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Hamilton District Superior Court of Law and Equity, 1792-1809

In the early days of Tennessee, the court system differed from what we know today. The local County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions presided over minor civil matters (below $50) in each county whereas the Superior Courts of Law and Equity presided over disputes involving sums $50 or greater, criminal matters and appellate matters. There were five District Courts with the Hamilton District being held at the courthouse in Knoxville, Tennessee. This court served the middle counties of the East Tennessee region. The other District Courts were the Washington District held at Jonesboro, the Winchester District held at Carthage, the Robertson District held at Clarksville, and the Mero District held at Nashville. Each of these District Courts was presided over by three traveling Superior Court judges who traveled from District to District to hear cases. By 1809 this system had become unwieldy. In 1810, the Superior Court of Law and Equity was reorganized with criminal matters and larger civil cases being transferred to newly created local circuit courts with appellate matters retained in the renamed Supreme Court of Errors & Appeals. The Hamilton District Superior Court of Law and Equity records are maintained by the Knox County Archives and are indexed here but be advised many of the cases heard in this court involve disputes held throughout the East Tennessee region, not just Knox County.

Knox County Chancery Court Index, 1832-1899

This database is an index of Chancery Court (Court of Equity) records found in Knox County, Tennessee for the years 1832-1899. The early Knox County Chancery Court served as the court of equity for Knox, Anderson, Campbell and Sevier Counties in Tennessee. These records are maintained by the Knox County Archives.

Knox County Circuit Court Index, 1810-1899

This database is an index of Circuit Court records found in Knox County, Tennessee for the years 1810-1899. These records are maintained by the Knox County Archives.

Knox County Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Index, 1792-1922

From the Knox County Public Library, the Knox County (Tennessee) Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions index is a complete listing for all dockets from the creation of Knox County, Tennessee in 1792 to 1900. The County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions was the primary court handling most local issues during the early period of Tennessee. The county court was comprised of Justices of the Peace (J.P.s), each representing a defined area which they served. The J.P.s were appointed by the Territory or State until 1836, elected thereafter. They were given sole jurisdiction over cases involving less than $50 in property or fines, handling all the minor civil and criminal matters such as tax disputes, probate, debt disputes, etc... as well as performing marriage rights. Cases involving more than $50 in property or fines, criminal matters or appellate matters were handled by the district Superior Court of Law and Equity until 1809, the circuit courts thereafter.

Knox County Naturalizations

This is a Google Docs spreadsheet. Abstracted from the Knox County Circuit, Criminal and Chancery Court Minute Books covering the years 1792-1907. Tennessee.