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 | 1820 | Alex Reid v. John Drewry, William Howlett, William M. Harwood, Thomas Hill, & Willie Barrow | Davidson | Injunction |
Reid worked for Thomas G. Bradford, editor of the Clarion newspaper as his journeyman running the printing press, until Bradford became insolvent later that year. Reid agreed to take Bradford's household furniture as payment. The defendants were owed money by Bradford as well. Reid filed an injunction to prevent any thing conveyed by Reid to him from being taken as collection on debts owed the defendants. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1822 | Anderson Long, Abraham Rees, Sr. Mary, Lucy, Iredell, Juliet, & Harriet Kittrell, James Agee, John Farrington, Benjamin Motley v. Elizabeth Kittrell, et al. | Davidson | Debt Settlement |
Rees, Long, & the other defendants sued to recover a judgment, against John Fairman and heirs, in their favor decided in a previous suit named and detailed in this case, as well as a judgment against Elizabeth Kitrell, heir of Isaac Kitrell. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 | 75 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | Abraham Maury v. Thomas Hickman | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Hickman sold Maury a tract of land from North Carolina land grant #586. Several of these plots of land were sold to Hickman by James Hoggatt. The titles on the land were not perfect, and this suit was filed in order to legally sort out the chain of title filing proper ownership in the court. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3a | 50 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1809 | Benjamin Johns v. Sarah Payne | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Defendants: George Payne. Before he died Josiah Payne allegedly agreed to sell over 600 acres of land to Johns. Following his death, Johns sued for the right to purchase the land. 1809 land grant #1695 signed by Willie Blount, Governor of Tennessee. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 | 170 | 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 | 1887 | Catherine Chilton v. Isaac T. Chilton et al | Davidson | Debt |
The plaintiff is the widow of Thomas Chilton and inherited his estate. Thomas Chilton was a joint owner of land with defendant Isaac Chilton. The defendant sold the land and promised to pay Thomas half but did not. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 808 | 64 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1823 | Caleb D. Gwinn v. Elihu S. Hall& Nicholas C. Hall | Davidson | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 31 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1817 | Edward Sanders v. John Camp | Davidson | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Edward Sanders hired an enslaved man, Abraham, from John Camp, paying with a note for $100. Shortly after Abraham became sick and was not able to work. Abraham went to the house of Miss Hope, where his wife lived. Sanders sued to recover the value of his note. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 | 29 | 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 | 1824 | Elizabeth Kittrell, et al. v. John S. Williamson | Davidson | Cost Bond |
Other plaintiffs: Mary Kittrell; James Agee; Lucy Agee; Iredell Kitterll; Juliett Kittrell; Hariett Kittrell; Benjamin T. Malloy; John Farrington. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1815 | Harris Dowling v. Thomas Hickman | Davidson | Trespass |
Hickman's cattle broke into Dowling's property and consumed the grass there, trampling other plants in their wake. Dowling sued for damages. Hickman testified that a previous agreement made between them allowed for the "trespass." |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3a | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1815 | Howell Tatum v. John B. Evans | Davidson | Debt Dispute |
Tatum was the surviving partner of the mercantile company Tatum & (Henry) Wiggins. The partners had purchased a large shipment of goods from Evans & David Allison, in Philadelphia to open a store in Washington, KY. Suit was filed to settle the debt owed to Evans, and to finally dissolve the partnership in accordance to their articles of formation. See additional documents in MT 1 & MT 75. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1805 | Howell Tatum v. John B. Evans | Davidson | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1815 | John Newnan v. Thomas Stuart | Davidson | Attachment |
Dr. John Newnan's father Anthony died in Salisbury, North Carolina. Hugh Newnan had been living with Thomas Stuart & brother, acting as a clerk in their store in Washington County. Stuart's mother became very sick, & he offered Dr. Newnan a "large reward" if he went to visit her. Hugh owed Thomas money, & agreed to have his wages garnished to pay it. The suit was filed to finally settle the debts between them. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | John Overton, et al. v. David Shelby, et al. | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional defendants: Samuel Fitzpatrick, Robert Lawyers, Robert McKnight, Samuel Kirkpatrick, David Shannon, John Crockett Involving Major Pinkham (Pinketham?) Eaton's military warrant of land in 1784. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 82 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1815 | James Cartwright v. Thomas & Jacob Cartwright | Davidson | Failure to Perform Duties as Counse |
David Cartwright died, appointing his sons Thomas and Jacob executors. David owed substantial debts in Natchez, Mississippi. James was to inherit $500 but the debts were greater than that amount. James sued to recover his inheritance. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | James, Margaret, Charles, Sarah, & John Beckham, devisees of Charles T. Carson dec. v. William, Thomas, Rachel Mary, & Elizabeth King heirs to James King, dec. | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
Carson died bequeathing his estate to his nephews and nieces. Carson was a partner in King, Carson & King merchants. Wm. Beckham died indebted to the firm. Beckham wanted to make some money by selling the firm a lot on College Street in Nashville. The suit was filed to settle the estates and moneys owed by the estates. See related case in box MT 3a. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1808 | Joel, William, Nathan, John, Henrietta, & Elizabeth Rice v. Thomas Dillon | Davidson | Slaves, Ownership of |
