Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
View Entry 1845 Eli King, William Gallion & wife, Jane Gallion,& others v. Elisha Sharpe Bradley Slaves, Ownership of

Complicated argument over the disposition of the slaves of John King whose will was dated 1798. Some involved: Robert and Margaret King Burk,William and Mary Ann King Campbell, Patrick and Jennett King Burns, William King, Adam Meek, Elisha Sharpe, Abel Morgan, and numerous others. It was said Sharpe concealed the negroes and refused to disclose their location. Slaves: Nan, her daughter Amy, and Amy children Phillip, Betsey and Nancy; Peate, Abb, and Sam.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1128 26 Order A Copy
View Entry 1860 Fanny, Ben & Jane, persons of color, by their next friend Thomas J. Cate v. James Underwood & Joseph Newman Jefferson Slaves, Ownership of

Isaac Newman died shortly after making his will in 1832. Upon his death, his slaves aged over 25 years were to be freed. Fanny was among those; Ben and Jane were her children born long after she had been emancipated. The younger slaves were to serve Isaac's children and grandchildren until they (slaves) were 25 years old. They were to be taught to read and should not be transferred out of the family.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 83 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 Flora L. Ewing v. Joseph Thompson et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Nicholas Cheatham, Edmond Cheatham, and William Little. Plaintiff is a minor and Milton Wheat is her legal guardian. Plaintiff sued for ownership of her deceased father's slaves.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 259 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Gideon Morgan, admr. of Betsey Walker, dec. v. John L. McCarty, exe. of John Walker, Jr., dec. Monroe Slaves, Ownership of

Betsey (Elizabeth) & son John Walker, Jr. were native Cherokees. Betsey owned 2 slaves: Isaac & Molly. She incurred debt & sold them to John so they couldn't be sold for her debt. John died, then Betsey. McCarty sued & secured slaves but they escaped (helped by Robert T. Hanks & McElrath, Morgan's sons-in-law). Same case as John L. McCarty, ex. of John Walker Jr., dec. v. Gideon Morgan, admr. of Betty Walker, dec. (1842, circuit court, Bradley County) in ET 1169.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1129 51 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 Henry A. Farnsworth v. Thomas D. Arnold & Betsy D. Davis Greene Slaves, Ownership of East Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 79 59 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 Harriet E. Robinson & husband, Peter Robinson, Richard K. Harrison & wife Rebecca E. Harrison, et al.v. Robert S. Stuart, Nathaniel G. Burgys, Louisa Ann Grant & husband William Grant et al Bradley Slaves, Ownership of

Add. Pla.: Bolen & Burrell Smith, Thomas McDonough King, infant son of Arminta A. & O.P. King. Pla. from Dallas & Autauga Counties in Alabama. Add. Defs: Emily & Josephine Carter, minors from AL. Jeremiah Smith of AL died, leaving estate of land & negroes. Under will & per AL court order, 7 negroes went to Jeremiah's daughter Lerena Ansley, wife of Wm. When Lerena died w/o children, Wm took negroes to TN, then to AK, where he died & left them to then wife Def. Louisa. Pla. (Lerrena's sibs) sued.

 East Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 174 Order A Copy
View Entry 1871 Horace Foster v. William M. Steel, James A. Steel & B. L. Warren Blount Slaves, Ownership of

Foster got judgment against Steels & L. B. Saffell, satisfying same by sale of negro girl Harriet (as property of Wm M. Steel), but Wm's father-in-law Warren claimed he purchased her from Steel years ago, a claim Foster alleges is fraudulent. Other people/places mentioned: Louisville Merchandisery, where Steels & Warren were allegedly dba partners, when there was a "personal blow-up."

 East Range: 9 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1247 59 Order A Copy
View Entry 1843 Henry White v. George D. Crosthwait et al. Rutherford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendant: George W. Becton. Concerns the disputed ownership of a female slave.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 176 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1834 Henry Hynson& Susan Hynson v. Joseph Davis Greene Slaves, Ownership of

Case incomplete; record only.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 102 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1847 Henry Farnsworth v. James Dinsmore, James Pearce & wife Rachel,& other heirs of Samuel Samuel Dinsmore, Sr. [John & Betsy McAlpin, Harry & Sally King, Thomas & Lavinia Davis, Adam Dinsmore & Leander Dinsmore] Greene Slaves, Ownership of

Farnsworth requests injunction from removing the slaves of Samuel Dinsmore, Sr. beyond the jurisdiction of the court. Sheriffs of Greene, Sullivan & Rhea Counties to take slaves into their possession until merits of case are investigated. Slaves: Fanny & children: Harriet, Hannah, Lorinda, Adeline, Jesse, Amanda, Augustin, Caroline & Rynda.

 East Range: 9 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 1120 35 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 John et al. v. John G. Graves Wilson Slaves, Ownership of

Additional plaintiffs - Andrew, Charity child Cina and Isaac - additional defendants - Zedekiah Tate, Sally Ward and John Baker the plaintiffs were all slaves who in the will of their Master Ignatious Jones were to be freed from in servitude, but the defendants did not set them free

 Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 221 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 John W. Raglan v. Martha Jane Kirby, et al. Jackson Slaves, Ownership of

Additional defendants: Henry W. Kirby

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 256 72 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 John B. Hamilton v. Anthony L. Pillow& William Gallaway Maury Slaves, Ownership of

Case revolved around a debt dispute over a slave.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 261 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 J. B. Stephenson v. W. H. Childress et al. Lawrence Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Boker White, W. P. Lick, W.C. Stephenson, and William Davis. Case involved an ownership dispute over a slave named "Dolly."

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 259 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1858 Joseph Ingram, et al. v. Henry Smith, et al. Wilson Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Plaintiffs: William Ingram, Maria Fellows, Isaac Conner, Elizabeth Conner, G. W. Sherry, Delilah Sherry, Jonathan L. Skelton, Polly Skelton, Samuel Ingram, James Ingram, Minerva Ingram, Shadrack and Polly Ingram and their children. Additional Defs: Alfred McClain, Joseph Smith, Dr. J. M. Smith. Slaves: Daniel, Hasty, Jacob, Jane, Paralee[?], Houston, Leonidas, Hannah, Harriet, John, and Toby- all descendant of Hasty. Plaintiffs claim ownership as stated in Will of Samuel Deloach. 2 folders.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 3 213 Order A Copy
View Entry 1861 John Sheilds & Hester A. Sheilds v. Wesly A. Phipps, et al. Hawkins Slaves, Ownership of

Additional defendants: Sarah Jane Phipps and Edward E. Sheilds. Hester Sheilds sued defendants for rights of ownership of a slave woman named Emeline and her children. Hester had given Erneline to her father, William Phipps, to care for him until his death. William had willed her to Wesly and given some of Emeline's children to other defendants. Wesly A. Phipps refused to return Emeline to Hester. Court ruled in defendants' favor.

 East Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1206 78 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 John M. Knight v. William Nichol Davidson Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 236 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 James H. Estill v. Thomas Howard Franklin Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 246 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1869 John S. Martin v. James W. McHenry & James T. Quarles Overton Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 274 44 Order A Copy
View Entry 1874 John F. Anderson v. B. & B. J. Elliott, admrs. Franklin Slaves, Ownership of

In 1857 Anderson purchased three enslaved people from Solomon Gover. Gover died, John Holden was appt'ed admr., & the note Anderson issued Gover for the sale was still not paid. Benjamin Elliott married Gover's widow & they filed a claim stating they owned one of the enslaved, Lewis, offering a credit on Anderson's note for $1000. Before the transaction could be settled, General Buell's Army took Lewis away. No credit was placed on the debt. Suit filed to settle the liability of debt.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 6a 88 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 James I. Norvell v. John Fletcher, et al. Claiborne Slaves, Ownership of

Norvell leased several enslaved people from Fletcher, who resided in Kentucky and then refused to return them or to pay for them. The enslaved are not named. Mentioned: Edward Fletcher, Thomas J. Covington, Lewis T. Clements, Joseph Eve, Thomas C. Norvell, Joseph Ferrill.

 East Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 20a 14 Order A Copy
View Entry 1844 Joseph M. Robb et al. v. William Hallum et al. Wilson Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Complainant: Martha H. Robb. Additional Defendants: Martha H. Hallum, James D. White, administrator of Samuel Calhoun. Listed as "Enrolled in Book 3. Pages 652 to 671."

 Middle Range: 21 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 176 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1856 James L. Scudder v. George Kimbro Bedford Slaves, Ownership of Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 259 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1857 James H. Graham v. Thomas Williams, et al. Bedford Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Joseph Owens and Robert Williams. Debt dispute over the ownership of a slave.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 251 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1855 John Peterson& Andrew Peterson, et al. v. William Richardson, admr. of Joseph Peterson, et al. Campbell Slaves, Ownership of

Additional Defendants: Robert Morrow, admr. of Calvin Peterson, and William Slocat, admr. of William Peterson. Case file is incomplete; brief only.

 East Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 93 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1853 Jubal E. Calloway v. Elizabeth Adams et al. Giles Slaves, Ownership of

Additional defendants: William Wilkinson. Nancy F. Adams (dec.), was wife of plaintiff and daughter of defendant. Defendant owned a slave boy of 4 yrs. old named Dick or Richard and after Nancy F. Adams died gifted the slave boy to plaintiff. The gift was a verbal agreement in 1826. In 1848, the plaintiff managed to get possession of the slave and sold him to Allen Y. Wilkinson or his son William Wilkinson. Slave then became possession of Letitia Wilkinson, widow of W. Wilkinson and was worth $900.

 Middle Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: Oversize 4 99 Order A Copy
View Entry 1854 Jubal Dixson v. Gilliam H. Shelton Bledsoe Slaves, Ownership of

Complainant borrowed money from defendant to purchase a negro woman, Doeia[?], and claimed that after he paid defendant the agreed upon amount, defendant would not give him the negro woman. Also see ET 1140 for same parties.

 East Range: 7 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 704 35 Order A Copy
View Entry 1846 Joseph Headrick on behalf of William& Dorcas Ann Baldridge (minors) v. Stephen Huff et al. Jefferson Slaves, Ownership of

Dorcas Ann and Wm Baldridge are the minor children of Francis Daldridge, deceased. In his will he ordered that two Negros named Monday and Jo to be hired out while his children were minors and the proceeds should go to their education. This did not happen Francis Daldridge's father in law & brother in law took the slaves themselves and used them to pay a debt. Headrick brought this case to show they were to be used to pay for children's education. Other surnames Rogers, Edgar. Historical point (slavery)

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1125 32 Order A Copy
View Entry 1845 James Norville [Norvell?] v. John Fletcher et al. Claiborne Slaves, Ownership of

Add. Defs: Ambrose Arthur, Joseph Eve, Joseph Ferrell, Thomas C. Norville. James' grandma Mary Norville conveyed slaves to him, but his brother Thos & sister Polly Moon (& brother-in-law Mathew Moon) claimed transfer was in trust for all grandchildren. Claim compromised but in meantime Jas. had conveyed slaves via mortgage to Fletcher. Dispute arose over that conveyance. May be same as/related to 14-pg case found in ET Box 20: James I. Norvell v. John Fletcher et al. Slaves named in transcript.

 East Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1127 519 Order A Copy

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