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Cases
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.
Featured story: The Habeas Corpus and Divorce Proceedings of Katie Mayes
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Filter by:
State
- Nebraska 95
- Washington 43
- Missouri 41
Petition Type
- Carceral 134
- Interpersonal 22
- Institutional 20
- Unknown 5
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: cause unspecified 68
- Interpersonal: child custody 19
- Institutional: underage military enlistment 13
- Carceral: fugitive slavery 8
- Carceral: larceny 8
- Carceral 7
- Carceral: murder 6
- Institutional: insanity 5
- Unknown 5
- Carceral: wrongful imprisonment 4
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 3
- Carceral: petty larceny 3
- Carceral: burglary and larceny 2
- Carceral: disturbing the peace 2
- Carceral: drug use 2
- Carceral: grand larceny 2
- Carceral: immigration 2
- Interpersonal: kidnapping 2
- Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon 1
- Carceral: attempted rape 1
- Carceral: bastardy 1
- Carceral: bootlegging 1
- Carceral: burglary 1
- Carceral: contempt of court 1
- Carceral: desertion 1
- Carceral: embezzlement 1
- Carceral: Failure to Pay Debt 1
- Carceral: false pretenses 1
- Carceral: forgery 1
- Carceral: no charge 1
- Carceral: opium use 1
- Carceral: peddling without a license 1
- Carceral: prostitution 1
- Carceral: rape 1
- Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine 1
- Carceral: robbery 1
- Carceral: selling liquor without a license 1
- Carceral: smuggling 1
- Carceral: trafficking 1
- Carceral: violation of city ordinance 1
- Carceral: violation of federal revenue law 1
- Institutional: child custody 1
- Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term 1
- Interpersonal: marital dispute 1
- Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement 1
- Interpersonal: wrongful servitude 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 129
- Female 30
- Unindicated 11
Age of Bound Party
- Unindicated 83
- Adult 52
- Minor 31
- Unclear 1
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 153
- Black 10
- Asian 2
- Colored 1
- Indigenous 1
Petition Year
- 1868 15
- 1855 12
- 1854 7
- 1862 6
- 1856 5
- 1889 5
- 1903 5
- 1857 4
- 1870 4
- 1886 4
- 1895 4
- 1896 4
- 1912 4
- 1864 3
- 1865 3
- 1867 3
- 1869 3
- 1910 3
- 1914 3
- 1844 2
- 1852 2
- 1866 2
- 1878 2
- 1882 2
- 1883 2
- 1887 2
- 1888 2
- 1894 2
- 1898 2
- 1901 2
- 1902 2
- 1906 2
- 1911 2
- 1916 2
- 1918 2
- 1819 1
- 1851 1
- 1853 1
- 1858 1
- 1859 1
- 1877 1
- 1881 1
- 1885 1
- 1890 1
- 1892 1
- 1893 1
- 1900 1
- 1904 1
- 1905 1
- 1908 1
- 1909 1
- 1913 1
- 1915 1
- 1917 1
- 1919 1
- 1921 1
- 1923 1
Earliest Record Date
- 1868 15
- 1855 13
- 1854 7
- 1886 7
- 1856 6
- 1862 6
- 1889 5
- 1903 5
- 1912 5
- 1857 4
- 1865 4
- 1869 4
- 1870 4
- 1887 4
- 1895 4
- 1896 4
- 1864 3
- 1867 3
- 1871 3
- 1874 3
- 1878 3
- 1902 3
- 1910 3
- 1819 2
- 1844 2
- 1852 2
- 1866 2
- 1877 2
- 1879 2
- 1882 2
- 1883 2
- 1884 2
- 1885 2
- 1888 2
- 1894 2
- 1898 2
- 1901 2
- 1906 2
- 1909 2
- 1911 2
- 1914 2
- 1916 2
- 1918 2
- 1923 2
- 1826 1
- 1851 1
- 1853 1
- 1858 1
- 1859 1
- 1872 1
- 1873 1
- 1881 1
- 1890 1
- 1892 1
- 1893 1
- 1900 1
- 1905 1
- 1908 1
- 1913 1
- 1915 1
- 1917 1
- 1919 1
- 1921 1
Latest Record Year
- 1868 15
- 1855 13
- 1854 7
- 1886 7
- 1862 6
- 1903 6
- 1856 5
- 1889 5
- 1912 5
- 1857 4
- 1865 4
- 1869 4
- 1870 4
- 1887 4
- 1895 4
- 1896 4
- 1864 3
- 1867 3
- 1871 3
- 1874 3
- 1878 3
- 1910 3
- 1914 3
- 1920 3
- 1844 2
- 1852 2
- 1866 2
- 1877 2
- 1879 2
- 1882 2
- 1883 2
- 1884 2
- 1885 2
- 1888 2
- 1894 2
- 1898 2
- 1901 2
- 1906 2
- 1911 2
- 1917 2
- 1819 1
- 1820 1
- 1826 1
- 1851 1
- 1853 1
- 1858 1
- 1859 1
- 1872 1
- 1873 1
- 1881 1
- 1890 1
- 1892 1
- 1893 1
- 1900 1
- 1902 1
- 1904 1
- 1905 1
- 1908 1
- 1909 1
- 1913 1
- 1915 1
- 1916 1
- 1921 1
- 1923 1
- 1924 1
Court Name
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha Nebraska) 86
- St Louis County Law Commissioners Court (St Louis Missouri) 35
- King County Superior Court (Seattle Washington) 20
- Third Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 9
- Adams County Court (Hastings Nebraska) 6
- St Louis County Circuit Court (St Louis Missouri) 6
- First Judicial District Of Washington District Court (Walla Walla Washington) 5
