Tennessee Research Search

Plaintiff is the administrator of the estate of William Byrd (dec.). Additional defendants listed in file. Plaintiff alleges the death of William Byrd was wrongfully and illegally caused by the defendants and their unlawful act of forceful trespass. The deceased sustained injuries during the trespass and the plaintiff sued for damages in the sum of $100,000.

Victim: Irvin Lawson. Also spelled Ervin

Final Decree only.

Cellus Bunch, alias Syllus Bunch and James Bunch was charged with charged with the murder of one Charles Young. He shot him and struck him with rocks, clubs and sticks.

Add. Cause of action: Larceny. Plaintiff in error was originally a co-defendant with James Ward and is accused of burglarizing the home of Avery Abshire. Plaintiff in error is described as ignorant, uneducated, and having spent time in a penitentiary. Plaintiff in error initially admitted to the burglary but, according to police, was under the influence of alcohol. When he became sober again, plaintiff in error denied the crime.

Stems from an 1845 forcible entry case and involves the heirs of Thomas Harmon: Othnal [?] and Mahala Bruner; Branch and Phebe Tucker; William and Jane Owens; David Jones; John and Ellen Morrison; Allen Jones; Sally Bailey; Enoch and Mary Jones; Elijah Jones (an infant); John Harmon; Peter Harmon; Nancy Harmon; and Louisiana Harmon.

Incomplete case file. Document stating case is continued until next term. No date.

Grace and Hugh Cain were the adult children of the late Hugh Cain who died in 183[?] and left a substantial estate. It included slaves (all named) that he manumitted in his will. Son Hugh administered his father's estate and swindled Grace by calling a lunacy inquest. Grace charged that her brother kept her in a poor condition, ill-treated her, and "laid violent hands upon her." Copy of the will is in evidence. Elijah Russell was Grace's brother-in-law. The slaves had yet to be freed in 1857.

Date: Unknown. County: Unknown. Brief only.

Cause of Action: Transporting and Possessing Liquor

After hearing she had been talking about him, B. A. Arnold went to James Long's wife and called her a "stinking, dirty liar." James Long challenged Arnold, Arnold replying that he could not fight fair with a person of color. Arnold ran toward his tobacco barn to get his shot gun and Long produced a pistol, steadied himself and shot Arnold, allegedly to simply stop him from pursuing his shot gun.

Plaintiffs in error are charged with setting fire to and burning three stacks of hay of the value of $30.

The State accused the plaintiffs, James Golden alias Golden and Susan Fawbush alias Sus of unlawful cohabitation and lewdness. They appealed the charge.

Additional Plaintiffs: Joe Bishop, Ed Morlock & J. C. Loyd. Plaintiffs originally tried & found guilty of stealing $71 from Bob Peel in December 1936.

Pla. in error is accused by the State of causing Grant Mabe to murder her husband William Jones and was initially tried in the case of, "Grant Mabe et al. v. State." Mabe's trial was put on hold after he was found to be insane and committed to the State Hospital For the Insane near Knoxville. Pla. was granted a separate trial and found guilty of Accessory Before the Fact to Murder in the First Degree. Pla. lived with her husband, children, and Mabe on a farm rented from George Campbell near Rogersville.

This case file is an appeal of a felony assault conviction. Plaintiff convicted of slitting his wife's throat with a razor.

Ora Derrick and her son, Jess Derrick, accused of stealing 7 turkeys valued at about $20 from C. L. Marshall on 18 Dec. 1936. Both Ora Derrick & Marshall raised turkeys. The Derriciks maintained their innocence & stated that Marshall's turkeys must have strayed onto their property while searching for food & intermingled with their turkeys. Case includes testimony from Carl & Alma Derrick & Mrs. Mae Taylor, all children of Ora Derrick & siblings of Jess Derrick.

Defendant was a resident of Virginia and claimed he could not be charged with a crime in TN.

Victim: Bessie Benton. Stealing two turkeys valued at $2.00

Plaintiff originally charged with being in the possession of intoxicating liquor on the date of 4 Oct. 1936. Also mentioned: Ida Barrett

Guilty verdict, reversed on appeal to Supreme Court.

Cause of Action: Possession of Intoxicating Liquor. Verdict: Guilty, reversed on appeal to Supreme Court; nolle prosequi entered.

Cause of Action: Unlawful possession of liquor. Verdict of Guilty reversed and remanded by

Found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Tennessee.