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].
Use quotes for an exact search. ex. "J. W."
View Entry | Year | Case Name | County | Cause/Crime | Case Description | Division | Location | # Pages | Order |
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View Entry | 1941 | Andrew Johnson v. Eva Adams | Washington | Slander |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he told the Defendant to "Go home and kill more of your children." |
East | Range: 5 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 204 | 196 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1907 | Augusta Green v. J. G. McCrorey & Co. | Shelby | Slander |
The plaintiff sued the defendant for accusing her of shoplifting from their store. |
West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1052 | 31 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1891 | A .A. McEwen & Wife v. Henry Driver | Davidson | Slander |
Defendant was charged with slander after referring to Plaintiff's sons as "bastards", meaning they were not the sons of plaintiff |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 861 | 65 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1887 | Axiom Lawrence v. Mary Lawrence | Sumner | Slander |
In this appeal, plaintiff maintains defendant had committed adultery, fornication & incest with multiple partners. Defendant filed previous suit alleging slander & fraudulent disposal of joint inherited property, thereby cheating her out of her share. Defendant is plaintiffs spinster sister who had kept house for him the previous 15 yrs. Platt of disputed sale on pg. 161. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 801 | 236 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1832 | Ballard D. Matthews v. Rus A. Porter | Lawrence | Slander | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 192 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1905 | Charley J. Black v. Sam I. Heyman | Obion | Slander | West | Range: 80 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1042 | 38 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1916 | Cora Lott v. General Conner | Shelby | Slander |
On several occasions, the defendant allegedly maliciously and wilfully slandered the plaintiff to Albert Hardin & Charlie Hones, saying the plaintiff had stolen his suit and had. Defendant later said he knew the statement was false on all accounts. |
West | Range: 79 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1502 | 17 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1813 | Collin McDaniel, et al. v. John Maclin | Davidson | Slander |
Collin & Elizabeth McDaniel sued John Maclin for trespass and damage after Maclin told a story defaming Elizabeth. Maclin said that she had absconded with an unnamed young man, living with him adulterously for three weeks. The McDaniels sued for damages. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a | 5 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1907 | C. L. Price & wife, Anne Price v. R. T. Clapp | Knox | Slander |
Clapp sued the Prices, accusing them of writing an anonymous letter to Clapp's employer, Mr. Crouch, stating that Clapp was a thief. Crouch owned a flower shop Clapp worked. The suit claims that the letter humiliated Clapp, & initially the Prices were found guilty & made to pay $1000. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 8 | 9 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1884 | C. H. Rodgers& wife v. Jesse Rodgers | Slander |
Incomplete case file. This is a demurrer to the accusation of slander. County and court of origin are unknown. The statement in question is one spoken by Jesse Rodgers accusing Nancy Rogers, the wife of C.H. Rodgers of taking cloth owned by all three parties and keeping it for her own use. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1211 | 5 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1845 | Edmund P. Bryant v. Arthur B. Jackson | Macon | Slander | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 219 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1900 | E. Friend v. W. Collier Estes | Shelby | Slander | West | Range: 81 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 802 | 76 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1871 | E. C. Jennings v. G. W. Henegar | Warren | Slander |
Jennings sued Henegar, accusing him of slander. He sued for ten thousand dollars for calling Jennings a forger. Jennings forged a receipt for $50 on Henegar. The event occurred during the Civil War. In the proceedings Henagar is accused of being a bushwhacker and spy for Federal Army. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 9a | 65 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1827 | Elyah Cross v. John Arnold | Sullivan | Slander | East | Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 682 | 12 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1909 | Elizabeth Johnson v. Dr. J. C. Hairstone | Shelby | Slander |
J. W. Boyd was a defendant along with Hairstone when the suit began, but there was no evidence against him so he was dismissed from the case. Johnson was a teacher in an African American school. She lost her job because of the rumors, begun by Hairstone's statement that she had had a baby out of wedlock. |
West | Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1156 | 150 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | E. Davis Gleaves v. A. D. Gleaves | Wilson | Slander |
The plaintiff sues the defendant for three thousand dollars as damages for falsely and maliciously charging the plaintiff with the crime of larceny. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 728 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | Elijah Kennard v. Thomas Rutherford & Sarah Rutherford | Hawkins | Slander |
sued for damages of $2,000. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1160 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | Felix H. Wisener v. Joseph J. Tompkins | Overton | Slander | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 239 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1886 | Fannie Hargis v. George W. Horne | Sullivan | Slander |