- First Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Colfax Washington) 3
- District Court Of The United States District Of Washington Territory (Port Townsend Washington) 2
- Gage County District Court (Beatrice Nebraska) 2
- Us District Court Of Washington Western District Northern Division (Seattle Washington) 2
- Second Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Tacoma Washington) 1
- Us Circuit Court Of Washington Western District Northern Division (Seattle Washington) 1
- Us District Court For The Omaha Division Of The District Of Nebraska (Omaha Nebraska) 1
Repository
- History Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska) 86
- Missouri State Archives-St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri) 41
- Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington) 29
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska) 12
- Washington State Archives, Eastern Regional Branch (Cheney, WA) (Cheney, Washington) 9
- National Archives and Records Administration, Seattle Branch, Washington (Seattle, WA) (Seattle, Washington) 3
- Gage County District Court (Beatrice, Nebraska) 2
- Washington State Archives, Northwest Regional Branch (Bellingham, WA) (Bellingham, Washington) 2
- National Archives and Records Administration, Kansas City (Kansas City, Kansas) 1
Type of Source
- Case File 100
- Journal 62
- Docket 33
- Digitized Case File 2
Points of Law Cited
- Habeas Corpus Act of 1855 3
- Habeas Corpus Act of 1845 2
- Act of the Missouri Legislature of 1807 1
- Chinese Restriction Act 1
- Sec. 1042 Revised Statutes of the United States Law of 1878 1
- Section 20.12 of Washington Code 1
- Section 5 of the Act of the Congress of the United States of America, passed March 3rd, 1875 1
- Volstead Act 1
People
- Lake, George B. 32
- Colvin, John W. 27
- Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk) 9
- Cudihee, Edward (Cudahee) 8
- Felps, James A. 8
- Williams, Matthew (clerk) 7
- Bell, William R. 5
- Button, William F. 5
- McGraw, John Harte (J. A. McGraw) 5
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 5
- Hughes, P. D. 4
- Lawler, William 4
- Oliphant, Ethelbert Pendleton (Patterson) 4
- Williams, Matthew (deputy) 4
- Baker, Benjamin S. 3
- Baxter, Mark W. 3
- Cady, Charles F. 3
- Case, Otto A. (Clerk) 3
- Castello, James 3
- Griffin, Arthur E. 3
- Hanford, Cornelius Holgate 3
- Johnstone, Peter W. 3
- Kellogg, William 3
- McDonald, John W. 3
- Neville, James W. 3
- Oliphant, E.P. (Ethelbert Patterson Oliphant) 3
- Scott, Cunningham R. 3
- Seavey, Webber S. (W. F.) 3
- Sickels, W. K. (Clerk) 3
- Woerner, John Gabriel 3
- Allen, Edward E. 2
- Ayres, A. Reeves (clerk) 2
- Baldwin, John N. (John W.) 2
- Bannick, Claude George (Claud) 2
- Bass, D.W. (notary public) 2
- Burnham, N. J. 2
- Bush, J. E. 2
- Carroll, Charles C. 2
- Chase, Champion 2
- Cushman, Edward E. 2
- Darlington, Gabriel D. 2
- Dellone, Andrew 2
- Dusenbury, Henry 2
- Eberstein, Marshall 2
- English, James P. 2
- Estelle, Lee S. 2
- Frater, Archibald Wanless 2
- Frye, Hermon S. 2
- Gardner, Samuel H. 2
- Gibson, L. B. (esquire) 2
- Greene, Roger Sherman 2
- Hamilton, Thomas J. 2
- Hopewell, Melville Reeves (M. R.) 2
- Hopkins, R. M (Clerk) 2
- Humes, Thomas Jefferson 2
- Jamison, John M. 2
- Johnson, 2
- Johnson, William 2
- Kern, William B. 2
- Lavor, A. 2
- Logan, Robert F. 2
- Lunkin, George W. 2
- Magney, George A. 2
- Matthews, W. S. 2
- Mayor of Omaha (role unknown). 2
- Moore, William 2
- Musick, Joel Lewis (deputy jailer) 2
- Poppleton, Andrew J. 2
- Porter, George C. (George Clark Porter) 2
- Redick, William A. 2
- Ronald, James Theodore (John T., J. P.) 2
- Rose, Mathias 2
- Schuler, John J. 2
- Seaton, B. A. (Clerk) 2
- Sexton, B.N (Clerk) 2
- Sheriff (role unclear). 2
- Sickels, D. K. (Clerk) 2
- Simmons, 2
- Simmons, Cyrenius Canfield 2
- Stevens, John C. 2
- Sullivan, John J. 2
- Sumner, Edwin Vose 2
- Wakeley, Eleazer 2
- Willits, John E. 2
- Woolery, James H. 2
- Moore, William Hickman (Witness). 1
- Piddeaux, Thomas (Deputy Clerk) 1
- , Ann 1
- , Bob 1
- Boyden, G. W. (witness) 1
- , Catiche (Catherine) 1
- , Coo-ta-we-coots-oo-teal-coose (Blue Hawk) 1
- , Eliza 1
- Ewart, Irving [Ruth's older brother] 1
- Ewart, J.S. [Ruth's father and Mrs. Dodder's ex-husband] 1
- , Helen 1
- , Joseph 1
- , Julie 1
- , La-coo-da-cot (Yellow Sun) 1
- , Le-Kah-dix-te-pah-rah (Horse Driver) 1
