The Heritage of Daniel Haston

 

1840-1872 Van Buren County, TN
Circuit Court Minutes

Annotated from a Daniel Haston Family Perspective


August 1840 - August 1872 Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes
(From TSLA - Van Buren County, TN MF Roll #1)

Helpful Information on Early Tennessee Court Systems

County Court and Circuit Court - Distinctions

Both of these types of court were held regularly in Van Buren and other counties of Tennessee.  The county court only addressed county business matters (such as oversight of local roads, school issues, appointments of constables and justices of the peace, county taxes, etc.), not disputes.  County court sessions were generally held each month and were conducted by the justices of the peace for the county.  The 1840-1866 Van Buren County county court minutes have been annotated from a Daniel Haston family perspective and are available on this site.

Circuit courts dealt with any law cases, some of which were "criminal" ("State" cases where state laws had been broken) and others were civil (cases heard between individuals).  There were generally three terms of circuit court per year.  Criminal cases involved such matters as theft, gambling, fighting, murder, and bastardy.  Civil cases involved such matters as debt and divorce.  A state appointed circuit judge and an attorney general for the state would travel from town to town, in the area of their circuit, to conduct circuit court trials.  The annotations below were made from 1840-1872 Van Buren County circuit court minutes.

Traverse (or Petit) Jury and Grand Jury - Distinctions

A Grand Jury is a type of jury, in the common law legal system, which determines if there is enough evidence for a trial.  Grand Juries carry out this role by examining evidence presented to them by a prosecutor and issuing indictments, or by investigating alleged crimes and issuing presentments.  A Grand Jury is traditionally larger and distinguishable from a petit jury or traverse jury, which is used during a trial.  

A Grand Jury is part of the system of checks and balances, preventing a case from going to trial on a prosecutor's bare word.  It, as an impartial panel of ordinary citizens, must first decide whether there exists reasonable cause or probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed.  The Grand Jury can compel witnesses to testify before them.  Unlike the trial itself, the Grand Jury's proceedings are secret; the defendant and his or her counsel are generally not present for other witnesses' testimony.  The Grand Jury's decision is either a "true bill," there is a case to answer, or a "no true bill."  Since their deliberations were done secretly, a constable was assigned to serve the Grand Jury and assure that their activities were legal.  Grand Jurors typically are drawn from the same pool of citizens as a petit jury, and participate for a specific time period. 

Source:  Wikipedia

The Traverse Jury or Petit Jury is a trial jury impaneled to hear evidence in a civil or criminal case.  This type of jury is a sworn body of persons convened to render a rational, impartial verdict and a finding of fact on a legal question officially submitted to them, or to set a penalty or judgment in a jury trial of a court of law.

 Source: Wikipedia

In the early circuit court records for Van Buren County, TN, the sheriff would issue a venire facias (writ to summon qualified jurors to court) at the outset of the term of court.  From the jury pool, a group of twelve men (remember, these were 19th century trials) were selected to be on the Grand Jury.  Other remaining men in the jury pool were used for the Petit or Travers Jury.  For example:  (p. 63 of 1852 Van Buren County, TN minutes) "The balance of jurors who do not compose the Grand Jury are retained to serve as Traverse Jurors."

August 1840 - January 1850
Volume A - Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes
 

Year of 1840

Page

Name

Description
August
1 Isham B. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this session of circuit court, as of August 27, 1840.
December
7 David Haston
(David Martin?)
Juryman for a case involving Nathan F. Trogden v. John Stipe, during the December session.  He was not appointed as a regular member of the jury at the outset of this session, but appears on the jury for this case, and this case only in the December 1840 session.

Year of 1841

Page

Name

Description
April
14 Wiley B. Haston Summoned, elected, & empanelled as a juryman for the April 1841 session of circuit court, as of April 26, 1841.  It appears that he and others were dismissed from duty because the judge failed to arrive.
August
25 Wiley B. Haston
Isham B. Haston
Summoned to the August 1841 session of circuit court as potential jurymen.
25 Wiley B. Haston Elected and empanelled to serve on the August session of circuit court as a  juryman, as of August 23, 1841.
27 Isham B. Haston Juryman for the case of Spencer Holder v. James Hunter.
  Thomas C. Haston Witness in the above case of Spencer Holder v. James Hunter.
32 Thomas C. Haston
Isham B. Haston
Jurymen in the case of State v. James Allen & Barnabas Haley. (counterfeiting).
38 Wiley B. Haston Juryman on case of L.A. Kincannon v. Martha McElroy and Andrew McElroy.
December
53 Arthur Mitchell Reference to Arthur Mitchell's lands.  He married Malinda Haston, daughter of David & Peggy Haston.  Arthur Mitchell was a son of Spence Mitchell, one of the founders of the (Old) Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Year of 1842

