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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 J. W. Mills for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of the petition of Emma E. Howard for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 4, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of George Coffey for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Territory of Washington v. George Woodard

  • Earliest record date: July 5, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Abner S. Nancy v. Capt William M. Matthews

  • Earliest record date: July 29, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Everett Whitley, John Whitley, Cora Brown for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Charles Dorsey

  • Earliest record date: March 20, 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 Charles N. Replogle, Superintendent of the Mission, upon Douglas Island, Alaska, of "Kansas Yearly Meeting of of Orthodox Friends" on behalf of Nu-Shukk, a minor Indian child, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 2, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Pete Jelott Relator vs. Michael L. Clark Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: December 30, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Ralph O. Urban for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Emma Banks for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 26, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas Wilson and G. F. Leanord for a writ of Habeas Corpus

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

Application of Fred L. Smith for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Red Johnson

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Martha Drusilla v. Richmond Curle

  • Earliest record date: October 27, 1844
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas corpus to James Young

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1824
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of John Meisher

  • Earliest record date: December 7, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Lucile Dawson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by Lulu Dawson

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Harry B. Porter for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 26, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: impersonating an officer
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Vincenzo Ubaldino for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Deported | exhibits withdrawn

In the Matter of the Application of William P. Keif for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Frank Jones for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Ray Jones and Madeline Jones

  • Earliest record date: July 24, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the Application of Maggie Jones for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Adolph Bauer for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 21, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of George Matson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Edna Brookfield for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 2, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Matter of the Application by Henry Burman for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for May Burman

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached | released from custody

In the matter of the application of James R. Burleigh for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 12, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 Edward Rosewater for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 2, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bribery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Mrs. Carmen Lynne 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: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of A. B. Burks for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 28, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of Anna Elizabeth Krim for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Frank M. Ringer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 26, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Writ of habeas corpus for Sterling P. White, an important witness

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: appear to testify (ad testificandum)
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of Herman Hadlan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Hiram Smith

  • Earliest record date: March 14, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

William Smith vs. Territory of Washington

  • Earliest record date: August 12, 1862
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Application of Marcus Glassman for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 20, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of James Cosgrove for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 19, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed | released on bail

In the matter of the application of James Nelson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully collecting and removing garbage, ashes, filth, and other refuse matter without a contract
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Martha Morrison for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 8, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Virgie La Grand, ex rel James La Grand, her husband, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Esther M. Hopkins, Supt. State Industrial School for Girls

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: spousal custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Moy Hing Hun for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 6, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Deported | remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Jacob Penner, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 28, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of Harm Dirksen, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape

In re application of Daisy Cattleman for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 30, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Herold James Miller, by Grace Miller, his next friend, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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