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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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Repository : Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington)

359 results

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In the Matter of the Application of Herman Weise for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: maintaining a common nuisance
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: July 6, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of J. P. Black for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 28, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Nathan Sanguinette for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 22, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re Habeas Corpus Myrtle Watson

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Pet. of Millie F. Porter for Habeas Corp.

  • Earliest record date: April 28, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Petition for Habeas Corpus for R. E. McKenzie

  • Earliest record date: September 20, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Application of Edward Sprouse for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application for Habeas Corpus for Jay Roy

  • Earliest record date: May 3, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of Application of W.E. Baker - Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re Habeas Corpus of D. B. Davidson

  • Earliest record date: August 29, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Hallie Winslow et al Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of J. Martin - Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 20, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Mary Quine for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 7, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of F. Hazleton Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 9, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Tom Nelson Writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 29, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John E. Foye for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 11, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Corruption of a Juror | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Illegal confinement of Adelaide Shawl and Hazel Shawl

  • Earliest record date: June 10, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez

  • Earliest record date: July 17, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

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

  • Earliest record date: July 19, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Matter of the Petition Ed Larson for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Pet of Ed Larson for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 11, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of H. G. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 10, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Edward Filger for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 20, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Adam Treger for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 14, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Petition of Do Gin for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 18, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Harry Ferguson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 9, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Walter Britton and John Trigg for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Dora Foster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Lola Williamson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Leon Richardson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Petition of G. W. Vail for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 29, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 Priss Evans for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Edson Sturgeon of Seattle Washington for Writ of H. Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 1, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of J. T. Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Joseph Paschal for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 8, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill | Carceral: attempted murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of G. M. Briggs for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Engaging in a commission business without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

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 custody of & welfare of Patrick Quinn, Leo Quinn and Mary Quinn, neglected and abused children

  • Earliest record date: October 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of George E. Daniel for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of May Andrews for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of W. S. Fuller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Fred Harris and Charles Eick for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: rape
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John H. Allen for writ of Habeas Corpus for J. C. Allen Jr.

  • Earliest record date: January 25, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Edward Ladd for writ of Habeas Corpus Case No:34690

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Andrew Knup for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 16, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of R. D. Watson for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 3, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Frances Palmer for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 18, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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