Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1937 American Association, Inc. v. J. J. Gibson, et al Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

C. W. Bowman died. There is some dispute who he left his 67 acres of land to. Each party claims it.

 East Range: 8 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1036 27 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Anderson Edwards, et al. v. Peter Vandeventer, et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Argument over the sale of land to the late John Edwards. Other plaintiffs: Thomas Edwards, Freeland Edwards, Sarah Jane Edwards, Benton Edwards, James M. Edwards, Jackson Edwards, and John Edwards. Other defendants: George Farler [?], Sarah Jane Anderson, and Gabriel M. McCraw. Vandeventer claims that John Edwards never paid for the land.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 77 Order A Copy
View Entry 1932 Alice Chadwell et al. v. Ross Chadwell et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiff: Porter Chadwell. Additional Defendant: Viola Chadwell, wife of Ross Chadwell. Plaintiffs and defendants are the heirs of George Chadwell and share in the lands he left to his family after his death. Plaintiffs complain that Def. Ross sold his interest in said property to them. However the Defendants are now divorcing and Def. Viola is claiming an interest in said land. The land in question lies in the 5th Civil District of Claiborne County, Tennessee.

 East Range: 10 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1376 188 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 Alex A. Arthur et al. v. William Sowder et al. Claiborne Land, Confirmation of Ownership

Additional Plaintiffs: The American Association, Limited of London, England and the Middleborough Town Company. The plaintiffs requested the court determine the legal ownership of title to certain land grants and tracts that defendant Sowder, and others, claimed before the plaintiffs purchased them and executed their contract.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1801 346 Order A Copy
View Entry 1939 A. J. Coleman et al. v. G. H. Rowland et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Add. Plaintiff: C. A. Coleman. Add. Defendants: Singleton Rowland, Floyd Ellison.

 East Range: 7 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 605 412 Order A Copy
View Entry 1939 A. J. Coleman et al. v. G. H. Rowland et al Claiborne Land

Additional parties: Squire Hurst, Rachel Fugate, Mary Day, Snider B. Rowlett, Alvis P. Coleman, Calvin Brooks, Viola Brooks, Rosa Brooks, C. S. Brooks, W. C. Parkey, J. N. Southern, Alice Southern, Singleton Rowland, warranty deeds and plat map included.

 East Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 798 100 Order A Copy
View Entry 1937 Alice Redmon, by Next Friend v. C. H. Redmon Claiborne Land, Sale of

Additional defendants: Alva Richardson, Lon Francisco.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1107 51 Order A Copy
View Entry 1880 A. Kelley v. G. B. Cloud, et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional defendant Hamton Sevrem dec. Cloud purchased land but did not get the title to land before the defendant passed away. See additional pages in ET 1693.

 East Range: 19 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1675 120 Order A Copy
View Entry 1870 Benjamin F. Murphey, et al. v. William Houston, exe. Of Benjamin Sewell, dec. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional plaintiffs: E.D. Murphey and Pleasant Murphey. Benjamin Murphey had purchased a tract of land from Benjamin Sewell in 1847. Houston had received judgment against B.F. Murphey and his securities for an unpaid note for the purchase money of the said land. Murphey willing to pay sum in exchange for title to land, which neither Sewell nor Houston had given to him. Murphey suing for an injunction restraining Houston from collecting on judgment until he received a warranty deed.

 East Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1239 49 Order A Copy
View Entry C. W. Wadsworth et al. v. Mary E. Quillen et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

In 1892, plaintiff John Wadsworth conveyed a tract of land in Kansas to E. M. Quillen to secure a loan to C. W. Wadsworth, who repaid the sum and the land was reconveyed to John Wadsworth in 1895. After E. M. Quillen died in 1908, his widow Mary issued a quit deed claim for the tract to Mr. Kells for $500. She showed the Wadsworths never registered the reconveyed deed in their name and failed to pay taxes on the tract for several years. No date for case but post 1908.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1827 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 C. W. Bowman v. James H. Harman et al. Claiborne Petition for Land Recovery

Plaintiff Bowman sued defendants James H. Harman and Nancy J. Travis to prove the plaintiff's ownership of a tract of land in the 2nd district of Claiborne County. Bowman claimed the defendents entered his land on January 10, 1888 and ejected him. He requested the court also restore his possession of said land. There are two large hand-drawn maps of the land in question (both are torn and fragile).

