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 | 1860 | Andrew J. Rhea v. Andrew Bradford | Greene | Other |
Bradford levied upon and hauled away a windmill and wagon hidden at the home of Jacob Feezel [?]. Feezel went into hiding to avoid resulting debts. Also involved: James Brannon, Rhea Hennegar, James Shaw, Includes itemized auction sales. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1204 | 51 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | G. Lea Price v. State | Grainger | Other |
Price went into Thomas H. Creed's grocery and tried to pay with specie from the New Orleans Canal and Banking Company. Charge: passing counterfeit money. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 49 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | George H. Cheek v. State | Carter | Counterfeiting |
Plaintiff indicted for passing counterfeit money. On 1 May 1845 he purchased a slave named Vina from Samuel B. Patterson for $500, paying with bank notes on the Southwestern Railroad Bank. Bank notes were counterfeit. Cheek also used alias of John Thomas. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1174 | 100 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Henry Hale v. State | Sullivan | Forgery |
Hale was indicted for forging a purchase order for two shirts at the store owned by William Taylor & David Pile. Purchase order was purportedly from Mc J. Gallaher. See related documents in box ET 1207. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | H. Armstrong, et al. v. State | Coffee | Assault and Battery |
Victim was dragged from his bed by a lynch mob and was whipped and flogged. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | H. P. Gault v. Joseph Humphreys | Knox | Forcible Entry |
Humphreys accused Howell Parke [Parker?] Gault of forced entry into a part of his land. Gault claimed the land belonged to him. Also involved: Levi McCloud, Milly Mynatt. One oversize page included. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1174 | 23 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Henry Snodderly v. David Weaver | Union | Ejectment |
Snodderly complained that Weaver broke into his close and ejected him. Others involved: Timothy Weaver, John Childers and [Edy?] Childers, John Hickman, William Mitchell. Exhibit is a hand-drawn map of the property. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1214 | 87 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | John R. Dulaney v. William R. Dulaney | Sullivan | Trespass and Damages |
John R. Dulaney [Delaney] swore that he received a $50 North Carolina note of Dr. William R. Dulaney in 1857, and that he passed the same note to Andrew Grubb. Wilson Whitaker also involved. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1204 | 37 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | James H. Hambry v. State | Cumberland | Rape | Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 291 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | Lewis Kirk v. State | Lawrence | Murder |
Kirk was convicted of Murder in the 2nd Degree but there were no jurors available for the sentencing so there was a change of venue |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Lewis M. Kirk v. State | Maury | Murder |
Victim: Thomas J. Westmoreland. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 110 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Mary Allen v. William Hudgins | Putnam | Trespass and Damages |
Defendant is charged with "debauching and begetting [the Plaintiff] with a child." He is also charged with enticing her away from her guardian. The Plaintiff is described as a "lunatic" throughout the case, and the question of her competency is an issue. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Michael Weaver v. John A. Spitser | Sullivan | Petitions for Certiorari |
Argument over a debt to be settled. Arbitrators: John Cross, Thomas A. Newton, John Massengill, S. N. Hall. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1203 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | P. M. Williams v. Benjamin Henry | Jefferson | Trespass and Damages |
David Anderson killed Hough Henry and Benjamin Henry offered a $500 reward for whoever apprehended Anderson. Pleasant Williams apprehended Henry in North Carolina. Henry then refused to pay Williams. Damages for $1000. |
East | Range: 8 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 814 | 110 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Richard Hayworth v. State | Grainger | Assault and Battery |
Richard Hayworth, Jr. & Calvin Hayworth & found Rachel Mallecoate & Angelina Hughs, mentally disabled, were washing clothes. Richard poked Hughs with a stick on the hips making lewd references. The women who testified were discounted by other witnesses as lewd & discreditable. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William R. Ridgely | Davidson | Larceny | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Wiley B. Epperson | Hancock | Assault |
Witness for defendant, James Anderson. Edward Collins, witness for state. Incomplete case. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 17 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Adam S. Huffines | Jackson | Liquor, Sale of Illegal |
Defendant sold liquor to a slave that was the property of William Woodfolk. Also charged with tippling. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Frank | Williamson | Rape |
Cause of Action: Attempted Rape. Frank was a slave. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 311 | 114 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. George Smith | Fentress | Failure to Perform Official Duties |
Defendants failed to put mail markers on the road to the danger of the citizenry at large. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 293 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Sylvester Adkins | Union | Illegitimate Child/Bastardy |
For fathering the illegitimate child of Mary Jane Gross. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1207 | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Henry Hale | Sullivan | Forgery |
