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 | 1895 | Aetna Insurance Company v. William Tucker | Lauderdale | Debt |
Debt for $1999.99 principal on an insurance policy. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 626 | 72 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Alice Johnson v. Vincent C. Russell | Shelby | Damages |
The plaintiff sued on the basis of being unlawfully imprisoned for "malicious mischief." |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 653 | 55 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Annie Lee Mathews v. John P. Mathews | Lincoln | Petition for Divorce |
Plaintiff, Annie Mathews, sued for divorce from the defendant, John Mathews, charging him with "ill treatment, adultery with one Lizzie Hatcher, col.," and frequent accusations against her of infidelity. The case discusses the character and occupation of Lizzie Hatcher as a prostitute and the nature of the defendant's relationship with her. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1081 | 45 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Annie Hill, admr. of R. H. Hill, dec. v. F. E. Hulme | Williamson | Debt |
Plaintiff brought suit as admr. of the estate of R. H. Hill to collect payment on a note for $100 made by the defendant. Defendant argued that the note was given as payment for a jack which was later found to be useless. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1033 | 41 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Austin Tindell v. State | Knox | Misdemeanor |
Austin Tindell allegedly had an altercation with L.M. Murphy and his son, W.B. Murphy, on the Pike (close to Knoxville), whereas Tindell ran into the victims with hiw horse and threatened them. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 100 | 40 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Alex Fowler v. Walter Goodman & W. D. Galbreath | Shelby | Damages |
Damages for $2,000.00 for unlawfully with force and arms entering the house. Cover page missing. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 601 | 96 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Abbie Hurley v. R. E. McKinney, trustee, et al.. | McNairy | Debt |
Additional defendants: A. B. Hamm, admr. of J. R. Hurley, dec.; T. J. Hurley, Sr.; G. W. Hurley Sr., L. A. Hurley, William & Rebecca Moss, B. W. & Josie Passinger, J. W. T. & Ellen Derryberry, John & Lizzie Hamm, William & Lydia Springer. J. R. Hurley, dec. borrowed $1,400 for which a deed of trust was given. Two folders. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 623 | 525 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | August Schacht v. Illinois Central Railroad Co. | Shelby | Debt |
The debt involved the failure of the railroad to deliver some personal goods owned by the plaintiff. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 629 | 112 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | A. J. McLendon v. J. M. Horton | Shelby | Damages |
The damages involved the burning of a cotton gin building owned by Horton. McLendion was sheriff of Shelby County at the time. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 631 | 186 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Anna Hadaway v. John Hadaway | Madison | Scire Facias | West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 645 | 25 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Adeline Vaulx, Jane Ewing, and Joseph Stewart v. Mayor & City Council of Nashville | Davidson | Damages |
Pltfs. sued to recover damages and have sewer work re-done after a lateral sewer was attached to the main line at an angle that prevented water from flowing into the main line, and backing up, causing flooding on the pltfs.' properties. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1035 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Benjamin Pearson by his next friend, Monroe Pearson v. Louisville & Nashville Rail Road Co. | Gibson | Damages | West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 626 | 84 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | B. Lowenstein & Brothers v. Blum Brothers | Shelby | Recovery of Land/Property |
Firm of B. Lowenstein & Bros.: A. L. Bernard; Elias Lowenstein. Firm of Blum Bros.: Isaac, Gabriel, & Ralph Blum. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 636 | 153 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Bettie P. Franklin, exe. James Franklin, dec. v. Bessie F. Reed & husband | Sumner | Wills, Contested |
James Franklin of Gallatin died 1891. Bessie Reed and husband petitioned the court claiming that J. Franklin's will (her father) was "executed when he was neither of sound mind or disposing memory" and "was illegally, improperly, and unduly influenced". The first cases in 1893 resulted in mistrials. In 1894 a final trial sided with the def. James Franklin owned "Kennesaw" a 300 acre horse farm. The large case contains rich historical details as told through 87 personal testimonies. Includes summaries. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1052 | 485 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Brownlow, Hunley & William James v. State | Claiborne | Larceny |
First page of case only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 210 | 1 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Bank of Shelby v. J. F. Holst & Bro., et al. | Shelby | Recovery |
Additional defendants: John A. Powel, E. L. Damp, and George L. Powel. Recovery of $249.03 |
West | Range: 82 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 542 | 46 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | B. B. Barksdale av. R. R. Reasonover | Shelby | Debt |
Reasonover originally sued Barksdale for balance on $60 note for sorrel mule. Barksdale, an African-American, worked mule for 4 days on trial, then returned it to R. N. Reasonover, finding it unsatisfactory. R. N. Reasonover sold mule to father, R. R. Reasonover, as it was too expensive to keep. R. R. Reasonover brought suit to collect balance on mule. Barksdale maintained he never signed a note & agreement was that he would pay only if mule proved satisfactory, which it had not. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 30 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Bob Hunter v. State | Madison | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 82 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Bluff City Cotton Mills v. Thomas Hyde | Shelby | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Defendant sought damages based on a contract the plaintiff denied ever existed. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 629 | 50 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Brush Electric Light & Power Co. v. R. Weinhold | Shelby | Damages |
