Tennessee Supreme Court Cases

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View Entry Year Case Name County Cause/Crime Case Description Division Location # Pages Order
View Entry 1820 Alex Reid v. John Drewry, William Howlett, William M. Harwood, Thomas Hill, & Willie Barrow Davidson Injunction

Reid worked for Thomas G. Bradford, editor of the Clarion newspaper as his journeyman running the printing press, until Bradford became insolvent later that year. Reid agreed to take Bradford's household furniture as payment. The defendants were owed money by Bradford as well. Reid filed an injunction to prevent any thing conveyed by Reid to him from being taken as collection on debts owed the defendants.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 18 Order A Copy
View Entry 1822 Anderson Long, Abraham Rees, Sr. Mary, Lucy, Iredell, Juliet, & Harriet Kittrell, James Agee, John Farrington, Benjamin Motley v. Elizabeth Kittrell, et al. Davidson Debt Settlement

Rees, Long, & the other defendants sued to recover a judgment, against John Fairman and heirs, in their favor decided in a previous suit named and detailed in this case, as well as a judgment against Elizabeth Kitrell, heir of Isaac Kitrell.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 75 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 Abraham Maury v. Thomas Hickman Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Hickman sold Maury a tract of land from North Carolina land grant #586. Several of these plots of land were sold to Hickman by James Hoggatt. The titles on the land were not perfect, and this suit was filed in order to legally sort out the chain of title filing proper ownership in the court.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3a 50 Order A Copy
View Entry 1809 Benjamin Johns v. Sarah Payne Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Additional Defendants: George Payne. Before he died Josiah Payne allegedly agreed to sell over 600 acres of land to Johns. Following his death, Johns sued for the right to purchase the land. 1809 land grant #1695 signed by Willie Blount, Governor of Tennessee.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 170 Order A Copy
View Entry 1818 Bernard McKiernan v. John Allen Davidson Slaves, Selling of

sale of 4 slaves Tom about 12 years old, Riley about 7 years old, girl name Phillis about 12 years old and a girl named Raney about eight years old amount of sale $2060.00

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 363 58 Order A Copy
View Entry 1887 Catherine Chilton v. Isaac T. Chilton et al Davidson Debt

The plaintiff is the widow of Thomas Chilton and inherited his estate. Thomas Chilton was a joint owner of land with defendant Isaac Chilton. The defendant sold the land and promised to pay Thomas half but did not.

 Middle Range: 35 Section: C Shelf: Box Number: 808 64 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 Caleb D. Gwinn v. Elihu S. Hall& Nicholas C. Hall Davidson Debt Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 31 Order A Copy
View Entry 1808 David Andrews v. William Sawyers & Martin Whitford Davidson Contract Dispute and Damages

Martin Whitford sold David Anderews a cow, a bed, a certain parcel of corn then growing, for $132. However, Whitford had business in North Carolina & asked that the chattel be left in his family's care until he returned. Before taking possession of the land and Chattel, Andrews asked that the deal be broken. Whitford said he destroyed the bond, but then Sawyers sued Andrews to recover the debt on the bond.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1813 David Shelby v. Elijah Robertson, et al. Davidson Estate Dispute

David Shelby sued James Robertson, Bennett & Robert Searcy, & Sarah Robertson, exe's of Elijah Robertson who died in 1790. Before his death, Elijah had promised to sell Shelby an enslaved male between the ages of 12-25. Following his death Elijah had not yet delivered the enslaved person, so a suit was brought to recover him. Shelby rec'd a judgment to recover the amount through real estate owned by Rbtson. The heirs protested.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 Edward Sanders v. John Camp Davidson Contract Dispute and Damages

Edward Sanders hired an enslaved man, Abraham, from John Camp, paying with a note for $100. Shortly after Abraham became sick and was not able to work. Abraham went to the house of Miss Hope, where his wife lived. Sanders sued to recover the value of his note.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 29 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 Elizabeth Washington, admr. v. Thomas Washington Davidson Slaves, Selling of

Elizabeth was admr. of the estate of Gray Washington. Thomas had "unjustly detained" four enslaved people belonging to the estate named Winney Patsey, Mary, and Sally. Elizabeth sued to either recover the enslaved people, or their value.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1822 Elihu S. Hall v. Walter H. Overton Davidson Land Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 334 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1824 Elizabeth Kittrell, et al. v. John S. Williamson Davidson Cost Bond

Other plaintiffs: Mary Kittrell; James Agee; Lucy Agee; Iredell Kitterll; Juliett Kittrell; Hariett Kittrell; Benjamin T. Malloy; John Farrington.
Cost bond for Abraham Rees & Anderson Long.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 2 Order A Copy
View Entry 1919 F. W. Woolworth Company v. Mrs. Gustine Connors Davidson Larceny Middle Range: 21 Section: G Shelf: Box Number: 151 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 Harris Dowling v. Thomas Hickman Davidson Trespass

Hickman's cattle broke into Dowling's property and consumed the grass there, trampling other plants in their wake. Dowling sued for damages. Hickman testified that a previous agreement made between them allowed for the "trespass."

