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 | 1880 | B. F. Roberts v. Harry Chrisman | Williamson | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | Middle | Range: 34 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 662 | 53 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1922 | Ben Allen Eslick v. State | Giles | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The plaintiff is appealing his conviction of obstructing a public road. He was charged with this as a result of leaving a wagon across the Pulaski and Brick Church Turnpike. |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 400 | 64 | 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 | 1897 | City of Selmer v. P. H. Thrasher | McNairy | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The defendant is charged with unlawful fencing up and obstructing a certain city street |
West | Range: 82 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 479 | 27 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1920 | Corimer Shotwell v. State | Shelby | Disturbance of Public Worship | Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 393 | 40 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1879 | Duncan Knox v. State | Knox | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
For building a fence across a public road six miles outside Knoxville & running east from a trestle of the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad on the Knoxville-Jacksboro Road. |
East | Range: 19 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 1685 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1877 | Ezekiel Cleveland v. State | Bradley | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Ezekiel Cleveland was charged with obstructing a public road. He built his personal fence across the road in question. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1600 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1878 | George Ford v. State | Anderson | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The plaintiff in error was accused of obstructing travel by building a fence across a public road. Exhibit materials include a hand-drawn plat map depicting the properties of the plaintiff, George Taylor, and P. and L. Hatmaker. Said lands lie near the Clinch River. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1645 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1867 | Holland Osburn [Osborn/Osborne] v. State | Knox | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Holland Osburn [Osborn/Osborne] is charged with obstructing a public road. See also State v. Holland Osborn, et al., Knox County, 1867 [ET 1222] & State v. Holland Osborne, Knox County, 1868 [ET 1189]. |
East | Range: 9 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1219 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | J. D. King v. State | Washington | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Final Decision/Order only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 68 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1854 | John Bales Sr. v. Rachel Dariox | Jefferson | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Dariox erected large, high fence in & across (& obstructing) road alleged to be 2nd or 3rd class public road, used by wagon carts/other vehicles, men on horseback & foot. Testimony re: use of the road, including that there was considerable settlement along Bays Mountain on both sides & they used road. Road also used by those going to Methodist & Quaker Meetinghouses. Daniel Spears said Dariox wanted to shut the road after death of her husband (who built road in first place as way to get to his mill). |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1164 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1874 | Joseph Hoge v. State | Rhea | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Plaintiff in error is accused of disturbing worship at a public schoolhouse with laughter, loud talking and other disruptive behavior. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1601 | 9 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1881 | John Lewallen v. State | Knox | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
"The indictment charge the defendant with obstructing a public road laid out and established by the county court." |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 98 | 6 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1868 | James Campbell v. State | Knox | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Campbell is accused of building a fence over a public road. Campbell claims that he previously owned the land that the fence was built on but no longer does. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1191 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1872 | J. H. Hall v. State | Polk | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Final judgment only. Hall sued state for obstruction to the public road. Court ruled against Hall and fined him $10. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1212 | 2 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | John Hutchinson, in error v. State | Union | Disturbance of Public Worship |
In a previous case Plaintiff in error was convicted of disturbing public worship. Plaintiff in error filed this claim as an appeal. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1647 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1917 | Morgan County v. Martha Goans | Morgan | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 74 | 3 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1861 | Nathaniel Bowman v. State | Hawkins | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
For removing some rails & changing a switch on the Rogersville & Jefferson Railroad. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1193 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1894 | R. L. Fly, Road Commissioner v. W. H. Burkett | Williamson | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Plaintiff as Road Commissioner sued the defendant for obstructing a public road. Defendant argued that the plaintiff did not have the power to bring suit and the original case was dismissed. The nature of the obstruction is unclear. |
Middle | Range: 36 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1031 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1926 | R. L. Gardner v. C. H. Quinn et al. | Hamilton | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Opinion only. |
East | Range: 5 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 94 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1892 | Robert Kittrell v. State | Rhea | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The plaintiff was charged with building a fence across a public road. |
East | Range: 19 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1729 | 41 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. George Massey | Putnam | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Defendant was accused of disturbing public worship by noise, profanity, and indecent behavior. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1881 | State v. James Wright | Sumner | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Additional parties: William Branham also known as "Buck" Branham, James Branham, and G. Wright. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 62 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1916 | State v. Floid Laycock | Jackson | Disturbance of Public Worship | Middle | Range: 21 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 85 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Louis Trout et al. | Haywood | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Additional Defendants: Abe Newhouse & George Vaughan. Defendants indicted for placing a truck car on railroad tracks. Train belonging to the Louisville & Nashville R. R. seriously damaged when it struck the car. Possibly an act of retaliation for insults suffered by Charley Trout of VA while traveling on the train. |
