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 | 1867 | (unknown) | Washington | Other |
Case of post CW culture in NE TN. Crouch having been working in a mine for the Confederacy & Cox a pro union sympathizer charges and intimidates pl with threats of violence. A large # of witnesses for both sides; tales of vigilante violence on both sides. Decree for pltf. Cause of Action: War reparations/threats |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 16 | 145 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1875 | Archer Cheatham v. C. D. Elliott | Other |
Brief only. Cause of Action: Cheatham wanted to get rid of a purchase made by him in the case of Everhart v. Elliott. Cheatham renewed the suit claiming the previous ruling judge was incompetent. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 5 | 13 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1875 | Anderson, Green,& Company v. J. H. Ryan& Company, et al. | Sumner | Other |
Plaintiffs: Thompson Anderson, Frank W. Green, E. R. Richardson, T. P. Bridges, and R. B. Bedford are partners under Anderson, Green, and Company. Additional defendants: Clark Brothers and Co., Stine and Birmingham, Cooke Settle and Co, Manier Hall and Co, Berry Demonville and Co. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 43 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1919 | A. A. Smith v. E. A. Lindsey et al. | Davidson | Other |
Additional parties: H. C. Walters, Wm. H. Lindsey, Verner Tolmie, G. Bigg Jacobs, Reau E. Folk, W. Lo Looney, John R. Aust, Garnett S. Andrews, J. C. Lusky, T. A. Clarkson, Richard H. Allen, A. J. Dyer, C. E. Johnston, Ben F. Barbour, H. O. Moore, R. P. Carey, H. F. Allen, O. L. Jones, L. S. Lawo, John D. Hutton, R. R. Sneed, Geo. P. Woolen. The charge in this case was conspiracy to defraud and involves the sale of company stock. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 123 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | Ann E. Enochs v. John W. Wilson et al. | Dyer | Other |
Homestead Rights. Additional defendants; P.E. Wilson; countersuit |
West | Range: 84 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 152 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | Albert L. Harris et al.v. Samuel Mosby, Receiver et al | Shelby | Other |
Additional Plaintiff: George A. Cochran. Additional Defendants: William H. Stovall, Exor. & Rosa Fowler, Executrix John W. Fowler, dec. Plaintiffs trying to regain funds deposited with failed bank. Mosby receiver of Gayoso Savings Institution which failed 6 Feb. 1868. Harris & Cochran once partners with W. J. P. Doyle in Harris, Cochran & Co. of Memphis. Stovall & Fowler residents of MS. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 161 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1910 | A. C. Grimm v. State | Knox | Other |
Case involves a petition for certiorari. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1942 | Alga McMahan Trammell v. Ben McMahan et al. | Sevier | Other |
Cause of Action: Parties seek appointment of a receiver to divide lands left by R. A. McMahan, deceased. Secondary Cause of Action: Wants sale of land voided. Exhibits include birth & marriage certificates, Add. Defendants: Ernest Justus, Bruce Justus, Trula Justus Woods, Pearl Justus Rayfield, Howard Justus, Grace Justus, Ben Justus, Willie Mae Justus, Leonora McMahan Owens, Blaine Justus. |
East | Range: 7 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 517 | 916 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1898 | Andrew J. Ward v. J. H. Alsup trustee & J. F. Robertson v. N. A. McMillan | Shelby | Other |
Two counties mentioned: Shelby and Crockett Other involved parties: Mr. Hill, Mr. Craig, Mr. C. S. Trimble John H. Alsup is Trustee for Shelby County cause of action: appeals involving objections to amici curae and possible legal fraud? |
West | Range: 82 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 679 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1934 | Amos Robinson v. N. Y. Pace, et al. | Washington | Other |
Complainant sough a construction of Chap. 119 of the Public Acts of 1933, the statute regulating the operation of motor vehicles for hire upon public highways. Robinson, doing business as Robinson Transfer Co. Pace, a State Highway Patrolman. Additional Defendants: Harvey Hannah, Porter Dunlap, composing and being the Railroad and Public Utilities Commission. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 744 | 64 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1885 | A. W. Moss v. Atha Thomas | Williamson | Other |
Complainant sought to recover a judgment on a note plus interest and to have a lien or trust declared on a tract of land. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 116 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | A. M. Nance, Guardian v. E. T. Sellers et al. | Grainger | Other |
This is a brief only. It appears the original case involves Lillie E. Sellers trying to recover $500 from her former guardians that she feels is owed to her. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1078 | 1 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1855 | Abram [Abraham], a man of color, by next friend Lee White v. Thomas J. Johnson et al. | Claiborne | Other |