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3a 14 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 Howell Tatum v. John B. Evans Davidson Debt Dispute

Tatum was the surviving partner of the mercantile company Tatum & (Henry) Wiggins. The partners had purchased a large shipment of goods from Evans & David Allison, in Philadelphia to open a store in Washington, KY. Suit was filed to settle the debt owed to Evans, and to finally dissolve the partnership in accordance to their articles of formation. See additional documents in MT 1 & MT 75.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1805 Howell Tatum v. John B. Evans Davidson Debt Dispute Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1822 John Mayfield, et al. v. Benjamin Seawell, et al. Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Additional plaintiff: Miarrias Seawell. Additional defendant: George Mayfield. Seawell sued over the ownership and boundaries of a tract of land originally purchased by Southerland Mayfield in 1784. Benjamin Sewell died during the trial.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 159 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 John Gwin v. Richard Cook Davidson Land and Title Dispute

In 1797, Richard Cook of Granville County, North Carolina conveyed land to William Gwin of Sumner County, TN. The two made multiple agreements concerning multiple parcels of land over the years. John Gwin was William's heir & sued to settle the land matter so that his bequest might be finalized, and the estate settled.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2a 34 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 John Newnan v. Thomas Stuart Davidson Attachment

Dr. John Newnan's father Anthony died in Salisbury, North Carolina. Hugh Newnan had been living with Thomas Stuart & brother, acting as a clerk in their store in Washington County. Stuart's mother became very sick, & he offered Dr. Newnan a "large reward" if he went to visit her. Hugh owed Thomas money, & agreed to have his wages garnished to pay it. The suit was filed to finally settle the debts between them.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 37 Order A Copy
View Entry 1808 John Overton v. John Allison, et al. Davidson Land and Title Dispute

In 1800, Overton obtained a judgment against the heirs of David Allison of $920.14. In his lifetime Allison purchased many plots of land from many people including Landon Carter & Andrew Jackson, but failed to obtain the deeds or register the conveyances. Overton sued: Jane, John, William, & Peggy Allison, and Andrew Jackson to recover the judgment, even if it were to be paid in land.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 39 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 John Overton, et al. v. David Shelby, et al. Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Additional defendants: Samuel Fitzpatrick, Robert Lawyers, Robert McKnight, Samuel Kirkpatrick, David Shannon, John Crockett Involving Major Pinkham (Pinketham?) Eaton's military warrant of land in 1784.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 82 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1824 John McNairy, et al, exe. of Margaret Tait, dec. v. W. L. Hannum, et al, admr. Of Thomas Hill, dec. Davidson Debt

Additional plaintiffs: Robert Bell, George Bell. Additional defendants: John Stump, John Con, Felix Robertson, Robert Hill

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 364 30 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 John Hodge v. Jesse Wharton & Stephen Caldwell, exe. of George M. Deadrick Davidson Trespass

Cause of action is listed as Trespass and Ejectment.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 365 29 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 James Cartwright v. Thomas & Jacob Cartwright Davidson Failure to Perform Duties as Counse

David Cartwright died, appointing his sons Thomas and Jacob executors. David owed substantial debts in Natchez, Mississippi. James was to inherit $500 but the debts were greater than that amount. James sued to recover his inheritance.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 33 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 James, Margaret, Charles, Sarah, & John Beckham, devisees of Charles T. Carson dec. v. William, Thomas, Rachel Mary, & Elizabeth King heirs to James King, dec. Davidson Wills, Contested

Carson died bequeathing his estate to his nephews and nieces. Carson was a partner in King, Carson & King merchants. Wm. Beckham died indebted to the firm. Beckham wanted to make some money by selling the firm a lot on College Street in Nashville. The suit was filed to settle the estates and moneys owed by the estates. See related case in box MT 3a.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4 22 Order A Copy
View Entry 1808 Joel, William, Nathan, John, Henrietta, & Elizabeth Rice v. Thomas Dillon Davidson Slaves, Ownership of

