Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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].
Tennessee Supreme Court Cases
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 | 1947 | Charlie Johnson v. State | Washington | Larceny, Petit | East | Range: 5 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 123 | 70 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1878 | George Hartgrove v. State | Hawkins | Larceny, Petit |
Incident of 23 July 1878, "aforesaid then and there feloniously did take, steal and carry away one pair of shoes of the goods and chattels of Caroline Enson of the value of one dollar and fifty cents with intent to convert the said pair of shoes to his own use .." |
East | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1593 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1917 | Henry Cobb v. State | Shelby | Larceny, Petit |
Cause of action: Petit larceny and receiving stolen property. Property stolen included "two boxes of horse shoe nails of the value of $10.00; 12 horse shoes of the value of $1.00, all of the value of $11.00, of the proper goods and chattels of the Harris Iron and Supply Company." |
West | Range: 79 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1450 | 88 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | Henry Rogers v. State | Blount | Larceny, Petit |
Rogers was in custody for petit larceny. The case was brought forth to prove that Rogers had served his time and was still in custody due to clerical error. |
East | Range: 19 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1670 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | Jim Wiggins, Ersel Fugate, Walter Powers v. State | Meigs | Larceny, Petit |
Wiggins sentenced to 2 years and died pending appeal. Fugate fined $50.00 and given 30 days. Powers fined $25.00 and given 10 days. Suit questioned whether they should be tried as juveniles or adults. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 8a | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1897 | Jim Norfolk, Jerry Chambers, Henry Palmer & Will Johnson v. State | Tipton | Larceny, Petit |
The plaintiffs had been convicted of the felonies of stealing, taking, and carrying away a certain U. S. $5.00 note, the property of Jim Peete. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 653 | 133 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | J. H. Todd v. State | Anderson | Larceny, Petit |
John Russell's house was robbed while he was out. Missing were some clothes and a shotgun. Todd is accused of the robbery. He was found in possession of the gun, which he claims he purchased at a pawn shop. |
East | Range: 9 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1042 | 71 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Ned Hodge v. State | Sullivan | Larceny, Petit |
Plaintiff originally found guilty of stealing 2 chickens valued at 65 cents from Mary Lou Ensor in February 1936. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1072 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Ora Derrick & Jess Derrick v. State | Hawkins | Larceny, Petit |
Ora Derrick and her son, Jess Derrick, accused of stealing 7 turkeys valued at about $20 from C. L. Marshall on 18 Dec. 1936. Both Ora Derrick & Marshall raised turkeys. The Derriciks maintained their innocence & stated that Marshall's turkeys must have strayed onto their property while searching for food & intermingled with their turkeys. Case includes testimony from Carl & Alma Derrick & Mrs. Mae Taylor, all children of Ora Derrick & siblings of Jess Derrick. |
East | Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1257 | 60 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | Robert Crawford v. State | Weakley | Larceny, Petit |
The plaintiff was convicted of stealing 36 bushels of wheat (worth $30) from B. P. Dalton. Crawford had confessed, but only after the prosecutor offered to "make it as light on him as possible" if he would name others involved. The high court ruled the confession inadmissible. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 591 | 39 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1937 | Roy Anderson v. State | Hamilton | Larceny, Petit | East | Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1032 | 11 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1925 | Rollie Rush Pillow v. State | Gibson | Larceny, Petit |
Pillow previously tried for stealing 600 pounds of seed cotton worth $72 from Marvin Palmer; Arthur Smith and J. Riddles admitted guilt to stealing the cotton seed |
West | Range: 78 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1796 | 226 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. King Gannaway (col.) | Rutherford | Larceny, Petit |
Gannaway was indicted for recovering stolen goods. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 62 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1941 | State v. Everett Rhiner et al. | Sullivan | Larceny, Petit |
Additional Defendant: Sam L. Crawford. Defendants stole eight chickens from a Mrs. Nancy Murray. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 422 | 62 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1884 | State v. Albert Buckner | Montgomery | Larceny, Petit |
Larceny of one cow belonging to T. H. Reynolds. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 497 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1893 | State v. Miles Beal | Carroll | Larceny, Petit |
Stole money from W. C. Bullington. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 583 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1903 | State v. Newt Hudgins | Henry | Larceny, Petit |
Charged with stealing tobacco from R. M. Clayton, L. B. Clayton, and Elisha Clayton. |
West | Range: 82 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 712 | 63 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1827 | State v. Robert Barham | Hawkins | Larceny, Petit |
Items stolen: wheat flour, wheat. Property of Abraham Cox. Also mentioned, Bazzel Carroll. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 690 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1944 | State v. Otis McGhee, et al. | Campbell | Larceny, Petit |
Additional Defendant: Johnny Smith. Victim: Tom Phillips. Item stolen: hog meat. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 702 | 122 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1948 | State v. Bob Walker | Blount | Larceny, Petit |
Victim: Emma Trantham. Item stolen: one chicken. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 702 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Sullins Tallent | White | Larceny, Petit |
Opinion only, case summary not included. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 749 | 7 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Peter Williams | Montgomery | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete file. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 552 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | State v. Charles Collier | Madison | Larceny, Petit |
