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 | 1878 | Albert G. Whiteman v. Mary L. Whiteman | Davidson | Divorce | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1917 | Alice Longworth v. Thomas E. Longworth | Davidson | Divorce |
Additional parties: William Longworth, W. B. Cook |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 82 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | Ann Howard v. David Howard | Hardin | Divorce | West | Range: 84 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 131 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1880 | Angeline Harrison v. B. G. Harrison | Weakley | Divorce |
Claimant is filing for divorce and alimony on the grounds of abandonment and adultery, accusing him of "having gone off with a Mrs. Watson and lived in open concubine with her for a considerable time. |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 37 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1814 | Archibald Sloan v. Leanna Cox | Jefferson | Divorce | East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 55 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1888 | Annie Trawell v. Hiram Trawell | Scott | Divorce |
The plaintiff sued her husband (married 1851) for divorce after he deserted her, refused to further support her, and committed adultery with several women. They had nine children, the youngest 16 and all but two married, at the time of the divorce. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1853 | 86 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | Alice Julian v. Isaiah Julian | Knox | Divorce |
In this divorce case, Alice Julian claimed the dfnt. was cruel, abusive, did not work, did not provide for her, and was committing adultery. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1844 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1887 | Annie Horton v. J. M. Horton | Shelby | Divorce | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 397 | 154 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1887 | A. J. Thompson v. Mary F. Thompson | Carroll | Divorce | West | Range: 83 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 410 | 116 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1947 | Addie H. Black v. William A. Black et al. | Hamilton | Divorce |
Additional Defendant: William F. Black |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 299 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1944 | Alice Hodges v. C. R. Hodges | Sevier | Divorce |
Exhibits include b&w photographs on card stock, correspondences, court documents. |
East | Range: 7 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 517 | 370 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1945 | Alonzo Abney v. Elsie Abney | Hamilton | Divorce | East | Range: 7 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 510 | 106 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Annie Lee Mathews v. John P. Mathews | Lincoln | Petition for Divorce |
Plaintiff, Annie Mathews, sued for divorce from the defendant, John Mathews, charging him with "ill treatment, adultery with one Lizzie Hatcher, col.," and frequent accusations against her of infidelity. The case discusses the character and occupation of Lizzie Hatcher as a prostitute and the nature of the defendant's relationship with her. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1081 | 45 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1914 | Alder Strayhorne v. J. H. Strayhorne, et al. | Madison | Divorce |
Additional defendants: R. H. Strayhorne, J. H. E. Strayhorne, Loraine Cunningham, Pearl Perkins, and J. T. Denney. Cause of action: the marriage "was unpleasant, not congenial, but was a continual discord and discontent." J. H. Strayhorne and his adult children (the other defendants) did not provide for and mistreated Alder Strayhorne. Case fills two folders. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1339 | 323 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1916 | Andrew Swift v. Agnes Swift | Shelby | Petition for Divorce |
The parties were married in July 1913 and lived together until October 1913 when the defendant wilfully deserted the plaintiff without reasonable cause. The plaintiff states he provided the defendant with all amenities and treated her kindly. |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1501 | 171 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | Ann Harry v. J. W. Harry | Knox | Divorce |
Ann Harry was married to J.W. Harry for around thirty five years. They had four children. The plaintiff charged that her husband was committing adultery with one Emma Myers. The plaintiff was also seeking alimony. |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1721 | 150 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1938 | Althea J. Webster v. William C. Webster | Knox | Divorce |
Plaintiff asks for a divorce from the defendant, alleging that he has, completely without cause, "turned her out of doors" & failed to provide for her. She also asks the court to order the def.. to pay her weekly alimony; she also wishes to recover from him attorney's fees & court costs. The Websters married in Barbourville, KY about seven years before. Althea Webster 69 years old; William C. Webster seventy. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1280 | 102 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | Audrey Farr v. John Farr | Roane | Divorce |
John Farr sued for a divorce from his wife Audrey. They had only been married for 5 years when he suspected her being with other men. She admitted to having intercourse with George Jackson and stated that he was the father of her youngest child. Plaintiff suing for custody of the other 2 children and for defendant to be restrained from selling or disposing of the household goods and furniture. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1291 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1927 | Allie E. Beard v. Whitfield Beard, et al. | Shelby | Divorce |