Page

Name

Description
April
59-60 Isham B. Haston
David Haston
Acting as a Justice of the Peace, Isham B. Haston came to court for the case of Anthony A.W. Dibrell v. Vardry Camp and others (to condemn land).  Isham had issued the summons to the acting parties in this case, Vardry Camp, Solomon Reese, and Terry Gillentine.  Isham B. Haston tried the case, at his home, on February 26 earlier this same year and found Vardry Camp guilty of owing a debt to Dibrell.  David Haston seems to have witnessed this trial.  This circuit court case involved condemning some of Camp's land in order that it could be sold for payment of the debt.
66 Isham B. Haston
Thomas C. Haston
Wiley B. Haston
These brothers (all sons of David & Peggy Haston) were defendants in a case brought against them by the Bank of Tennessee.  The case seems to have been dismissed.
August
70 Isham B. Haston Summoned and elected to serve as a juryman in the August session of circuit court.
77 Pleasant Haston The State brought a case against Pleasant Haston for gaming.  It appears that he was ordered to bring Felix A. Badger (who was also indicted for gaming in the following case) with him.  Pleasant Haston was ordered to pay $250 to the State of Tennessee.  It seems that Pleasant Haston was made accountable to the sheriff of Putnam County, TN.  Who was this Pleasant Haston and where did he fit into the overall Haston family?  Contact us if you have information on him.
80 Isham B. Haston Case: Jesse W. Turley - use of Isham B. Haston v. Thomas Sutherland & Burden Wheeler.  This case has something to do with debt, but the description is too brief to know much about the case.
81 James A. Haston
David Haston
Jurymen on case of James Wright v. John R. Clark.
December
84 James A. Haston Summoned and elected to serve as a juryman in the December session of circuit court.
89 Isaac Haston The Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Isaac Haston for gaming.
90 Isham B. Haston This was a continuation of the case (Jesse W. Turley to the use of Isham B. Haston v. Thomas Sutherland & Burden) that was introduced in the August session.  It appears that the plaintiffs dismissed the case and paid for the court cost.
100-101 Isham B. Haston Acting as Justice of the Peace, Isham B. Haston came into court in the case of Leftwich Carrick vs. Solomon Reese.  He had served the circuit court summons to Solomon Reese and, as a Justice of the Peace, had tried the case at his house in February of this year.

Year of 1843

Page

Name

Description
April
106 David Haston
Willie B. Haston
Summoned and elected to the jury of the April 1843 session of the circuit court, as of April 24, 1843.
113 Isaac Haston State v. Isaac Haston - Presentment for gaming (gambling).  Isaac said that he was not guilty.  The jury (which did not include any Hastons) asserted that Isaac Haston was guilty and that he should pay a fine and remain in custody of the sheriff until the fine and court costs were paid.  However, the Attorney General and the Court declared that Isaac Haston was insolvent and discharged him without security for the fine and the court costs.
Question: Which Isaac Haston was this?  Isaac, the son of Daniel Haston, had already moved to Missouri.  David Haston's son, Isaac T. Haston, was only about 16 years old at this time.  Joseph Haston's son, Isaac N. Haston, would have been in his early 30s, which would make him a possible culprit in this case.
114 James W. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Samuel Davis (petit larceny).  Davis was found guilty and sent to the state penitentiary for one year.
August
122 James A. Haston Summoned but not elected to the jury for this August 1843 session of circuit court.
129 James W. Haston
Thomas C. Haston
Juryman on the case of Benjamin F. Budgeman v. Thomas M. Fleming and Thomas Moore (debt). 
132 James A. Haston
 
Juryman in the case of John B. Rodgers' Lessee v. Robert A. Campbell, James P. Thompson, and Richard Nelson (in Eject.). 
  David Haston The Grand Jury returned this indictment to court:  The State of Tennessee against David Haston for an assault and battery on the body of John T. Shockley, a true bill.
132-133 Isaac Haston Page 132:  The Grand Jury returned this indictment to court:  The State of Tennessee against Isaac Haston for an assault and battery on the body of Elias McGlothlin, not a true bill.
Page 133:  Because this indictment was "not a true bill" the prosecution (Elias McGlothlin) was ordered to pay the court costs.
December
135 Arthur Mitchell Summoned and elected to the jury of the December 1843 session of circuit court, as of December 25, 1843.  Arthur Mitchell was David & Peggy Haston's son-in-law.
139 David Haston State v. David Haston (assault & battery on John T. Shockley).  The indictment for this case was brought to court in the August 1843 session.  David Haston pleaded "not guilty."  The jury (Arthur Mitchell and other close relatives to David Haston were not on this jury) found him guilty.  He was fined $5.00 and court costs and was placed under the custody of the sheriff until he paid the fine and court costs.
  Thomas C. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. David Moore (assault and battery on the body of John T. Shockley).  David Moore was found "not guilty."
140 David Haston State v. David Haston (assault & battery on John T. Shockley).  William Shockley, Jr. came into court and made himself security for David Haston's fine and court costs (see page 139 entry).
142 James A. Haston
Lucretia Haston
Lavina Haston
James A. Haston was the prosecutor in the case of State v. Elizabeth Steakley, wife of Charles Steakley (murder of her infant child, Arrina).  Lucretia and Lavina Haston were witnesses for the State in this case.  Lavina was probably the wife of James A. Haston and Lucretia was possibly their daughter.  See the note at the end of the next entry.  Elizabeth Steakley pleaded "not guilty."  There is a very vivid description of this murder on pages 141-142.  See the very interesting continuation of the case in April 1844 (page 167).
143 Sarah Haston Sarah Haston was also mentioned as a witness for the State in the State v. Elizabeth Steakley murder case.  James A. & Lavina Haston had a daughter by the name of Sarah.  The mother of James A. Haston was also named Sarah (wife of the deceased Joseph Haston).
Note:  The birth dates that we have in our files for Lucretia (1847) and Sarah (1854), the daughters of James A. Haston, if correct would indicate that they were not even born at the time of this 1847 trial.  Perhaps these birth dates are incorrect.
150 Thomas C. Haston
Willie B. Haston
The President and Directors of the Bank of Tennessee v. Thomas C. Haston and Willie B. Haston.  It appears that the attorney general was not able to prosecute this case and the plaintiff was directed to pay all court costs.
153 James A. Haston He was security for John L. Grissom in the case of State v. John L. Grissom.  This case was scheduled to be tried in the April 1844 session.
  James A. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
James W. Haston
Willie B. Haston
David Haston
Jurymen in the case of James Brown v. James Sparkman and John Sparkman.  David Haston was withdrawn from the jury, but no reason is given.
154 Thomas C. Haston The President and Directors of the Bank of Tennessee v. Thomas C. Haston.  The plaintiff moved for a new trial.  See entry for page 150.  The court "being of the opinion that a new trial ought not be granted in this cause refused to grant the same."