Hale was indicted for forging a purchase order for two shirts at the store owned by William Taylor & David Pile. Purchase order was purportedly from Mc J. Gallaher. See related documents in box ET 9. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1207 | 8 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Terry Williams | DeKalb | Perjury | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 262 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Anthony Hynes | Davidson | Theft | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Pleasant Loden | Cumberland | Other |
Cause of Action: Profanity, saying the following "God, God Dam, Be God Dam." (sic) |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 21 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Elijah Duncan | Montgomery | Attempted Murder |
Elijah Duncan allegedly shot James Perrigon. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 20 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Joseph Dana | Davidson | Theft |
Also referred to as Joseph Daney |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. John White | Marshall | Lewd Behavior | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. George W. Puckett | DeKalb | Lewd Behavior | Middle | Range: 32 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 264 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Stephen C. Bowers& Louisa Anderson | Robertson | Adultery |
Defendants are charged with cohabitating out of wedlock. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 299 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. C. F. Batts | Robertson | Neglect of Duty |
Defendant is charged with not maintaining a sign that read "Look out for the cars when you hear the whistle or bell." Defendant is responsible for maintaining the intersection between a turnpike and a railroad. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 299 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. James Green | White | Murder |
Defendant is charged with killing a "slave for life" named David Funcher. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 70 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Thomas Hudson | Davidson | Other |
Defendant is charged with giving liquor to someone else's slave with "force and arms." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William J. Russell | White | Disturbing the Peace |
Defendant is charged with Profanity for saying "By God, God Damn, and Be God Damn." |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 297 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. George F. Rhodes | Giles | Rape |
Cause of Action: Attempted Rape. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 301 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Robert Johnson | Unknown |
This is a brief on behalf of Defendant. County is unknown. Date is approximate. Cause of Action may be counterfeiting. Ware |
Middle | Range: 33 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 500 | 4 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Calvin Webb, , & Jasper Webb | Monroe | Debt |
Incomplete case file. The State claims that Calvin Webb, Larkin Webb, and Jasper Webb owe them $500.00 for a bond. |
East | Range: 8 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 788 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William Creasman | Hancock | Counterfeiting |
William Creasman was charged with counterfeiting and keeping silver coins that he tried to pass off as official. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1171 | 25 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. Thomas Lane& Madison Rose | Greene | Assault and Battery |
Thomas Lane and Madison Rose are charged with assault and battery for beating one John Jordan. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 | 12 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | Samuel E. McQueen v. Jordan J. Heck | Johnson | False Imprisonment |
Heck accused Sheriff McQueen of maliciously confining him to the county jail for 150 days. (Plaintiff had been indicted for bigamy.) Heck, described as a mean man, was said to have a wife each in Johnson and Greene counties. He "struck a violent lick" against McQueen during an altercation over a mysterious accusation. |
East | Range: 9 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 1175 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William H. Ashlock & Elizabeth Mounger | Anderson | Lewd Behavior |
Ashlock and Mounger charged with having sexual intercourse together without being legally married. Mounger was a married woman. Court found Mounger guilty and fined her $20. Ashlock found guilty as well, was fined $50, and sentenced to County jail for 30 days. Defendant appealed. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1199 | 14 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. John W. Lea | Anderson | Perjury |
Cause of action: suborning perjury. For convincing Polly Bailey to testify under oath in court that the father of her child was Daniel A. Carpenter, when he was not, in fact, the father. |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1207 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | State v. William Liles& John Liles | Roane | Assault, Felonious |
For along with Robert L. Shaw, assaulting Samuel Russell with "rocks knives and pistols loaded with gunpowder and leaden bullets…" |
East | Range: 9 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 1207 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | William D. Blevins v. State | Johnson | Assault |
Blevins was accused of putting out Jacob Shawn's eye. Change of venue requested and denied. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 2a | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | William O'Briant v. State | Hawkins | Liquor Violation |
O'Briant was found guilty of selling a quart of whiskey to Jasper Dempsey. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 13 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1860 | William Brownlow Wright v. State | Roane | Murder |
Eliza Wright, sister of William, had an intimate relationship with the victim, William Pittman. Wm Wright had gone squirrel hunting on Christmas day, finding Wm Pittman at his house when he returned. He threatened Pittman, & they went outside where Wright threw a rock at Pittman, hitting him above the eye. He died days later. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 9 | 20 | Order A Copy |