Fannie Hargis sued Georges W. Horne for $5,000 damages for slander. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1866 | 11 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1820 | George Gregory v. Solomon Copeland & Rebecca Copeland | Jefferson | Slander |
Cause of Action: Trespass on the Case. oversized and folded Case includes disability claims. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 63 | 19 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | George Alexander v. Lee F. Roberts | Sevier | Slander |
Alexander was initially charged with slander, after being accused of posting a sign near Roberts' store. Alexander also attempted to force Roberts out of the store, located near Henrys Crop Road. This is Alexander's appeal. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1630 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1841 | George W. Sharp v. Starnes Willhite | Campbell | Slander |
$1000 damages claimed. Sharp says that, in a lawsuit between the parties, Willhite slandered Sharp by inappropriately characterizing Sharp's testimony in said trial by accusing Sharp, by said testimony, of having "sworn a lie." |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 | 15 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1841 | George W. Morriss v. Stephen S. Parrott | Campbell | Slander |
Morriss claims Stephen Parrott said this re: Morriss' grand jury testimony in case against Evan Parrott for assault on Martin Owen: that Morris "had sworn a damned lie" when he testified Evan had drawn a pistol on Martin during an incident at the home of the Widow Morriss, and when he failed to state Martin had drawn a knife on Evan. In separate 1-page document (handwriting hard to read), it seems incident may have included someone charging Evan with being the father of a certain child. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 | 20 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1861 | Hiram C. Marcum v. Jesse Laxton | Scott | Slander |
For Marcum publicly accusing Laxton of perjury. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1174 | 18 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1843 | Henry Gassaway v. Isaac Smith & T. J. Park | Polk | Slander |
Isaac Smith accused Gassaway of defacing the brand from one of his cows. He brought Gassaway to trial. Gassaway then sued Smith for maliciously slandering his name in public. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 15a | 46 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1932 | Houston Wells v. Joseph Edward Carter | Marion | Slander |
Opinion only. Marion County case found in East TN boxes. Court of Origin: Unknown. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 83 | 4 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1883 | H. B. Smith v. J. J. Ford | DeKalb | Slander | Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 666 | 451 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1860 | Isaac S. Nave v. J. J. C. Nave | Carter | Slander |
Isaac Nave at one time accused J. Nave of larceny, sued him. This suit seeks to clear Isaac's name by sued Jake Nave of slander. Daniel, Alfred & Jacob Bowman, Lee Taylor, Isaac Nelson, John Lyon, all mentioned in suit. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 7 | 64 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | Isaac Riseden [Roisden] [Roysden] v. Allen McDonald | Scott | Slander |
Riseden sued McDonald over a debt related to powder & lead, & Riseden testified. In a later grocery store conversation, McDonald claimed Riseden "swore a lie" in that testimony, thereby committing perjury, leading Riseden to then file this suit against McDonald for slander. The jury ruled in Plaintiff's favor & Defendant appealed. Witnesses: Jesse Gibson (heard McDonald say Riseden had "sworn a lie"), Isaac N. Carlock (heard same) |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1164 | 20 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1819 | John Butler, et al. v. William Newsam, et al. | Bedford | Slander |
Plaintiffs: John and Peggy Butler. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 178 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1847 | Jonathan Walker v. John Braden & wife, Martha Braden | Claiborne | Slander |
Note that cover page says "Sarah Braden" but all mentions of a female Braden in case are Martha. There was an initial suit involving Sarah Collins' pot & a kettle that had a levy placed on it. She was meant to give the items to John Braden, but she refused. Allegedly Martha Braden accused John Walker of falsely swearing in this case and spread rumors about him. See also boxes 1123; 1151. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1817 | John McAdams v. William Roney | Sumner | Slander |
Hon. Bennett Searcy, Circuit Court Judge. David Shelby, Clerk of Circuit Court. J.W. Bynn Jurors in Circuit Ct.: John Mitchell, Hudson Thompson, James Leath, Webb Bloodsworth, John McElrath, Enos Vinson, Robert Desha, George Elliott, Zachariah Gum, Edmund Turpin, John Stamps, John Gourley; Thomas Anderson, Edward Gwinn |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212A | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | Joseph Divine v. Abraham Hix & wife Mary Hix | Monroe | Slander |
Rebecca Brannon & others heard Mary say of Divine (her son-in-law): "Joe the nasty stinking rascal is the boy that gets his money by taking other people's hogs and fattening and killing and selling them." Meredith Roper also heard Mary say such things. Testimony that Mary thought Abraham treated his wife (Mary's daughter) badly, and that Mary was 40 or over, quite stout, & had both grandchildren & great grandchildren |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1153 | 16 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1859 | Joseph Humphries v. Levi McCloud | Knox | Slander |
Defendant is the father-in-law of the plaintiff. The defendant spread obscene and defamatory words about the character of the plaintiff, also causing an estrangement with his daughter, the plaintiff's wife. sued for $500 in damages plus the cost of suit. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1176 | 132 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | John Bradon v. David Ridinerer | Union | Slander |
