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 | 1814 | Allen Groves, et al. v. Isham Uzzell | Sumner | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Plaintiffs: Nathaniel & Anne Rue, formerly Anne Uzzell, Ann& Nathaniel Reese. See additional information in ET box 11a: Allen Groves & wife v. Isham Uzzell. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1812 | Allen Groves v. Isham Uzzell | Sumner | Slaves, Ownership of |
See additional documents in ET 11a: Allen Groves & wife v. Isham Uzzell |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 | 0 | 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 | 1860 | A. C. W. White, et al. v. Emily White, et al. | Giles | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Plaintiffs: Rufus White, John White, Newton White, John Boyd and wife Malvina, M. M. Johnson and wife Elizabeth, and Caleb Thomas and wife Benty. Additional Defendants: Nancy White, Mary White, Grace White, and James White. Case involves a contested will, in which the freedom of more than 70 slaves is determined. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1866 | Ammon T. Quarles et al. v. Samuel Sullivan | Giles | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Plaintiffs: Mildred Patton and John Vaughn. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 280 | 20 | 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 | 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 | 1845 | Albert M. Fleming v. Joseph McCracken | Rutherford | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 236 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1859 | Allen Brown v. Hugh Brown | Maury | Slaves, Ownership of |
Plaintiff is appealing the charge that he unlawfully possesses slaves that belong to the Defendant. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 271 | 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 | 1811 | Abel Morgan& Mary Morgan v. Adam Meek | Jefferson | Slaves, Ownership of |
Case involves a dispute over a slave named Sam. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 52 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | Agnes Shelton, et al. v. John M. Pope, et al | Montgomery | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional plaintiffs: Ellen J. Shelton, Marietta Minerva Shelton, Eliza Lucas Shelton Additional defendants: Rebecca Pope, John L. Pope, James S. Pope |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 422 | 110 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1861 | Anamias Clevenger, admr. of A. Clevenger, dec. v. Allen Clevenger | Slaves, Ownership of |
Used Confederate notes as payment. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1066 | 5 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1843 | Allen Goodwin, admr. of Vaught Heaton, dec. v. Calvin J. Moore, admr. of James B. Morely, dec., et al. | Washington | Slaves, Ownership of |
Edward Smith died, leaving wife Catharine, to whom he left his plantation & negro woman Agnes (& daughter Nelly & issue) for Catharine's life, then to Edward's youngest daughter Nancy. Other issue of Agnes: Abigail, Alfred, James, Isaac. Nancy married Vaught Heaton; they had 5 children: Esther, John, Edmund, Mary, & Catharine (who married Allen Goodwin). When Vaught died, Nancy married James B. Morely, who then died. Dispute arose over ownership of negroes. Add. Def.: Nancy Morely, Steve McQueen. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1144 | 100 | 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 | 1858 | Benjamin Bell v. Silas Fulgum | Sumner | Slaves, Ownership of |
See possibly related case in MT 260. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 283 | 20 | 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 | 1866 | Benjamin Kendig v. Alex W. Hale, et al. | Franklin | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Defendants: James Seaton and Thomas Chilton. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 315 | 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 | 1862 | Barthena Emily Seay, et al. v. William F. Jackson | Roane | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Plaintiffs: Hulda A. Lewous, Silas B. Seay, Littleton P. Seay, Hezekiah R. Seay, Lawrence Frances Seay, Elizabeth Jane Seay, children of Jane R. Seay. Slave's name is Dinah. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 79 | 32 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1853 | Billy Kelly, a slave v. Thomas C. Smart | Warren | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 421 | 68 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1854 | Benjamin Perry v. C. W. Black | Marshall | Slaves, Ownership of |
Perry sued Black for entitled possession of a negro woman named Lucy and her infant child named, Oscar. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 4 | 30 | 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 | 1854 | Bob Reynolds & Jacob v. James Chambers et al. | Stewart | Slaves, Ownership of |
A group of slaves who belonged to a William Crouse were deeded over to a William Chambers with the understanding that Crouse wished his slaves to be freed upon his death. After his death, however, Chambers sold the slaves to a William Bowling Some slaves involved in the case were named Bob, Jacob, Lizzy, Lucky and Violet |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 | 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 | 1832 | Calvin J. Moore v. Nancy Morely & Samuel E. McQueen | Washington | Slaves, Ownership of |
Moore was admr. of James B. Morely, dec. Included Carter, Johnson & Sullivan Counties. Slaves in dispute: Alfred, Abigail, James, Isaac, John. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 755 | 128 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1847 | Clement H. Saffell, admr. of Margaret McClure, dec. v. James K. Cox, admr. of John Cox, dec., et al. | Knox | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Defendants: Susannah Cox (widow), Madison Cox, Nancy Singleton, David Chandler as guardian of John & Madison Singleton, Samuel Saffell. Dispute over 5 negro slaves Margaret Madison owned before she married James McClure, who abandoned her. The 5 slaves were: Cynthia & her 2 daughters (Anna & Nither) & 2 sons (Palmer & Samuel). Also mentioned are Nither's children: Gilbert, then age 15, Elbert, age 13, Eliza, age 11, Violet, age 9, Josephine, age 4. Margaret died while this suit was ongoing. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1121 | 53 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1846 | Cynthia Kennedy v. John Williams, admr. of John Kennedy, dec. | Knox | Slaves, Ownership of |
