Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1833 Amon L. Davis v. David L. Mitchell White Slaves, Selling of

Slave Case. The slave boy named Deb was sold but never delivered to the buyer.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 192 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1852 Agnes Shelton, et al. v. Jonathan M. Pope, et al. Montgomery Slaves, Selling of

Additional plaintiffs: Ellen Shelton, Marietta Shelton, Minerva Shelton, Eliza Shelton Additional defendants: Edmund Bradshaw

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 236 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1874 A. J. Carlass v. R. Farquharson et al. Lincoln Slaves, Selling of

Additional Defendants: H. B. Morgan, Deputy Sheriff, Nathaniel Boone, Sheriff, William Tolly admr. of John H. Allen, deceased. Debt due on purchase of a slave.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 355 80 Order A Copy
View Entry 1839 Anthony Dibrill& Jesse Lincoln v. William Galt, et al. Warren Slaves, Selling of

Additional defendants: B. F. Miller, John Pain

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 201 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1869 Alexander A. Tally v. William Courtney Jefferson Slaves, Selling of

Courtney advertised and held a public sale of slaves before the Emancipation Proclamation during the war when the Confederacy controlled East TN. Tally purchased a woman, Fanny, and her two children for $2050. Tally made the purchase with only currency available at time (Confederate money; both parties knowing its depreciated value) but then Courtney later sued Tally for debt in order to get amount in good bank notes. Tally argues Fanny free at date of sale, so note/money does not matter anymore.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1185 97 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 Archibald Leger v. John Mayers, et al. Claiborne Slaves, Selling of

Note: seems related to incomplete case John Myers, et al. v. Archibald Leger found in box ET 1174. Additional defendants: Hezekiah Mills, George S. Wolfe, Peter Ogan, William S. Rose, Mc H. Bray, Benjamin Bray and J.S.M. Walker and Nelson Retron, exe. of Beverly Mayer, dec. Leger had married Sally, daughter of Beverly and Polly Mayer; Beverly owned 6 slaves when Polly died to be divided among her children. The slaves were sold in previous suit but Mayers refused to divide proceeds with Leger.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 161 Order A Copy
View Entry 1835 Beverly Randolph v. Henry White et al. Rutherford Slaves, Selling of

Additional Defendants: Lacy White, wife of Henry White. Selling of negro slaves who belonged to Lacy White's father, Lacy Anderson, deceased.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 195 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 Benjamin Dechard v. Willis Blanton et al.. Franklin Slaves, Selling of

Additional defendants - Samuel D. Margon, Robert W. Gardner, R. C. Gardner and H. J. Channing Dispute was over a slave named Tom for $100.00

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 252 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Benjamin Webb & Gwynn Foster v. John Patterson Rutherford Slaves, Selling of Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 223 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Bolling& Stratton v. John W. Caster Franklin Slaves, Selling of

Slaves sold: Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Nathan, Thomas, Ann.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 255 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1818 Bernard McKiernan v. John Allen Davidson Slaves, Selling of

sale of 4 slaves Tom about 12 years old, Riley about 7 years old, girl name Phillis about 12 years old and a girl named Raney about eight years old amount of sale $2060.00

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 363 58 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 Cornelius Maxwell et al. v. Walter Alley et al. Overton Slaves, Selling of

Additional plaintiffs: William Puckett, Jane Puckett, Alfred Johnson, Cilia Johnson, Nancy Maxwell, Elizabeth Peak, Lolly Peak, George Peak, James Peak. Additional defendants: John A. Humble, Mariah Humble. Additional parties: Aaron Rawlings, Daniel McKinney, Negro girl Mary, Delpha and Eastin children of Mary. Slaves sold to Jefferson Williams and A. Gardinhire

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 220 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1871 Charles P. Gamble v. Jesse C. Robinson Hamilton Slaves, Selling of

Gamble sued to collect a note payable from Robinson. Robinson had land from Gamble who tried to pay the transaction in CSA money. Additionally, Robinson two enslaved individuals, George & Moses, were included in the terms of the sale. See earlier case in 1866 in ET 1200.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 13 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 Charles Hill v. Enoch George DeKalb Unlawful Selling of Goods

