Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1845 Albert M. Fleming v. Joseph McCracken Rutherford Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 236 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1859 Allen Brown v. Hugh Brown Maury Slaves, Ownership of

Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he unlawfully possesses slaves that belong to the Defendant.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1811 Abel Morgan& Mary Morgan v. Adam Meek Jefferson Slaves, Ownership of

Case involves a dispute over a slave named Sam.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 52 14 Order A Copy
View Entry 1853 Agnes Shelton, et al. v. John M. Pope, et al Montgomery Slaves, Ownership of

Additional plaintiffs: Ellen J. Shelton, Marietta Minerva Shelton, Eliza Lucas Shelton Additional defendants: Rebecca Pope, John L. Pope, James S. Pope

 Middle Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 422 110 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Anamias Clevenger, admr. of A. Clevenger, dec. v. Allen Clevenger Slaves, Ownership of

Used Confederate notes as payment.

 East Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1066 5 Order A Copy
View Entry 1843 Allen Goodwin, admr. of Vaught Heaton, dec. v. Calvin J. Moore, admr. of James B. Morely, dec., et al. Washington Slaves, Ownership of

Edward Smith died, leaving wife Catharine, to whom he left his plantation & negro woman Agnes (& daughter Nelly & issue) for Catharine's life, then to Edward's youngest daughter Nancy. Other issue of Agnes: Abigail, Alfred, James, Isaac. Nancy married Vaught Heaton; they had 5 children: Esther, John, Edmund, Mary, & Catharine (who married Allen Goodwin). When Vaught died, Nancy married James B. Morely, who then died. Dispute arose over ownership of negroes. Add. Def.: Nancy Morely, Steve McQueen.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 100 Order A Copy
View Entry 1814 Allen Groves, et al. v. Isham Uzzell Sumner Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: Nathaniel & Anne Rue, formerly Anne Uzzell, Ann& Nathaniel Reese. See additional information in ET box 11a: Allen Groves & wife v. Isham Uzzell.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 22 Order A Copy
View Entry 1812 Allen Groves v. Isham Uzzell Sumner Slaves, Ownership of

See additional documents in ET 11a: Allen Groves & wife v. Isham Uzzell

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 A. C. W. White, et al. v. Emily White, et al. Giles Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: Rufus White, John White, Newton White, John Boyd and wife Malvina, M. M. Johnson and wife Elizabeth, and Caleb Thomas and wife Benty. Additional Defendants: Nancy White, Mary White, Grace White, and James White. Case involves a contested will, in which the freedom of more than 70 slaves is determined.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1866 Ammon T. Quarles et al. v. Samuel Sullivan Giles Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: Mildred Patton and John Vaughn.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 280 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Bob Reynolds & Jacob v. James Chambers et al. Stewart Slaves, Ownership of

A group of slaves who belonged to a William Crouse were deeded over to a William Chambers with the understanding that Crouse wished his slaves to be freed upon his death. After his death, however, Chambers sold the slaves to a William Bowling Some slaves involved in the case were named Bob, Jacob, Lizzy, Lucky and Violet

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 Benjamin Bell v. Silas Fulgum Sumner Slaves, Ownership of

See possibly related case in MT 260.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 283 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1866 Benjamin Kendig v. Alex W. Hale, et al. Franklin Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: James Seaton and Thomas Chilton.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1862 Barthena Emily Seay, et al. v. William F. Jackson Roane Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: Hulda A. Lewous, Silas B. Seay, Littleton P. Seay, Hezekiah R. Seay, Lawrence Frances Seay, Elizabeth Jane Seay, children of Jane R. Seay. Slave's name is Dinah.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 79 32 Order A Copy
View Entry 1853 Billy Kelly, a slave v. Thomas C. Smart Warren Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 421 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Benjamin Perry v. C. W. Black Marshall Slaves, Ownership of

Perry sued Black for entitled possession of a negro woman named Lucy and her infant child named, Oscar.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 4 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Claiborne Vaughn v. John Johnson, et al. DeKalb Slaves, Ownership of

Additional defendant: Joseph Johnson.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 285 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Claiborne Vaughn v. John Johnson et al. DeKalb Slaves, Ownership of

Additional defendant: Joseph Johnson.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 285 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 Clem R. Waters & wife Elizabeth v. William Barton, et al. Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendant: James Taylor. Case involves a contested will.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1832 Calvin J. Moore v. Nancy Morely & Samuel E. McQueen Washington Slaves, Ownership of

Moore was admr. of James B. Morely, dec. Included Carter, Johnson & Sullivan Counties. Slaves in dispute: Alfred, Abigail, James, Isaac, John.

