderson | Knox | Land, Contract Dispute | East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 282 | 53 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1914 | Emmett Dement v. O. B. Taylor et al. | Gibson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Second defendant is Taylor's wife, Julia P. Taylor. The dispute concerns the number of acres in a piece of property purchased by Dement. |
West | Range: 80 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1102 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1840 | Eldridge G. Sevier v. George Gordon | Roane | Land, Contract Dispute |
Title page names George L. Gillespey as co-defendant, but case documents make no mention of him. In 1835, James P. Haynes & George Gordon bought a tract of land from Ann McCampbell, admr. of John McCampbell, dec., via her agent Thomas McCampbell, for $1700. Plaintiff bought out Haynes' interest in the land, but Gordon refused to acknowledge plaintiff's interest in land. See also MT 372, Commissioners of the town of Monroe v. George Gordon, et al. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1169 | 26 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1894 | Eulah Phillips, admr. of John W. Phillips ,dec. v. John D. Kimmons and wife, Blanche Kimmons | Bedford | Land, Contract Dispute |
John W. Phillips purchased from his sister Blanche Kimmons a one-third interest in a tract of land left by their father Jesse Phillips dec. Plaintiff sued as the admr. of her deceased husband's estate claiming that the purchased interest in said property was not worth the agreed upon payment. Plaintiff further complained that she was wholly unable to carry out the contract for lack of means. 2 folders. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1003 | 118 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1889 | Edgar Jones et al. v. N. B. Lipe | Davidson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: William Duncan, John M. Bass and Samuel J. Keith. Plaintiffs were owners of lots in the "Hermitage Addition," to Nashville. Plaintiffs sold to defendant lots 1, 2, and 3 in block J of the Hermitage Addition. Recorded in book no. 57, pages no. 42 and 43 in the Registers office of Davidson County, Tennessee. Plaintiffs claim the defendant attempted to repudiate the purchase of said lots when the Nashville real estate market went down. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 822 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1925 | E. T. Cobb & Z. L. Cobb v. T. A. Sanders et. al. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional defendants: Alma Sanders and Mrs. Maggie Kinney. Plaintiffs purchased a lot from the Sanders that they claimed to have purchased from Kinney. Title search showed that the Sanders did not have clear title to the lot. The Cobbs sued to ify the purchase contract and to recover money paid as a down payment. Lot is noted as being Lot 5 of the Overton and Grovenor subdivision of the H. W. Wills subdivision. |
West | Range: 78 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1799 | 80 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1899 | Emma Peck, et al. v. J. D. Murphy, admr., et al.and C. H. Johnson, et al.v. J. D. Murphy, admr., et al. | Jefferson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Case file is incomplete. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 6 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1899 | Ella Ketchum v. Workingmen's Building & Loan Assoc. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Case concerns land given to family members in the will of James Ketchum, deceased, and the subsequent sale of that land. Case is in three folders. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 644 | 333 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | Evans, Fite, Porter & Co. v. Chapman, Kirkpatrick | Clay | Land, Contract Dispute | Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 664 | 60 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1888 | Ford & Lemaster v. W. P. Wilson | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Ford & Lemaster is a real estate firm whose principals are J. N. Ford and N. F. Lemaster. |
West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 426 | 110 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1910 | Frank Capurro v. M. W. Voorheis, et al. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Other defendants: Carmen Townsite Company. |
West | Range: 80 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 | 120 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | F. B. Gallion v. H. L. Harwell et al. | Dyer | Land, Contract Dispute |
Plaintiff claims that Harwell and his mother, Mrs. Lucy A. Harwell, the co-defendant, still owe him part of the purchase price for a piece of property they bought from him. The seller's agent neglected, by mistake, to draw up an appropriate lien at the time of the sale. |
West | Range: 84 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 100 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1909 | Granville Beeson, et al.v. The Dale Sand Company et al | Hamilton | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Plaintiffs: Sterl Beeson, Floyd Dugger, Florence Foster, Charles Foster, and Georgie Dugger. Additional Defendants: Chattanooga Sand & Supply Co. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 488 | 30 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | Granville W. White v. Hiram Smithpeter, et al. | Carter | Land, Contract Dispute |
Other defendants: David Smithpeter; Samuel R. H. McEwen, Matilda McEwen (nee Smithpeter); William L. Smith; Louisa Smith (nee Smithpeter); Edward J. Smith; Mary Smith (nee Smithpeter); William Smithpeter. Plaintiff's land was taken to satisfy debt to Michael Smithpeter, but he had verbal agreement to redeem land from him after paying debt. Michael Smithpeter died before transaction was completed & heirs refused to honor agreement. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1920 | Guranty Bank & Trust Co. v. H. B. Dameron& R. A. Ezzell | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
H.B. Dameron sold land through his real estate agent, R.A. Ezzell. The contract for the exchange of real estate stated "that the witness would have ten days within which to inspect the property, but that on account of severe storms, he was unable to make said inspection." "He accepted the contract in full without inspection, and a notation of this acceptance was signed by him on the contract." Sometime later, when the property was examined it was found to be "not what it was represented to be." |