John Rice died and his estate included many unsettled business concerns. Land deals as well as the sale of slaves caused issues with the heirs. The case documents detail John Rice trading enslaved people in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, & bringing them south to sell. The estate exe., Elisha Rice died shortly after Rice, leaving Rice's heirs to settle business matters between Dillon & Rice.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 4a 122 Order A Copy
View Entry 1808 John Drake v. Thomas Cahoon Davidson Contract Dispute and Damages

Cahoon, as agent for Jedidiah T. Turner, who had obtained a US patent for a threshing machine, made a contract with Drake, William Christy, & Charles Fishbach to trade land for rights to the patent. The land and patent rights were exchanged, then Turner discovered that he was defrauded by the trade.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 24 Order A Copy
View Entry 1815 James Winchester v. Samuel Jackson, exe. of John B. Evans, dec. Davidson Debt Dispute

Winchester owed a debt to Jackson & Evans, & went to Philadelphia to pay it in full. After this, he traded US militia claims for more merchandise. The claims were examined by David Allison, who acted as Jackson & Evans' middle man, but who was later found questionable in his dealings. The suit sought to settle business between the two parties, determining if a debt was owed. Winchester & Additional defendants: Anne Evans, Henry Hawkins, admin. of John B. Evans, dec. See also box MT 4a.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 168 Order A Copy
View Entry 1814 Joel Dyer v. Edmund Jennings Davidson Debt

Joel Dyer agreed to make a cotton machine for James Roberts. To pay for the machine, Roberts transferred a debt to Dyer owed to him by John Young. Young, in turn transferred a debt to Dyer owed him by Edmund Jennings. Dyer sued Jennings to finally be paid for his work making the cotton machine.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2 76 Order A Copy
View Entry 1819 John Boyd v. John Maclin & William Lytle, Jr. Davidson Debt

Maclin owed Boyd $150 for land he purchased from Boyd. Maclin failed to pay, and Boyd sued to recover the debt.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 6 Order A Copy
View Entry 1872 James Chamberlain, assignee for John F. McCann v. Arthur M. Rutledge et al. Davidson Bankruptcy

Additional Defendants: A.S. Colyer, and W.B. Reese.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 76 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1818 John Cockrill v. John McNairy, et al. Davidson Breach of Contract

Additional defendants: John Armstrong, W. P. Anderson, Alfred & Mary Carter, William Cocke, G. T. Gillespie, George Duffiled and wife, John Childress, William Polk, Sally Robertson. Also includes Carter, Wilson, and Sumner Counties.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1818 John Gordon v. Benjamin Joslin Davidson Debt Dispute Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 James Wier& Samuel Campbell v. Thomas Hill, William Carroll,& James Stewart et al. Davidson Debt on Account

Amount of Debt $3500.00

 Middle Range: 32 Section: E Shelf: Box Number: 334 48 Order A Copy
View Entry 1829 John Overton v. Egbert Haywood Davidson Debt Middle Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 371 10 Order A Copy
View Entry 1804 James Elliott v. Thomas Edmondson, Ann Hay, admr. of David Hay, dec. Davidson Equity

Additional defendant: Ann Hay, admr. of David Hay, dec. Land warrant, 640 acres, Davidson Co., NC (1785). James Elliott, assignee of Sampson Wilson, acreage near Arrington's Creek, NC entry #717 (1785).

 Middle Range: 33 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 384 252 Order A Copy
View Entry 1809 Joel Lewis v. William Terrill Lewis, John Nauls, John Donelson, Rachel & Andrew Jackson, Jane & Robert Hayes, John & Andrew Jackson Donelson, Daniel, William, Alexander,& Severn, Donelson, John & Mary Caffery, Catherine Huchens, heirs of Stokley Donelson Davidson Land and Title Dispute

In 1787 Joel Lewis purchased acreage land from Mr. Gordon of Georgia. Wm. T. Lewis then claimed ownership to some of this land, being given a grant by the state of NC then conveyed it to Stokely Donelson, who agreed to convey other land to Joel Lewis. The conveyance was not made before Stokely died. The suit was filed to finalize land ownership.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 124 Order A Copy
View Entry 1812 Jacob Baker v. George Poyser Davidson Contract Dispute and Damages

Baker gave Poyser goods to sell as a commission merchant, totaling about $1700. Poyser failed to sell the items, and also refused to return them or pay for them. Baker sued to have some sort of compensation given.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2a 8 Order A Copy
View Entry 1814 Lee Oldham v. William Anderson Davidson Land and Title Dispute

Additional parties: Washington Oldham, Polly Oldham, John R. Doherty, Nancy Lewis Doherty, James Doherty, Thomas Talbot. This case involves the sale of land with partial payment being a negro valued at $500. Additional parties: George Bell

 Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1814 Lilburn L. Henderson v. Alexander Richardson Davidson Estate Settlement

Additional parties: William Trigg, William King, George Simpson, Guy S. Trigg. This estate settlement involves a partnership of King, Carson & King and the firm of Trigg, King, & Richardson.

 Middle Range: 21 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 81 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1814 Matthew McGance v. Washington C Davidson Other

Incomplete case file; bill of costs only.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 3 1 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 Montgomery Bell, et al. v. Joseph Holt, et al. Davidson Cost Bond

Other plaintiffs: Morgan Brown.
Other defendants: William Hill; Philip Hurt.
Cost bond for Clement McDaniel.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 360 2 Order A Copy
View Entry 1825 Nashville Bank v. Thomas Whiteside, admr. of Jenkin Whiteside, dec. Davidson Debt

Several lawsuits against the estate of Jenkin Whiteside of Davidson, who died intestate. Jenkin Whiteside (1772-1822) was a prominent Nashvillian who had previously served in the State Legislature and in the U.S. Senate. This file appears to be court orders against the estate, no court case included.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: F Shelf: Box Number: 365 27 Order A Copy
View Entry 1817 Peter& Charity Owens v. Floyd Hurt, Lewis Speece Davidson Equity

Case mentions properties in Nashville on Cherry Street, Lot No. 32 near the Davidson Academy lots. Hiram Hurt, Alfred Balch, Eli Talbot, Frederick Owen, Male slave named "Fortune;" Randal McGavock, Clerk of Court.

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 212A 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1822 Robert Johnson & Abram Boyd, admrs. v. Ann Hope Davidson Wills, Contested

David Beaty died, leaving his sister Anne Hope $400, & land to his neighbor, Johnson. The will asks that his enslaved workers George Landon, Isaac, Lewis, Emma & her children, Sophia, Celia, & Edmund, William, Henry, Charles, Albert, Enos, Eliza, Nancy, Martilla, Cynthia, Matilda, & Angelina, to be given money for living expenses & land in Indiana. Hope sued, contesting the will and this request. She claimed the enslaved would become a nuisance to the community without a master.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 2a 62 Order A Copy
View Entry 1874 R. L. Whittington v. Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad Company Davidson Personal Injuries

Whittington sued the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad by next friend for $20,000 in damages for personal injuries sustained while at work. Whittington was riding on the train when it went off the track & onto the road bed. He was thrown from the car, & attempted to hang on to some bars attached to the train. The train turned over on to him, crippling him.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 6a 70 Order A Copy
View Entry 1823 Ralph Crabb et al. v. John Donelson et al. Davidson Unknown

Case consists of only subpeonas, plaintiffs: Ralph Crabb, wife Miriam Crabb and Thomas Claiborne. Defendants: John, Sandy, Martha, Jacob, Andrew, William, James, Milbury, Alexander, Elizabeth, Samuel, Severn, Levin, Lucinda & Rachel Donelson, Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel, Thomas Crutcher, Catharine Hutchins, Jane Hays, Alexander Gordon, Mary Caffrey, Robert Naul, Alfred Balch

 Middle Range: 32 Section: A Shelf: Box Number: 188 0 Order A Copy
View Entry 1807 Randal McGavock v. Luke Bernard Davidson Land and Title Dispute

John Bernard died after settling on the Cumberland, leaving his son Luke as an heir to over 600 acres of land. Walter attempted to sell land from this tract to Bernard, although he was not the heir. The suit sought to settle the land dispute. Add'l def Walter Barnard. Randal McGavock was an early Mayor of Nashville and he built Carnton Plantation in 1815.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1 64 Order A Copy
View Entry 1809 Rebecca Sappington v. Roger Sappington Davidson Estate Dispute/ Settlement

Dr. Mark Brown Sappington died, leaving a large estate including enslaved people in Nashville. His second wife, Rebecca Boyce sued to retain the dower to the estate. Near the same time, Mark's brother Francis died also leaving an estate. Documents include an extensive probate inventory & sale sheet, detailing the belongings of the family (including detailed kitchen furniture) as well as detailing the community invested in the estate through the purchase of Mark's things.

 Middle Range: 20 Section: D Shelf: Box Number: 1a 83 Order A Copy

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