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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
View Entry | 1935 | Amanda Richards v. City of Elizabethton | Carter | Nuisance |
The plaintiff brought suit against the defendant for creating a nuisance by dumping refuse, waste, and garbage near her property. Plaintiff notes that dead animals are often dumped and sometimes burned creating an unpleasant odor. Exhibit materials include plat map of the Richard-Perry Fairview Addition to Elizabethton, Tennessee and a Warranty Deed. Plat map located in ET Oversize Box 21. |
East | Range: 10 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1545 | 130 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Abe Gay v. State | Knox | Nuisance |
Gay "did unlawfully keep and maintain a certain filthy hog-pen in, at, and near which he did cause & suffer offal, filth and noisome substances to be collected and remain in and upon his premises in, along and upon Clinton Street, or road in or near the City of Knoxville, thereby corrupting and rendering impure the air, endangering the lives and health of the Citizens..." |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1885 | A. G. Walline v. Snodgrass & Field | Hamilton | Nuisance |
File incomplete. Contained only brief & exceptions. Plntff. asked the court to enjoin the defts. from operating their saw mill without a spark arrestor and from using their present boiler which he charged was unsafe. See: A. G. Walline v. W. Snodgrass & D. S. Field, ET, Box 1895. |
East | Range: 19 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1906 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1889 | Andrew Harman et al. v. Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railroad Company | Shelby | Nuisance |
Other plaintiff: Annie Harman. Folder includes a brief as long as the case file. Plaintiffs dramatically describe how the construction of the railroad near their home has destroyed their quality of life and lowered the value of their property. |
West | Range: 82 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 504 | 106 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1912 | D. Voss v. Mayor& Alderman of Jackson | Madison | Public Nuisance | West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1326 | 130 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1931 | England Walton & Company v. T. A. Caldwell, et al. | Blount | Public Nuisance |
Add. material in ET 1314. Plaintiff is appealing a class action lawsuit that charges that his tannery is polluting Little River and poisoning nearby residents. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 90 | 144 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1946 | Fred L. Hightower et al. v. Weston Booth | Knox | Public Nuisance |
Additional Plaintiffs: Stella Mae Hightower, Richard L. Watlins, Sarah G. Watkins, H. L. Kaylor, Brownie Kaylor, A. M. McKinley, Minnie A. McKinley, Horace B. Franklin, Estella A. Franklin. Cause of Action: Defendant owns a kennel and the dogs bark all the time. Also includes clippings. |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 293 | 130 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | Henry Parker v. State | Knox | Public Nuisance |
Parker was charged with allowing trash to pile up on his property. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 | 7 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | John Kirkman v. Edward S. Handy | Davidson | Public Nuisance |
Residents of Cherry Street in Nashville object to the building of a stable in a residential area as they feel it would be a public nuisance |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 238 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1879 | J. B. Justice, et al.v. Alexander McBroom& R. C. McBroom, et al. | Cannon | Nuisance |
Additional plaintiffs: J. S. Justice, W. S. Justice. Henry Justice, admr of William L. Justice, dec. Additional defendants: Henry McBroom and B. F. McBroom. Additional parties: R. Stephens and wife, Eliza Stephens v. A. J. McFerrin |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 43 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1919 | Jeff Kemp v. State | Smith | Public Nuisance | Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 128 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1947 | Joe E. Miller et al. v. State ex Rel. | Sullivan | Public Nuisance |
Additional Defendants: E. B. Marsh, John Lollis, A. C. Sutherland, Lee Dykes, H. B. Clark, Otis Collier, Fred Morelock, Marion Melton. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1087 | 39 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1937 | J. P. Kiker v. Pure Oil Co. of Tennessee | Greene | Nuisance |
J.P Kiker is sued the Pure Oil Co. for $7,300.00 in damages. He claims the company has created a nuisance by operating gasoline storage tanks next to his property causing fumes and gasses to go onto his property. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1072 | 279 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | J. C. J. Williams v. Ovia Cross, et al. | Scott | Nuisance |
Defendants: Ovia (Ovie) Cross, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Scott Co.; D. T. Chambers, Ulis Jeffers, Mrs. Pearl Hawn, Clay Evans Chambers & W. C. Marcum-Trustees & Board of Ed. controlling Huntsville High School; W. M. Laxton, Principal at Huntsville; and all citizens of Scott Co., TN. Complainants by plaintiff over noxious, unsanitary odors coming from outside toilets of high school. |
East | Range: 9 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1298 | 219 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1931 | J. L. Smoker et al.v. Town of Greeneville | Greene | Public Nuisance |
Add. Plaintiff: Kate Smoker. Action brought against the defendant for $5,000 as damages alleged to have arisen from the construction and operation of a sewage disposal plant by the defendant. The plaintiffs own a tract of land adjacent to the corporate limits of the town with a stream running through it. The plant used the same stream water and polluted it so it was unfit for domestic use as raw sewage was drained into it. States the plant has created a public nuisance and injurious to the citizens. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1317 | 166 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | J. G. Pickering v. Rev. Henry Japes | Montgomery | Nuisance |