Cause of Action: Trespass on the case. Def. took and sold 20 barrels of corn that were the property of the Plaintiff.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 267 12 Order A Copy
View Entry 1910 Crocket Harmon v. City of Henderson Chester Selling Merchandise without License West Range: 80 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1219 62 Order A Copy
View Entry 1820 Daniel Newman & Jesse Bledsoe v. David B. Ayers Knox Slaves, Selling of

A woman slave was sold to the Plaintiffs by the Defendant and shortly died. The Plaintiff's are refusing the sale price.

 East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 63 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 Elizabeth Washington, admr. v. Thomas Washington Davidson Slaves, Selling of

Elizabeth was admr. of the estate of Gray Washington. Thomas had "unjustly detained" four enslaved people belonging to the estate named Winney Patsey, Mary, and Sally. Elizabeth sued to either recover the enslaved people, or their value.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1870 Enoch Marshall v. William E. Dodson Jefferson Slaves, Selling of

Case listed in: "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, for the Eastern Division, for the year 1870," Volume 1, p. 95-97. Plaintiff sued for the recovery of damages in the sum of $500, the balance of a slave he had purchased.

 East Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1068 25 Order A Copy
View Entry 1867 Elizabeth Bratcher v. John Kincaid admr. of Amos Bratcher dec. Campbell Slaves, Selling of

This is a petition by the plaintiff to sell a slave named John who was left to her by her late husband Amos Bratcher.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1197 35 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Eliza E. Weir v. Charles W. & Henry Rice, admrs. Of John Rice, dec., et al. McMinn Slaves, Selling of

Additional defendants: Thomas A. Owen & wife Nancy, Isaac Rice, Letha Rice, Isaac R. Rice, James Rice, William J. Rice, George G. Gardner & wife Sarah. Weir sued defendants for fraudulently concealing sickness and venereal disease of a slave woman, Mary, when defendants sold her and her son, Austin (who had belonged to John Rice, dec.).

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1206 110 Order A Copy
View Entry 1859 E. L. Williams et al. v. John Bowman et al. Montgomery Slaves, Selling of

Dispute about the purchase agreement for the sale of slaves

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 262 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Frances Brimson v. Wright W. Outlaw Montgomery Slaves, Selling of

Concerns slaves once owned by Drury D. Brimson, dec., husband of the complainant. They were the only property of real value left to his family. They were being sold in attempt to settle his estate. Listed as "Recorded in Book No. 2, 701-9."

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 176 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1847 Francis Lyon [Lyons?] v. William P. & Thomas M. Jones Claiborne Slaves, Selling of

Also Grainger County. Others mentioned: Epaphroditus Hightower (Lyon's neighbor). Slaves: Martha (12 yrs. old), Lizzy (10 yrs. old). 1/20/15 (Thompson): added 4-pg deed of trust for these slaves from Hightower & Lyon to Chesley Jarnagin, Trustee, for the benefit of W. P. Jones, partner of R.M. Scruggs & Co, for various judgments in said Jones' favor.

 East Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 755 52 Order A Copy
View Entry 1874 F. H. Gregory v. J. C. Vaughn & Company Monroe Slaves, Selling of

Additional Cause of Action: slaves used to pay debt, plaintiff argues he was the actual owner of the slaves, not the person who was in debt - John Stanfield.

 East Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 35 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 Frank L. Bario v. the Taxing District of Shelby County Shelby Selling Merchandise without License

The appellant was a traveling salesman, or agent, of the Kendall Manufacturing Company of Rhode Island, selling merchandise- "Soapine." Offense charged was peddling without a license. Fined $25.

 West Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 329 24 Order A Copy
View Entry 1828 George Nixon v. Parry & West Humphreys Davidson Slaves, Selling of

Ten Slaves: Ruth, Lavina, Flora, Charles, Sam, Bill, Lucretio, Fred, Stephen, Jack, Sally & Bobo sold for $4922, another slave: Gaston-$480.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 189 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1847 George W. Martin v. Ralph Martin Davidson Slaves, Selling of

Case involves 2 slaves, a man and wife named Apollo and Hannah.

