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 | 1928 | A. M. Ridenour v. State | Union | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
Plaintiff if appealing the charge that he destroyed a "corner tree." Case file is incomplete; opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| 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 | 1880 | Ex Parte W. A. Knight | Davidson | Ex Parte Petition |
Knight was trustee of Davidson County, and was relieved of his position, either by the Circuit - Criminal Court of Davidson or simply the Judge of that Court. Knight claims he has been given no legal reason or recourse for his release. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 0 | 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 | 1894 | Henry Fennel v. R. R. Caldwell et al. | Davidson | Petition for Habeas Corpus |
Add def: N. A. Kemper. Pla. was convicted by the Caldwell (judge in the case) of several misdemeanors and ordered to pay fines and costs. Pla. was unable to make payment and sentenced to the county workhouse. T. A. Sykes, Wm. Perkins, and J. P. Rhines then delivered several notes to satisfy plaintiff’s costs and obtain his release. Def. later brought suit against said notes and received judgement. Pla. complained that he was then unlawfully re-arrested and placed in a workhouse to work off the debt. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 965 | 33 | 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 | 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 | 1928 | Luther Pounds v. State | Gibson | Petitions for Reimbursement |
Luther Pounds was convicted in 1926 of voluntary manslaughter and was petitioning the State in this case for court costs. See also case 25345. |
West | Range: 77 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1942 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Michael Weaver v. John A. Spitser | Sullivan | Petitions for Certiorari |
Argument over a debt to be settled. Arbitrators: John Cross, Thomas A. Newton, John Massengill, S. N. Hall. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 | 15 | 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 | 1858 | Philip S. Hale v. William Gamble | Hawkins | Petitions for Certiorari |
Dispute over tracts of land went to arbitration. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1179 | 32 | 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 | 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 | 1845 | State v. Adrian E. Shell | Wayne | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
Official indictment was for "malicious mischief." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 216 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1922 | State v. William Duncan | Warren | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction | Middle | Range: 33 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 447 | 32 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1895 | State v. Jim Gill | Madison | Larceny, Petit |
Defendant is charged with stealing a hog valued at $4. The animal was the property of Anderson Isabel. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 632 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. John Jones | Roane | Larceny, Petit |
John Jones, a free man of color, was charged with stealing a corn meal bag worth about $1.00. |
East | Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 638 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1938 | State v. Sam Wolfe, et al. | Hancock | Larceny, Petit |
Add. Defendant: Clint Wolfe. |
East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 707 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Sarah Stewart | Jefferson | Larceny, Petit | East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 743 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. David Smith & Burt Parker | Jefferson | Larceny, Petit | East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 743 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Lafayette Turk | White | Larceny, Petit |
Defendant alias: Lafayette Sims. |
East | Range: 7 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 743 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Warren Merriweather (col.) | Montgomery | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Copy of sentencing only. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 710 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. John Morgan & Bob McGowan | Hardeman | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Dick Taylor (col.) | Hardin | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1912 | State v. W. O. Taylor | Carroll | Larceny, Petit |
The defendant, along with Alvin Ray, stole a horse bridle and rope hitch belonging to T.J. Compton. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1259 | 70 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | State v. Manda Norris | Wilson | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 720 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1870 | State v. Emanuel Nickson | Shelby | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1101 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State (?) v. Peter Southerland | Greene | Larceny, Petit |
The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary with hard labor. He is also ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1120 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. York Woodby "Freedman" | Obion | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case is incomplete. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1353 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1914 | State v. Minerva Phelps | Gibson | Larceny, Petit |
The defendant was accused of stealing a robe, worth $4.00, from Murray Harris. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1348 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Rebecca Carter (col.) | Washington | Larceny, Petit |
victim- Herman Cone. Judgment only. Case is incomplete. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. Mick Blanton F. M. C. | Maury | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case is incomplete. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 726 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1866 | State v. James H. Miller | Hardeman | Larceny, Petit |
Judgment only. Case incomplete. |
West | Range: 79 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1363 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1850 | State v. William Essex | Rhea | Larceny, Petit |
William accused of stealing bed, sheet & shirt from Wesley Casey & of stealing horse from Samuel B. Ferguson. Before trial, William fled to North Carolina. John Essex & Michael Essex pursued him, & John & Isaac Essex offered award for his apprehension. James C. Barton apprehended William & delivered him back to TN for trial but, while in jail, William & other criminals escaped to parts unknown. John, Michael, & Isaac Essex, along with James McFall, were securities for William's bond. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1136 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. Robert Mallory | Montgomery | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 738 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. Bob Anderson | Montgomery | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Verdict and sentence document only. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 738 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. Eady Hessy | Gibson | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete document. Judgment only. Pardoned by Gov. Alvin Hawkins on January 10, 1883. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 757 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1882 | State v. Charley Evans | Fayette | Larceny, Petit |
Incomplete case file. Copy of sentence. Discharged February 15th 1883 |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 758 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1921 | State v. Allen Buchanan | Dyer | Larceny, Petit |
Charged with stealing 12 chickens from Arch Hale. |
West | Range: 78 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1659 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1920 | State v. Bob Tyree & John Chapman | Gibson | Larceny, Petit |
Theft of 10 bales of hay. |
West | Range: 78 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1661 | 140 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | State v. Horace Monroe | Hamilton | Larceny, Petit |
The defendant was accused of stealing two watches from the saloon of William Rose located on Market Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The defendant claimed that he received the stolen watches from Isham Burch. |
East | Range: 6 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 301 | 47 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1849 | State v. Hugh Montgomery, et al. | Jackson | Petitions for Relief |
Other defendants: Noah Abner; John Lee; Mark Harper. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 229 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1868 | State v. Lucin M. Temple | Davidson | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
Charles Temple is also listed in the case as helping L. M. Temple destroy the toll gate on the White's Creek Turnpike. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 266 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1859 | State v. Nathan Almany | Sullivan | Destruction of Property/ Petition t |
Almany was accused of cutting down timber and destroying wood that did not belong to him. William B. White and his heirs owned property. Details the types of trees grown on the property. Case involves sale of land and debt settlement as well. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 24 | 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 | 1883 | State v. E. L. Palmer | Shelby | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
Charge is stealing and destroying valuable paper, which was a receipt for partial payment of the cost of a mule. Of the total cost of $120, a cash payment of $90.58 had been made, leaving a balance of $39.42. |
West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 216 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1940 | State Ex. Rel. Otis Donahue v. Frank Burns, Sheriff | Hamilton | Petition for Habeas Corpus |
Exhibits: writ of habeas corpus. |
East | Range: 6 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 412 | 94 | Order A Copy |