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Habeas petitions described a broad range of carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement over the long nineteenth century, including those used to demand due process, resist enslavement, challenge child removal and reservation confinement, avoid deportation, present child custody claims and protest child marriage, and to challenge institutionalization and detention in private and state institutions. As a legal mechanism borrowed from British common law and guaranteed as a civil right in US federal and state constitutions, habeas provides a lens on a diverse community of legal actors.

Our encoding practice allows us to identify petitions in these three categories and to indicate where those categories overlap. In addition to these three general categories, our team has identified the specific carceral charge being challenged as well as the particular forms of institutional and interpersonal confinements being questioned.

You may also browse or search petitions by location and/or jurisdiction to learn more about the myriad complaints petitioners brought before judges in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington between 1812 and 1924. Each case entry includes a full citation, a summary, links to people with a role in the case, a list of other people named, and any sites of significance. Visitors wanting access to full case files can contact the cited repository for information about obtaining copies. Those without institutional affiliations may request image scans from Dr. Jagodinsky directly. The Glossary defines the attributes used to structure data from the habeas petitions. The Code Book explains the relational structure of the data and functionality of the database website.

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Petition Type : Institutional

215 results

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George W. Lunkin vs. Capt. W. S. Matthews

  • Earliest record date: July 29, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Abner S. Nancy v. Capt William M. Matthews

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Louis Dick for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 28, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Thomas and Catherine Gilbert v. William Cochrane

  • Earliest record date: May 2, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Charles Flournoy for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the Matter of the application of Joseph Heider for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 6, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Terrance O'Connell

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Philip Lowry

  • Earliest record date: December 18, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of Margaret Grundy by Mrs. Roy Davis her mother and next friend for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Anna Berg et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Wasgreu

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition for Habeas Corpus on behalf of Mary Josephine Marshall

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of A. Leonard Mossberger, ex rel, Leslie Mossberger, a minor, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 16, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of E. E. Koontz, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 17, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re the Petition of Juan Rey Abeita for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 5, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Frank Kreishutz for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Edna Sullivan and Geraldine Sullivan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 10, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Laura M. Parker for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Joyce McCaulley and Ray McCaulley Jr.

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

On the relation of Mrs. Lottie Parsons Relator vs. St. James Orphan Asylum Respondent

  • Earliest record date: October 9, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Frank McCartney for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Sadie Millett and Harry D. Ryan, for the writ of Habeas Corpus for the custody of Constance Cheshire

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Territory of Washington V. Wilson D. Coyle

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of James McAlvoy

  • Earliest record date: August 27, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Mattie Cahill, Complainant, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebraska and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Streets, Omaha, Nebraska, Respondents.

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Henry M Stall

  • Earliest record date: March 7, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

On relation of Charles Holton, and Sarah Holton vs. Nebraska Children's Home Society

  • Earliest record date: February 26, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Application of Alice Bigelow for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Behalf of Edith and Edna Bigelow, her Daughters

  • Earliest record date: March 22, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 23, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Simon B. Swab for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Elizabeth A Wineteer, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 16, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of M. L. Hills and Myrtle Hills for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 19, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of Frank Lagerquist against Peter A. Swanson

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity | Interpersonal: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Anna Sultz for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mary Peterson for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of James A. Balch on Habeas Corpus Proceedings

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Yvonne LeFevre, Marie LeFevre, and Georgette Normand for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: public charge | Institutional: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail | deported | jumped bail

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Henry J. Leonari

  • Earliest record date: May 28, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of James B. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Joseph Edward Ohlson

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re: E. Stubley on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 1, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

By the Habeas Corpus Act in the matter of Philip Ahren

  • Earliest record date: December 18, 1851
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Sam Hop and Chinese subjects, for Writs of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Patrick Holland vs. Dr. R. E. Lee Steiner

  • Earliest record date: February 13, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Bertha M. Herman for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of John Duffy for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Institutional
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of Maud Shaw by Jud Brown for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 5, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Israel Harding

  • Earliest record date: January 3, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Leroy Allison for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 27, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Ruby Gertrude Denny a minor for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 2, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the Matter of the Application for a writ of Habeas Corpus by Katie Broderick on the behalf of Thomas Broderick

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

State of Nebraska on the relation of Lille Walton, Cora Walton, Ernest Glenn Walton, Ledonia Walton, and Bessie Walton and Petition of Hiatt Elmer Walton, father of said children, for habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
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