180 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the matter of application of Philmore David and Ellison Blackford for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 20, 1923
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Re-Application of Minnie Smith for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 3, 1886
- Petition type(s): Unknown
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of William H. Adams for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 23, 1871
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Application of George F. Vanderveer, as next friend of Antoni Karachun, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 26, 1923
- Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
United States vs. Mathias Rose
- Earliest record date: December 3, 1819
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Mertie L. Young upon relation of Evaline L. Young
- Earliest record date: June 15, 1887
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached
In the matter of the application of Frank Baldwin for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 28, 1886
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Albert D. Rust
- Earliest record date: February 22, 1873
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Habeas Corpus of Patrick Melia
- Earliest record date: January 1, 1871
- Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced
A. N. Jones v. Territory of Washington
- Earliest record date: April 21, 1869
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Isaiah Peterson v. Orrin Rhodes
- Earliest record date: August 25, 1856
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Francis A. Castie vs. Territory of Nebraska
- Earliest record date: June 23, 1865
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of William Johnson for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 25, 1877
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of George H. Jones on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 8, 1879
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Habeas Corpus in the matter of George Pflanz
- Earliest record date: April 9, 1855
- Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
In the matter of the Habeas Corpus of Dudley Douglas
- Earliest record date: January 1, 1879
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of George Skyrme for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John Baggs for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 19, 1874
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Al Shaw for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 16, 1887
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
Habeas Corpus To the Jailor of S Louis County. P. Chouteau Sr. B. Pratte & A. Amelin
- Earliest record date: May 10, 1826
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of William, A Chinaman, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 24, 1884
- Petition type(s): Carceral: opium use | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: drug use
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Unknown
- Earliest record date: November 7, 1884
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Alex Anderson on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 12, 1874
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
The State of Nebraska v. Yellow Sun et al
- Earliest record date: June 12, 1871
- Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail/bond
In the matter of the application of Robert Catlin for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 30, 1872
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced
In the matter of the application of W. H. Watson for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 26, 1886
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Habeas Corpus for J. S. McGuire
- Earliest record date: June 5, 1885
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Gustave Berquest for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 1, 1874
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Habeas Corpus of Ah Bow against Claude Bannick, Chief of Police
- Earliest record date: September 8, 1912
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Application of Charles E. Wheeler for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 28, 1878
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