 East Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 755 128 Order A Copy
View Entry 1847 Clement H. Saffell, admr. of Margaret McClure, dec. v. James K. Cox, admr. of John Cox, dec., et al. Knox Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Susannah Cox (widow), Madison Cox, Nancy Singleton, David Chandler as guardian of John & Madison Singleton, Samuel Saffell. Dispute over 5 negro slaves Margaret Madison owned before she married James McClure, who abandoned her. The 5 slaves were: Cynthia & her 2 daughters (Anna & Nither) & 2 sons (Palmer & Samuel). Also mentioned are Nither's children: Gilbert, then age 15, Elbert, age 13, Eliza, age 11, Violet, age 9, Josephine, age 4. Margaret died while this suit was ongoing.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1121 53 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Cynthia Kennedy v. John Williams, admr. of John Kennedy, dec. Knox Slaves, Ownership of

Cynthia's mom died at her residence & Joseph L. Williams was appointed admr. of her estate, which included several negroes, which Joseph distributed among the heirs, including Cynthia (who had married John Kennedy, who took possession of said negroes). John Kennedy then died & John Williams was appointed his admr. & treated the negroes as belonging to John Kennedy, a point disputed by Cynthia who then sued.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1126 22 Order A Copy
View Entry 1851 Charlotte, Ellen & George, persons of color v. William Cain Knox Slaves, Ownership of

Ellen & George (minors) were Charlotte's daughter & grandson. About 10-15 yrs. ago, Charlotte & Ellen were emancipated by will of Charlotte's former master William Townsend (dec) of AL, yet Cain held them in servitude as his wife was Townsend's daughter. Cain often threatened to sell Pla. to slave traders. George born after Townsend died. Pla. asking court to enjoin Cain from selling them & to declare them free. Per Townsend's will (in transcript), Charlotte previously belonged to Holbert family.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1158 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1851 Clement H. Saffell, admr. of Margaret McElwee, dec. v. James K. Cox Blount Slaves, Ownership of

Margaret McElwee married James McElwee, 1811. Separation not long after marriage. Margaret gained possession of slaves. Nephew, John Cox and Samuel Saffell (husband of her niece) acted as consultants on her estate. Dispute over ownership of slaves. Slaves: Cynthia, aged fl. 30 yrs.; Anna, aged fl. 9 yrs.; Ritter, aged fl. 6 yrs.; Palmer, aged fl. 1.5 years. Other slaves mentioned: "Samuel, Gilbert, Ellbert, Eliza, Violet, and Josephine." Slaves to be emancipated at McElwee's death.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1158 62 Order A Copy
View Entry 1841 Daniel Martin v. Thomas F. Fancher Overton Slaves, Ownership of

Case concerns a slave boy named Jacob.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 206 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 David Price & wife v. Jasper Smith Lincoln Slaves, Ownership of

The name of the Plaintiff's wife is not listed.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 263 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 Daniel Jones, admr. of James Harrison v. Benjamin Harrison & Abner Harrison Jefferson Slaves, Ownership of

Complicated case originated in Virginia with death of William Harrison, 1765. Wife Mary & sons were heirs to the estate which included a family of negroes. Documents identify slaves & their issue: Mill [?], Valentine, Isbel, Peggy, Jesse, Nancy, Lucy, Mariah & Cambridge. Includes documentation of their values.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1100 137 Order A Copy
View Entry 1849 David A. Bell, et al. v. Frederick D. Hamer et al. Williamson Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 229 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Daniel Irvin, et al. v. Daniel Smith DeKalb Slaves, Ownership of

Additional plaintiffs: Mary Irvin, Louisa Irvin, C. Constance sued by their next friend, L. B. Richardson. Slave girl named "Lucy."

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 195 Order A Copy
View Entry 1826 David Kigler, Isabella A. Kigler, & William Kigler v. Thomas Miles Wilson Slaves, Ownership of

Dispute over the ownership of a negro girl named Esther.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 362 42 Order A Copy
View Entry 1847 Delilah Buster, et al. v. John Walker & Anderson W. Walker Greene Slaves, Ownership of

In her will, ca. 1839, Isabella Buster freed the slave Delilah. Isabella requested that son-in-law Anderson Walker and daughter Jane see that Delilah was not abused and that she received good wages. Later Delilah applied to county court clerk for a record of the emancipation she could use as free papers. She was told that the grant of freedom had never been perfected and that she her children Thomas and Violet were "in jeopardy."

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 31 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 Elvira M. Campbell v. L. P. Fields et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: William Campbell, Joseph Thompson, Martha Myers, and unnamed heirs of Abram Myers, dec. Case involves a contested will.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 Eli King, William Gallion & wife, Jane Gallion,& others v. Elisha Sharpe Bradley Slaves, Ownership of

Complicated argument over the disposition of the slaves of John King whose will was dated 1798. Some involved: Robert and Margaret King Burk,William and Mary Ann King Campbell, Patrick and Jennett King Burns, William King, Adam Meek, Elisha Sharpe, Abel Morgan, and numerous others. It was said Sharpe concealed the negroes and refused to disclose their location. Slaves: Nan, her daughter Amy, and Amy children Phillip, Betsey and Nancy; Peate, Abb, and Sam.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1128 26 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Elias Anderson next friend to Gideon& others v. William Jones Sullivan Slaves, Ownership of

The plaintiff claims that in the will of Charles Jones dec. he freed his slaves when they reached a certain age. The defendant inherited Charles Jones' estate and did not free the slaves. Additional Plaintiffs: Gideon Malinda, Peter Abrahnd, James, Rebecca, Roannah, Jude, Eliza, Andrew, Linda, Jonathan and persons of color claiming their freedom.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1154 25 Order A Copy
View Entry 1839 Elizabeth Elder et al. v. William H. Rainbolt et al. Giles Slaves, Ownership of

Case docs never clearly state who other plaintiffs are, usually just "Elizabeth Elder & others." Other plaintiffs possibly her children: Mary H. Elder; Martha Elder Coldwell; Nancy R. Elder; R[illeg.] Elder; James S. Elder; David A. Elder Other possible plaintiffs, cont.: Hartwell T. Elder
Other defendants: William R. Cox

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 201 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Elijah Rudolph v. Coleman E. Harris & William S. Parker Dickson Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 Elizabeth Fields v. John M. Caldwell Rutherford Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 256 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 Edmund Cooper v. Herod F. Holt et. Al Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Sale of enslaved people - Simon and David (who died) and Nat (who was sold to Defendants after David's death) also Milly, Penny and Hannah. Additional Defendants: H. G. Holt

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 249 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1866 Emily White et al. v. Rufus White et al. Giles Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: James Serter and R. Richardson. Additional Defendants: Nelson White, John White, Elizabeth Johnson and husband M. M. Johnson, Malvina Boyd and husband John, and Berty Thomas and husband Cobb. Case involves deliberation over whether emancipated slaves can still be sold and whether former owners should be compensated for losing their "property."

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 280 271 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Elizabeth T. Bearden v. Elizabeth Morgan et al. Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants unnamed. No mention of county or court of origin.

 East Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 28 6 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 Elizabeth Elan by next friend Orval Neeves v. Samuel Elan, et al. Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: William B. Hawkin and Thomas Contcher. Case mentions previous rulings in Virgina.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 76 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 Flora L. Ewing v. Joseph Thompson et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Nicholas Cheatham, Edmond Cheatham, and William Little. Plaintiff is a minor and Milton Wheat is her legal guardian. Plaintiff sued for ownership of her deceased father's slaves.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 259 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Fletcher Taylor et al. v. James P. Allison et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

The rightful ownership of a slave named Geoffrey is in question

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 Fanny, Ben & Jane, persons of color, by their next friend Thomas J. Cate v. James Underwood & Joseph Newman Jefferson Slaves, Ownership of

Isaac Newman died shortly after making his will in 1832. Upon his death, his slaves aged over 25 years were to be freed. Fanny was among those; Ben and Jane were her children born long after she had been emancipated. The younger slaves were to serve Isaac's children and grandchildren until they (slaves) were 25 years old. They were to be taught to read and should not be transferred out of the family.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 83 Order A Copy
View Entry 1849 Garrett& Henry Sadler, et al. v. David Apple Jackson Slaves, Ownership of

Sadlers trustees of Sally Cannon.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 228 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 Granville H. Frazer v. Preston Frazer, et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Samuel H. Whitthouse (admin of John S. Frazier dec..). Slaves of Preston Frazier: Jefferson and a woman and her child.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 255 112 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 George Porter, et al. v. J. A. Blakemore, et al. Marshall Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: Martha Porter and Jane Bell Porter. Additional Defendants: Case involves African Americans who had purchased their own freedom being sold back into slavery to settle their debts.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 305 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Gideon Morgan, admr. of Betsey Walker, dec. v. John L. McCarty, exe. of John Walker, Jr., dec. Monroe Slaves, Ownership of

Betsey (Elizabeth) & son John Walker, Jr. were native Cherokees. Betsey owned 2 slaves: Isaac & Molly. She incurred debt & sold them to John so they couldn't be sold for her debt. John died, then Betsey. McCarty sued & secured slaves but they escaped (helped by Robert T. Hanks & McElrath, Morgan's sons-in-law). Same case as John L. McCarty, ex. of John Walker Jr., dec. v. Gideon Morgan, admr. of Betty Walker, dec. (1842, circuit court, Bradley County) in ET 1169.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1129 51 Order A Copy
View Entry 1843 Henry White v. George D. Crosthwait et al. Rutherford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendant: George W. Becton. Concerns the disputed ownership of a female slave.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 176 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 Harriet Hackett by her next friend William Hackett v. Samuel Geron& Solomon Geron Rhea Slaves, Ownership of

Case files includes references and petitions of relative cases.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 59 250 Order A Copy

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