West | Range: 78 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1644 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | George R. Gunn v. James W. Powell | Robertson | Land, Contract Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 248 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1836 | George W. Campbell v. James B. Porter et al. | Williamson | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Defendants: Mary Doherty and James Porter's wife Helen formerly Helen Doherty, David Yarborough and Frances, his wife, formerly Frances Doherty. Planitiff claimed articles of agreement were entered in 1831 with Helen and Frances Doherty. Helen & Frances were daughters of George Doherty, who at the time of his death owned several parcels of land. One tract being within Indian boundary. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 1 | 232 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1886 | H. C. Mangrum v. S. H. Reynolds | Gibson | Land, Contract Dispute | West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 296 | 224 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1901 | Hugh L. Brinkley v. E. B. Le Master, exe. of Henry L. Guion, dec. et al | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional defendants: James L. Guion, Lizzie Estes, Oliver G. Guion, Henry L. Guion, Annie L. Guion, James L. Guion Jr. Suit concerns the Lyceum Theatre in Memphis that existed on 2nd and Jefferson from 1894-1935. |
West | Range: 81 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 774 | 196 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Harrison Coley v. Joshua Phipps et al. | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional defendants: America Coley and Harvey Hamilton. The plaintiff is referred to as a free person of color as is his sister and one of the defendants, America Coley. The document notes that America Coley bought her husband out of slavery from S.A. Rofs. This case involves a land and debt dispute between the multiple parties. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1202 | 32 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1882 | Hays D. Berry et al.v. Mary Fizer at al. | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Additional Plaintiff: W. Holder Berry (husband of Hays D. Berry). Additional Defendants: Julia Fizer and Hays Fizer. |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 188 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1848 | James Walker v. Charles Manning & John Warren | White | Land, Contract Dispute | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 228 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1889 | John F. Pritchard v. A. G. Burnett | Carroll | Land, Contract Dispute |
This case revolves around a land and contract dispute between the two parties. The land in question is located in Carroll County Tennessee. |
West | Range: 82 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 469 | 139 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1899 | J. L. Bickerstaff v. H. J. Wright & J. M. Hughes | Crockett | Land, Contract Dispute |
Bickerstaff sued claiming he had paid part of the purchase price for a piece of land sold by the defendants but they had not delivered a deed to the land to Bickerstaff. |
West | Range: 82 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 724 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1908 | Jake Walker v. Mrs. Julia A. Powell | Haywood | Land, Contract Dispute | West | Range: 81 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 971 | 337 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1869 | Jesse Spears v. Robert C. Carter& wife | Hawkins | Land, Contract Dispute |
Plaintiff sold tract of land to defendants under condition that he & his wife be allowed to stay on property & defendant would provide for their "decent and comfortable support" for rest of their natural lives, which plaintiff claimed defendant wasn't doing. Defendant claimed that contract didn't define what "decent and comfortable support" actually was. Name of Carter's wife not given. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1237 | 32 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | J. R. Groves v. William Morrow & John Lumsden | Van Buren | Land, Contract Dispute |
August 1883, plaintiff sold defendants two tracts of land, title to be conveyed when defendants had land surveyed & acreage/price determined, & defendants paid half in cash - the balance due in 12 months. Survey showed a 2200 acre total. Plaintiff brought suit when defendants refused to pay the purchase price of $2040, thought they held the title. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 732 | 110 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1868 | Jesse C. Robinson v. Abraham Ragan | Hamilton | Land, Contract Dispute |
Robinson, plaintiff, and Ragan, defendant, made a contracted that in which Ragan would give a tract of land consisting of 361 acres in exchange for Robinson paying $10,830--$7500 of which was paid with three slaves. Defendant gave Robinson bond for title and Robinson gave him a note and the slaves. Ragan owned only half interest on said land, yet promised complete title to Robinson, who asks the court to sell Ragan's interest in said land and proceeds used to satisfy sum he paid. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1189 | 65 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1872 | Josiah J. Bacon v. John H. Bacon & wife | Roane | Land, Contract Dispute |
The plaintiff is the father of the defendant. The plaintiff assisted the defendant in his purchase of a parcel of land. The plaintiff expected to share ownership of the property but accuses the defendant of attempting to eject him from the property. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1213 | 8 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1832 | John Hammons, et al. v. Hopkins & Lane | Warren | Land, Contract Dispute |
Other plaintiffs: Words[illeg.] Hammons, Nancy Hammons, Elizabeth Hammons, Leroy Hammons, Jr., Leroy Hammons, Sr. Case mentions mortgage taken out on 2 "negroes." |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 1 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1872 | John W. Stone v. Augustin Plischki& C. Burwinkle | Shelby | Land, Contract Dispute |
Faded ink - many lines illegible. |
West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 54 | 0 | Order A Copy |