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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 Dick Kimball for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 9, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Minnie Tarlton

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Chin Sheung Wing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 re application of Kate Petrovick for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 George Dunn for Writ of Habeas Corpus (B)

  • Earliest record date: May 11, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Maria L. Peterson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 11, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Samuel Coulter for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 22, 1872
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re application of Theodore Hill for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by his mother Zoa G. Zeroz in his behalf

  • Earliest record date: November 23, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Richard A. Saunders for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Franklin Ducharm for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 20, 1871
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Patrick Donahoe vs. The United States

  • Earliest record date: April 3, 1860
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Gin Kato for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 26, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the Matter of the Application of James Plymate for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon | Carceral: intent to commit robbery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Mary Moore for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Walter Johnson

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Hyman M. Stein for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license | Carceral: contempt of court | Carceral: municipal violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Nam Choey and 12 other men for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 6, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Christ Jensen for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 2, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of federal revenue law
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Henry W. Hall for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 19, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Unknown
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Ada Wilson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 5, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Martin DeWall for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 13, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of Application of Robert Swinney for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Samuel Gowen and Donald Webster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 24, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault | 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 Oscar Lehmann for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 23, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 application of Joe Vacarro for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 23, 1922
  • 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 Robert Ross for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 3, 1867
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: perjury
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: August 27, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Anton Berneker for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 2, 1892
  • 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 George F. Vanderveer, as next friend of Antoni Karachun, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of GL Jeffrey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 7, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Frank Brown

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1856
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: May 16, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay court costs
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Louis Miller, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of William Ryan

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 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 Mary Ellen Lyts for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 21, 1889
  • 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 George R. Daly for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 15, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: horse stealing
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re Application of John Mexican for writ of Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace | Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Charles DeFrance for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

ex rel Joseph Miller, Bernard Miller, Peter Miller, and Ed Mazone vs. John Briggs and Michael Corcoran; Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 18, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge

In the matter of the application of Maude Cooper for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Kenneth Cooper, otherwise known as Albert Silas

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached | released from custody

In the matter of the application of Joseph Boulting for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Can- ah- couqua for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 20, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of John Casey for a writ of Habeas Corpus

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

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Nancy Martin alias Nancy Belle Miller

  • Earliest record date: June 26, 1856
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery | Carceral: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Alfred Bradden for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 31, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Virginia May LaVonne, by Grace LaVonne, her mother and next friend, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 11, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Peter Doyle to be discharged from imprisonment by writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 5, 1867
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Application of Minnie Boxter a minor by her mother and natural guardian Sarah Younsum for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 4, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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