Year of 1844

Page

Name

Description
April
159 David Haston
James A. Haston
Willie B. Haston
These men were summoned to jury duty on the Grand Jury of the April 1844 session of the circuit court, as of April 22, 1844.  David Haston and James A. Haston were elected to and empanelled on that Grand Jury.
161 Willie B. Haston Juryman on the case of James Brown v. James Sparkman and John Sparkman.
162 Isaac Haston The Grand Jury returned a presentment against Isaac Haston for assault and battery.  There were numerous members of the Daniel Haston family by the name of Isaac.  The son of Joseph Haston (Isaac) was in his early 30s at this time and would be the most likely candidate, for reasons of age.  See the 1843 entry for page 113.
164 James A. Haston
David Haston
Jurymen in the case of State v. Thomas Stipe, John L. Grissom, and William Lawson (presentment for gaming).
166 Isaac Haston
James A. Haston
State v. Isaac Haston (assault and battery), Thomas Stipe was the prosecutor.  James A. Haston (older brother of Isaac Haston, if this Isaac was the son of Joseph Haston) was a security for Isaac Haston in this case.  The case was scheduled for trial in the August 1844 session.
Note:  The following case on the docket was State v. John T. Parker (assault and battery).  The prosecutor was also Thomas Stipe. 
167 James A. Haston Continuation of State v. Elizabeth Steakley (murder).  Elizabeth Steakley had escaped from the Van Buren County jail, so the witnesses for the State (which would have included Lavina, Lucretia, & Sarah Haston) were dismissed, but the case was to remain on the docket.  James A. Haston is again mentioned as the prosecutor for the State in this case.
Note: This case seems to disappear from the circuit court records until December of 1859.  (15 years later!)
  James A. Haston
David Haston
Jurymen in the trial of Lorenzo Dilleron (spelling?) v. Joseph Lane (debt). 
168 James A. Haston
David Haston
Jurymen in the trial of William Overton v. John Sparkman and James Sparkman (appeal). 
August
179 Isaac Haston
James A. Haston
Continuation of State v. Isaac Haston and John G. Parker (assault and battery), prosecutor Thomas Stipe.  James A. Haston was a security for Isaac Haston.  The trial was scheduled for the December 1844 session of circuit court. 
191 James A. Haston Juryman in the case of A.C. Wheeler to the use of Daniel Southerland v. Burden Wheeler and Barnabas Thomas. 
195 Arthur Mitchell
James A. Haston
Jurymen on the case of State v. David Keener (assault and battery), Micajah Johnson the prosecutor.
December
198 David McHaston David McHaston was summoned to attend this December 1844 session of circuit court as a constable.
200 Isaac Haston Continuation of State v. Isaac Haston and John G. Parker (assault & battery), Thomas Stipe the prosecutor.  John G. Parker made an appeal that he and Isaac Haston be tried separately and the court agreed to do so.
201 Isaac Haston State v. Isaac Haston (assault & battery), Thomas Stype the prosecutor.  Continuation of the case above, but now Isaac was tried separately from John G. Parker.  Isaac pleaded "not guilty."  The jury found Isaac Haston guilty and fined him $10.00 and ordered him to pay court costs.  In the case to follow (page 202) the jury found John G. Parker to be "not guilty."

