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 | 1935 | Alton Machon v. State | Washington | Murder |
Murder in the second degree. Victim: Calvin Woods. |
East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 882 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1911 | Alexander Nettles, Squire Waldron v. State | Haywood | Murder |
Nettles is charged with murder in the first degree, Harrison Kerr, July, 1910. Waldron, with murder in second degree. Murder occurred near St. John's School House in Haywood Co. Appeal, Supreme Court at Jackson, 1911. |
West | Range: 80 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1235 | 77 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | Ben Spinx, alias Beggarly v. State | Wilson | Murder |
Spinx was accused of murdering Robert Hamilton on March 19, 1875. Spinx's lawyers claimed his confession was obtained by the "flattery of hope or the torture of fear." |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 188 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | Belle Underwood v. State | Blount | Murder |
Plaintiff was charged with murder of her infant child. She had just given birth and tried to kill the child. |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1731 | 44 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1948 | Burton Laughters v. State | Sullivan | Murder | East | Range: 5 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 222 | 316 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1915 | Clarence Dunavant v State | Lauderdale | Murder |
Name of victim: Robert Hathcock |
West | Range: 79 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1478 | 12 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | D. B. Monroe v. State | Anderson | Murder |
The defendants was on trail for murder. Monroe was charged with shooting and killing one Frank Smith. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1715 | 409 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1913 | Dan Miller v. State | Lake | Murder |
Victim: George Putnam |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1308 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1840 | Elijah, a slave v. State | Smith | Attempted Murder |
Elijah was charged with assault with intent of murder against David C. Puryear. Elijah was the property of Elijah Carman. Several slaves were working at B and A. Pierce's shop where machine making was carried out. This was where the assault took place Alvan Cullum was appointed a special judge in this case by Governor James K. Polk. The jailor at Carthage did not believe the prisoner would be safe so requested that he be sent to Wilson County. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 230 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | George Vestal v. State | Murder, 1st degree |
Vestal was on trial for the murder of London Mack. Vestal was also charged with carrying dangerous weapons. Map located in MT OV 11. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 998 | 55 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | Herbert Wilkins v. State | Hardin | Murder, 1st degree |
Victim: Orvil Wilkins. Lillian Gardner, ex wife of defendant. They married October 4, 1921 in Hardin County. They had one child, Orvil Wilkins, deceased who died at the home of Gardner's stepfather, Bab Spencer. Gardner claimed that Wilkins often abused the baby who was only a few months old. |
West | Range: 78 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1807 | 77 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1910 | Jesse Stewart& Charles Taylor v. State | Madison | Murder |
Victim: Ed Pearson |
West | Range: 80 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1225 | 353 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | John C. Ogg v. State | Knox | Murder, 1st degree |
The defendant was charged with murder in the first degree. The weapons used were a pistol, sticks and shives. The victim was G. W. Lane |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1723 | 60 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | John Mathes, In Error v. State | Cocke | Murder, 2nd degree |
Plaintiff: John Mathes (aka John Matthews). Incident of 10 July 1874, murder of James Ramsey at Sprouses' still house, Cocke Co. Also indicted: William Webb, James Mathes (aka Matthews). Jurors: Simeon Eisenhour, G. W. Brooks, J. C. Murry, A. C. Huff, W. F. Williams, L. M. Smith, Ephraim Cate, James Dawson, J. C. Moss, R. A. Justus, John Barnes, and William Harned. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 59 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1868 | Jack Boyd v. State | Davidson | Murder |
Jack Boyd, a free man of color is charged with the murder of a man named William (also a free man of color) |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 268 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | Moses Clance v. State | Hancock | Murder |
Plaintiff was on trail for the murder Ida Mathes with a pistol. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1699 | 58 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | N. B. Ledgerwood, In Error v. State | Knox | Murder |
Defendants: N. B. Ledgerwood, James Ledgerwood, & William Ledgerwood. Incident of 14 Aug. 1891, "an assault did make upon the body of John Moran with certain deadly weapons to wit: a pistol and a beer glass, which they then and there … inflict upon the body of the said John Moran, a mortal wound, or wounds, from the effect of which he the said John Moran shortly thereafter died." |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1730 | 147 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1913 | Pack Fowlkes v. State | Lake | Murder |
