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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 Louis Seiffer, imprisoned under the name of David S. Berman, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the Matter of the Application of Ichitaro Akagi for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 3, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Exhibits withdrawn | not in custody

In the Matter of the Application of L. S. LeWald for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 2, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Benjamin Wise for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 19, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: arson
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of John Schmidt against Claude Bannick (C of P)

  • Earliest record date: March 29, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: August 15, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Mrs. Duncan Ross for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of her Son Hallie Sheldon

  • Earliest record date: July 14, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of George W. Steward Father and legal Guardian and cutodian of George W. Steward Jr. Minor for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 3, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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

Habeas Corpus of E. N. Roberts against Claude Bannick

  • Earliest record date: February 25, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • 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

Habeas Corpus to F. Hickman

  • Earliest record date: April 13, 1825
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement | Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Johnathan Anthasso for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Edgar I. Fuller father of Helen Dorothy Fuller for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 20, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

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

  • Earliest record date: June 11, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Henry Freeman

  • Earliest record date: July 20, 1853
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Mary Doran for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 29, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Institutional
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George Kierkoff, Peter Toney, Jim George, Lue Pete, Vangheli Noun Cafegi, Pandi Semo, and Nasto Kaloff for writ H. C.

  • Earliest record date: February 7, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Lena Heaton for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 20, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Albert Schiessl, Plantiff Vs. Mrs. Gussie Maloney, Defendent

  • Earliest record date: January 3, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Pearl Brandt, minor, by Frank Brandt her father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 27, 1905
  • 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 Lee Kee for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 21, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: running an opium den
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Milton F. Lamaster for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 5, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of John Harris for writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Vincent Duncan vs. James Duncan

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1829
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Application of Arthur Miller in the Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Ugean Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Willis R. Kelly, on behalf of Phillip Kelly, a minor child, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 24, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of Fred Schneiderwind for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Kittie Owens for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 3, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: December 19, 1874
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Application of William Hayes for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 4, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: highway robbery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Adam Marshall

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Roy Stearns vs. R. R. Lee Steiner, Superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital

  • Earliest record date: July 18, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mamie Allen for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 25, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Gustav Rittmaster for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 1, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of May East for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Alfio DeGeorge for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Samuel Goldsmith for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Michael Goldsmith

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Joe Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: using obscene language in the presence of women | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Carl Berg for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 15, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application E. H. Hall for the Writ of Habeas Corpus for Lizzie Storz

  • Earliest record date: October 4, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Sam Newman against Claude Bannick (Chief of Police) Case No: 97668

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Napoleon Johnson

  • Earliest record date: April 27, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of Louis Leiberman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 18, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Sunday Ordinance
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the Application of Wm Braniff for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Leah, a woman of color v. Arthur Mitchel

  • Earliest record date: September 25, 1832
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of William Golden for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of William Gerald on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral: smuggling
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
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