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1821 1023 Order A Copy
View Entry 1940 Cora Cody, et al. v. Louvernia Branson, et al. Claiborne Land, Partition of

Additional Complainants: Mae Rains, Hazel England. Additional defendant: Walter Breeding. Complainants sought to have estate of J. A. Bransford, dec., administered, and real estate belonging to deceased partitioned.

 East Range: 6 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 476 139 Order A Copy
View Entry 1901 Catherine Ramsey et al. v. M. H. Hill et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Incomplete case: decree only. Case concerns Tip Ramsey, William Ramsey, and Catherine Ramsey, dec.

 East Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1078 3 Order A Copy
View Entry 1859 Cornelius Bowman & C.G. Alexander v. Addison Bowman et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Add. Defs: Daniel Bowman, Richard Davis, John Ashburn, Levi Harp. Cornelius possessed 3 TN land tracts (50 acres, 150 acres, 1400 acres) per grant (aka patent) from KY. Defs. also possessed & claimed title to land. Elijah Jones appointed to survey land. Unlike most of TN, disputed land lies in portion of northern TN border subject to compact between TN & KY wherein KY given right to issue land grants. Geographical references: Cumberland River, Jackson Creek, Cumberland Mtn, Log Mtn aka Coopers Ridge.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1141 41 Order A Copy
View Entry 1943 Cordie Kivett v. Mrs. Ad Cardwell, admr. of Ad Cardwell, dec. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Case also involves a disputed will.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 105 207 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 C. W. Bowman v. James H. Harman and Joseph L. Harmon Claiborne Petition for Land Recovery

Plaintiff brought suit against James Harmon, and Joseph L. Harmon, Nancy J. Travis, and Benne D. Harmon to prove he was the rightful owner of certain tracts of land lying in the 2nd civil district. He claimed that the defendants entered his land and ejected him. He requested the court restore it to his possession and grant him damages. Exhibits include 2 oversze maps of the land in question. Located in M-17-21.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1821 1182 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 Calvin Teague et al. v. Joshua Teague et al Claiborne Wills, Contested

Will of James Teague, Sr., dec. is being contested. Concerns about 550 acres of land in 3 tracts. See additional pages (242) at ET 2042. Additional plaintiffs: Green C. Teague, Revey Teague, James Teague, Lewis Teague, George Teague, S.M.C. King and wife Emily King, William Chadwell and wife Martha Chadwell. Additional defendant: Ancil Gatliffe.

 East Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1090 250 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 David Callahan v. John Parkey et al Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Callehan owned land sold in execution sale but, before sale, contracted with Milbourne Overton (now dec) to bid at sale on his behalf, which he did, & Callehan pd purchase price into court, but no sheriff's deed executed & Overton then died. Parkey filed ejectment suit against Callehan in Circuit Court, based on sheriff's deed to Overton & Parkey (who were then in business together). Add. Def.: Overton's minor children Joseph, James, Millard, Josephine. Alternate spelling of pla.'s name: Coleman.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 36 Order A Copy
View Entry 1936 D. F. Monday v. Walter Monday Claiborne Land and Title Dispute East Range: 8 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 920 35 Order A Copy
View Entry 1841 Den Lesee of John Capps v. Bouyer Bullard Claiborne Possession of Land

John Capps leased a track of land from defendant for a term of 10 years. When defendant in possession of land & refused to turn it over, plaintiff sued for possession rights and cost of suit. Note hand drawn map of tract in dispute on page 43.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1148 45 Order A Copy
View Entry 1938 Emaline Massengill et al.v. Thomas White Jones et al Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Samuel Jones died; left daughters Maggie (m. C. B. Baker), Emaline Massengill, Nancy Daniels, Mae Townsley; sons Elbert, Roscoe & White; grandchildren Earl, I.D. & Estel (of dec son Archie), Junior & Daisy (of dec son Meb), & Arthur & Janie Estes (of dec daughter Ollie). Samuel's wife Lucy is deceased. Dispute over land Sam'l & Lucy owned 10 yrs ago but deeded to son White, w/understanding that, when they died, White was to deed it to Sam'l & Lucy's children & heirs. White failed to do so; hence this suit