The defendant, an electrician for the plaintiff, was injured on the job. First few pages are missing. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 651 | 129 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Ben Leavell v. State | Montgomery | Rape |
Plaintiff in error was accused of rape and having intercourse with a female under the age of sixteen. Plaintiff admitted to a relationship with Mary Moore but stated the intercourse was consensual. Casefile notes Moore lived with her mother and father in district 3 of Montgomery County. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1030 | 48 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Bullard and Rich v. The C. N. O. and P. Ry. Co. | Morgan | Breach of Contract |
The parties entered into a contract for carrying freight on the railway. The plaintiff was suing the railway for breach of contract charging that the railway did not transfer or ship property as agreed upon by the contract. |
East | Range: 19 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1712 | 78 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Ceney Patterson v. The Sun Life Insurance Company of America | Davidson | Insurance Claims and Policies |
Ceney Patterson sued and claimed she had taken out a life insurance policy on her brother Eddie Patterson, with her as the beneficiary. Eddie passed away in January, 1895. Sun Life claimed that the policy applications was never completed, so they denied the claim. They also claimed that the plaintiff did not represent correctly how sick Eddie was at the time application was made for the policy. |
Middle | Range: 37 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1095 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | City of Memphis v. John Palmer | Shelby | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
The defendant was also charged with vagrancy. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 651 | 62 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | City of Memphis v. Allen Bing | Shelby | Other |
Cause of action: running a laundry without a license |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 634 | 30 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Connell, Green & Company v. M. W. Wire | Macon | Garnishment |
In 1893, the plaintiff company obtained a judgment against L. W. Freeman for $639.31 and court costs. Freeman did not hold property on which to levy the executed of the judgment so the defendant in this case, M. W. Wires, was garnished and judgment was rendered against him for $326.45. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1068 | 73 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Cornelius H. Willard v. Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company | Montgomery | Injury |
Plaintiff, Cornelious Wilard, sued for $1975 for personal injury to his hip and ribs resulting from a train's cross beam striking him as he atttempted to jump of the tracks to escape the oncoming train within the city limits of Clarksville. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1047 | 55 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Charles DeMartini, Mary DeMartini v. H. Abrams | Davidson | Damages |
The plaintiffs sued the defendant for "debt by damage" under $500 for "carrying off lumber" on the premises at North Cherry Street in Nashville. |
Middle | Range: 37 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1097 | 9 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | C. D. Bailey v. H. T. and Wesley Drane, exe. of Walter H. Drane et al. | Montgomery | Tax Collection |
Additional Defendants: Wesley Drane, Mrs. Bettie W. Drane, Miss Rosa F. Drane, William M. Drane, Walter D. Martin, Fidelity Trust and Safety Vault Co., Louisville Trust Co., Woody Keesee, Mrs. Eliza K. Woodridge,and Ed Drane. Plaintiff sued the defendants for a proper accounting of the estate of Walter H. Drane, deceased and payment of the taxes due on estate. Bailey, as a clerk of the state, requested a lien be enforced if necessary. |
Middle | Range: 37 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1097 | 25 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | C. P. Pipkins v. State | Haywood | Larceny |
The defendant is accused of stealing meat. |
West | Range: 82 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 520 | 164 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph Company v. G. S. Poston & F. P. Poston, admrs. of Mattie M. Poston | Shelby | Damages | West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 601 | 98 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Citizens' Street Railway Co. v. Henry S. Peppin, by next friend | Shelby | Damages |
Henry S. Peppin sued railway company by next friend and father Arthur Peppin for $20,000 damages. Company charged with negligent operation. On 25 July 1890 defendant, then 17 mos. old, was struck & seriously injured by one of the company's cars while playing in the street. One of his legs so badly crushed as to cause permanent disability. Railway accused parents of negligence in allowing such a small child to play in the street unsupervised. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 637 | 225 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | C. O. Force for use of V. Campbell v. Alex Baker | Lauderdale | Debt |
Debt was for rent on land. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 645 | 14 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Citizens Bank of Dyer County v. Neil & Shoffner, et al. | Dyer | Debt |
Co-Defendant: J. F. Lavender. Charge as noted is "Debt due by protested draft under five hundred dollars." |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 632 | 52 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | C. T. Wyatt v. Illinois Central Railroad Company | Madison | Personal Injuries | West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 634 | 102 | Order A Copy | |