West | Range: 84 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 161 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1872 | State v. Charles Durham, et al. | Houston | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Additional Defendants: Charlie Madden, Tom R., and B. Brown. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 340 | 5 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1849 | State v. Charles Anderson | Jackson | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | Middle | Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 382 | 8 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1885 | State v. Chesapeake, Ohio,& Southwestern Railroad Company | Dyer | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 279 | 12 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1884 | State v. A. Fields | Obion | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 83 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 284 | 14 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1853 | State v. Red River Turnpike Company | Sumner | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | Middle | Range: 33 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 421 | 15 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. James Cooper | Claiborne | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Title page only |
East | Range: 18 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 1994 | 1 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1889 | State v. Sam F. Status | Weakley | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 83 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 325 | 63 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Thomas Daulton, W. H. Hatley, & Bill Shearley | Benton | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 83 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 430 | 10 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1883 | State v. N. S. Ward and E. A. Ward, alias Brown Ward | Lincoln | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The State charged the Wards with obstructing a public highway leading from Ridge Road to Tucker's Creek Road by putting rails across the road. Exhibit is a small hand-drawn map of the area of road that was obstructed and the surrounding properties. |
Middle | Range: 37 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1145 | 65 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1890 | State v. James Cartwright& Thomas King | Gibson | Disturbance of Public Worship | West | Range: 82 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 550 | 38 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1890 | Sam Stout v. State | Weakley | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Sam Stout is charged with building a fence on a public road to intentionally and unlawfully block that road. The said road is located in Weakley County. |
West | Range: 82 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 564 | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1899 | Stovall v. State | Obion | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Case incomplete. |
West | Range: 82 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 676 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1903 | S. W. Karnes v. State | Weakley | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | West | Range: 82 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 720 | 18 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1858 | State v. Isham Gilliam | Marion | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Defendant's name also spelled Gillum. |
East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 753 | 40 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1934 | State v. John Murr | Greene | Disturbance of Public Worship | East | Range: 7 Section: J Shelf: Box Number: 767 | 14 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1885 | State v. Charles Jennings | Maury | Disturbance of Public Worship | Middle | Range: 34 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 563 | 142 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1870 | State v. James Townsell | Sevier | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Opinion only. It quotes state law on the definition of disturbing a worship service. Also contains references to English law. Townsell charged with disturbing a Baptist congregation by cursing, making a loud noise, laughing, throwing dirt, and being drunk. Judgment was quashed. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 814 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1935 | State v. T. J. Elliott | Washington | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | East | Range: 8 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 874 | 185 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1885 | State v. Charles Seward | Roane | Disturbance of Public Worship | Middle | Range: 34 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 593 | 6 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1886 | State v. C. B. "Charly" Wright, Jr. & Buddie Burrow | Macon | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Charged with disturbing the service of Ebenezer Church. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 671 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. J. M. Brothers | Rutherford | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way | Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 696 | 22 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1880 | State v. Lewis Trost & Abe Newhouse | Haywood | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Incomplete case file. Judgment only. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1241 | 4 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1911 | State v. R. B. Marshall | Obion | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
Exhibits include diagram. |
West | Range: 80 Section: H Shelf: Box Number: 1259 | 120 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1887 | State v. Doad Garner | Franklin | Obstructing a Public Road/Road/Right of Way |
The State is arguing that Doad Garner unlawfully and willfully obstructed a public road leading from Sinking Cove and Crow Creek Road to Sherwood by locking gates across the road. |
Middle | Range: 34 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 721 | 54 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1846 | State v. John H. Cockreham | Hawkins | Disturbance of Public Worship |
Defendant accused of interrupting a congregation of Methodists assembled to worship by "talking, cussing and swearing with a loud voice" and so disturbing public worship, said disturbance to be "against good morals" & "in contempt of religion." Transcript notes that one potential witness, William King, was "objected to as incompetent being of mixed blood." Also, judge told jury all that was necessary to constitute a disturbance was that 1 individual be disturbed, not entire congregation. |
East | Range: 9 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1127 | 42 | Order A Copy |