Tennessee Superior Court (Hamilton District) Prosecution Bonds Ledger
This ledger houses handwritten copies of prosecution bonds issued in equity cases heard by the Tennessee Superior Court of Law and Equity's Hamilton District between 1793 and 1809.
Dates
- 1793 August 9-1809 November 2
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 flat box)
Abstract
This ledger houses handwritten copies of prosecution bonds issued in equity cases heard by the Tennessee Superior Court of Law and Equity's Hamilton District between 1793 and 1809.
Biographical/Historical Note
Tennessee's 1796 Constitution established two courts in the state: the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions and the Superior Court of Law and Equity. Each county had its own Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, which heard legal cases in which the punishment did not involve loss of life or limb and equity cases in which the monetary or property value was modest. The Superior Court of Law and Equity handled more serious cases and served as the appeals court for the various Courts of Common Pleas. Three traveling judges heard cases in the Washington District (based in Jonesborough), the Hamilton District (based in Knoxville), the Winchester District (based in Carthage), the Robertson District (based in Clarksville), and the Mero District (based in Nashville). This system had become overworked by 1809, when the Superior Court of Law and Equity was renamed the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals and a Circuit Court was established. The system was reorganized with the 1834 Constitution in order to reduce confusion about jurisdiction and appeals.
Arrangement
This collection consists of a single flat box.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository