Skip to main content
« Back to Explore

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.

Filter by:

Date

Drag slider to explore cases

Dates: -

Petition Type

Petition Subtype

See more

Petition Outcome

Fate of Bound Party

Sex of Bound Party

Age of Bound Party

Race of Bound Party

Petition Year

Earliest Record Date

Latest Record Year

Court Name

Type of Source

Length of Case File

Points of Law Cited

See more

People

See more

1876 results

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

  • Earliest record date: January 14, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: July 6, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Institutional: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus by C. M. Bradshaw on Behalf of Nicholas Adams and Thomas Gould of Clallam Co. W. T.

  • Earliest record date: June 14, 1864
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Margaret Purdy, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Josephine Blairb

  • Earliest record date: December 14, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Albert Herckenrath

  • Earliest record date: October 15, 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 Peter Britton for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Wendell Phillips Herrick for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: non-support of wife | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of James Harvey Davis

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of George Leib on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1860
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Sarah Dee for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Dee

  • Earliest record date: October 28, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of George W. Anderson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus (George W. Anderson v John H. McGraw)

  • Earliest record date: October 1, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

application of Pearl Weaver v. Michael L. Clark Sheriff of Douglas County Nebraska and Sherman Clayton Jailer of Douglas County Jail, Nebraska, For writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 15, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of T. Katioka for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 24, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon | Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of Milo Yates for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 21, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of John Morrissey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 26, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Paul Thomas for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re application of Rosie Nichols for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Addassa F. Maxson

  • Earliest record date: January 30, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of William Blackburn

  • Earliest record date: April 11, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Columbus Johnson to be discharged from custody

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of George Painter for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 18, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Sam Hing, John Sam, Joe Chinaman, Jim Kee, Ah Kee, Ah Sing, Ah Him, all Chinamen,--and James D. Patterson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: opium use | Carceral: running an opium den
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Leta Eshom, formerly Leta Bassett, for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Wilber Bassett, age 11 years, and Alma May Bassett, age 8 years

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lavinia R. Heron for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 21, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Opal Rogers, Complaint, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebr. and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Sts., Omaha, Nebraka, 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

Thornton Kinney (of color) vs John F. Hatcher and Charles C. Bridges

  • Earliest record date: October 7, 1851
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed

Habeas Corpus of Oscar Ralph against John J. Golliet

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John W. McDaniel for a writ of Habeas Corpus for William C. McDaniel

  • Earliest record date: June 23, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lee Helsley on behalf of Lizzie Hurd for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of Carl Shearer for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 7, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Duncan Burrage for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: August 18, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Henry Cook for a writ of Habeas Corpus for and on behalf of James Garfield

  • Earliest record date: May 16, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Oscar J. Quinn, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 6, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunkenness | Carceral: reckless driving
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Wong Yah Ying against Claude Bannick

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition of A.L. Parks for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 2, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • 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

Jennie Miller Powers v. Mary Elizabeth Miller and R. J. Miller

  • Earliest record date: April 9, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Albert Weston for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: maintaining a common nuisance
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Thomas Tudor for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 14, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Sam Plastino for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 25, 1911
  • Petition type(s): carceral: Violation of White Slave Traffic Act | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Frank Krebs and Pat Daugherty for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: October 8, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced

Dennis H. Cronin, U. S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Fred Totoro

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Ike Payne, Relator vs. Michael L. Clark, Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: October 10, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of F. Ota, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of Gustav Rittmaster for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 23, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Florence Tinsley for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 16, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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 application of Robert White for a writ of habeas corpus and admission to bail.

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Perscilla Burke for a writ of habeas corpus for the release of Cleo Ross, a minor child unlawfully detained

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • 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
Back to top