Year of 1845

Page

Name

Description
April
223 Thomas C. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
Summoned and elected to the jury for the April 1845 session of circuit court, as of April 28, 1845.
231 David Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Hiram Tacket (rape of a minor girl), Mary Davis the prosecutor.  The case was postponed until the next morning so that the jury could arrive at a verdict.  See page 242 entry below.
Note: The Grand Jury returned an indictment for this case in April 1844 (see middle of page 162 in the April 1844 circuit court minutes).  The eight-year-old girl was Elizabeth Davis. 
234 Arthur Mitchell Juryman on case of State v. John Stype (assault & battery). 
239 James A. Haston Juryman on case of State v. John Pain and Nancy Smith (lewdness).
  Arthur Mitchell
Thomas C. Haston
Jurymen on case of State v. Joel Douglass and James Crews (presentment for gaming).
242 David Haston Continuation of State v. Hiram Tacket (rape of minor girl), Mary Davis the prosecutor.  The jury had not come to a verdict so they were sequestered for another day to do so.
244 Arthur Mitchell
Thomas C. Haston
Jurymen on the case Black Mercer v. Joseph Law (debt). 
  James A. Haston James A. Haston was mentioned here as being the jailor of Van Buren County.
245 James A. Haston James A. Haston was mentioned here as being the jailor of Van Buren County.
  Willie B. Haston
Thomas C. Haston
The President and Directors of the Bank of Tennessee v. Willie Steekly, Willie B. Haston, & Thomas C. Haston (debt).  The attorney for the plaintiff withdrew the prosecution of this case.
246 David Haston Continuation of State v. Hiram Tacket (rape of minor girl), Mary Davis the prosecutor.  Again, the jury could not arrive at a verdict.  The jury was dismissed and the case was rescheduled for the next session of circuit court.  The defendant was kept in jail for safe keeping.
August
247 David Haston Summoned to the jury for this August 1845 session of circuit court.  He was not elected to the main jury for this session.  His role was probably to continue the case of State v. Hiram Tacket.  See entry for page 249 below.
  David McHaston Summoned to attend this August 1845 session of circuit court as a constable.
249 (David Haston) Continuation of State v. Hiram Tackett (rape of minor girl), Mary Davis the prosecutor.  This case was postponed until the next term of the circuit court and the defendant was returned to jail.  David Haston's name is not mentioned, but this was the case for which he had been serving as a juryman.
250 David Haston Juryman on the case State v. John Wallis and James Smith (presentment for open and notorious lewdness).
252 David Haston Juryman on the case State v. David Meadows (assault & battery), Nancy Law the prosecutor.
254 David Haston Juryman on the case The President and Directors of the Bank of Tennessee v. James Sparkman, John Sparkman, Andrew J. McElroy, and Joel Douglass (debt).
256
261-265
268-269
(David Haston) David Haston's name is not mentioned here, but there was an interesting development in the State v. Hiram Tacket case, on which case David Haston served as a juryman.  Apparently, William Overton was now being accused of committing perjury in that case during the April 1855 term of the circuit court.  Eventually (page 269), his case was passed on to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
265-266 James W. Haston Juryman in case State v. William Overton (perjury).  See the above entry.
266 James A. Haston Mentioned as jailor.
267 James A. Haston Mentioned as jailor of Van Buren County.
December
276-280 (David Haston) David Haston's name is not mentioned here, but there are some further developments in the rape case of State v. Hiram Tacket for which David Haston had been a juryman.  See earlier entries for 1844 & 1845. The Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment, which seems to have repeated the earlier indictment.  Perhaps this was the beginning of a re-trial.  On page 278 William Thomason, not Mary Davis as in previous court sessions, was indicated to be the prosecutor.  The prosecution of this case was scheduled to continue in the next circuit court term of April 1846.
280 James A. Haston Mentioned here as jailor.