 East Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1268 90 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 Elisha Jordan Odell v. Nicholas Sharp et al Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Add. defendant: Joseph Green. Issue over rightful ownership of a tract of land, for which the plaintiff claims full payment was made.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1163 72 Order A Copy
View Entry 1933 E. N. Duncan et al. v. R. W. Payne Claiborne Land, Sale of

This case involves a conflict over the sale of a tract of land in Claiborne Co. E.N. Duncan arranged to sale the tract of land to a man in Texas in exchange for a tract of land there. E.N. Duncan, however, only owned half the tract of land as he had split it with his brother Ben Duncan and E.N Duncan's wife refused to move or sign any sort of deed. This case is in two folders in ET Box 1462

 East Range: 10 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1462 282 Order A Copy
View Entry 1933 Edgar Lay et al. v. Ott Clawson et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional plaintiff: Emma Lay. Additional Defendant: J. M. Clawson an Charles Russell. Plaintiffs executed to Ott Clawson a promissory note secured by a trust deed on tract of land. Plaintiffs claim they paid said note in full. Plaintiffs further claim Ott Clawson fraudulently sold and transferred said trust deed to Charles Russell after the debt had been paid and discharged. Plaintiffs also claim that J. M. Clawson was fraudulently added to said trust deed as a trustee.

 East Range: 10 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1457 91 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 Florence O. McVay et al. v. Zachariah Riley et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiffs: Florence McVay in her own right and as next friend to C. D. McVay and William McVay, her minor siblings. The plaintiffs claimed that the land occupied by the defendants was the inherited property of their mother, Rachel McVay and upon her death rightfully passed to her children with a life estate to their father. They claimed that when their father died, the land was theirs and any deed he may have conveyed to the Rileys was only valid for his lifetime.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1812 42 Order A Copy
View Entry 1946 Farris Whitaker[?], Jr. et al. v. Dossie Whitaker, et al. Claiborne Land, Partition of

Additional Complainants: Clarence Whitaker, Swann Whitaker, Wanda Whitaker, Ora Whitaker. Additional Defendants: Hattie Schultz, Judge Clayton Whitaker, Roosevelt Whitaker, Betty Whitaker, Don Whitaker. Whitaker[?] is also spelled Whiteaker[?] in some instances.

 East Range: 7 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 772 257 Order A Copy
View Entry 1892 Frank Gibson, et al. v. Henry Gibson Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Frank Gibson, Salina Gibson, and William and Darcus Twiman, all persons of color and Kentucky residents complained that Samuel Gibson died intestate in January 1888, leaving a tract of land in Clairborne County, Tennessee. Samuel's widow Salina (Selina) was entitled to a dower's share; Frank Gibson and Darcus Twiman were the owners in fee. It was said Henry Gibson illegally occupied land. Stories date to antebellum times and contain informative testimony on slave marriage.

 East Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1736 70 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 Frederick S. Huskell v. David F. Rogers& William Fletcher Rogers Claiborne Wills, Contested

F. S. Rogers and W. F. Rogers were executors of the will of William Rogers. Text mostly illegible.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1128 15 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 Fanny Wallin v. Daniel Huff Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Fanny's husband James (dec) & John Wallen claimed title to 1 of 2 tracts of land (which they had divided between them), & James Lake was a tenant in possession on John's portion. After James Wallen died, Fanny held his portion for herself and children. See related cases in same box: Jon Den, lessee, of Daniel Huff v. James Lake et al.; Heirs of James Wallin by next friend John Wallin v. Daniel Huff & James Lake; Wallin et al. v. Huff; Wallin v. Daniel Huff et al.; Daniel Huff v. James Lake.

 East Range: 18 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1948 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1891 G. B. Cockrell et al. v. J. F. Slusher et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Plaintiffs: C. B. Johnson, B. F. Cockrell, and W. E. Morison. Additional Defendants: J. J. Gibson, T. F. Gibson, and E. H. Patterson. Plaintiffs bought an option to purchase a tract of land of 800 acres at $8 per acre. They entered into an agreement for half ownership of the land with the defendants for half of the option purchase price. Defendant Slusher took deed in trust from the seller but then refused to accept the plaintiffs money and give them title to half the land.

