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 | 1842 | Alfred Noel v. James F. Hooper | Claiborne | Defamation |
Folder only contains cost bond for appeal signed by pla. & co-signed by James P. Evans. Plaintiff was Robert Noel, who sued by dad & next friend Alfred, claiming Hooper defamed pla. by accusing him of arson by setting fire to the house of Hugh Graham in the Town of Tazewell. Jury ruled for Def. Witnesses: Piles & Dan'l Marcum, James Fulkerson, Elijah & Newton Evans, others. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1130 | 29 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1906 | Commercial Publishing Co. v. Albert Benham | Shelby | Defamation |
Supreme court case only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1013 | 45 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1908 | Combs Chemical Co. v. William Krauss | Shelby | Defamation |
Case includes printed briefs. |
West | Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1138 | 143 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | C. E. Rogers v. Independent Life Insurance Company | Hamilton | Defamation |
In 1930, the plaintiff was an agent of the defendant and had been for many years, writing insurance policies and collecting premiums. He made a weekly deposit of $2.00 to the defendant, intended to hold them safe from any misappropriation of money from premiums. When the plaintiff quit, the defendant had $140 belonging to the plaintiff, to be returned with interest. Plaintiff alleges the defendant falsely composed defamatory libel to prevent the plaintiff from collecting his funds and damaging his name. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1297 | 1189 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1858 | Elijah Girns v. Sterling Mayse | Claiborne | Defamation |
The plaintiff was a man of mixed color and was publicly called "damaged" and "malatto" by the defendant. Plea of trespass on the case for false and malicious slander and defamatory words by the defendant and damages to the sum of $5,000. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1161 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | F. C. Cornwell v. W. J. Burrow | Trousdale | Defamation |
Cornwell is sued Burrow for $10,000 for falsely accusing him of perjury in a previous case (a lawsuit for replevin). Lengthy case is stored in two folders. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 626 | 264 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1839 | George Morris& Elizabeth Morris-wife v. Stephen Parrott | Campbell | Defamation |
Defendant spoke and published certain defamatory words concerning Elizabeth Morris the wife of Plaintiff, George Morris. The plaintiffs wish to recover one thousand dollars. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1137 | 10 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | Johnathan Walker v. John Braden & wife Martha | Claiborne | Defamation |
Walker states the defendants trespassed on his good name when Martha accused him of perjury in a former case they brought against him, marring his good name in the community. See also boxes 1123; 2a. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1151 | 29 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1919 | J. S. Griggs v. R. G. Buchanan | Davidson | Defamation | Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1848 | James Kelly v. James Craig | Greene | Defamation |
James Craig accused James Kelly of stealing his money and Kelly is sued him for defamation and damages to his good name. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 | 111 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1857 | Mary A. Moore v. Pleasant Homer | Jefferson | Defamation |
The plaintiff states that the defendant maliciously intending to injure the plaintiff good name, fame and credit and to bring her into public scandal infamy and disgrace did utter defamatory words. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1154 | 23 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1905 | N. C. Perkins v. Commercial Publishing Company | Shelby | Defamation | West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1029 | 458 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1843 | Robert C. Hansard v. William McHenry | Grainger | Defamation |
Also malicious prosecution. Alleged defamatory words by McHenry: McHenry said Hansard committed perjury when testifying in a case the state brought against McHenry. Alleged perjury: Hansard testified that, on a day when McFarland's boat lay at anchor on Powell's River, above where McHenry had a fish trap & dam, Hansard saw the trap & dam & could see they obstructed the navigation of the river. Venue changed from Claiborne County to Grainger County. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 | 32 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | Shadrick Jackson v. Robert Roulston | Marion | Defamation |
Plaintiff claims that the defendant injured the Plaintiff's good name and brought him to public scandal, infamy and disgrace and to cause him to be imprisoned for a long space of time and thereby caused him to lose wages. Added 102 pgs 11/21/14: Roulston prosecuted Jackson for stealing bacon, salt & soap & the court determined the prosecution was frivolous, after which Jackson filed this suit against Roulston for defaming his good name by such prosecution. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1155 | 124 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1871 | State, on relation, W. P. Caldwell v. A. J. Harpole | Obion | Defamation |
Harpole was accused of defaming the name of Senator William P. Caldwell. He allegedly sent an insulting, anonymous letter to Caldwell, then later, hung a poster with similar sentiments downtown. Poster and letter both speak of Caldwell's cronyism and personal benefits from political office. Creatively insulting language in letter. See also boxes 648; 513. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 3 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1857 | Samuel Walker v. Nathan Morelock | Greene | Defamation |
sued for $5,000 in damages for defamation after defendant allegedly committed perjury when he accused the plaintiff of fraud. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1157 | 80 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | Samuel McCampbell v. Samuel Thornburgh | Jefferson | Defamation |
Plea of trespass with damages of $10,000. The defendant maliciously falsified testimony about the plaintiff to the town, making the defendant also guilt of perjury. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1172 | 48 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1861 | Wilson Burchfield v. Thomas Russell | Polk | Defamation |
Burchfield sued Russell for defamation for accusing Burchfield of perjury, claiming $2500 damages; also asked for attachment against Russell's property, claiming Russell about to fraudulently convey property to avoid execution of anticipated judgment. Alleged perjury was when Burchfield was witness in lawsuit brought by Russell against Lorenzo Dow Williams. Land subject to attachment: 160 acres in Ocoee District, Range 3, second section fractional township north, sections 10 & 11 |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1171 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1828 | Winbourne v. Blythe | Sumner | Defamation |
Winborne alleges defendant spreading lies in an attempt to ruin his good name. Bad feelings between the two men arose out of a Sumner County Chancery Court case. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 188 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1897 | W. P. Caldwell v. A. J. Harpole | Obion | Defamation |
W.P. Caldwell was a practicing attorney in Union City, TN. Defendant wrote & mailed an anonymous letter to home of plaintiff (Weakley Co.) in 1896, willful and malicious defamation of the character of plaintiff. Letter received by wife, caused great distress. Then, posted copy of said letter in Union City. "You damned infamous old son of a bitch. You sold out to Pete Turney's gang while you were in the State Senate." "You old Argus-eyed Janus faced reprobate…" See also boxes 3; 513; 648. |
West | Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 513 | 523 | Order A Copy |