Victim: Beckie Abbott |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1308 | 75 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1942 | Pliner Davis, admr. et al.v. Jennie L. Mitchell, exe.& trustee et al | Knox | Murder |
Alleged murderer: Effie Davis Victim: Charles Davis Alleged accomplices: Dixie Davis and Hattie Davis In two folders. Exhibits include Bank of Knoxville account book, plat map, clipping |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 773 | 320 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | Robert Slaughter v. State | Claiborne | Murder, 1st degree |
Victim was Clinton R. Jones. |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1741 | 7 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Ross Fulton v. State | Knox | Murder, 1st degree |
Co-defendant: Charles Fulton. "on the 5th day of November 1890, in the county of Knox and State aforesaid, unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, premeditatedly, feloniously, and of their malice aforethought an assault did make upon the body of Henry Robinson with certain deadly weapons, to wit - pistols, knives, and rocks…" "the said Henry Robinson certain mortal wounds from the affect of which he the said Henry Robinson in a few days thereafter died." |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1766 | 109 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Reuben Morelock v. State | Hawkins | Murder, 1st degree |
Incident of 15 Aug. 1887, "in the State and County aforesaid unlawfully, willfully, maliciously, deliberately, premeditatedly, feloniously, and of their malice aforethought did make an assault and battery upon W. T. Dyer with a pistol, and him the said Dyer then and there being found in the peace and dignity of the state, …. did kill and murder in the first degree by shooting him the said Dyer …" |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 | 116 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1877 | State v. A. S. Hawkins | Robertson | Murder |
Hawkins was accused of stabbing J. R. Bowers to death. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 27a | 166 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | State v. Thomas McCuin | Bedford | Murder |
Murdered George Montgomery. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 58 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | State v. Elijah Duncan | Carroll | Murder |
Plaintiff indicted for murder of Ed Smith, convicted of voluntary manslaughter. Additional part of case in WT 40. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 77 | 77 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | State v. Moses, a slave | Sumner | Murder, Attempted |
Moses was accused of beating John W. Lauderdale's head with a mattock; Lauderdale died days later. Moses had escaped enslavement at the Lauderdales, only to be recaptured & returned to the property a week later. Moses was chained to a tree w a 15 lb chain near the post where Lauderdale punished his enslaved workers using a whipping tool. Enslaved men testified under oath. The witnesses were paid. Case details the jury selection process by lottery. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 230 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | State v. Calvin Williams | Montgomery | Murder, Attempted |
Calvin Williams was charged with assaulting William Speedy |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 230 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | State v. Baker Smith | Fayette | Murder |
Defendant charged with the murder of Andy Smith on 21 July 1879. Forced victim to swallow poison. |
West | Range: 84 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 142 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | State v. Dink Wynns | Henry | Murder |
Wynns is accused of striking Ed Elliott with "a hoe or shovel," inflicting "a mortal wound of the length of five inches of which wound he died." |
West | Range: 83 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 | 35 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | State v. Tom Fitzgerald | Weakley | Murder |
1882 murder of Reuben Hays. |
West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 288 | 59 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1907 | Sam Howerton v. State | Claiborne | Murder |
Final Decree only. Sentenced to death by hanging. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 89 | 1 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1923 | State v. Ed Outlaw | Stewart | Murder |
Murder in first degree. Assault upon Sam Morris, 8 October 1921, near T. P. Vaughn's store in Indian Mound, TN. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 461 | 390 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1896 | State v. George Pearson | Madison | Murder |
George Pearson charged with murder in first degree; shot and killed Sam Walker on 3 May 1896. Both Pearson and Walker African Americans. The two men were enemies; Pearson maintained that Walker planned to kill him. Pearson originally sentenced to be executed 20 Aug. 1897. Original decision upheld; Pearson sentenced to be executed 18 June 1898. |
West | Range: 82 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 671 | 59 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1902 | State v. Jeff Bumpass | Obion | Murder |