John Rice died and his estate included many unsettled business concerns. Land deals as well as the sale of slaves caused issues with the heirs. The case documents detail John Rice trading enslaved people in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, & bringing them south to sell. The estate exe., Elisha Rice died shortly after Rice, leaving Rice's heirs to settle business matters between Dillon & Rice. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4a | 122 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1815 | James Winchester v. Samuel Jackson, exe. of John B. Evans, dec. | Davidson | Debt Dispute |
Winchester owed a debt to Jackson & Evans, & went to Philadelphia to pay it in full. After this, he traded US militia claims for more merchandise. The claims were examined by David Allison, who acted as Jackson & Evans' middle man, but who was later found questionable in his dealings. The suit sought to settle business between the two parties, determining if a debt was owed. Winchester & Additional defendants: Anne Evans, Henry Hawkins, admin. of John B. Evans, dec. See also box MT 4a. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a | 168 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1814 | Joel Dyer v. Edmund Jennings | Davidson | Debt |
Joel Dyer agreed to make a cotton machine for James Roberts. To pay for the machine, Roberts transferred a debt to Dyer owed to him by John Young. Young, in turn transferred a debt to Dyer owed him by Edmund Jennings. Dyer sued Jennings to finally be paid for his work making the cotton machine. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 | 76 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1818 | John Cockrill v. John McNairy, et al. | Davidson | Breach of Contract |
Additional defendants: John Armstrong, W. P. Anderson, Alfred & Mary Carter, William Cocke, G. T. Gillespie, George Duffiled and wife, John Childress, William Polk, Sally Robertson. Also includes Carter, Wilson, and Sumner Counties. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | James Wier& Samuel Campbell v. Thomas Hill, William Carroll,& James Stewart et al. | Davidson | Debt on Account |
Amount of Debt $3500.00 |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 334 | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1812 | Jacob Baker v. George Poyser | Davidson | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Baker gave Poyser goods to sell as a commission merchant, totaling about $1700. Poyser failed to sell the items, and also refused to return them or pay for them. Baker sued to have some sort of compensation given. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1814 | Lee Oldham v. William Anderson | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional parties: Washington Oldham, Polly Oldham, John R. Doherty, Nancy Lewis Doherty, James Doherty, Thomas Talbot. This case involves the sale of land with partial payment being a negro valued at $500. Additional parties: George Bell |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1814 | Lilburn L. Henderson v. Alexander Richardson | Davidson | Estate Settlement |
Additional parties: William Trigg, William King, George Simpson, Guy S. Trigg. This estate settlement involves a partnership of King, Carson & King and the firm of Trigg, King, & Richardson. |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1814 | Matthew McGance v. Washington C | Davidson | Other |
Incomplete case file; bill of costs only. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1823 | Montgomery Bell, et al. v. Joseph Holt, et al. | Davidson | Cost Bond |
Other plaintiffs: Morgan Brown. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1825 | Nashville Bank v. Thomas Whiteside, admr. of Jenkin Whiteside, dec. | Davidson | Debt |
Several lawsuits against the estate of Jenkin Whiteside of Davidson, who died intestate. Jenkin Whiteside (1772-1822) was a prominent Nashvillian who had previously served in the State Legislature and in the U.S. Senate. This file appears to be court orders against the estate, no court case included. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 365 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | Peter& Charity Owens v. Floyd Hurt, Lewis Speece | Davidson | Equity |
Case mentions properties in Nashville on Cherry Street, Lot No. 32 near the Davidson Academy lots. Hiram Hurt, Alfred Balch, Eli Talbot, Frederick Owen, Male slave named "Fortune;" Randal McGavock, Clerk of Court. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212A | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1822 | Robert Johnson & Abram Boyd, admrs. v. Ann Hope | Davidson | Wills, Contested |
David Beaty died, leaving his sister Anne Hope $400, & land to his neighbor, Johnson. The will asks that his enslaved workers George Landon, Isaac, Lewis, Emma & her children, Sophia, Celia, & Edmund, William, Henry, Charles, Albert, Enos, Eliza, Nancy, Martilla, Cynthia, Matilda, & Angelina, to be given money for living expenses & land in Indiana. Hope sued, contesting the will and this request. She claimed the enslaved would become a nuisance to the community without a master. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 62 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1823 | Ralph Crabb et al. v. John Donelson et al. | Davidson | Unknown |
Case consists of only subpeonas, plaintiffs: Ralph Crabb, wife Miriam Crabb and Thomas Claiborne. Defendants: John, Sandy, Martha, Jacob, Andrew, William, James, Milbury, Alexander, Elizabeth, Samuel, Severn, Levin, Lucinda & Rachel Donelson, Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel, Thomas Crutcher, Catharine Hutchins, Jane Hays, Alexander Gordon, Mary Caffrey, Robert Naul, Alfred Balch |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 188 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1807 | Randal McGavock v. Luke Bernard | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