 Middle Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 386 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 George W. Moore, et al. v. F. W. Taylor& Joseph Eckel, trustees in the case of Hardy & Larkin Johnson v. George R. Stubblefield, et al. Hawkins Slaves, Selling of

Other plaintiffs: B. F. Yoe; William M. McFarland; Guy Ellis.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 64 Order A Copy
View Entry 1868 George W. & James R. Henley v. James & R. K. Cliborne Monroe Slaves, Selling of

In 1862, plaintiffs bought a slave from James Cliborne for $1500 to be paid in Confederate treasury notes. Plaintiffs paid him $750 and gave a promissory note for the other $750 in Confederate currency. Defendants brought assignment suit against plaintiffs for said note (which plaintiffs claimed to have paid). According to plaintiffs, said suit was meant to defraud and hinder them from collecting $3000 due them from Cliborne. Add. documents located in ET 1651.

 East Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1230 156 Order A Copy
View Entry 1838 Henry Runnels v. Henry Tlliggin Franklin Slaves, Selling of

Concerning an enslaved boy, 18 years old.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 207 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1873 Henry T. Jones, admr. of W. C. Harrison v. The Memphis& Charleston Railroad Shelby Slaves, Selling of West Range: 84 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 15 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1872 Henry Hipsher v. John P. Bowen (in his own right & as admr of Hugh Jones, dec, & guardian of James F. Jones & others) & wife M. V. Bowen et al Claiborne Slaves, Selling of

Hugh Jones died; admr Josiah Wyatt granted petition under authority of Confederate states to sell slaves belonging to estate, & Hipsher gave note to buy 1 slave, but sale occurred after Lincoln issued Emancipation proclamation & army already advancing to enforce it. Case asks whether Hipsher or heirs should bear monetary loss resulting from emancipation. Includes testimony of slaves who were sold. Add. Def.: Sarah F. Jones, Rachel J. Wyatt, James F. Jones, County Court Clerk David Cardwell.

 East Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1240 40 Order A Copy
View Entry 1849 Isaac Vanbebber, guardian of minor heirs of Pleasant Goins v. Thomas S. W. Sawyers, et al. Claiborne Slaves, Selling of

Dispute re. Sawyers' failure to pay for purchase of negro slave, Huldah, who he purchased at court-ordered sale of slaves belonging to Pleasant's estate. Defendants: Samuel Moon, William Marcum (securities for Sawyers). Case in which sale was ordered: Wm. Hamilton & wife v. Levi Goins, admr. of Pleasant Goins, dec. Also mentioned in this case: William Kincaid (Vanbebber's security). Court ruled in favor of VanBebber against Sawyers. Pssbly related case: Levi Goin v. Samuel Moon et al.(1854) in ET Box 1165.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1142 18 Order A Copy
View Entry 1838 Jacob Scott v. William Cowden, et. al. Maury Slaves, Selling of

Additional defendants: James Bizzle, Lewis Garrett. This case concerns slavery.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 209 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1838 John L. Wood v. Benjamin M. Jones Maury Slaves, Selling of

Handwriting faded.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 207 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 John Martin, admr., of Richard Butcher, dec. v. Joseph Ramsey et al. Cannon Slaves, Selling of

Additional Defendants: James H. Store and Goolsberry Means.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 217 55 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 John Malone& James Lott admr., for Richard Malone, dec., widow Lucy, et al. v. James Malone & Anderson Malone Union Slaves, Selling of

Plaintiffs: Rebecca Lott, Valentine Turner, Lucinda Turner, Rebecca Malone, Sarah Malone, petition to be allowed to sell three of Richard Malone's enslaved workers. They include Betty (75), Hannah (44), Jesse (39). However, because the number of slaves is odd, they argue they cannot be divided among the heirs evenly. Tells the chain of sale of the enslaved people to their new slaveholders. Second cause at back of case is petition to sell land from same estate.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a 14 Order A Copy
View Entry 1879 J. N. McDearmon v. J. C. McDearmon Gibson Slaves, Selling of

Sale was to pay the debts of George McDearmon deceased. This occurred ca. 1864 during Union occupation. Question as to the legality of the sale under these circumstances. J. N. & Mollie McDearmon, children of George McDearmon. James A. McDearmon brother of George.

