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 | 1876 | Albert Akers v. A. C. Carter | Davidson | Debt on Account |
Plaintiff sued defendant for debt due by account under $200. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 17 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. L. Stamps v. John Ashley | Coffee | Promissory Note |
The plaintiff sued the defendant on a note under seal for $1000. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 22a | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Achellis Alexander v. J. W. P. Duncan | Cannon | Trespass | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 34 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Augustin Dishough v. William J. Rainey | Giles | Trespass | Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 62 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. Kaufman v. Gustuv. Ubele et al. | Shelby | Promissory Note |
Additional Defendants: Caroline Ubele, A.R. Droescher, and Adam Danerli. Part of the case is missing. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. Hall v. W. F. Bowden & J. W. Walker | Henry | Debt |
Actual charge reads, "Debt due by note under five hundred dollars." Folder includes two briefs. |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. T. Oden v. Elizabeth B. Ellison | Davidson | Failure to Pay |
Oden sued Elliston to recover a promissory note for $3,000 due at 12 months with interest. The balance on the note remained due and unpaid. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 17 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | A. W. Bently v. Ben Bauer | Lawrence | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 20 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 56 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | B. F. Parks v. G. M. Craig | Maury | Petitions for Certiorari |
In 1875, Craig recovered an judgment against Parks for $269. This case concerns a dispute over whether or not this judgment was ever paid. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 22 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Bryant Dennis v. William J. Rainey et al. | Giles | Forcible Detainer |
Other defendants: Isaac H. Rainey and Hance H. Aymett. Dennis sued the defendants for forcible and unlawful entry and detainer onto a tract of land in Giles County. Dennis believed he was entitled to the land. Testimony of G. W. McGrew references the burning of the fence that enclosed the land in dispute by Gen. Hood's army during 1864. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 23a | 130 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Benjamin McLeskey v. Bond & Wright | Lauderdale | Debt for Wages |
Bond & Wright was a partnership comprised of S.D. Bond and W.S. Wright |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | B. Rocco v. Joseph Parczyk | Shelby | Recovery of Money/ Wages | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 224 | 56 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | B. L. McFerrin v. Ed McFerrin | Cannon | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Ed McFerrin is noted as being colored. Case concerns a contract for Ed McFerrin to farm on land owned by B. L. McFerrin and to divide up the corn crop grown on the land. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 629 | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Ben Spinx, alias Beggarly v. State | Wilson | Murder |
Spinx was accused of murdering Robert Hamilton on March 19, 1875. Spinx's lawyers claimed his confession was obtained by the "flattery of hope or the torture of fear." |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 188 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | B. Elder v. G. C. Williams | Gibson | Possession of Stolen Property | West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | B. R. Lewis v. L. H. Jernagin | Crockett | Debt Settlement |
The charge is "debt due by note under five hundred dollars." The actual amount of the debt is $51.20 plus costs. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Burress Wilmeth v. State | Hamblen | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Charged along w/ Creed Taylor, Nathan Nelson, George Croft, & Robert Wright. For disturbing worship services of the Morristown Methodist Episcopal Church South by "...Whispering, talking Laughing Scoffing Walking about making a loud noise Jesturing [sic] and other wrongs..." |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1649 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Charles E. Crockett v. State | Knox | Illegitimate Child/Bastardy |
Anna Kirk told the court in May 1875 that she was pregnant with Crockett's child. The case details that Kirk had financial means to support the child, but Crockett confessed to being the father. [Four years later Kirk filed another bastardy case against Thomas J. Donahue. The case settling his estate, & attempting to legitimate the child is in box ET 643, ET 623, ET 467.] |
East | Range: 5 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 16a | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | C. R. Woodard v. Smith & Patterson, et al. | Gibson | Debt Settlement | West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | C. S. Edwards v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company | Shelby | Damages | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | C. Speigel v. W. T. Williams | Shelby | Rent Dispute | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 70 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Charles D. McLean, Jr. v. Schoolfield, Hanner & Co, et al | Fayette | Application for Writ of Mandamus |
Additional defendants: W. T. Stone and N. H. Isbell Also named in case: James D. McLean and William L. McLean |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 75 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Charles Thomas v. A. L. Miller | Hamilton | Promissory Note |
Thomas sued Miller for non-payment of a promissory note made in 1865. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1652 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Cruze & Adney v. W. N. B. Jones | Loudon | Trespass |
John Cruze & G. W. Adney partners in firm of Cruze & Adney. Plntffs. Suing deft. For $500 damages for trespassing upon their property. Details of case unclear. |
East | Range: 205 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1652 | 30 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Calvin A. Reynolds v. Wells & Young | Giles | Debt Dispute |
Defendants were T. J. Wells & J. C. Young, partners in trade under the style Wells & Young. Plea of debt due by note under $1000. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 17 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Connell O. Donnell v. Jesse T. Merrett | Davidson | Debt |
