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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.

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53 results

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W.M. Kirby vs. Territory of Washington

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

W. M. Kirby vs. Territory of Washington

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

J.M. Burks and William Moore vs. W. Tompkins

  • Earliest record date: October 3, 1864
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Nicholas O'Byrne for the writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 2, 1866
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Cornelius Green to be discharged from custody

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of E. P. Child to be discharged from custody on a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 27, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Peter Nelson et al. v. Lewis V. Wycoff

  • Earliest record date: April 28, 1875
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: detaining sailors aboard ship
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Donald Fallon and Frank Rogers for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 6, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed | writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody

In the matter of due application of Ellen Kingsley for writ of Habeas Corpus for Infant Child

  • Earliest record date: February 15, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of W. H. Beers and E. R. Bissett for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 24, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Unknown
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of C. A. Clayton, Geo Rosenthal, Wm Lewis, John McDonald, Chas Olsen, Chao Kales, Fredericke Linde, C. Roschman For a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 9, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: detaining sailors aboard ship
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re Petition of Gus Bendjus et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 15, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: rioting | Carceral: malicious destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Thomas S. Brown et al for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 15, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: military infraction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Wong Sam et al. for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 10, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of William Jewett for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: crime of seduction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of P. H. McNamara for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: December 19, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of Petition of Meridy Dawsey for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 28, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Nicholas Dick for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of George Matson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas Wilson and G. F. Leanord for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Application of Eva Miller & Jessie Miller (Minors) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Virgil Wilson Laverne Wilson and Frances Wilson for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 8, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of C. V. Stortz et. al.

  • Earliest record date: April 6, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the application of Gaston Akoun, Madroche Zitoune, Abraham L. Reed, and S. B. Wadley for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: violation of injunction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the petition of Fritz Lee for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Lucie T. Dominick for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 8, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Roy Joy for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 12, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of W. S. Matthews against Maria Matthews + House of the Good Shepherd

  • Earliest record date: June 10, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Unlawful Detention of Seventy-Six Hindus.

  • Earliest record date: October 8, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of C. L. Rhodes against Claude Bannick (Chief of Police)

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of George Hall, W. M. Thompson, and John Phillips for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Charles Bird - and Josephine Bird, also known as Jack Lewis, by Irene Steward, petitioner for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Harry Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 21, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas A. Jenkins, Edward W. Latchem, E. F. Dicks, Henry Biddiscombe, Henry Harris, Simon Hendrickson, Carl Jacobs, George Vinski, Walter Wolski for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 1, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William Carthrum for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Frank O'Neill - Dave Gillinsky, A. F. Pirson first and real name unknown Art Williams and William Larsen for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: breaking and entering
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody

In the matter of application of Ethel Siefken for and on behalf of Marvel Siefken, Elmo Siefken and Kennard Siefken, minors for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 3, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of Application of H. S. Scott and J. H. Rogers for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of John J. Bohmer and Conselo Bohmer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to commit a felony | Carceral: breaking and entering
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of A. R. Poskey for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of A. C. Rankin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 22, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 Ma-chu-nah-zha (Standing Bear) for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1879
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 the Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus for ___ Kramer whose first name is unknown, and __ Standish, first name unknown by A. E. Howard

  • Earliest record date: February 6, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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