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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 1941 | State ex. rel. Grover Holt v. R. Y. Wert | Hamilton | Petition for Habeas Corpus |
Exhibits: warrants, certificates, bonds, typed statements, copy of official ballot, |
East | Range: 7 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 526 | 141 | 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 | 1904 | State ex. Rel. Mike Haggerty v. F. L. Monteverde | Shelby | Petitions for Certiorari |
Monteverde is Sheriff of Shelby County. Murder charges are pending against Haggerty for killing two sheriff's deputies, Thomas J. McDermott and Houston Mitchell. This case involves petitions for certiorari and Supersedeas as well as Habeas Corpus. Petition for Habeas Corpus. Others involved in the murders include George Honan, Harry Keene/King; Harry Hartley, and George Degg. The third digit of the docket number is illegible. It might be zero, 4 or 6. |
West | Range: 81 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 875 | 53 | 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 | 1905 | State v. J. J. Williams | Shelby | Petition for Mandamus | West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 998 | 15 | 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 | 1935 | State v. H. B. Rogers et al. | Hamilton | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
The case involved a labor strike against the Richmond Hosiery Mills. The file contains the reply brief of the defendant. Two published volumes for this case are located in ET box 902. |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 894 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. H. B. Rogers, et al. | Hamilton | Destruction of Property/ Petition to Halt Construction |
Additional defendants: Theodore (Pat) Parker, Otis Newman, Fred Lovelady, Cas Stephens, Ida Vickers, Jessie Blake, Arnold Weeks, Martin Hickey, John Ray. Two published volumes only. The rest of the case is located in ET Box 894. The case involves a labor strike against the Richmond Hosiery Mills |
East | Range: 8 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 902 | 226 | 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 |