Cause of action: murder in the second degree with a pistol. Victim: Tom Taylor. |
West | Range: 81 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 858 | 223 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1905 | State v. Cornelius Coleman | Shelby | Murder, 1st degree |
Murder in first degree of George Flynn, 26 July 1903. |
West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 999 | 178 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1937 | State v. Claude Grindstaff | Carter | Murder |
Deceased victim: Taylor Wilson two folders. Also see ET 648. |
East | Range: 9 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1053 | 353 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1919 | State v. Maurice Mays | Knox | Murder |
This case became one of the most notorious cases in early 20th century Tennessee jurisprudence. Mays, who was black was the target of a lynch mob after being accused of killing Bertie Lindsey in her home in August 1919. He claimed innocence but was later convicted and sentenced to death after two appeals. He was executed on March 15, 1922. This case has been microfilmed. MF # 705. 5 folders. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 99 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1913 | State v. T. H. Stratten& Floyd Stratten | Henderson | Murder |
Victim: W. A. Poteete |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1306 | 76 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1916 | State v. Al Ferguson | Obion | Murder |
Name of deceased: Will Roberson |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1491 | 455 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1868 | State v. George Thomas | Hawkins | Murder |
Victim: Samuel Wright. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1190 | 32 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1867 | State v. Mathias Gabber | Washington | Murder |
Gabber and Thomas Stonecypher charged with assaulting William B. Francis and killing him. Jury found Gabber guilty of second degree murder and sentenced him to 10 years in the penitentiary. Gabber appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1195 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | State v. Lafayette Richie | Jackson | Murder, 1st degree |
Richie was on trial for the murder of William Stephens. Richie was accused of killing Stephens for a large sum of money. Stephens was killed by two gun shot wounds to the head. 2 folders. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 998 | 142 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1919 | State v John Matthews | Henry | Murder |
Significant discussion concerning defendant's safety and potential mob presence at trial. Name of victim: Almus Moore |
West | Range: 78 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1613 | 334 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1922 | State v. Enloe Spencer | Benton | Murder |
Enloe Spencer is accused of murdering Cecil Bibb. Spencer claims it was self defense and Bibb was a bully who had threatened Spencer. Case is in 3 folders , with one folder in box 1712 and the other two in box 1713. |
West | Range: 78 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1712 | 430 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1924 | State v. Luke Webb | Lake | Murder |
Victim: Nez Turner; Luke Webb did "unlawfully, willfully, feloniously, deliberately, premeditatedly and maliciously" kill Nez Turner with a pistol |
West | Range: 78 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 | 148 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1924 | State v. Clarence Mathis | Weakley | Attempted Murder |
Clarence Mathis (colored) "unlawfully, willfully, feloniously, deliberately, premeditatedly and maliciously" attempt to kill Claude M. Henderson with a pistol |
West | Range: 78 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1765 | 77 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1925 | State v. Dan Powers | Henderson | Murder, 1st degree |
Powers tried for the murder of G. W. Bartholomew. Plaintiff in error case. Original case: defendant had determined to prevent George John from serving as officer in holding the election at Middleburg on Nov. 4; defendant carrying a pistol and stole ballot box. Shot Bartholomew when he tried to take the ballot box back |
West | Range: 78 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1796 | 343 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | State v. George J. Jones | Sumner | Murder |
George Jones is accused of stabbing one Griffeth Dickerson to death |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 260 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | State v. James Davis | Shelby | Murder |
Hon. John E. R. Ray, Judge, Circuit Court of Bartlett, 15th Judicial Circuit. Murder in the Second Degree- of William Johnson. Defendant died in jail, December 1873 Jurors: George Rousseau, P. A. Taylor, J. L. Anderson, I. V. Carlisle, H. Buckley, W. H. Neal, R. T. Shivers, Bent. Edwards, C. A. Hill, George H. Williams, W. A. Galloway, G. V. Vasser |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 39 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1915 | State v. Frank Holman | Robertson | Murder |
Additional parties: Lizzie Norman, E. W. Robertson, Dr. T. I. Gardner, George Darden, Gilbert Darden, Hattie Darden, J. W. Norman. This case is contained in two folders. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 163 | 0 | Order A Copy |