Involves alleged emancipation of Abram Coy [?], who came under the control of Wilson Goins and Thomas Johnson. Controversy arose after Johnson, the court clerk, refused to issue Abram a copy of his free papers. Johnson claimed that no such papers existed. Levi Goins, Abram's owner, testified that he had freed Abram. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1165 | 91 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | A. H. Askew, et al. v. Drainage District No. 4 of Madison County | Madison | Other |
5 folders. Cause of action: petition to establish a drainage district. "The prayer of the petition is that a disinterested and competent Engineer be appointed to examine the lands described, and report to the Court the result of his examination; that the parties in interest, not petitioners, be notified of the proceedings and that such other things be done and orders made as may be necessary to establish said Drainage District." |
West | Range: 79 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1591 | 772 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Ashby-Blatchley Manufacturing Company v. The Philadelphia Textile Machinery Company | Madison | Other |
The complainant entered into an agreement to purchase one "Proctor Automatic Dryer" for drying wood veneers and gum veneers and agreed to pay the $7795.00 cost at $1000.00 per month provided that the machine lived up to what was stated it could do and provided someone from the defendant's company installed the machine. The first payment was made by the complainant but when it was noted that the machine did not measure up to it's claims and caused the wood to buckle and warp, claimant stopped payments. |
West | Range: 79 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1593 | 1385 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Anderson-Tully Company v. E. D. Thompson, et al. | Shelby | Other |
Additional defendants: Frank Thompson, Jim Thompson. Cause of action: illegal removal of timber. "The Thompson Brothers" purchased land from the Anderson-Tully Company. The Anderson-Tully Company's right to remove timber from the land expired on January 1, 1914. After that date, they were still cutting and removing timber. M. L. Thompson sent O. E. Tennant down to instruct them "not to remove the timber that was on the place that they had been cutting." Tennant testified in the case. |
West | Range: 78 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1628 | 177 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1920 | Athens Hosiery Mills v. John B. Thomason | Davidson | Other |
The Athens Hosiery Mills was a partnership consisting of R.J. Fisher, R.J. Fisher Jr., and Edward Fisher. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 153 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1881 | A. W. Cole admr. for James S. Hatcher v. J. S. Wilkins | Shelby | Other |
Other interested party: Mrs. Chapman Fraternal Organization: Knights of Honor Deceased died of Yellow Fever Cause of action: ownership of paid benefit possible historical significance as it deals with whether or not the benefit paid to the heirs of the deceased by the Knights of Honor belongs to the estate and therefore can be used as payment for debts, or to the heirs, separate from the estate |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 185 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Arthur Denton, et al. v. W. B. McKenzie | Meigs | Other |
Additional Plaintiffs: N. C. Cartwright, J. H. Isom, W. J. Abel, J. A. Hagler, W. E. Breeden, Meigs County Road Commission. Cause of Action: Abusing power as office holder. |
East | Range: 6 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 274 | 83 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | Andrew Johnson Properties Inc. v. Roy Russell et al. | Knox | Other |
Additional Defendants: R. A. Dukes, Clayton Weaver, Elbert Webb, John Clark, Walter Garner, Fred Edmonds, The Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America Local No. 437. Cause of Action: picketing, labor dispute. |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 293 | 121 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | Alfred Frazier v. James W. Elmore et al. | Knox | Other |
Plaintiff seeks to prevent state from giving his job to Defendant. Add. Defendants: Charles G. Kelly, Roy H. Beeler. |
East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 623 | 102 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1946 | Ann Cameron Ingle v. Judd T. Ingle | Claiborne | Other |
Complainant filed bill attacking a divorce proceeding filed by defendant. Complainant sought to have said decree set aside on the ground that she had never been served with process and that the divorce was obtained through fraud. |
East | Range: 6 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 374 | 44 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | Annie E. Monds, et al. v. R. W. Dugger, et al. | Hamilton | Other |
Additional Complainants: Harmon Evans, R. R. Evans. Additional Defendant: Richard Evans. Cause of Action: This suit was filed against the guardian of Benjamin F. Evans to set up a monthly payment out of the estate of Benjamin F. Evans for the support of his beneficiaries, the complainants. |
East | Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 614 | 62 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1908 | A. C. Craig, et al. v. J. K. Farmer, et al. | Henry | Other |
This is a partial case. Cause of action is not stated. It is stated several times that this case and A. C. Craig, et al. v. W. W. Cole can be heard together. See also WT Box 925. |
West | Range: 81 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 942 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1907 | American Hardwood Lumber Co. v. J.H. Lusk | Lauderdale | Other |