View Entry | 1895 | Clarksville & Russellville Turnpike Co. v. T. N. Randle | Montgomery | Debt |
Pltfs. charged dfnt. with not paying tolls. Six times the dfnt. passed the second gate on the Red River Pike owned by the pltf. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1043 | 24 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | C. D. Kiger v. State | Rutherford | Murder |
Plaintiff in error was accused of murdering W. B. Smith (aka Buck) by stabbing him with a knife. Plaintiff was indebted to Smith and angry that Smith had been talking badly about him. Smith owned a store located on the east side of the public square in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and had a wife (Kate Smith) and two children. 2 folders. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1030 | 125 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Dan Penn (col.), in error v. State, in error | Sumner | Burglary and Larceny |
Dan Penn "colored" was charged with breaking and entering the mansion home of Ed. F. Seay who resided on S. Water Street in Gallatin. Penn was also charged with stealing a pistol and other goods when he was found with the pistol by the Marshall. Dan Penn denied all charges |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1083 | 25 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Dennis Whitley v. William Lurry | Shelby | Petitions for Certiorari |
Whitley claims Lurry failed to appear in an appeal of a decision rendered by a justice of the peace. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 596 | 112 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | D. W. Fields v. Michael Sullivan et al | Shelby | Other |
Additional Defendants: John Colbert, N. S. Presley, Walter Burke, Charles Gallina & George Battier. All defendants Memphis policemen. Field, an African-American dentist, sued on grounds that he was unlawfully detained by them as he walked behind his family's buggy when they returned home from a church festival. There wasn't enough room in buggy for him. Defendants maintained that their actions were justified as Field's behavior seemed suspicious. They could not see the buggy's occupants. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 51 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | D. L. Brown v. J. C. Foster | DeKalb | Promissory Note |
Plaintiff, D. L. Brown, sued for payment on a debt due by note, which the defendant, J. C. Foster, issued to Brown for the purchase of a soda fountain from the plaintiff. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1059 | 22 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | E. G. Robinson Transfer Co. v. George R. Bland | Shelby | Breach of Contract |
Bland was employed by plaintiff from ca. 1890 to 1894. Salary originally $100 a month, reduced to $75 in 1892 on grounds that the business was doing poorly. Bland discharged in March 1894 as business worsened. Sued for $352.40 in back salary, maintained his contract with plaintiff stipulated more advance notice prior to dismissal. Plaintiff maintained Bland was paid by the month & there was never a contract. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | E. M. Weems v. Chism Churchill & Co. | Shelby | Debt |
Weems was accused of failing to pay a $200 debt and then absconding. |
West | Range: 82 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 629 | 66 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | E. H. Puryer v. J. C. Broach | Benton | Contract Dispute and Damages |
Pyryer was accused of failing to comply with a contract made with Broach to furnish money to the latter to buy tobacco. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 651 | 10 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | E. Mullins v. J. T. Ellis | Shelby | Election Dispute |
Contested election for Justice of the Peace, 7th Civil District. |
West | Range: 82 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 636 | 145 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Elizabeth J. Lemons v. The United Electric Railway Co. | Davidson | Damages |
Pltf. sued after she was injured (broken bones) when trying to exit (at Broad & McNairy Sts.) a street car owned and operated by dfnt |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1040 | 150 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Easter Summers (col.) next of friend for Montgomery Summers, col., v. Louisville and Nashville Railroad Co. | Houston | Injury and Damages |
Plaintiff, Easter Summers, sued on behalf of Montgomery Summers, for $1999 in damages for injury caused while Montgomery was on the defendant's train to the gravel pit near Brunswick in Shelby County where he worked. The plaintiff claimed the train ran too fast on a defective track causing several cars, including the one containing Montgomery Summers, to derail. Montgomery is referred to as an "infant" but testifies at trial and works at a gravel pit. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1049 | 57 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Elizabeth Meredith v. Lawrence County Lumber Company | Lawrence | Damages |
Plaintiff sued the defendant for $5000 for injuries resulting in death that her husband, F. P. Meredith sustained while employed at one of their mills. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1064 | 83 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Equitable Fire Insurance Co. v. R. D. Lansden | Carroll | Debt |
Debt for unpaid insurance premium. |
West | Range: 82 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 599 | 61 | Order A Copy |
View Entry | 1895 | Emaline Doyle v. L. Hadley Williams | Davidson | Injury and Damages |
Plaintiff, Emaline Doyle col., sued defendant for $5000 in damages for assaulting her when she attempted to retrieve her daughter's clothes from his house where her daughter had previously worked. Doyle claimed that Williams threatened to kill her daughter and beat her with a plank in front of a little girl, Emaline Brown, that accompanied her. Her injuries required surgery on her head to reduce "fits" from bone fragments and she was unable to work. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1069 | 39 | Order A Copy |