Year of 1846

Page

Name

Description
April
282 Arthur Mitchell
Willie B. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to circuit court jury duty for this April 1846 term, as of April 27, 1846.  James A. Haston and Arthur Mitchell were selected and empanelled.
  David McHaston Summoned to attend this circuit court term as a constable.
284 (David Haston) More information on the State v. Hiram Tackett rape case.  Hiram Tackett pleaded "not guilty."  David Haston was on the original jury for this case but there were no mention of jurors in this part of the court minutes.
288 (David Haston) More information on the State v. Hiram Tackett rape case. 
  David Mac Haston Jurors for this case were placed under David Mac Haston's (constable) direction overnight.
292 David Haston
Isaac Haston
The Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Elias Cole, David Haston, and Isaac Haston for an affray.  It was endorsed as a true bill.
293 (David Haston) More information on the State v. Hiram Tackett rape case.  There was now a new jury in this case and David Haston was no longer a part of the jury.  His name is not mentioned here.  See earlier entries for this case.
  David Mac Haston The jury on the above rape case was sequestered under the oversight of David Mac Haston, a constable.
297 Arthur Mitchell
James A. Haston
Jurymen on the case of State v. John Walling (forgery).  For some reason, the name of the case has been crossed out.
298 David Haston
Isaac Haston
State v. Elias Cole, David Haston, and Isaac Haston (affray), Thomas Stipe the prosecutor.  Isaac Haston pleaded guilty and was fined $2.50 and court costs.  William Hodges was security for Isaac's fine and costs.  No mention is made of David Haston's response or court action related to him.
299 Arthur Mitchell The Grand Jurors cited Terry Gillentine to court for allegedly forging a $125 promissory note to Robert Gamble to be paid on or before December 25, 1834.  The note was dated December 21, 1833.  Arthur Mitchell's forged seal was attached to the note and it was he (Arthur Mitchell) who was in someway the intended recipient of this fraudulent deed.  Apparently the alleged forgery occurred on March 1, 1840.  In the August 1846 term of the circuit court (page 313), Terry Gillentine was declared by the court to not be guilty.
301 James A. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
Although it seems strange that this would have been the case, it appears that Arthur Mitchell and James A. Haston were on the Grand Jury that returned the Terry Gillentine forgery case (see above entry) as a true bill. 
301-302 (David Haston) Continuation of the Hiram Tackett rape case.  Although David Haston was not on the jury for this new case against Hiram Tackett, he had been on the original jury that failed to return a verdict.  At this time, the jury declared the defendant to be "not guilty" as was charged in the first count but said that he was guilty as charged in the second and third counts.  Hiram Tackett was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment in the Tennessee state penitentiary.  Tackett was also barred from ever giving testimony in any court in Tennessee or from holding a public office in Tennessee.
August
308 David Haston State v. Elias Cole and David Haston (affray), Thomas Stipe the prosecutor.  An order was issued to the sheriff of White County to arrest Elias Cole and return him to the next session of the circuit court for Van Buren County.  David Haston was not mentioned, other than in the title of the case.
309 (David Haston) Continuation of the Hiram Tackett rape case.  It appeared that the Hiram Tackett rape case was settled during the April term of the circuit court, but here the Attorney General declares that he can no further prosecute the case and that the defendant should be released and that the State pay the court costs.  David Haston, member of the original case against Hiram Tackett, and other jurors were not mentioned here.
309-312 James A. Haston As the jailor, James A. Haston produced the bill for keeping Hiram Tackett in jail for 256 days @ 35 1/2 cents per day, a total of $96.00, plus some other jail costs which brought the grand total for jail expenses to $104.00.  There were also miscellaneous court costs that are recorded on these pages. 
312 David Haston State v. David Haston and Elias Cole (affray), Thomas Stipe the prosecutor.  David Haston pleaded "not guilty."  The jury declared David Haston to be "guilty" as charged and fined him $2.50 and court costs.  William F. Carter was security for David Haston's fine and court costs. 
Note:  David Haston, assuming this was the son of Daniel Haston, would have been about 69 years old at this time.
315 Isaac Haston The Grand Jury returned a presentment for a case by the State v. Isaac Haston and John Brock for an affray, which was endorsed as a true bill. 
315 Carrol Haston The Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Carroll Haston for interrupting public worship, but it was endorsed as "not a true bill." 
Note:  Was this William Carroll Haston, youngest son of David & Peggy Haston?  If so, he would have been 17 years old at this time.  We wonder which meeting house this would have been?
316 James A. Haston As the jailor, he produced a bill for State v. John Walling.
December
319 David McHaston David McHaston was summoned to attend this December 1846 term of circuit court as a constable.  On the very bottom of this page he is "sworn to attend the Grand Jury."
320 Isaac Haston State v. Isaac Haston and John Brock (affray).  Isaac pleaded guilty and was fined five dollars and that he would share in the court costs with John Brock.
323 Isaac Haston State v. Isaac Haston and John Brock (affray).  James A. Haston and Jabez G. Mitchell came into court as security for the payment of Isaac's fine and court costs.
324 Isaac Haston Juryman on the case of Adrian Bryant v. Gillentine Holder (forceable entry). 
329 Montgomery G. Haston State v. Montgomery G. Haston and James Steakley (warrant).  The court dismissed this case.
Note:  This is the first mention in these circuit court records of Montgomery G. Haston, who would have been in his early 20s at this time.

Year of 1847

Page

Name

Description
April
334 Willie B. Haston Summoned to and empanelled on the Grand Jury for this April 1847 term of the circuit court, as of April 26, 1847.
335 Montgomery G. Haston He was security for William C. Bowman in the amount of $125 in the case of State v. William C. Bowman (assault), Hiram Walling the prosecutor.
339 James A. Haston As the jailor, he produced a bill for State v. Nathaniel Moore.
343 James A. Haston  Juryman in the case John B. Rodgers lessee v. Indemond? Lane, B.L. Ridley, Robert A. Campbell, James P. Hampson?, and Richard Nelson (ejectment). 
344 James A. Haston The Grand Jury presented a bill of indictment against George W. Christian for an assault and battery upon James A. Haston, which was endorsed as a true bill.
346 Willie B. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
Juryman on the case of William Grissom v. John E. Clark and W.B. Cummings (appeal). 
349 Willie B. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
Jurymen on case William Grissom v. John E. Clark and W.B. Cummings (appeal). 
August
352 James W. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this August 1847 term of circuit court, as of August 23, 1847.  James A. Haston was elected to and empanelled on the Grand Jury.
353 James W. Haston Juryman on the case State v. William C. Bowman (assault & battery), Hiram Walling the prosecutor. 
355 James A. Haston State v. George W. Christian (for wearing a Bowie knife concealed under his clothes).  James A. Haston was the jailor for Van Buren County.  He was the prosecutor in this case.
359 James W. Haston Juryman in case Adrian Bryant v. Gillentine Holder.
December
362 Thomas C. Haston
Arthur Mitchell
Summoned to jury duty for the December 1847 term of the circuit court which began on December 27, 1847.  Thomas C. Haston was elected to and empanelled on the Grand Jury for that term.

