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 | 1886 | Archie Monroe, in error v. State | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
Monroe was charged with "disturbing an educational essembly" at Austin School House by fighting and quarreling and talking and making boisterous language and making threatening demonstrations. Witnesses claimed Monroe had threatened a teacher after his daughter, a student at the school, had been suspended. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | Corporation of Paris v. Charles Thomason | Henry | Disturbing the Peace | West | Range: 83 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 382 | 8 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1884 | City of Knoxville v. E. J. Sanford, W. P. Chamberlain & A. J. Albers | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
Chamberlain & Albers tried to conduct a dray business, and were probably employed as teamsters. However, Knoxville had strict rules about taxes imposed upon draymen, and required licenses of them. The defendants were charge with running a pharmaceutical service without a license. Case includes extensive and broad list of all industries requiring such a license. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 38 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1891 | John Coker, in error v. Board of Mayor and Alderman of Knoxville | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
John Coker, alias Floyd, was charged with disorderly conduct/aiding and abetting by his presence and dancing with a prostitute at the house of Mary Oakes on Mabry Street and causing a general disturbance to the neighbors. |
East | Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1790 | 9 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1871 | John Ligon v. State | Disturbing the Peace |
Opinion only. |
West | Range: 84 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 11 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1929 | J. L. DeBoard v. State | Cocke | Disturbing the Peace |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he prowled houses in the town of Newport at night to see females undressing. Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | John Lukowski, in error v. Mayor and Alderman of the Town of Knoxville | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
The mayor and aldermen of Knoxville charged Lukowski with disturbing the peace by assaulting and beating Frank Grechoweiz at the house of Mrs. Soboloskie at the corner of High & Church St. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1857 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1868 | L. Trigg v. Mayor & Alderman of Knoxville | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
The plaintiff is accused of disturbing the peace by attempting to shoot J. McMillan. The plaintiff is appealing the case. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1184 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | Mayor & Alderman of Columbia v. Henry Roberts | Maury | Disturbing the Peace | Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 53 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1891 | Mayor & Aldermen of the Town of Rutherford v. George N. Swink | Gibson | Disturbing the Peace |
Assignment of errors of law. Swink originally charged with violating municipal ordinance against "profane language & boisterous conduct" on 27 April 1889. Offenses took place in Henry Blackburn's saloon & other places about town. |
West | Range: 83 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 336 | 125 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1835 | State v. Nathan Gillaspie et al. | Franklin | Disturbing the Peace |
Additional Defendants: William Gillaspie; James Faris; Thomas Dixon |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 195 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. Columbus Hammer | Warren | Disturbing the Peace |
Indicted by a grand jury for disturbing the peace at an "an assembly for literacy or educational purposes." Defendant moved to quash the indictment with a plea in abatement challenging the testimony of a grand jury witness, J.J. Nomack. Defendant could not write his own name on the court papers instead making his mark, an X, on the them. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 25 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1881 | State v. Joseph Turnbow | Lewis | Disturbing the Peace | Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 60 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Bachus Simpson | Humphreys | Disturbing the Peace |
Official charge is "obscenity." Additional parties: Amanda J. Jones |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 66 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | State v. David Bell | Dyer | Disturbing the Peace |
Disturbance during a spelling match at a school house. |
West | Range: 84 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 113 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | State v. W. J. Walpool | Gibson | Disturbing the Peace |
Additional parties: Ellis Davis |
West | Range: 84 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 113 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | State v. James Brown | Rutherford | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendant is charged with giving whiskey to a slave without his owner's permission. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 281 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | State v. Eli Steele | Franklin | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendant is being charged with profanity for saying "God damned." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 327 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1949 | State v. Charlie Davidson | Sullivan | Disturbing the Peace |
Cause of Action: Resisting Arrest and Disturbing a Public Assembly. |
East | Range: 6 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 356 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1897 | State v. Pink Robertson& Offie Robertson | Obion | Disturbing the Peace |
The defendants were accused of indecent conduct toward the school directors during a school exercise in Obion County. |
West | Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 514 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | State v. D. W. White | Johnson | Disturbing the Peace |
State charged the defendant with disturbing an educational and literary meeting at Hally Spring's College with noise and rude and indecent behavior. The circuit court jury found him guilty and ordered he pay $20 and cost of suit. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1813 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1857 | State v. William Hicks& Nathaniel Hicks | Campbell | Disturbing the Peace |
William and Nathaniel are accused of beating, wounding and ill treat George Braden to the great damage and evil example of all others offending and against the peace and dignity of the state. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1154 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1842 | State v. Steve Brittain | Claiborne | Disturbing the Peace |
