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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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1876 results

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

  • Earliest record date: January 6, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Theodore Mazzine for Martha Mazzine against Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Ah Korn et al. for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Aspasia Petition for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1827
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Frederick C. Test for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1914
  • 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 Peter Mangen for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Hazel May Mangen

  • Earliest record date: November 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Chester A. Richards for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 14, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: defrauding an inn-keeper
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Thomas Williams, by Joseph Lafayette Williams, his father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 1, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Ling Quan, Lue Tue and Lee Lung for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 11, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Warrhum W. Warren for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus of Asakichi Yamagami for wife against I. Hyashi et al

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Samuel O'Brien v. Nancy O'Brien

  • Earliest record date: July 9, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | new custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the Application of Harry Reedy for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 24, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: non-support of minor children
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

State of Missouri vs James Watt

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1820
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: being in possession of stolen goods
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of C. S. West for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 1, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In 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 matter of the app of Florence Garrison et ux for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 2, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Geo Nelson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Fred S. Soggs for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Schoenbeck against A. E. Griffiths Chief of Police et al

  • Earliest record date: May 18, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the Matter of Thomas Rice for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 16, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Habitual Drunkenness
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of George Nelson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 21, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of M. J. McDonough for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 21, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge

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

Habeas Corpus of Louisa Tubbs for Samuel Tubbs against Charles and Caroline Spink

  • Earliest record date: November 15, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: spousal custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William E. Mullins for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Walter Roseker for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: perjury
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of Nora Leon Gantz, for a writ of Habeas Corpus to obtain the custody of her minor son, Lester William Teter

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of William McCon for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 20, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • 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 application of Lee Barrington for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 24, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wanted for questioning
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Ah Oy, alias Loy Sen for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 14, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Addaline A. Wilson and Oliver Perry Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 10, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Charles Carlson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 10, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of Wade Gregory and Clarence J. Burress for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re Application of Rosie Wise for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit great bodily injury
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Nora Hanna for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

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

In the matter if the application of N. F. Britt for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of August C. Uhtof for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus of Yakes Ishikawa against Doc. Mrs Jane Fife

  • Earliest record date: January 14, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: protestant mission
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In matter of application of Mortimer Fox by Parke Godwin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 13, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas Francis Smiley, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 13, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Foong V. William Murphy. Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of W. J. Irwin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Lillian Butler for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 5, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application for Kathleen L. Williams for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Roger H. Williams

  • Earliest record date: August 1, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Chung Him and Seid Yam v. Henry M. White

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: May 9, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the application of Henry Imhoff for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 1, 1881
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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