Year of 1848

Page

Name

Description
April
375 James W. Haston Juryman on case of Zechariah Hodges v. Smith Vader. 
September
384 W.B. Haston Summoned and elected to serve on the Grand Jury for this September 1848 session of circuit court, beginning September 25.
387 James A. Haston Juryman on the case State v. Zela (Zealy) Seals (unlawful retailing).
391 James A. Haston Some reference to James A. Haston as a Justice of the Peace.

Year of 1849

Page

Name

Description
January
397 James A. Haston State v. Preston Dulany and James A. Haston (corruption in office).  On the affidavit of James A. Haston the defendants to have separate trials.  In the following trial, on this same page 397, Preston Dulany was found guilty.
398 James A. Haston State v. James A. Haston (misdemeanor in office).  Joel Douglass was security for James A. Haston, in the amount of $250, which amount James A. Haston also had to provide for his security.  At this time, no action was taken on this case.
401-402 James A. Haston In the case of Samuel Parker, administrator of A.K. Parker, v. __?__ Carter, James A. Haston had apparently handled this case as a Justice of the Peace at a lower level.  Some fees were due James A. Haston for his services. 
May
408 James A. Haston State v. James A. Haston (misdemeanor in office).  David Haston and William Johnson came to court as securities for James A. Haston.  The trial was scheduled for the September 1840 term of the circuit court.
409 James A. Haston James A. Haston is mentioned as a Justice of the Peace in the case of John Sparkman v. Thomas  Massey (motion to condemn land). 
410-411 James A. Haston Juryman in case State v. Martha Davis (lewdness).
412 Montgomery G. Haston Juryman in case of State v. George Harrison an Joel Douglass (unlawful gaming).
414 James A. Haston Juryman in case of State v. John Walling (retailing to a slave).
September
421-422 W.B. Haston
Isaac T. Haston
Summoned and elected to the Grand Jury for this September 1849 term of the circuit court, beginning September 26.
421 Thomas C. Haston Summoned as constable to serve this term of circuit court.
422-423 James A. Haston State v. Preston Dulany & James A. Haston (misdemeanor in office).  The Attorney General decided not to prosecute this case any further.

Year of 1850 - January Only

Page

Name

Description
January
436 Joseph C. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this January 1850 term of circuit court, beginning January 20.  Joseph C. Haston was empanelled on the Grand Jury.
Note:  Joseph C. Haston was probably Joseph Claiborne Haston, son of Joseph Haston.  If he was born in 1812, why does he not appear on earlier circuit court records?  This appears to be his first appearance in any capacity in the circuit court.  He would soon move to Missouri and later to California.
437 James A. Haston James A. Haston "for reasons satisfactory to the court...excused from serving upon the jury."


May 1850 - December 1859
Volume B - Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes
 

Year of 1850 - May & August & December

Page

Name

Description
May
1 James A. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this May 1850 term, beginning May 27, but not chosen to serve on the Grand Jury.
2 James A. Haston Juryman on case of State v. Henry Moulder (unlawful retailing).
3 James A. Haston Juryman on case of State v. John Barg [Bring?] (trading with a slave).
5 James A. Haston Juryman on case of State v. Thomas Stipes & Vass Lawson (lewdness).
8 James Haston (Hooten?) Juryman on case of State v. John Pain and Nancy Smith (notorious lewdness).
August
16 W.B. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this August 1850 term, beginning August 26, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
22 David Haston
M.G. Haston
David and M.G. Haston, along with several other men, appeared in court and indebted themselves to the court as security for Thomas Stipe and Vass Lawson, in the case State v. Thomas Stipe and Vass Lawson (lewdness).
December
29 William C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1850 term, beginning December 23, but was not elected to the Grand Jury.

Year of 1851

Page

Name

Description
April
40 James A. Haston
M.G. Haston
James A. and M.G. Haston were summoned to jury duty for this April 1851 term, beginning April 28.  Both men were elected to the Grand Jury.
41 James A. Haston
M.G. Haston
Jurymen on case State v. Benjamin Smith (presentment as overseer of road).
August
47 David Haston  Summoned to jury duty for this August 1851 term, beginning August 25, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
December
No references to members of the Haston family in this term of court.

Year of 1852

Page

Name

Description
April
84 Wilie B. Haston Added to the jury for the case State v. Augustus A. Mitchell (malicious shooting).
August
86 William C. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this August 1852 term, beginning August 23.  Both men were elected to the Grand Jury.
97 James W. Haston Case of Thomas Shockley v. James W. Haston (motion to condemn land).  James W. Haston lived on 50 acres of land lying in the 3rd District of Van Buren County on the bench of Cumberland Mountain.  James W.'s land was condemned as a part of a process to repay a debt to Thomas Shockley.
Note: The spelling of James W. Haston's surname in the case title seems to be "Heastand" (or "Hestand").  However, it is spelled "Hestan" and "Haston" in other places in the minutes. Did the court clerk think or know that the Haston family was of German descent and that the name was originally Heastand? (which may or may not have been true)  See the "Roots" section of this site.
December
99 William C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1852 term of circuit court, beginning December 27, and elected to the Grand Jury.

