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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Frank Johnson v. State | Davidson | Murder | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Frank White v. State | Knox | Larceny |
White, Lucy Badgett, and Sarah Gossett are accused of stealing and receiving money belonging to R. R. Reagan. At the time of the theft, Regan was visiting Knoxville from his home in Sevier County. During his visit he stopped at the home of Badgett (located on Reservoir St.) to deliver a message from her mother. Regan claims that Badgett then served him whiskey until he passed out and stole his money. White was a friend of Badgett. This case is related to "Lucy Badgett v. State" also in ET 1635. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1638 | 29 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | George Reynolds v. State | Shelby | Larceny | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 72 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | G. W. Long, in error v. State | Grainger | Trespass |
Plaintiff in error filed this case as an appeal for a previous case. Plaintiff in error was previously convicted of misdemeanor trespassing. Plaintiff in error let down a fence belonging to his mother-in-law, he cursed her and allowed her cattle to run free because the cattle kept eating his corn crop. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1642 | 10 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | George Ward v. State | Sequatchie | Counterfeiting |
Ward was accused of making and passing counterfeit money, namely the $.05 coin "commonly called nickels." |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1635 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Henry Trevathan v. State | Robertson | Larceny |
A fatted hog was stolen from Martha Durham Coke's residence in 1874. Coke owned the hog with Mr. Parker. Trevathan was tracked from Coke's property to his own, his shoe found to match the tracks. At his property a barrel full of recently butchered pork was found. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 9a | 48 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Henry B. Johnson v. State | Claiborne | Profanity |
Henry B. Johnson was charged with profanity. He was charged with saying "by god damned" in the presence of other citizens including ladies "to the corruption of the public morals of the good citizens of the state." |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 24 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Henry Randolph v. State | Haywood | Murder |
Victim: Anthony Batcheler |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | James Stevenson v. State | Davidson | Burglary and Larceny | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | John Bowlin v. State | Weakley | Manslaughter |
Additional parties: D. L Gatewood, C. O. Gatewood |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 86 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | J. H. Carpenter v. State | Claiborne | Assault and Battery |
J.H. Carpenter was charged with assault and battery upon the body of one James Dotson. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 16 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Joseph Thomas v. State | Davidson | Larceny | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | John Y. Gill v. S. B. Spurlock & Co. | Lincoln | Breach of Trust |
Additional parties: George J. Goodrich, J.M. Spurlock, and W.E. Hoke. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | John L. Hurst v. State | McMinn | Assault and Battery |
For assault and battery of Elijah Cate. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 22 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | J. D. Isham v. State | Roane | Assault with Intent to Kill |
For assault with intent to kill on George Cook. Philip Wilson also took part in assault but was tried separately. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1654 | 63 | 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 | 1876 | Johnathan Hartman, in error v. State | Washington | Trespass |
Plaintiff in error was previously convicted of trespassing, this case was filed as an appeal. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1647 | 33 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | L.C. Howel v. State | Hamblen | Theft |
L.C. Howel is charged with stealing the goods and money of one Garrett Lane. |
East | Range: 20 Section: B Shelf: Box Number: 1624 | 45 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | L. C. Horvel v. State | Appeal for New Trial |
Plaintiff was charged with larceny in a previous case, this case file was related to an appeal of that case. County not listed. |
East | Range: 20 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 1633 | 2 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | Moses Harvill v. State | Wilson | Larceny |
Additional parties: W.C. Clark, Wingate Imill, W.H. Hays, Leander Hays and William Adamson. Harvill was accused of stealing 5 hogs at a value of $90. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18 | 66 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Martha Little v. State | Knox | Profanity |
A judgement was obtained against Martha's husband. Bob Hood was deputized & sent w/ M. J. Childress to collect a clock from the Littles to pay for the judgement. Childress said he stayed outside the house for he was "afraid of women." When at the door she refused to give the clock, stating she would be "g*d d*mn*d if any man would put his hands on the clock," & that "she would bleed him." The clock had not been paid for yet. Little was found guilty, to pay $1 via work at the workhouse. |
East | Range: 5 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 8 | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | Ross Lead v. State | Davidson | Larceny | Middle | Range: 20 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 30 | 0 | 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 | 1876 | State v. Silas R. Jackson | Jackson | Liquor Violation |
Jackson was accused of selling liquor on election day. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 32 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. William Allen & William C. Allen | Williamson | Assault with Intent to Kill |
The defendants were accused of assaulting John Jones. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 19 | 15 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. J. H. Smith | Smith | Gambling |
Smith was convicted of gambling but later appealed. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18a | 26 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Len Ogburn | Montgomery | Carrying an Illegal Weapon |
Charged with carrying a socket pistol. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18a | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Jefferson Alexander (col.) | Maury | Forgery | Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18 | 36 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Fanny Herbert | Williamson | Murder, 1st degree |
Fanny Herbert was accused of poisoning John G. Herbert's food with arsenic. John Gosey and his wife were living with the Herbert's at the time of his poisoning. His wife had exhibited symptoms of arsenic poisoning as well. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18 | 74 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Wiley Byers | Davidson | Assault and Battery |
Wiley Byers listed as "colored." Byers assaulted Viney Gray, colored. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 19a | 11 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. William Lowry | Davidson | Burglary |
Victim: S.A. Bolton. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Charles Goaler | Maury | Murder |
Charged with Second Degree murder. Alias Charles Goalee. Victim: William C. Rummage. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 18 | 73 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Harris Hoover | Jackson | Murder |
Alias Harrison Hoover. Hoover was charged with shooting and killing Caloway Matthew Wheeler. |
Middle | Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 211 | 169 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. James Watson | Jackson | Public Nuisance |
James Watson, alias James Trisdale. On Sept. 1, 1875, defendant was arrested for public drunkenness. James Watson challenged the factual vagueness of the charges which made it impossible for him to prepare a proper defense. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 25 | 18 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Henry Atkinson (col.) | Giles | Murder |
Atkinson was charged with the murder of Lucius D. Suttle. He was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to hang. He appealed and asked for a new trial but was denied. His lawyer claimed it was manslaughter not murder. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 27a | 151 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Alec Kirby (col.) | Montgomery | Arson |
Kirby was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and was housed in the Calaboose. The Calaboose was a cell in the market house. The defendant was said to have started a fire on the cell floor and the cell caught on fire. He was found guilty of house burning and sentenced to four years in the Penitentiary. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 30a | 28 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Logan Perry | Rutherford | Manslaughter |
Perry is listed as "Colored." Perry has alias "William H. Carter."; Victim named James Sanders. |
Middle | Range: 20 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 37 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Gabe Hunter | Shelby | Assault with Intent to Kill |
Defendant's intended victim was Jess(?) Watkins. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. John P. Grace | Shelby | Murder |
Victim: Alexander W. Taylor |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 71 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. George Reynolds | Shelby | Larceny | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Emma Mathis | Gibson | Assault |
Additional parties Harris Mathis, Kittie Mathis, |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 73 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Henry Farrow | Shelby | Murder |
Name of victim undetermined |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 82 | 0 | Order A Copy |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Jordan Jones | Benton | Illegitimate Child/Bastardy | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 86 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Sterling N. Jackson | Weakley | Carrying an Illegal Weapon | West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 86 | 0 | Order A Copy | |
| View Entry | 1876 | State v. Alex Caldwell | Lauderdale | Marriage, Unlawful |
Additional parties: Cindra Stone Green, Jim Daniels, Isham Coleman, Ben Mullins, Tom Wilson. |
West | Range: 84 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 86 | 0 | Order A Copy |