Plaintiff is the owner of a lot and has the right to use a certain entrance through his gate. In 1888, the defendant erected a gate fence and certain obstructions across the private entrance to the plaintiff's land. In doing so, the defendant committed a nuisance by obstructing the plaintiff's use of his own entry way to his land. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 860 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1874 | James Henry & Samuel Stone v. State | Blount | Nuisance |
Henry and Stone were accused of building a dam across the Little River, which backed up and flooded a road and highway. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1621 | 41 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1890 | Lee Ackerman, in error v. State, in error | Hamilton | Nuisance |
Lee Ackerman ran a slaughter-pen near Citico Creek for more than two years when he was charged with nuisance due to leaving "filth and rotten parts of the animals on the ground" and letting blood run into the creek. The area around the creek is populated with numerous home owners, who have complained. Ackerman claimed he used lime and kept the pen clean. Other witnesses claimed the pen did not smell and was in order. |
East | Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1810 | 33 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | Mayor & Alderman of Chattanooga v. State | Hamilton | Public Nuisance |
The State charged the city of Chattanooga with unlawfuly allowing a pool of stagnant and dirty water to remain in the first ward of the city, posing a public nuisance and danger to public health. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1866 | 15 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1926 | N. A. Lackey v. State | Carter | Nuisance |
Cause of Action: Stech and Filth of Slaughterhouse. Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 2 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1922 | Perry Bartlett v. State | Putnam | Public Nuisance |
The defendant was charged with being publicly drunk to the common nuisance of the people. The defendant was sentenced today a fine of $50.00 |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 411 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1937 | Roy Leffew v. State | Roane | Public Nuisance |
Charged with public drunkenness. Appeal based on: proof of guilt, whether the case should have been tried at the time it was, illegal testimony, inflammatory remarks by prosecutor, a no-show witness, and whether the prosecutor spoke too long. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1110 | 42 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | Robert Allen v. Joseph McCorkle | Meigs | Nuisance |
Allen owned 319-1/4 acres in Hiwassee District, 8th Section, southeast & northeast quarters, 3rd range, 3rd fractional township west (aka Lucas & Elder Mill tract), through which Goodfield Creek ran, on which tract he owned a valuable mill site. Dispute arose when McCorkle (he also had a mill) erected lg dam from one side of creek bank to the other, causing overflow on Allen's land. Jury ruled in McCorkle's favor. Lots of testimony regarding history of this land & mills & dams that have been built on it. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1142 | 35 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1849 | State v. J. F.& W. F. Scott | Fentress | Nuisance |
Nuisance as overseer of a road in damage to the citizens of the state. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 228 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | State v. Harrison Bain | DeKalb | Nuisance |
Harrison Bain was the overseer of a public road and failed to meet state laws in the maintaining the road |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 243 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1876 | State v. James Watson | Jackson | Public Nuisance |
James Watson, alias James Trisdale. On Sept. 1, 1875, defendant was arrested for public drunkenness. James Watson challenged the factual vagueness of the charges which made it impossible for him to prepare a proper defense. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 25 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | State v. Fleet Young | Wilson | Public Nuisance |
Victim: William Wilkerson. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 158 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1881 | State v. Alice Wright | Obion | Public Nuisance |
Wright was formally charged with keeping a "disorderly house" in which drinking and prostitution took place. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 177 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | State v. Lush Brown& Elijah Ford | Shelby | Nuisance |
Others mentioned as defendants: Fayette Johnson, and Henry Bigett or Bigott Alternate name spelling: Elijah Ford |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 233 | 41 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1836 | State v. John W. Simpson et al. | Smith | Nuisance |
Additional Defendants: James McKinley and Lewis Fletcher. Cause of action is Nuisance for not repairing a turnpike road. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 380 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1886 | State v. E. D. Sneed | Madison | Nuisance |
The defendant operated a slaughter house in Madison County. |
West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 293 | 11 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1886 | State v. R. D. Frayson et al | Shelby | Public Nuisance |
Docket number illegible. Additional Defendants: Thomas Barrett and W. F. Shippey |
West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 303 | 233 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1921 | State ex rel H. T. Cowan et al. v. D. J. Ponceler& Martin G. Ponceler | Dickson | Public Nuisance |