John Bernard died after settling on the Cumberland, leaving his son Luke as an heir to over 600 acres of land. Walter attempted to sell land from this tract to Bernard, although he was not the heir. The suit sought to settle the land dispute. Add'l def Walter Barnard. Randal McGavock was an early Mayor of Nashville and he built Carnton Plantation in 1815. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 | 64 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1821 | Robert Weakley & George Smith v. Clement McDaniel | Davidson | Unknown |
This case pertains to the running of a lottery. It states that McDaniel "refuses to tell to whom he sold said tickets or for what he sold them, or what he has done with the proceeds of the sale." |
Middle | Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 180 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1823 | Samuel Moseby v. Thomas Shute, et al. | Davidson | Cost Bond |
Other defendants: William Wallace. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | State v. George Franklin | Davidson | Larceny |
The case lists George Franklin as "col." The original folder for the case stated that George Franklin is an alias for Matt Greenfield. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 367 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Samuel Dowell | Davidson | Murder | Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 367 | 2 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Charles Carneal | Davidson | Unknown |
The case states that Charles Carneal is sentenced to 3 years hard labor but it doesn't list a cause of action. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 367 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1879 | State v. Reed Randolph | Davidson | Unknown |
The case states that Reed Randolph is sentenced to 1 1/2 years hard labor but it doesn't list a cause of action. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 367 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1905 | State v. Sam Jenkins | Davidson | Unknown |
The Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals found no error in the proceedings of the Criminal Court of Davidson in the above case. The court ruled that Jenkins be kept by the sheriff until May 2, 1905 when he will be hanged. However, the court was of the opinion that there were extenuating circumstances and that the punishment ought to be commuted to life imprisonment. |
Middle | Range: 35 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 827 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1827 | Thomas Whiteside, admr. of Jenkin Whiteside v. Thomas Hickman& Daniel Ross | Davidson | Estate Settlement |
The estate and debts of Jenkin Whiteside are being disputed between the two parties. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 361 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1815 | William T. Lewis v. David P. Monroe & William Beaty | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
In 1810, a judgment was rendered against William T. Lewis in a suit brought by David P. Munro & William Beaty. Lewis was to buy 600 acres of land from them, for $1,500, but he was unhappy with the price, & it was changed to $1,713. Through additional legal action the total was raised to $2,191.66. The suit was filed to settle the matter. Mentions Thomas Crutcher and Andrew Jackson. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1821 | William H. Harper v. John Shelby | Davidson | Injunction |
Cabinet maker William Garner owed a debt. Samuel V. D. Stout, John Falwell, and Duncan Robertson were security on the debt. Garner also owed Nathan Ewing. John Shelby held a deed of trust for the debt, & filed a judgement. Garner's household property was mortgaged and a detailed inventory is contained in the brief, including lengths of cherry board & unfinished furniture. Harper & Stout filed an injunction to prevent collection of the $70 debt. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1817 | William King, et al. v. Charles S. Carson, et al. | Davidson | Estate Dispute |
Plaintiffs: Thomas, Rachel, Mary, & Elizabeth King. Defendants: James, Margaret, Charles, Sarah, Jane, & John Bekam. John King, a partner in King, Carson & King mercantile, purchased land with his own money, then died. There were many descendants to bene- fit from the sale of this land. The estate was ordered to divide the lot into thirds, the descendants receiving a 3rd, Carson & Wm. King each a 3rd. Carson's family sued to be conveyed that 3rd. See related case in box MT 4. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3a | 47 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1808 | William L. Lewis v. Robert Demonbreun, et al. | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Additional Defendants: James M. Lewis, admr. of William L. Lewis, dec. Possibly related to Demonbreun family? |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1821 | Wilson Cage v. James Turney, et al. | Davidson | Equity |
Additional defendants: Elizabeth, Samuel, Hopkins, and Patty Dickson Turney. Wilson Cage was given a bond by Peter Turny, dec'd, for acreage. Apparently payment was never successfully made for the land and Turney and heirs were sued to recover the debt. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 61 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1824 | William Higgins, et al. v. Duke Williams | Davidson | Cost Bond |
Other plaintiffs: James Higgins; William Y. Higgins; William Townsen; James Wyatt; James Lane. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1809 | William Billings, et al. v. Thomas Brown, et al. | Davidson | Land and Title Dispute |
Moses Brown, father of Josiah, Thomas & Jacob Brown, purchased 110 acres from Thomas Brown in 1792. Thomas Brown then died intestate before he settled the conveyance to Moses. Suit was filed to settle the land ownership and estate. Plaintiffs: Nancy Billings, Josiah Brown, Jacob Brown, Thomas Brown (William Billings is the guardian for Josiah, Thomas and Jacob). Defendants: Daniel Brown, his guardian James Mulherin. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1818 | William Wilson v. Charles Kagle | Davidson | Debt | Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 331 | 23 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1821 | William Temple, Duncan Robertson, exe. Liston Temple, dec. v. Noble Osbourne | Davidson | Estate Settlement |
Liston Temple was surviving partner in the firm of Temple, Gaines & Co., recovery of the amount of $98.25. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 359 | 26 | Order A Copy |