Defendants: Charles T. Everetts, Edward Nash Allie and Whitfield Beard were married on 10/3/1905 in Madison County, TN. They lived there until the fall of 1907 when they moved to Memphis. They lived in Memphis until April, 1923 when the defendant convinced her to move to WI with him. He returned to Memphis, sold all the furniture and goods and turned her out in September of 1923. Defendant rented home and used money for his personal gain. Defendant had taken off but could not be located. |
West | Range: 77 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1966 | 541 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1922 | Arthur Hill v. Della Hill | Shelby | Divorce |
Couple was married on Sept. 3, 1913 and separated on March 13, 1922. Arthur Hill claimed that Della Hill was committing adultery. Includes printed "Statement of Case, Assignment of Errors, Brief and Argument" filed by Della Hill. |
West | Range: 78 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1706 | 250 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1935 | Alma Davis [Cash] v. Harold Davis et al. | Hamilton | Divorce |
Plaintiff is seeking a divorce on the grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment. Plaintiff complains that the defendant has abandoned her and their only child Martha Ann. At the time of the suit, Martha Ann is in the custody of her paternal grandparents. It appears that in 1933, and after the original divorce proceedings, the plaintiff married Hueling Davis who is prominently associated with the Ryan Consolidated Petroleum Corporation. |
East | Range: 10 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1541 | 54 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Auston Hooper v. Annie Hooper | Hamilton | Divorce |
Incomplete case file. Plaintiff sued for divorce on the grounds that his wife committed adultry with (no first name given) Shoemaker and that she refused to live with him. He also claims that he believes that she is keeping a bawdy house and a place of prostitution. No children were mentioned nor was the wife's maiden name listed. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1600 | 7 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | A. C. Williams v. Eliza J. Hill | Franklin | Divorce |
Additional parties: Mariah Williams. This folder contains: "Mariah N. Williams v. A. C. Williams" |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 52 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | Anna E. Dame v. H. W. Dame | Lawrence | Divorce | Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 62 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1875 | Annie W. Ammons v. William A. Ammons, et al. | Shelby | Divorce | West | Range: 84 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 45 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1919 | Anna B. Thompson v. Stephen Thompson | Rutherford | Divorce |
Plaintiff and defendant were both African-American. Anna Thompson's maiden name was Anna B. Ross. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 130 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1944 | Alton D. Lynch v. Clara Lynch | Hamilton | Divorce | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 136 | 198 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1891 | Andrew J. Seydell v. Ida Dickinson Seydell | Shelby | Divorce |
Both married in New Haven, Ohio (Huron Co.), 1 June 1876. Moved to Tennessee in February 1888. Hon. L. H. Estes, Judge, Circuit Court of Memphis. |
West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 329 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1947 | Annie Wilcox v. George Wilcox | Knox | Divorce | East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 274 | 53 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1943 | Anna Beall v. John Alexander Beall | Hamilton | Divorce |
Also concerns custody of minor, Charles LaVerne Beall. Exhibits include receipts, canceled checks, etc. |
East | Range: 6 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 401 | 97 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1948 | Arabella Wooten v. Charles M. Wooten, et al. | Knox | Divorce |
Additional Defendants: P. H. Mendel, Hazel Hyder, Park National Bank, Hamilton National Bank. Complainant sought a decree of legal separation and maintenance, attachment and injunction. |
East | Range: 6 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 486 | 149 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1946 | A. J. McClung v. Lola Vaul Conner McClung | Knox | Divorce |
Exhibits: correspondence, record of purchase. |
East | Range: 7 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 522 | 128 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1911 | Albert Chinn v. Fannie L. Chinn | Fayette | Divorce | West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1062 | 11 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1937 | Alma Cash Davis v. Harold Cash | Hamilton | Divorce | East | Range: 8 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 938 | 1060 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1913 | Anna J. Sheridan v. Maurice H. Sheridan | Shelby | Divorce | West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1314 | 16 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1914 | Anna Parker v. Sid Parker | Lauderdale | Divorce |
Couple married in 1902 and separated in 1908. No children listed. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1335 | 33 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | A. F. Smith v. Emma S. Smith | Wilson | Divorce |