Additional plaintiffs: G. W. Dodson, W. T. Rogers, A. L. Boone, G. W. Davidson, Ernest B. Chew, G. W. Mullins, C. T. Griffin, J. M. Spann, D. A. Sager, T. R. Edwards, W. D. Brown, Robert Clements, Citizens and freeholders of the 5th Civil District of Dickson County, W. W. Woodcock, I. C. Talent, Citizens and Ministers of Religion of and in the town of Dickson. Cause of Action is keeping a hotel where liquors are bought and sold, prostitution is rampant, and there are frequent brawls. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 463 | 167 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1903 | State v. G. H. Eddleman | Shelby | Nuisance |
Maintained a smelly Public Necessary House. |
West | Range: 81 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 840 | 67 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1946 | State v. Patsy Custer, alias, et al. | Sullivan | Public Nuisance |
Additional Defendant: R. L. Watkins, alias. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 778 | 78 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | State v. Jacob Cox | Maury | Public Nuisance |
Defendant unlawfully did obstruct a public highway by putting fences and gates so as to prevent passage. The State, as plaintiff, says that the fences and gates have created a public nuisance and is against the peace and dignity of the state. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 752 | 9 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | State v. C. Goodwin | Hickman | Nuisance |
Goodwin is accused of letting "filth and nuisance substances" be collected and remain in Spring Creek. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 748 | 10 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | State v. Jesse Wood & John Newman | Bradley | Nuisance |
The defendants built a dwelling along a creek that ran near a neighborhood and was visible from a highway and were labeled as a public nuisance. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1168 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1916 | State, ex rel. v. C. Cassotti, et al. | Shelby | Public Nuisance |
Ex rel. plaintiffs: C. H. Trelkeld, J. W. Davis, J. C. Jones, J. R. Trusty, C. W. Crain, Rowland Kendrick, W. S. Rogers, W. E. McLeod, R. B. Clinton, J. C. Sparr. Additional defendants: unknown occupants of 32 N. Front St. Plaintiffs state that defendant is "conducting, maintain, carrying on, and engaged in the sale of intoxicating liquors." The defendant has "paid the internal special tax as a retail liquor dealer and is in possession of an internal revenue tax stamp" |
West | Range: 79 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1534 | 118 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1893 | State v. R. C. White | Franklin | Nuisance |
White was accused of unlawfully and knowingly obstruct a roadway. White supposedly blocked "the Beans Creek and Paint Rock Road by placing with stone, a[n]d rails and logs roots brush ties another matter". |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 966 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | State v. Jim Reed | Rutherford | Nuisance |
The defendant was accused of spreading cow manure and human excrement on the doorstep and wagon seat of Arron Todd. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 955 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | State v. Norman Armstrong & Clifton Harris | Maury | Nuisance |
Defendants are accused of throwing rocks and sticks at the Knob Creek Academy Schoolhouse. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 955 | 7 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1925 | State v. Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway | Weakley | Public Nuisance |
4 folders. The railway company was indicted, "by a two-count indictment, charging it with having obstructed and injured a Drainage Canal by placing piling and rocks therein; and with continuing and maintaining them therein and thereby committing a common or public nuisance." 2 oversize maps located at M-17-18 |
West | Range: 78 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1844 | 540 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1872 | State v. William H. Villines | Robertson | Public Nuisance |
Villines annoyed citizens of the town of Cross Plains when he revoked access to a alley or thruway that people had been using for three decades. He acquired land that extended between his previously owned lot and a lot beyond the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He erected a fence that obstructed access to the "street or alley" in question. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 82 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | State v. F. P. Ashlock | Clay | Public Nuisance |
Cause of Action: Public Drunkenness |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 27a | 15 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1880 | State v. Levi Rose | Williamson | Public Nuisance |
Additional parties: Matt Wilson (col'd), Andrew Hamer (col'd), and John Farris (col'd) |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 56 | 11 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1858 | State v. Stephen Dillon | Overton | Nuisance |
Defendant is accused with obstructing a public road. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 265 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1886 | State v. W. H. Parker | Henry | Public Nuisance | West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 294 | 21 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1889 | State v. Memphis Prospect Park & Railway Co. et al | Shelby | Nuisance |
Additional Defendant: William Katzenburger. Company indicted for nuisance. Damaged McElmore Avenue, rendering it unusable for public travel and not repairing the damage. |
West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 444 | 141 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1945 | State v. Dennis Hill | Hamilton | Public Nuisance |
Fletcher R. Morgan as relator for the State. |
East | Range: 6 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 362 | 35 | Order A Copy |