 East Range: 19 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1790 183 Order A Copy
View Entry 1940 Hannah Lee, et al. v. Dorsie Lee Johnson, et al Claiborne Land, Partition of

Additional Complainants: Hallie Smith, G. H. Johnson, James Johnson, George Johnson. Additional Defendants: Edward Johnson, L. W. Carpenter. Bill filed for the purpose of partitioning the lands belonging to George W. Johnson, dec.. Exhibits: plat map, copy of claim deed, copy of deed, copies of description of land, copy of warranty deed.

 East Range: 6 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 476 196 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 Heirs of Thomas McClain, by their guardian William Kincaid v. Frederick Bolinger & Jesse Rogers Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

2 folders. Heirs: minor sons Thomas, John & William. McClain's wife: Susana, who had daughter Jane from prior marriage. Henry Hunter died leaving 13 children: Joseph, Henry, Jesse, Frederick, John, Abraham, Rachael, Catharine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Belinda, Christiana, Polly (m. to Bolinger). Land on which Hunter heirs lived was sold to pay debt. McClain entered agreement with Bolinger to redeem land & recovery to Bolinger if Bolinger repaid him. Dispute re whether parties did as agreed & re title to land.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1132 850 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Hugh L. Murphy v. Houston Lewell et al.. Claiborne Land

This case involves a dispute over money owed on a tract of land that was orignially purchased by Benjamin Lewell who has since died.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 17 Order A Copy
View Entry 1877 Henry Coleman v. L. M. Jarvis, et al. AND T. B. Mason, et al. v. L. M. Jarvis, et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Case began as Mason, et al. v. A. D. Woodson, et al. AND Henry Coleman, et al. which was inspired by the case of John Mason v. R. C. Woodson and attached to the case of Eliza Bishop v. R. C. Woodson. Mason's et al: R. F & J. T. Mason, and Elisha Bishop. Woodson's et al: Robert C., Smith T., Jerome H., and Wm. Woodson, and J. N. Treece. Cases revolve around the land known as the William Campbell Farm, which was placed on lien as the result of a court case.

 East Range: 19 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1774 78 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 Henry Sword v. Wiley B. Phillips Claiborne Land and Title Dispute East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 79 68 Order A Copy
View Entry 1836 Isaac VanBibber v. David Rogers Claiborne Wills, Contested

Defender acting as executor of James VanBibber, deceased.

 East Range: 7 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 676 24 Order A Copy
View Entry 1859 John Sangford& Ruth Sangford v. John Keck, et al.; John Sangford& Ruth Sangford v. John Green, et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Defendants: William P. Zeaden, Hezekiah Hopper, Ira Scalf, Jacob Peck, Joshua Collins, and Thomas Killion. Real estate of George H. Rowland, dec'd was divided and assigned to Ruth Sangford. Peck executed deed of land and conveyed part to Keck who sold portions to Hopper and Scalf. Plaintiffs want def'ts' titles set aside and held void.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 101 97 Order A Copy
View Entry 1889 J. L. and C. H. Rogers v. James Simmons Claiborne Land, Sale of

Elijah Jones and T. D. Knight jointly held two registered land grants in east Tennessee. The whereabouts of all the heirs are unknown and dividing the land would be difficult. The plaintiff asked the court to grant them the right to sell the property for partition and split the proceeds among the heirs.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1830 67 Order A Copy
View Entry J. E. Hill v. S. J. Edds Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Robert H. Roberson made a will dividing his estate into portions for his heirs. S. J. Edds had an interest, as did J. E. Hill. The heirs decided to split and sell the land, dividing the proceeds. They also agreed if it did not sell for enough money, then Edds should purchase all of the land, paying the other heirs.

