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Shelby County Inmates At The TN State Penitentiary, 1851-1870

The Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA) houses the surviving records of the Tennessee State Penitentiary.

The following list is for individuals in the index of Shelby County inmates at the state penitentiary between 1851-1870. For information on how to get more information about these records, please contact TSLA.

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Shelby County Inmates at the TN State Penitentiary, 1831-1850

The Tennessee State Library & Archives (TSLA) houses the surviving records of the Tennessee State Penitentiary.  

The following list is for individuals in the index of Shelby County inmates at the state penitentiary between 1831-1850. For information on how to get more information about these records, please contact TSLA.

The table below lists each individual names, crimes and age.

If you do not see the table and are reading this post via email or RSS feed reader,   click through and visit the website .

CUNNINGHAM, Emma C. (1870)

In this city, on the evening of the 13th inst., in the twenty-eighth year of her age, Mrs. Emma C., wife of Dickson CUNNINGHAM. The friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services at their residence, on Bass, east of Dunlap street, on this (Saturday) afternoon, at 2 o’clock.  The remains will be conveyed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Carriages at J.C. HOLST & Co. (pg. 1)

Source: Memphis Daily Appeal, 15 Jan 1870, pg. 1. Available at ChroniclingAmerica.

CHURCH, Robert R. – Contributes $1,000 for Confederate Veterans Reunion Entertaiment (1901)

The announcement comes from Memphis, Tenn., that Robert R. CHURCH, believed to be one of the wealthiest colored men in the South, has contributed over $1,000 for the entertainment of the Confederate Veterans at their annual reunion in that city in May next.  CHURCH was born a slave in Mississippi and spent his early days on a Mississippi steamboat , of which his master was the owner and captain,. (pg. 1)

Source: Roanoke Beacon newspaper of Plymouth, NC.  February 15, 1901.  pg. 1

Notes:

 

DILL, Benjamin F. (d. 1866)

Col. Benjamin F. DILL, editor of the Memphis Appeal, departed this life on the 4th inst., after a long and severe illness from pleurisy. His death was not unexpected, as his condition promised no hope of his recovery.

He has been attached to the Appeal as one of its editors and proprietors for many years, and to Col. DILL’s energy and perseverance is that paper largely indebted for its popularity. Since the Appeal has been resumed in Memphis, it has mourned the loss of both its pillars – the first number containing the death of J.R. MCCLANAHAN, and on the 5th inst. recording the death of Col. DILL.

The publication of the Appeal will be continued, but under whose management we have not learned.

Source: Bolivar Bulletin, January 13, 1866, pg. 2. Available online at Chronicling America. 

WHITE, John – (d. 1872)

A Negro Desperado -Memphis, March 17.

A desperate fight occurred on President’s Island, a few miles below this city, yesterday.  Deputy Sheriff R. RODEGAN went there for the purpose of arresting a negro, named John WHITE, who, for some time , has been the terror of the negroes living there.  RUDEGAN was met by a large body of armed negroes, who professed to want to assist in the arrest, but they stated WHITE had barricaded his cabin and would make a desparate fight.  RODEGAN approached WHITE’s cabin and demanded his surrender.  WHITE refused, saying he would be murdered by the negroes if he did.  After some further parleying one negro approached the cabin and was shot dead by WHITE, who rushed out and secured his gun. 

Source:  Cleveland Banner newspaper of Bradley County, TN; 22 Mar 1872, pg. 3