Cynthia's mom died at her residence & Joseph L. Williams was appointed admr. of her estate, which included several negroes, which Joseph distributed among the heirs, including Cynthia (who had married John Kennedy, who took possession of said negroes). John Kennedy then died & John Williams was appointed his admr. & treated the negroes as belonging to John Kennedy, a point disputed by Cynthia who then sued. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1126 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1851 | Charlotte, Ellen & George, persons of color v. William Cain | Knox | Slaves, Ownership of |
Ellen & George (minors) were Charlotte's daughter & grandson. About 10-15 yrs. ago, Charlotte & Ellen were emancipated by will of Charlotte's former master William Townsend (dec) of AL, yet Cain held them in servitude as his wife was Townsend's daughter. Cain often threatened to sell Pla. to slave traders. George born after Townsend died. Pla. asking court to enjoin Cain from selling them & to declare them free. Per Townsend's will (in transcript), Charlotte previously belonged to Holbert family. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1158 | 20 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1851 | Clement H. Saffell, admr. of Margaret McElwee, dec. v. James K. Cox | Blount | Slaves, Ownership of |
Margaret McElwee married James McElwee, 1811. Separation not long after marriage. Margaret gained possession of slaves. Nephew, John Cox and Samuel Saffell (husband of her niece) acted as consultants on her estate. Dispute over ownership of slaves. Slaves: Cynthia, aged fl. 30 yrs.; Anna, aged fl. 9 yrs.; Ritter, aged fl. 6 yrs.; Palmer, aged fl. 1.5 years. Other slaves mentioned: "Samuel, Gilbert, Ellbert, Eliza, Violet, and Josephine." Slaves to be emancipated at McElwee's death. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1158 | 62 | 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 | 1857 | Claiborne Vaughn v. John Johnson, et al. | DeKalb | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional defendant: Joseph Johnson. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 285 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1857 | Claiborne Vaughn v. John Johnson et al. | DeKalb | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional defendant: Joseph Johnson. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 285 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1860 | Clem R. Waters & wife Elizabeth v. William Barton, et al. | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional Defendant: James Taylor. Case involves a contested will. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 313 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1849 | David A. Bell, et al. v. Frederick D. Hamer et al. | Williamson | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 229 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1861 | Daniel Irvin, et al. v. Daniel Smith | DeKalb | Slaves, Ownership of |
Additional plaintiffs: Mary Irvin, Louisa Irvin, C. Constance sued by their next friend, L. B. Richardson. Slave girl named "Lucy." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 303 | 195 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1826 | David Kigler, Isabella A. Kigler, & William Kigler v. Thomas Miles | Wilson | Slaves, Ownership of |
Dispute over the ownership of a negro girl named Esther. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 362 | 42 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1847 | Delilah Buster, et al. v. John Walker & Anderson W. Walker | Greene | Slaves, Ownership of |
In her will, ca. 1839, Isabella Buster freed the slave Delilah. Isabella requested that son-in-law Anderson Walker and daughter Jane see that Delilah was not abused and that she received good wages. Later Delilah applied to county court clerk for a record of the emancipation she could use as free papers. She was told that the grant of freedom had never been perfected and that she her children Thomas and Violet were "in jeopardy." |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1124 | 31 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1841 | Daniel Martin v. Thomas F. Fancher | Overton | Slaves, Ownership of |
Case concerns a slave boy named Jacob. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 206 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1855 | David Price & wife v. Jasper Smith | Lincoln | Slaves, Ownership of |
The name of the Plaintiff's wife is not listed. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 263 | 0 | 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 | Daniel Jones, admr. of James Harrison v. Benjamin Harrison & Abner Harrison | Jefferson | Slaves, Ownership of |
Complicated case originated in Virginia with death of William Harrison, 1765. Wife Mary & sons were heirs to the estate which included a family of negroes. Documents identify slaves & their issue: Mill [?], Valentine, Isbel, Peggy, Jesse, Nancy, Lucy, Mariah & Cambridge. Includes documentation of their values. |
East | Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1100 | 137 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1839 | Elizabeth Elder et al. v. William H. Rainbolt et al. | Giles | Slaves, Ownership of |
Case docs never clearly state who other plaintiffs are, usually just "Elizabeth Elder & others." Other plaintiffs possibly her children: Mary H. Elder; Martha Elder Coldwell; Nancy R. Elder; R[illeg.] Elder; James S. Elder; David A. Elder Other possible plaintiffs, cont.: Hartwell T. Elder |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 201 | 0 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1854 | Elijah Rudolph v. Coleman E. Harris & William S. Parker | Dickson | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1855 | Elizabeth Fields v. John M. Caldwell | Rutherford | Slaves, Ownership of | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 256 | 0 | 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 | 1856 | Edmund Cooper v. Herod F. Holt et. Al | Bedford | Slaves, Ownership of |
Sale of enslaved people - Simon and David (who died) and Nat (who was sold to Defendants after David's death) also Milly, Penny and Hannah. Additional Defendants: H. G. Holt |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 249 | 0 | Order A Copy |