The defendant failed to keep his slaves clothed in the public view. The state states that what should have been concealed was publicly imposed the good people of the state. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1166 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1867 | State v. Thomas Sawyers | Cocke | Disturbing the Peace |
The State claims that the defendant did unlawfully run a horse race on a public road against the peace and dignity of the State. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1222 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Wallace Adams | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
Cause of action listed as "disturbing educational and literary meeting." For disturbing a meeting at Methodist church in Eastport. See also State v. Lee Beaty in ET 1687. |
East | Range: 19 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1687 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | State v. James Bennett | DeKalb | Disturbing the Peace |
Incomplete case file. Defendant is accused of disturbing an Alliance meeting, assembled to promote agriculture, by exhibiting indecent behavior and profane discourse. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 868 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Pitser Camp, Bob Camp, Humphrey Camp, Lewis Camp | Hardeman | Disturbing the Peace | West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 15 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1873 | State v. Charles Hopkins | Jackson | Disturbing the Peace |
Incomplete case file. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 13a | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. John Hopwood | Marshall | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendant was accused of masking himself while travelling through the county disturbing the peace. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Alan Spencer | Disturbing the Peace |
Cause of Action: Breach of Peace |
West | Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 24 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William J. Russell | White | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendant is charged with Profanity for saying "By God, God Damn, and Be God Damn." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | State v. Wash Taylor & Jake Parks | Lincoln | Disturbing the Peace |
Cause of Action: prowling and traveling in disguise through the county to the alarm of the citizens. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 351 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. R. V. Oldham | Shelby | Disturbing the Peace |
Alternate defendant name: Brink Oldham. |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 226 | 17 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Millard Gammon | Macon | Disturbing the Peace | Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 693 | 28 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1851 | State v. David Whiteside, et al. | Grainger | Disturbing the Peace |
Other defendants: Andrew Donalson; George Linderwood; James D. Keener; Thomas Whiteside, alias Thomas Henderson. On Feb. 6, 1850, defendants assembled and did "unlawfully, forcibly, violently, riotously and riotously take and carry away twenty four plows, one buggy, and one peddler's wagon from John Cocke and Elkana A. Millard." |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1155 | 9 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1857 | State v. E. W. Nailon | Washington | Disturbing the Peace |
The state accuses the defendant of beating and abusing Philip Southerland. The assault and battery was offensive and against the peace and dignity of the State. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1157 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | State v. Bill Roberson | Wilson | Disturbing the Peace |
Frank Hancock started to talk to Bill Roberson's sister. Bill became angry and drew a pistol at Hancock. He started to climb a fence but was held back by his mother and father. This was against the peace of the state. Also: Bill Roberson v. State |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 747 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1855 | State v. Thomas Dotson | Jefferson | Disturbing the Peace |
Thomas Dotson is accused of keeping and drinking certain liquors and keeping a house where much drinking, fighting, cursing and shooting took place must to the disturbance of the general public. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1844 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1842 | State v. Frederick Hunter | Greene | Disturbing the Peace |
The defendant was carrying a knife that was shaped like a Bowie knife under his clothes offending the peace and dignity of the state. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1166 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1848 | State v. Charles J. Owen | Grainger | Disturbing the Peace |
Indictment for a misdemeanor for disturbing the public peace next to a school house. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1172 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1858 | State v. Andrew Bowling | Scott | Disturbing the Peace |
The defendant fought in a public place which was against the peace and dignity of the state. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1183 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1871 | State v. William Henderson | Marion | Disturbing the Peace |
On 7 May 1871 defendant Henderson intentionally & maliciously went about the county "disguised & masked", alarming the citizens. While disguised he "assaulted and beat" Anderson Wilkerson. def.. Indicted for being masked & for disturbing the peace. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | State v. Henry Steel & Sam Curtis | DeKalb | Disturbing the Peace |
The defendants were indicted for unlawfully and willfully disturbing an assembly of people at a local lodge, known as The Wheel, by using loud, rude, and improper behavior. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 818 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | State v. John Tilley, et al | Bledsoe | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendants were charged with disturbing the peace for talking loudly, laughing, whispering, swearing, drinking and committing many other acts of rude and indecent behavior. Additional Defendants: Martin Worthington, Esterly Brown, George Evins, Patrick Segraves, James Worthington |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1621 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | The Corporation v. Martin Atkins | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
Case incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1871 | William Henderson v. State | Marion | Disturbing the Peace |
Opinion only. Cause of Action: prowling, walking and traveling the county disguised and masked to citizens' alarm. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 92 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1868 | William Perry v. Mayor& Alderman of Knoxville | Knox | Disturbing the Peace |
The plaintiff was accused of disturbing the peace of the city by pulling out a concealed pistol in public. Plaintiff denies the accusation and is appealing the case. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1182 | 13 | Order A Copy |