Year of 1853

Page

Name

Description
April
109 Isaac T. Haston As a constable, Isaac T. Haston was sworn to attend the Grand Jury for this term of circuit court.
112 Wiley B. Haston Juryman on the case State v. William J. Lee (indictment for larceny).
August
129 Montgomery G. Haston State v. Christopher C. Steakley (assault and battery).  "Whereupon came Montgomery G. Haston into open court and confessed judgment jointly with said defendant for said fine and costs."  Montgomery G. Haston and Christopher C. Steakley jointly were fined $7.50 and court costs.
Note:  Sometime not long after this M.G. Haston seems to have moved to Georgia for a few years.
December
141 Isaac T. Haston As a constable, Isaac reports on land owned by Joseph Simmons (defendant in William H. Sugart v. Benjamin Smith and Joseph Simmons, motion to condemn lands).  The land included 125 acres and was adjacent, on the west, to land which he (Isaac T. Haston) owned.  This land was in the 4th Van Buren County district on Cane Creek and was adjoined to land owned by Robert Gamble on the east.

Year of 1854

Page

Name

Description
April
143 James A. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this April 1854 term of circuit court, beginning April 24, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
147 James A. Haston Juryman on case of State v. Peter Carter (presentment for unlawful retailing).
August
No references to members of the Haston family in this term of court.
December
No references to members of the Haston family in this term of court.

Year of 1855

Page

Name

Description
April
No references to members of the Haston family in this term of court.
August
192 William C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this August 1855 circuit court term, beginning August 27, and elected to the Grand Jury.
December
No references to members of the Haston family in this term of court.

Year of 1856

Page

Name

Description
April
214 Isaac T. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this April 1856 circuit court term, beginning April 28, and elected to the Grand Jury.
224 Isaac T. Haston Juryman on the case of Nathan F. Trogden v. John Boyd and John Mitchell (debt appeal).
228 William C. Haston William C. Haston was ordered to appear in this session of court.  He had been elected as constable, but apparently there was something about his bond for that office that was not "agreeable to law."  Isaac T. Haston and William B. Cummings were securities for that bond.
229 William C. Haston
Isaac T. Haston
As a follow-up to the entry on page 228, William C. Haston's bond for the office of constable the 3rd district of Van Buren County was effected officially and legally here.  William C. Haston had been elected to this office on March 1.
September
243 Isaac T. Haston Juryman on case of Carter Drake v. David F. Wood (trespass appeal).

Year of 1857

Page

Name

Description
January
253 William C. Haston Grass and Dinges v. G.W. Carter (motion to condemn land).  W.C. Haston, as constable, located a tract of land for the circuit court containing 300 acres that belonged to the defendant in this case.  It was located in District 7 of Van Buren County, on the Cumberland Mountain.  This land was to be sold to satisfy the plaintiff's debt and court costs.
254 Sarah Haston's land Sarah Haston's land was referenced in a search for land owned by William Howard in the case of William H. Hatfield v. William Howard and Seth Wright (motion to condemn land).  This land was in the 7th civil district of Van Buren County.  William Howard's land bounded Sarah Haston's land on the north east and Josiah Hodges' land on the south.
May
269 William C. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. James Gates (indictment for an affray).
271 James A. Haston's land
William C. Haston
As a constable, William C. Haston located a tract of land for the circuit court belonging to Alexander Harris (who was involved someway in the case of Samuel Shockley Administrator v. Joseph Hodges and John J. McBride, motion to condemn land).  This land was in the 3rd district and bordered land belonging to James A. Haston on the south.
September
279 William C. Haston Sworn in as the constable for this September 1857 term of circuit court to attend the Grand Jury.
285 W.C. Haston Paid .75 by the State of Tennessee for one day of some kind of official service related to the case of State v. Cynthia Phillips (indictment for lewdness).

