{"title":"Tennessee","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"rare-1802-tennessee-court-manuscript-joseph-h-miller-v-robert-j-nelson-montgomery-county-court-of-pleas-quarter-sessions-complete-7-page-case-file","title":"Rare 1802 Tennessee Court Manuscript – Joseph H. Miller v. Robert J. Nelson – Montgomery County Court of Pleas \u0026 Quarter Sessions – Complete 7-Page Case File","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3465\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptional original frontier Tennessee court manuscript dating to \u003cstrong data-start=\"3301\" data-end=\"3309\"\u003e1802\u003c\/strong\u003e, documenting the civil case of \u003cstrong data-start=\"3341\" data-end=\"3381\"\u003eJoseph H. Miller v. Robert J. Nelson\u003c\/strong\u003e before the \u003cstrong data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3464\"\u003eCourt of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Montgomery County, Tennessee\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3926\"\u003eComprising approximately seven handwritten folio pages, the file preserves nearly every stage of the litigation, including the original writ, declaration, bond, sheriff's return, endorsements, jury proceedings, verdict, motion for a new trial, cost bill, and the clerk's certified transcript. The case concerns the recovery of a \u003cstrong data-start=\"3796\" data-end=\"3826\"\u003e$230 promissory obligation\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the jury ultimately finding in favor of the plaintiff and awarding both the debt and damages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3928\" data-end=\"4360\"\u003eThe concluding certification is signed by \u003cstrong data-start=\"3970\" data-end=\"3990\"\u003eJoseph B. Porter\u003c\/strong\u003e, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, affirming that the manuscript is a true transcript of the case. Written only six years after Tennessee entered the Union, the document provides a fascinating glimpse into the administration of justice on the early American frontier and preserves the names of numerous jurors, attorneys, court officials, and litigants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4362\" data-end=\"4556\"\u003eThe manuscript remains in very good condition with strong, legible script throughout, expected folds, light edge wear, and minor paper loss at one corner that does not affect the principal text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4759\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eAn outstanding early Tennessee legal archive and an important artifact of frontier jurisprudence, ideal for collectors of early American manuscripts, Tennessee history, genealogy, and judicial records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"ed7a8db6-0654-4e98-9549-d5433584cb7d\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(--sticky-padding-top)\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"ed7a8db6-0654-4e98-9549-d5433584cb7d\" data-turn-id-container=\"ed7a8db6-0654-4e98-9549-d5433584cb7d\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-3\" data-turn=\"user\"\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:7dffbfcf-9e2d-44f1-b28d-2a0c9c41a962-1\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:7dffbfcf-9e2d-44f1-b28d-2a0c9c41a962-1\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:7dffbfcf-9e2d-44f1-b28d-2a0c9c41a962-1\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-4\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\" class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"f745c2e3-7a68-4ddc-90bd-943b05f705f2\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1v3nf9r\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"17\"\u003eIdentification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"19\" data-end=\"340\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"19\" data-end=\"82\"\u003eEarly Tennessee Court of Pleas \u0026amp; Quarter Sessions Case File\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"82\" data-end=\"85\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"94\"\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"133\"\u003eJoseph H. Miller v. Robert J. Nelson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"133\" data-end=\"136\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"146\"\u003eCourt:\u003c\/strong\u003e Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Montgomery County, Tennessee\u003cbr data-start=\"212\" data-end=\"215\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"215\" data-end=\"224\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1802 (primarily April–October 1802)\u003cbr data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"263\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"274\"\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 7 manuscript folio pages, handwritten on laid paper\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"342\" data-end=\"545\"\u003eThis is an original territorial\/early statehood Tennessee court case file documenting a civil action brought by \u003cstrong data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"474\"\u003eJoseph H. Miller\u003c\/strong\u003e against \u003cstrong data-start=\"483\" data-end=\"503\"\u003eRobert J. Nelson\u003c\/strong\u003e over the collection of a promissory note.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"595\"\u003eThe final page contains a clerk's certification:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"597\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\"...a true transcript of the suit of Joseph H. Miller vs Robert J. Nelson...\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"678\" data-end=\"819\"\u003esigned by \u003cstrong data-start=\"688\" data-end=\"708\"\u003eJoseph B. Porter\u003c\/strong\u003e, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Montgomery County. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"821\" data-end=\"824\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1c7c49r\" data-start=\"826\" data-end=\"837\"\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"857\"\u003eThe file includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"859\" data-end=\"1162\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14r55w0\" data-start=\"859\" data-end=\"897\"\u003eOriginal writ issued April 29, 1802.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ixcdel\" data-start=\"898\" data-end=\"917\"\u003eSheriff's return.