Tennessee Research Search

Case involves a dispute over a slave named Sam.

Def's name is Benjamin F. Ward. William Gregory died owning land on south side of French Broad River, leaving pla. Mary Ann (who later married Andrew) as his widow. Richard Gregory, dec. administered Wm's estate but never assigned dower to Mary Ann, so Pla. now claim dower out of that land. Wm & Mary Ann had 1 child, Def Dorthula. At time of suit, both parties lived on the land at issue. Pla. claim Def. are trying to cheat & defraud them out of Mary Ann's dower.

Briefs only. Case involves A. A. Douglass as a Guardian for someone. Other plaintiffs: E. E. McBee & Emma McBee. Plaintiffs are heirs of G. C. McBee, dec. Other defendants: A. A. Douglass, admr. of G. C. McBee, dec. Only date on one page is 1888.

Recovery of court costs. Case listed in: "Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, for the Eastern Division, for the year 1870," Volume 1, p. 427-431. Case originally Stuart v. James C. Bradford left state and no property with court jurisdiction and that Bradford was insolvant. Clerk (McCuistion) seeks to recover costs of motion from Stuart. Stuart appealed.

Smith agreed to sell Moyers 3 adjoining tracts (incl. John Smith farm, old Campbell farm & old Daniel Inman tract) in Cocke County. Dispute re Smith's failure to make good on title bond & his multiple misrepresentations to (& dealings with) Moyers. Suit says Betsey Smith, Henry's sister, is "an idiot" & Samuel Smith, Henry's brother, is "insane and a lunatic." Moyers describes himself as illiterate & under great imbecility of mind, at times approaching insanity, & asks guardian be appointed for him.

Defendant is described as a "lunatic" in the file; Robert Evans and James Evans are listed as his guardians. The plaintiff loaned the defendant $500 when he was of sound mind, but never recovered the funds before he was institutionalized. Plaintiff also sues for $500 in damages for breach of an agreement the parties entered while the defendant was of sound mind.

Massengill "has removed himself from the State or so obscures or conceals himself" to avoid paying Shadden $1,000 for trespass. Massengill accused of whipping Shadden w/hickory stick & keeping him from retrieving his mare at Rebel camp. Alexander Shadden said Massengill maliciously beat him w/sticks, forcibly took his blue roan mare, in June 1862. Massengill's mom says Jefferson County prejudiced agnst her son; asks for chg in venue

Incomplete casefile. County, court of origin, and additional parties are unknown. Plaintiff was surety for James Bradford on a note to L. D. Franklin. Franklin brought suit for payment but died before a judgment was rendered. Taylor qualified as Franklin's admr., revived the suit and recovered judgment. Plaintiff is accused of fraudulently conveying land so as to avoid creditors. See ET1666 for complete file.

Additional defendants: J. C. Cawood, James A. and Susannah Looney, Morris B., H., Charles L., Charles, William, William Y., and Frederick B. Miller, William, Polly, Lewis, and Francis Harman, Catherine Hicks, Fred, and M. Gast, and James, and Peggy Dyke. Plaintiffs are the heirs of Charles M. Miller dec. and are seeking the partition of land left after his death. Said land is described as being situated in the Second Civil District of Jefferson County near the French Broad River.

Estate of Andrew Bell

Opinion Only

Origin of damages: Covenant broken.

Alexander Haun Jr. sues by next friend Alexander Haun, Sr. for trespass, assault and battery, and false imprisonment against Pleasant A. Witt. sued for damage in the sum of $3,000.

Previously, Zimmerman collected against Allen Church and Maser, administrator of the estate of Isaac Church (dec.) for $334 for damages of a breach of covenant. Maser replied to judgment, saying the estate had no goods, money, or chattel to levy agai- nst the debt, and Zimmerman claims it is because Maser used them for his own gain before and during the trial.

Courtney advertised and held a public sale of slaves before the Emancipation Proclamation during the war when the Confederacy controlled East TN. Tally purchased a woman, Fanny, and her two children for $2050. Tally made the purchase with only currency available at time (Confederate money; both parties knowing its depreciated value) but then Courtney later sued Tally for debt in order to get amount in good bank notes. Tally argues Fanny free at date of sale, so note/money does not matter anymore.