Folder contains only a statement of the case and a brief for the state, no other documents. The case involves the theft of $340 from the Southern Express Company. A second charge was "unlawfully receiving and concealing stolen property." |
West | Range: 80 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1104 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | State v. Lee Brown | Dyer | Larceny, Petit |
Defendant is charged with stealing an overcoat valued at $20 from Mr. W. M. Kinnison, who had left it hanging in the baggage room of the railroad depot. |
West | Range: 80 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1106 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. Till Gentry | Cocke | Larceny, Petit |
The defendant was charged with stealing an automobile tire worth $6.00. He was sentenced to six months in the county jail. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 829 | 80 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1908 | State v. Jim Moy | Madison | Larceny, Petit |
Most of the case concerns the empaneling of a jury and the details of the appeal. The details of the offense for which Moy was tried are never explained. |
West | Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1160 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1936 | State v. Clarence Roysden et al. | Scott | Larceny, Petit |
Additional Defendants: Willard Douglas and Baty (Beaty) West. They were accused of stealing a red heifer. |
East | Range: 8 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 941 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Aber Brock | Weakley | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1236 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. John Williams | Shelby | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1236 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Ephraim Smith | Sequatchie | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Original case unknown. Copy of the judgment only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 99 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. John London (col.) | Marshall | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 710 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | State v. Henry Butler (col.) | Maury | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 715 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | State v. Dock Nelson et al. | Larceny, Petit |
Single handwritten brief only, no other case documents available. Victim: Bankston. Add. Defendant: L. Nelson. |
East | Range: 6 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 463 | 1 | Order A Copy | ||
| View Entry | 1878 | State v. Trotter Smith (col.) | Hardin | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1300 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. William Kegler | Hardin | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 79 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1337 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. George Melser (col.) | Sumner | Larceny, Petit |
George Melser was found guilty of petit larceny and sentenced to 18 months in the state penitentiary, rendered infamous and required to pay court costs for prosecution. Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 726 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Benjamin Wilder ( a free man of color ) | Benton | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case is incomplete. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1361 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Jesse Smith (col.) | Bradley | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1122 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Ben Johnson ( col.) | Bradley | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1122 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Lewis Harrison& John Nash | Anderson | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. First page of the indictment refers to the defendant as Joseph Nash. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1126 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Daniel Webster | Tipton | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1363 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Richard Voorhees (free man of color) | Maury | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 726 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. Jack Thompson | Williamson | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. Additional cause of action house breaking. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 738 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. Henry Smith | Fayette | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Copy of sentence. Noted on document that he was discharged. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 738 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. William Taylor (col.) | Obion | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 79 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1417 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. Anderson Panthery alias Manson Manse | Shelby | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Verdict and sentence only. |
West | Range: 79 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1432 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. Mack Hardin and Howard Hardin | Decatur | Larceny, Petit |
Mack Hardin and Howard Hardin were indicted for stealing 29 chickens worth twenty dollars from John G.Yarbro. |
West | Range: 77 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 2044 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | State v. R. A. Huckins | Roane | Larceny, Petit |
Huckins (Christian name not known to jury; just initials), phrenologist, charged w/larceny & obtaining property under false pretenses for stealing from William M. Alexander 2 mos boarding & 7 books (including hymnal, English & Latin dictionaries, geometry book, books about Henry Clay & Washington). Huckins was giving phrenology lectures & asked to board w/Alexander (London, TN hotelkeeper), falsely representing he owned real estate in AL & TN & could pay for same. Jury convicted him of petit larceny. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1142 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. John Wall | Shelby | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. Noted on judgment that he escaped from Ensley July 22, 1882. |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1505 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1931 | State v. Hubert Metcalf, Alvin Riddle, Robert "Fuz" Ledford & Fred Keever | Unicoi | Larceny, Petit |
Metcalf, 17, who resided w/his widowed mom in Erwin, TN, & other Defs convicted of stealing 6 chickens from residence of Jim Coffee (blind), sentenced to 1 yr, 1 day jail. Defs. talked about stealing chickens while at church earlier that night, but Metcalf says he stopped at Coffee's gate, didn't go in. After theft, Defs. all went to river, sold chickens for whiskey. Young boy Jake Tipton also involved, but state used him as witness against others. |
East | Range: 10 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1327 | 28 | Order A Copy |