 West Range: 84 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 102 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1812 James Miller v. John McNeil Knox Slaves, Selling of

Cause of Action: Seeking an injunction. Debt for purchase of a slave named Henry.

 East Range: 5 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 49 20 Order A Copy
View Entry 1829 James D. Johnson v. William B. Drake et al. Wilson Slaves, Selling of

Additional defendants: Marty Drake, John Drake, and Edmund B. Drake

 Middle Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 370 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1851 Johannah Houston v. Woodoff Parks Lincoln Slaves, Selling of Middle Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 389 11 Order A Copy
View Entry 1922 J. W. Smith v. City of Memphis Shelby Selling Merchandise without License

Exhibit material pamphlet: "The License of Plumbing and the Regulations of Plumbers." The merchandise in the cause of action is actually the service of plumbing.

 Middle Range: 33 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 435 25 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 John Cameron v. Jacob Ottinger Cocke Slaves, Selling of

Ottinger sold Cameron a negro slave Eliza, for $525. Cameron claimed that, before the sale, Ottinger falsely misrepresented the slave as being healthy when in fact he knew she was not, as evidenced by her death from consumption soon after the sale. Cameron sued Ottinger for $1,000 in damages. 1st jury couldn't agree on verdict (mistrial). 2nd jury ruled in Ottinger's favor, Cameron appealed. Witnesses: Peggy Oneal (lived with Cameron), James M. Yett (knew Eliza's family), Catherine Ottinger, others.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1177 67 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 James C. Witt v. G. S. Ellis, et al. Jefferson Slaves, Selling of

Witt charges that Guy Ellis, Benjamin F. Yoe, and William McFarland "took off Some negroes to the Southern market, probably to Alabama…." and sold them. One slave woman, Chancy, was found to be diseased, so they brought her back. The men gave her medical attention, "patched her up so as to get her to public sale at Russellville…and sold her as sound." Her little son John, who was also weak, was sold at the same time.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1204 44 Order A Copy
View Entry 1866 J. C. Queener et al. v. William Drew et al. McMinn Slaves, Selling of

Thomas Drew died in 1862 leaving a large estate consisting of a large tract of land and horses, mules, cattle, sheep, slaves and furniture. He claimed that he had full power to sell the slaves and the plaintiff bid on a slave and placed two notes notes for consideration for the purchase of the slave. The plaintiff claims that the sale was illegal and wishes to file an injunction against the defendant from collecting the notes.

 East Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1237 153 Order A Copy
View Entry 1830 John P. Rushing, et al. v. Patsey Leroy Gibson Stewart Slaves, Selling of

Docs list defendant as: "Patsey Leroy Gibson by her next friend James Hogan." Other plaintiffs: William Rushing.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 191 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1835 Joseph Hinkle v. James Fulton et al. Lincoln Slaves, Selling of

Case states that Thomas Thurman should recover from Booker Lawson the sum of $1600 or Lawson would need to return five negroes.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 201 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Joseph A. Irwin v. John J. Burnett Davidson Slaves, Selling of

Slave sold was named Peter Amount of sale $705.00

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 213 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Joel O. Thacker v. James C. Chambers et al. Warren Slaves, Selling of

Additional Plaintiffs: Joseph Hickerton, William Watson, John G. Waeker, Jesse Worton, and John A. Johnston, dec.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 215 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Joseph Franklin v. Robinson Turner Franklin Slaves, Selling of

Franklin was unaware that the slave he purchased was sick with "medicine diabetes."

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 222 0 Order A Copy

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