The Complainant alleges that defendant committed repeated acts of adultery with one Jesse Everrett. She contracted a venereal disease which she passed to complainant. Defendant denies the affair and says that complainant committed adultery with Matilda Davis and that he contracted the venereal disease through Matilda or some other "lewd woman." |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 728 | 110 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1915 | Annie V. Scott v. Roy R. Scott | Weakley | Divorce |
Annie Scott alleges that her husband got drunk frequently, verbally abused her and accused her of adultery incessantly. He spent all his money on whiskey. She remained a faithful and dutiful wife until August, 1914 when she separated from him. |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1494 | 38 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1918 | Alberta Wagner v. Jacob Wagner | Shelby | Divorce |
Plaintiff alleged that the defendant abandoned her and failed to provide for her and her children. |
West | Range: 79 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1522 | 54 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | Asenath Todd v. Robert W. Todd, et al. | Hamilton | Divorce |
Additional defendant: E. J. Todd. Plaintiff and Robert Todd were married in Indiana in 1862. Shortly after their marriage Robert left Indiana for Tennessee. Two years later plaintiff brought suit for divorce. Plaintiff complained that Robert failed to contribute to their home and noted that she was forced to sell a tract of land to support her family. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 5 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 214 | 375 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1928 | Augusta de St. Aubin v. Albert de St. Aubin | Shelby | Divorce |
Couple was married in New Orleans on July 31, 1917. Couple had on daughter, Dorothy May de St. Aubin who was born in in 1922. plaintiff claimed that defendant had illegally obtained a divorce from her in 1925 in Tipton County although he never lived there Plaintiff also claimed that defendant had married Nina O'Neill King in 1926. Plaintiff asked for an absolute divorce as well as custody of their daughter. Housed in 2 folders. |
West | Range: 77 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1944 | 338 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1922 | Ada Roland v. Jessie Roland | Shelby | Divorce |
Defendant, Jessie Roland, abandoned the marriage after being told that he needed to get a job to help with the expenses of the household. He has been gone for two years leaving Ada Roland with no support. The case does not give the maiden name of Ada Roland nor does it mention any children from the marriage. Ada Roland was married to Jessie in May of 1920. |
West | Range: 78 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1744 | 53 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1881 | Bersheba E. Phillips v. James J. Phillips, et al. | Hardin | Divorce |
Divorce from James J. Phillips, an alleged adulterer and unfit parent. Suit further seeks to prevent husband from claiming properties plaintiff inherited from father. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 175 | 178 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1858 | Belridge Sadler v. Nelson Sadler | Jackson | Divorce |
Defendant is also sued for alimony. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 277 | 37 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1884 | Belle Temple v. Nelson Temple | Chester | Divorce |
Both plaintiff and defendant were African-Americans. |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 251 | 25 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1887 | Bettie Ann Phillips v. Riley Phillips | Scott | Divorce |
Bettie Philips filed for divorce and asked for custody of their children as well as to retain the house. Children were Nancy, aged 15, James, aged 13, Joel, aged 11, Bettie, aged 9, Martha Bell, aged 7, Victoria, aged 4, and Alfred, aged 2. Bettie also asked that a $150 note payable be transferred to her. Note was owed to J. M. Keen. |
East | Range: 19 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1870 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1942 | Beatrice Logan Wallace v. Harry Keller Wallace | Knox | Divorce | East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 620 | 53 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1861 | Barthenia Seahorn v. William G. Seahorn; William G. Seahorn v. William E. Cocke; James L. Shields v. William G. Seahorn | Grainger | Divorce |
B. Seahorn and W.G. Seahorn were married, and the defendant was prone to getting into debt during their marriage, so most of their means was provided by her father, James Clark. Plaintiff was bequeathed five Negro workers, who were sold by the defendant, the profits from which went to paying his debts. Later during the marriage, the defendant began to beat the plaintiff, both with his fists and clubs, and treat her in an inhumane fashion. This bill is a motion for divorce and alimony. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1228 | 273 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1920 | Bessie Carter v. John Carter | Lauderdale | Petition for Divorce |
Plaintiff filed for a divorce after more than two years of desertion and non-support by the defendant. Also motioned to maintain full custody of their two children. |
West | Range: 78 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1653 | 89 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | Benjamin R. High v. Mildred L. High | Sumner | Divorce |
Parties were married in 1866. Mildred claimed that Benjamin abandoned her in April 1873. They had two young children. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 60 | Order A Copy |