 East Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 5 4 Order A Copy
View Entry 1824 John Cocke v. David Stewart Claiborne Land and Title Dispute East Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 686 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Joshua H. Gist v. William Kincaid, et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Defendants: Edgar C. Kelso & Matthew M. Houston. Plaintiff sued to obtain legal title to 2 tracts of land comprising 600 & 200 acres that he purchased from Kelso on 23 Jan. 1838. Plaintiff later learned that Kelso had bought he land that he sold to him from M. M. Houston, now a resident of AL, & that Houston gave Kelso his obligation to make a title, but never conveyed the title itself to him. Houston still holds the title to the land that Kelso sold.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1122 184 Order A Copy
View Entry 1841 John Wallin et al. v. Daniel Huff Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Plaintiffs: John Wallen, James Wallen, John Brewster & James Lake. This case revolves around competing grants and overlapping land surveys. See map page 140. Land in dispute is a 300 acre tract turned over to Huff to satisfy debt owed him by plaintiff's. See related cases in same box: Jon Den, lessee, of Daniel Huff v. James Lake et al.; Heirs of James Wallin by next friend John Wallin v. Daniel Huff & James Lake; David Huff v. James Lake; Wallin v. Daniel Huff et al.; Fanny Wallin v. Daniel Huff.

 East Range: 18 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1948 142 Order A Copy
View Entry 1872 J. N. Freece v. E. Vanbeber Claiborne Land

Missing first 143 pages. Plaintiff is listed as the Clerk of Court. Issue over land belonging to J.M. Vanbeber (dec.).

 East Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1215 335 Order A Copy
View Entry 1884 J. W. Buis, et al v. E. E. King & Wife Claiborne Land, Partition of

In original bill, pltfs. claimed entitlement to partitions of land once owned by Abram Buis. Additional plaintiffs include David Buis, William D. Shipley, P. G. Fulkerson, M. V. Cottrell.

 East Range: 19 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1854 159 Order A Copy
View Entry 1888 J. T. Staudifer and wife v. J. George Scott, et al Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Add defendants: John Neil, Martha J. Neil, Robert Neil, Minerva Scott, Melvin King, Henry King, Wm. Scott, Wm. Neil, David Neil, Floyd King. Joseph Neil, dec. died 1863, owned valuable lands in Claiborne Co. The adult children were left to devise their own document to divide the land. Plaintiff wife (Sarah J.) is the only child of one of the adult children and was seeking their share of the estate.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1833 197 Order A Copy
View Entry 1890 Jason Russell v. Marion Bryant, et al Claiborne Land

The plaintiff alledged that the defendant has made the road to their property that they own unpassable with a railfence and other obstructions.

 East Range: 19 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1820 571 Order A Copy
View Entry 1848 Joseph Jones v. Andrew Buchanan, et al. Claiborne Land, Confirmation of Ownership

Other defendants: Archibald Cooper & wife, Elizabeth Todd Cooper; Alfred B. Jackson & wife, Harriet L. Todd Jackson; Nathan Buchanan. Plaintiff purchased plot of land in Tazewell, TN, from defendants, which, apparently, they did not have proper title to.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1123 22 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 John Wallin v. Daniel Huff et al. Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Additional Defendants: Hugh Graham, Thomas McClain (who died while suit ongoing), Luke Turnan, Kennedy Owen, John M. Brabson. Dispute over land subject to mortgage liens for debt owed. See related cases in same box: Jon Den, lessee, of Daniel Huff v. James Lake et al.; Heirs of James Wallin by next friend John Wallin v. Daniel Huff & James Lake; Wallin et al. v. Huff; Daniel Huff v. James Lake; Fanny Wallin v. Daniel Huff.

 East Range: 18 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1948 156 Order A Copy
View Entry 1853 J. B. Heiskell, next friend v. Jeherle Fregate, admr. Claiborne Wills, Contested

Add. plaintiffs: Avery Sinira Deadrick, mother of Cynthia Ann, Lewis, Nelson, & Hessy & Jean Jefferson. Defendant administrator of the estate of William Fregate (dec.). Through the will of the deceased, the complainants state they are entitled to their freedom. Defendant states the will was fraudulently obtained and altered.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1151 59 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 John Sharp, guardian of Margaret Savage et al.v. Noel Seals Claiborne Land and Title Dispute

Add. plaintiffs: Phoebe Savage, Thomas Savage, & James Savage (minor heirs of William Savage (dec.)). Defendant was originally appointed guardian of complainants, and during that time he took possession of several tracts of land left to the complain- ants by their father.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1157 53 Order A Copy

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