The plaintiff brings this case against the defendant for slander. The defendant spoke and published that the plaintiff had been guilty of stealing hogs greatly damaging the plaintiff's reputation with his neighbors and friends. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1177 | 15 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1892 | John S. Bell v. H. G. Palmer | Rutherford | Slander |
Palmer sued Bell for slander after he was told, and overheard, Bell asserted that "I caught him (Palmer) stealing my corn" and other similar statements implicating Palmer in larceny and sullying his name as a corn thief. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 933 | 129 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1878 | J. M. Reilley v. B. F. Walker | Bledsoe | Slander |
Reilley also spelled Riley. The plaintiff was suing the defendant for slander related to the case, "State v. John T. Gates." During said case the defendant allegedly stated to several people that the plaintiff "swore a lie," while under oath. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1632 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | John Ford v. Thomas B. Swan | Cumberland | Slander |
John Ford spent the night at Christopher Archibald Ford's House with Swan & C A Ford's wife Elizabeth. When John woke up, his pocket book & $155 was missing. He stated that someone in the house had taken it, mainly Colonel Thomas B. Swan. Swan sued for slander. Swan stated that he might commit assault & battery on Ford. Ford was apparently gathering money to pay off a debt he owed in Nashville. An enslaved boy, Peter, is mentioned. |
East | Range: 19 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1643 | 65 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | James M. Morris v. William Couts | Robertson | Slander |
Citizens believed that the plaintiff had stolen a hog belonging to the defendant because of malicious talk. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 252 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | John W. Jett v. John B. Childers | Sullivan | Slander |
Jett sued Childers for $10,000 as damages for falsely charging him with the crime of larceny and robbery in the presence of others. |
East | Range: 19 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1872 | 135 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1888 | Joseph P. Davis v. Thomas J. Davis | DeKalb | Slander |
Defendant is accused of slandering the plaintiff by saying, in front of witnesses, that the defendant had perjured himself by lying in court under oath in a previous court case that concerned the estate of Solomon Davis. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 812 | 118 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | James McMahan v. Henry Burum | Blount | Slander |
Trespass on the Case in Slander, $3,000 damages. McMahan sued Burum for slander, claiming Burum accused McMahan of stealing Burum's potatoes (on more than one occasion) & a plough & called McMahan a "good for nothing, lying, thieving, son of a bitch". According to McMahan, Burum also accused McMahan of committing larceny as a matter of habit. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1136 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1850 | John Austin, v. Thomas C. Smith | Polk | Slander |
This is an appeal. Original bill saw Thos. Smith filing suit against Austin for slander, trespass and damages in the amount of $1000. March 15, 1848, Austin said to have had conversation in which Smith accused of stealing hogs and serving jail time. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1136 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1875 | Louisa J. Prosser, by next friend, A. M. Prosser v. Alonzo B. Carriger | Moore | Slander | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1887 | Lewis Stair, in error v. Susan J. Foust | Knox | Slander |
In the original case, Susan J. Foust sued for $5,000 in damages for verbal slander. Foust claimed that Stair falsely charged her with larceny (that she stole 10 dollar gold pieces from the home of Boston Damewood of Knoxville). The same suit was filed against Abraham Stair. |
East | Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1862 | 27 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1909 | Leon Riegel v. Bank of Commerce & Trust Co. | Shelby | Slander |
Additional Exhibit Materials: Brief & Answer of Respondent booklet 2 Brief & Assignment booklets. |
West | Range: 80 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1158 | 427 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Lewis A. Hopkins v. Solomon Williams | Cocke | Slander |
Additional Cause of Action: Libel. Plaintiff accuses the defendant of saying and having published that plaintiff's wife participated in the act of buggery with a cow. There is a question as to whether buggery is a word in the English language. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1205 | 32 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1905 | Maggie McKenzie by next friend D. M. McKenzie v. Marks Brothers | Madison | Slander |
Maggie worked as a salesperson for Phillip Marks & was accused of stealing $1.00 or a pair of leggings. Surnames of people giving testimony: Brown, Blackmon, Bledsoe, Baker, Blackward, Black, Campbell, Crittenden, Cartmell, Day, Duncan, Duke, Elder, Fry, Fineberg, Fletcher, Gooch, Haas, Hicks, Johnson, Jackson, Midyett, Meriwether, Mercer, McCorry, Nowell, Parker, Perry, Reid, Stanley, Steadman, Stovall, Shatz, Turner, Troutt, Vanden, Wilkerson, Watt, Wadley, Zeizer. |
West | Range: 80 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1014 | 381 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1856 | Mary Lea v. James M. White | Grainger | Slander |
Incomplete file. The case involves slander on the part of James White in regard to the plaintiff's potential sale of slave children. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1182 | 20 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | Nathan Brandon v. Alexander Walker | Stewart | Slander | Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212 | 0 | Order A Copy |