J.H. Lusk was the Constable for Lauderdale County. Both he and the American Hardwood Lumber Co. are staking a claim to a portion of the property of one J.A. Coldwell to satisfy debts. |
West | Range: 81 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 981 | 82 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1906 | August R. Frank v. Choctaw Elevator Company, et al | Shelby | Other |
Additional defendants: Alex W. Smith, George W. Brooke, T. J. Brooke. Cause of action: corporate dispute among shareholders. The case is in three folders: volume 1 is in folder 1, volume 2 is in folder 2, and the printed Supreme Court booklets for this case and Choctaw Elevator Co. v. J. Rosenbaum Grain Co. are in folder 3. |
West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1061 | 1274 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1912 | Alice Dunlap v. Missouri State Life Insurance Company, et al. | Shelby | Other |
Cause of action: Suit for refusal to pay life insurance policy |
West | Range: 80 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1090 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | Asa Moore, admr. of Thomas B. Daily, dec. v. J B. Stacy, Jr., admr. of Robert L. Bridgforth, dec., et al. | Wilson | Other |
Additional Defendant: James McCallum, James H.[?] Bridgforth. This bill was filed to have the Robert L. Brigdforth estate held liable for the judgment recovered in the case of Robert B. Daily, admr. of George F. Phelps, dec'd. v. Robert L. Bridgforth and James H.[?] Bridgforth, over the sale of a negro. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 554 | 77 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1912 | A. C. Briney v. Chism-Thompson Company, et al. | Shelby | Other |
Other defendants: M. D. Thompson; D. O. Andrews; G. R. Chism, admr. of J. B. Chism, dec.; M. E. Chism; R. B. Hebdon, admr. of J. B. Chism, dec.; Maggie Fields; M. W. Chism; B. M. Hampton; J. S. Hampton; C. N. Churchill, admr. of J. B. Chism, dec. Defendant company formed by merger of Chism Brothers Co. & Norfleet-Thompson Co. Defendant company undergoing liquidation after death of J. B. Chism. Plaintiff objecting to assets of defendant company being used to pay indebtedness of Chism Brothers Co. |
West | Range: 80 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1092 | 175 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | Ann L. Howard v. Sahar C. Newman, et al.. | Franklin | Other |
Complainant sought to ,Defendant is the widow of Taz C. Newman, dec.. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 561 | 188 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1929 | Alice Raines Robinson v. Robinson's, Inc. | Shelby | Other |
Charge of Unfair Competition. Reply Brief on behalf of Julius Robinson, Inc., on its' petition for Certiorari and Supersedeas ONLY. Shelby Chancery Docket No. 5 Court of Appeals at Jackson. Some files found with State v. Frank Abels, et al. (WT2156). |
West | Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1133 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1915 | Alexander Day, et al. v. W. R. Cross, et al. | Shelby | Other |
Exhibits: deeds, checks, receipts, and contract. Additional plaintiff: wife Alice C. Day. Additional defendant: Devorkin Brothers. W. R. Cross is a trustee of the Devorkin Brothers. Cause of action: Alexander and Alice Day executed a deed of trust to W. R. Cross and the Devorkin Brothers for their property. They paid on this deed in full. The Devorkin Brothers then advertised the property for sale. The Days want the Devorkin Brothers restrained from selling. Case fills two folders. |
West | Range: 79 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1396 | 457 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1892 | A. D. Huffmaster v. State National Bank of Knoxville | Knox | Other |
The original bill was filed by the plaintiff, a depositor, against the defendant Bank, accusing said bank on a unwarranted surcharge and attempt to falsify the statement of the plaintiff's account, and asking for recovery of balance due to him on said bank account. Plaintiff Huffmaster was a resident of Hawkins Co. |
East | Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1751 | 225 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | Abe Goodman, admr. of the estate of E. J. Halley, dec. v. M. W. Palmer et al. | Shelby | Other |
Abe Goodman was looking to be paid an administrator's fee as well as administrator's counsel. Includes a reply brief for the administrator regarding fee allowed administrator. Court of Civil Appeals. |
West | Range: 79 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1460 | 297 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1868 | A. L. Watkins et al.v. J. W. Hopkins et al | Hawkins | Other |
Add. plaintiff: J.M. Armstrong. Defendant was expected to be an executioner of a note for $366 executed to the plaintiff by a Henry Finke, but the plaintiff states he has no property for a lieu. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1190 | 83 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1928 | Alice Rains Robinson v. Robinson's Inc. | Shelby | Other |
Pltf. asserted her husband was the proprietor of long-running and successful drug store known as Robinson's. Pltf. asserted Robinson's Inc. was using this long standing reputation to build and commericalize a chain of drug stores competing with pltf.'s operations. Pltf. would like dfnt. to cease and desist from using the Robinson name in their business ventures and drug retail business. Ex. Mat.: photos, business ephemera, newspapers, prescription labels, and more. 6 folders. |