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1h5y44h\" data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"955\"\u003eDeclaration filed by the plaintiff.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3jo6a7\" data-start=\"956\" data-end=\"992\"\u003eObligation (bond) and endorsement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xmnvda\" data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"1017\"\u003eDefendant's pleadings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"czg489\" data-start=\"1018\" data-end=\"1043\"\u003eJury trial proceedings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"vfwmq1\" data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1059\"\u003eJury verdict.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"156uuak\" data-start=\"1060\" data-end=\"1085\"\u003eMotion for a new trial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ews6j3\" data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1128\"\u003eClerk's certification of the transcript.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"onr3jp\" data-start=\"1129\" data-end=\"1162\"\u003eCost bill and filing notations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1167\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1wk9puf\" data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1193\"\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1246\"\u003eThe lawsuit concerns an unpaid \u003cstrong data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1245\"\u003e$230 obligation\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1275\"\u003eAccording to the pleadings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1511\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ofyq1x\" data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1318\"\u003eGeorge Campbell executed an obligation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1sja1jm\" data-start=\"1319\" data-end=\"1369\"\u003eRobert J. Nelson endorsed or guaranteed payment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hblbye\" data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1443\"\u003eJoseph H. Miller sought to recover the debt after payment was not made.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"q8kt1e\" data-start=\"1444\" data-end=\"1511\"\u003eThe jury ultimately found for the plaintiff and assessed damages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1531\"\u003eThe court awarded:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1533\" data-end=\"1594\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1gnh11m\" data-start=\"1533\" data-end=\"1548\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1535\" data-end=\"1548\"\u003e$230 debt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"hkgmus\" data-start=\"1549\" data-end=\"1580\"\u003eapproximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"1565\" data-end=\"1580\"\u003e$50 damages\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"hgignj\" data-start=\"1581\" data-end=\"1594\"\u003ecourt costs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1596\" data-end=\"1679\"\u003eThe reverse endorsements show the suit progressed from spring through October 1802.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1681\" data-end=\"1684\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1353kst\" data-start=\"1686\" data-end=\"1710\"\u003eHistorical Importance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1712\" data-end=\"1766\"\u003eThis is a remarkably early Tennessee legal manuscript.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1795\"\u003eImportant features include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1e1v2xq\" data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"1856\"\u003eOnly six years after Tennessee achieved statehood (1796).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"hgx782\" data-start=\"1857\" data-end=\"1926\"\u003eMontgomery County was among Tennessee's earliest frontier counties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"tub7sy\" data-start=\"1927\" data-end=\"2053\"\u003eCourt of Pleas \u0026amp; Quarter Sessions records from this era are considerably scarcer than later nineteenth-century court papers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ae6i3s\" data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2148\"\u003eComplete multi-page case files survive far less frequently than isolated writs or summonses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9skg8i\" data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003eExcellent example of frontier legal procedure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2317\"\u003eThe numerous endorsements, signatures, and jury panel make it especially useful for genealogical and legal historians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2322\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"2324\" data-end=\"2336\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2338\" data-end=\"2393\"\u003eOverall \u003cstrong data-start=\"2346\" data-end=\"2359\"\u003eVery Good\u003c\/strong\u003e for an 1802 Tennessee manuscript.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2628\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1yctx0d\" data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2416\"\u003eComplete case file.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hpn75g\" data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2445\"\u003eStrong dark iron-gall ink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1rckx5g\" data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2475\"\u003eGood legibility throughout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"iwuwyk\" data-start=\"2476\" data-end=\"2496\"\u003eTypical fold wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xvdo07\" data-start=\"2497\" data-end=\"2517\"\u003eMinor edge losses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hh5p84\" data-start=\"2518\" data-end=\"2569\"\u003eSmall loss at lower corner of certification leaf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"vks30q\" data-start=\"2570\" data-end=\"2628\"\u003eNo significant text loss affecting the body of the case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52597781430554,"sku":null,"price":625.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_1851.jpg?v=1785237357"}],"url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/collections\/tennessee.oembed","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}