Merrett can be spelled as Merritt. Ancillary action for attachment was initiated by Merrett. J.B. Caufield and J.T. Merrett posted the security bond. Connell O. Donnell took poor person's oath. The amount sued on was a debt for $121.22. The reason for the debt was never stated. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 26a | 17 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | C. C. Clay v. A. J. Montgomery | Shelby | Land, Sale of | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 76 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Cherry, O'Conner & Co. v. Richard C. Parr | Dyer | Debt | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 220 | 75 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | C. H. Flournoy v. Hugh Dowling, admr. of James M. Calloway, dec. | Knox | Debt, Execution on |
Calloway was indebted to Flournoy for $25, but died before case could be heard. Suit amended to make Dowling, as administrator of Calloway's estate, the defendant in case. See also J. M. Calloway, et al. v. Hugh Dowling, admr. of James M. Calloway, dec., et al., also in ET 1656. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1656 | 34 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Davis & Gilroy v. Walter Thomas | Davidson | Debt on Account |
Plea of debt due by account under $500. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 25 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Daniel Miller v. W. H. Northern | Davidson | False Imprisonment | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 46 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | D. H. Jones v. State | Marshall | Assault and Battery |
William Perry |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 43 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | D. H. Merryman, admr. v. P. M. Smith, admr. | Hardin | Estate Settlement |
The problem comes from the fact that Smith, the administrator of the J. M. Young estate died shortly before Young did, and Smith's administrator failed to follow through on Smith's obligations. |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | D. S. Ezzell & Co. v. D. H. Stephens | Carroll | Breach of Contract |
Also named: Jonathan C. Ezzell |
West | Range: 83 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 213 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | D. A. Kimbro v. F. F. Forville | Bedford | Property Settlement | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 44 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | E. W. Jones v. A. F. Whitman, admr. of E. M. Ryan, dec. | Davidson | Property Settlement | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 40 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Elizabeth Wright v. David Campbell | Shelby | Loan | West | Range: 83 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 224 | 117 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad Co. v. A. W. Rose, admr. | Knox | Damages |
In 1876 Daniel Henderson was run over and killed by a train owned and operated by the plaintiff in error. Defendant in error brought suit seeking damages for negligence. Additional documents located in ET 1651. |
East | Range: 9 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1092 | 58 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | E. A. Cate v. State | McMinn | Larceny |
Cover lists name as "A. E. Cate" but it is "E. A. Cate" throughout the rest of the case materials. For breaking into the house of J. F. Partain and stealing various items. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1649 | 19 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Ed C. Doyle v. Eliza Dix | Davidson | Divorce |
Named plaintiff is brother-in-law of Leonara Dix, step- child of Eliza Dix. Doyle is responding on behalf of Leonara to Eliza Dix's cross-complaint against her in this divorce case. Eliza Dix claimed that John Dix fraudulently conveyed a tract of land and some railroad & steamship stocks days before their marriage on Oct. 23, 1875. The ct. was asked to attach this fraudulently conveyed property & issue an injunction. Dix claimed it was property acqr. by her efforts living as his wife prior to marriage. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 29 | 135 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Edward Clark v. Thomas B. Murray | Davidson | Debt Dispute | Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 42 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | E. T. Transon v. R. D. , et al. | Gibson | Debt Settlement |
Other defendants: O.G. Fitzgerald, W.B. House, W.N. Dodson. |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 36 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Edmonds, Pettigrew & Co. (C. W. Edmonds, J. M Pettigrew) v. A. G. Fuller & Co. (A. G. Fuller, Smith H. Holland)& Witcher Jones | Shelby | Attachment |
Defendants are tobacco merchants in Virginia. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 80 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Elias Sisk v. Isaac Butler, et al. | Jefferson | Trespass |
Defendants: Isaac Butler, Jefferson Denton, Isaac Templin, & G. G. McGaha. Change of venue. Plea for damages, $500.00, evidently same charge as previous case- theft of oxen, red heifer, total $90.00. A separate action filed in Cocke Co. Circuit Court, 1869. See also ET 1212. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 88 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | East Tennessee, Virginia, & Georgia Railroad Company v. C. A. Williams, C. D. Williams, partners in firm of C. A. Williams & Son | Greene | Petitions for Certiorari |
Petition for certiorari. Relative to several judgements by local justice in 24 June 1859 against plaintiff, $104.43. Mentions payment for services by John Keys, Sec. & Treas., ETV&G RR, in Confederate currency, Aug. 1862, and refusal to accept CSA bank notes. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1636 | 50 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Emory Iron & Coal Mining Company for use of E. P. Bailey, Trustee v. Josiah J. Bryan, et al. | Hamilton | Damages |
Defendants: Josiah J. Bryan, T. J. Lattner. Damages of $1,200.00. Case relates to court ordered attachment of reel of wire rope valued at $800.00 made 23 April 1869 owned by E. P. Bailey. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1636 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Fergusen, Griffin & Gleaves v. Northern & Howell | Davidson | Debt on Account |
In 1873 the defendants formed a co-partnership as lumber dealers in Nashville. Six months later the partnership ended. Howell continued selling lumber and in 1876 sold and delivered to plaintiffs lumber costing $224.96. Howell claimed that this was still unpaid. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 29a | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Frank Johnson v. State | Davidson | Murder | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | First National Bank of Fayetteville v. D. W. Clark | Lincoln | Debt Settlement | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | F. W. Royster v. Thomas W. Lake | Shelby | Damages |
Additional parties: Levi Darnall. |
West | Range: 84 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 31 | 0 | Order A Copy |