West | Range: 77 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 2000 | 1318 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1885 | A. W. Rhea and Mary E. Rhea v. Lemuel W. Hooper et al. | Cocke | Other |
Additional defendants: W. W. Bibee, D. W. Stuart, Y. J. McMahan, T. M. Smith, R. C. Smith, J. M. Susong. Newport Deport in accordance with the tax payers was repealed by Legislative act in 1883. Rhea resided outside city limits, procured a portion of the town to be surveyed together with a portion from Cocke County. This cases concerns the dispute between the boundary lines for the application of the charter for the town of Newport. 2 folders. |
East | Range: 19 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1671 | 340 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Nashville v. The City of Nashville | Davidson | Other |
This involves the dispute over the rights of the city to divert 10% of the Parks Fund to the Sinking Fund. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 163 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1888 | Browder v. Clark | Other |
Incomplete case file; contains the will of Thomas Clark only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 5 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1904 | B. F. Hatley v. The Southern Normal University et al. and consolidated causes | Carroll | Other |
Cause of action: Winding up and distribution of the assets of the Southern Normal University. Additional defendants: Bank of Huntingdon, W. M. Wright, J. B. Gilbert, J. F. Leach, J. C. Wilder, J. E. Kinsland, E. Love Hawkins. |
West | Range: 81 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 728 | 429 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | Bruce Williams v. Greene Co., Tennessee, et al. | Greene | Other |
Additional def.s.: S. W. Doty, Greene Co. Judge & Roy H. Beeler, Atty. Gen. for State of TN. Williams, Sheriff of Greene Co., sued to have Ch. 848 of the 1933 Private Acts of TN declared & void on grounds of unfairness. Act reduced compensation for sheriffs of counties with a population of "not less than 35,000 nor more than 35,150" to $3500 per year rather than the $5000 per year mandated by Ch. 101, 1921 TN Public Acts. Plaintiff argues Ch. 848 was crafted to apply only to Greene Co. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 809 | 72 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | B. D. Shoun v. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company | Carter | Other |
Shoun worked for American Bemberg Corporation & had a group life insurance policy from his employer. His records show he was an unruly employee, & that he was discharged for refusing to handle the dye compound copper oxide, used in the manufacturing of rayon. He became ill with food poisoning, & also suffered from gonorrhea, & went to the doctor. Shortly after he was killed in a car wreck. His father sued to collect life insurance benefits from his policy from ABC. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 15a | 177 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | Bank of West Tennessee v. Thomas S. Marr et al | Shelby | Other |
Bank of West Tennessee, Confederate Military authority Cause of Action: Scire Facias |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1905 | Bridget McAndrews, et al. v. City Water Company | Hawkins | Other |
Additional Plaintiff: James McAndrews (husband). Plaintiffs are suing for the right to have city water installed in their residence. |
East | Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1898 | B. Vaccaro, exe. v. P. Cicalla | Scott | Other |
Other parties: Delida Cicalla Cause of action: question of court sanction of a lease No Docket Number |
West | Range: 82 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 681 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1900 | Bettie J. Turner, by next friend v. T. M. Turner, et al. | Wilson | Other |
M. H. Turner as next friend to Bettie J. Turner. Additional Defendants: E. P. Turner, Matt J. Turner. Complainant asserted that her guardian was mishandling her estate and requested that a new guardian be appointed to her. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 551 | 167 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1941 | Block Coal& Coke, Co., et al.v. United Mine Workers of America, District No. 19, et al | Campbell | Other |
Labor Dispute. Supplemental Brief. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 771 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | B. D. Jones et al. v Cullen & Newman et al. | Other |
This is simply a petition to rehear a case. The original case seems to involve a deed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1082 | 4 | Order A Copy | ||
| View Entry | 1848 | Beverly C. Ford v. John Farmer& other commissioners of Hancock County | Hawkins | Other |
This is a case brought in objection to the formation of Hancock County. The plaintiff states that the Act creating the county of Hancock was unconstitutional. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | Benjamin Chapman v. C. E. Reeves & others. | Other |
Letter from C. E. Reeves accompanying the transcript of record in the Supreme Court for Benjamin Chapman v. C. E. Reeves and others. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 738 | 8 | Order A Copy |