Year of 1858

Page

Name

Description
January
292 William C. Haston Sworn, as a constable, to attend the Grand Jury during this January 1858 circuit court term.
294 W.B. Haston
(see next entry)
Juryman in the case of State v. Drury Lawson (presentment for unlawful retailing).
Note: This is the first time that a W.B. Haston has appeared in these circuit court records in nearly five years.  No one by that name was active for much of this same period in the county court minutes.  We must keep in mind that it is easy to confuse W.B. Haston, oldest son of David Haston with W.B. Haston, oldest son of James A. Haston.  David's son was born in 1806.  James A.'s son was born in 1836.  The latter W.B. Haston was killed at the battle of Perryville, KY during the Civil War.  David Haston's son moved west sometime in the 1850s and appeared in Arkansas in 1860. We do not know for sure which W.B. Haston is mentioned here.  It is possible (perhaps likely) that Van Buren County references to W.B. Haston in the early 1850s were referring to David's son, the older W.B. Haston, and that Van Buren County references in the late 1850s were referring to the younger W.B. Haston, James A. Haston's son.  James A.'s son would not have been 21 years old until 1857.  This would explain the gap in references to W.B. Haston during the mid-1850s.  But, see the August 1858 entry for evidence that may contradict this theory.
295 Willie B. Haston
James Haston (Hooten?)
Jurymen in the case of State v. Thomas Pain (presentment for a nuisance).   Presumably, this Willie B. Haston is the same person as mentioned on the previous page.
298 W.C. Haston As constable, W.C. Haston executed some action related to the case of William McCormac v. W.J. Laudermilk (motion to condemn land).
299 W.C. Haston As constable, W.C. Haston located some land for the circuit court belonging to W.J. Laudermilk that was condemned to satisfy a debt to William McCormack.
  W.B. Haston Juryman in the case of James Dillon v. James Charles (trespass).
301 C. Haston
James A. Haston
Both men were paid .50 for some service related to the case of James Jones v. G.W. Sutherland (motion to condemn land).
306 W.B. Haston Juryman on the case of James Martin v. Jonathan Simmons (debt appeal).
307 W.B. Haston Juryman of case of G.W. Sutherland v. Hiram R. Walling (trespass).
311 W.B. Haston Juryman in the case of Mary M. Witt and John Witt v. Squire Johnson (trespass).
May
312 Isaac T. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this May 1858 term of circuit court, beginning May 24, but not elected to the Grand Jury.
312 William C. Haston As a constable, sworn to attend the Grand Jury for this term.
313 Isaac T. Haston Isaac T. Haston was discharged from further attendance at this term of circuit court.  No reason is given here, but perhaps the reason is indicated two entries below (on page 320).
320 Isaac P. Haston John Stewart (Stuart) v. Isaac P. Haston.  No details given for this case, other than Fines E. Plumley committed himself as security for the defendant.
320 Isaac T. Haston Isaac T. Haston v. Alfred Yeats (Yates).  Both parties agree to some kind of postponement of this case.  John Stewart's name is mentioned for reason that is unclear in the minutes.  Apparently the names of the plaintiff and the defendant are incorrectly reversed here.  See the August entry for page 336.
August
323 William C. Haston William C. Haston was security (in the amount of $250) for the defendant in the case of State v. Stephen Grard (presentment for an assault and battery).  The defendant was obligated to be in circuit court in the December term.
323 Willie B. Haston Willie B. Haston v. James Rankin (debt).  The defendant (Rankin) did not come to court, but defaulted.  He was, thus, obligated to pay $652.00 (the debt he owed) to Willie B. Haston, as well as $112.23 interest, plus court costs. 
Note: Given the large amount of the debt owed him, this would likely have been the older Willie B. Haston (son of David Haston).  If that was the case, then it appears that he was still in Van Buren County at this time.  See the note in the January 1858 entry for W.B. Haston.
324 Willie B. Haston Juryman in the case of State v. Esther Slatten and Malissa Bryan (presentment for keeping a disorderly house)
334 W.C. Haston As constable, W.C. Haston was involved in two kinds of action in the case of William Wallace v. John Brock and James Rankin (motion to condemn land).  The second action involving a search to find land owned by the defendants.
335 W.C. Haston As constable, W.C. Haston located land owned by John Brock as directed by the circuit court in the case of Jo. G. Mitchell v. John Brock (motion to condemn land.)
336 Isaac T. Haston John Stewart and Alfred Yates v. Isaac T. Haston (ejectment).  The jury heard the testimony in this case but was permitted to meet the next day to consider it further.
Note: Ejection = Steps taken to remove someone, who does not have a contractual basis to be there, from the real property.  In some cases, it was a matter of disputed ownership of real property.  In other cases it involved the removal of a tenant who had not paid rent or lease fees.
338 Isaac T. Haston John Stewart and Alfred Yates v. Isaac T. Haston (ejectment).  The jury ruled in favor of the defendant (Isaac T. Haston) and against Alfred Yates.  However, the jury ruled in favor of John Stewart (one of the plaintiffs) and against Isaac T. Haston.  Isaac was found guilty of trespassing and ejectment.
339 Isaac T. Haston Isaac T. Haston v. Alfred Yates (trespass).  The court ruled against Isaac T. Haston in this case and ordered him to pay all court costs as well as fees to the justice of the peace, who had tried this case at a lower level.
  Isaac T. Haston John Stewart and Alfred Yates v. Isaac T. Haston (ejectment).  "In this case James C. Jones the plaintiff witness proved nothing ordered by the court that it shall not be taxed against the defendant." (only comment in the minutes for this entry)
December
341 Isaac Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1858 term of circuit court, beginning December 20, but not elected to the Grand Jury.
343 Isaac Haston Isaac Haston (we do not know which Isaac Haston this was) was a juryman on the case of State v. Isaac Hillis (assault and battery).
347 Isaac Haston Juryman in the case of State v. Jesse Brock (not keeping road in repair as overseer).
353-354 William C. Haston As constable, William C. Haston had carried out some official duties in the case of E.R. White v. H.H. Earles (motion to condemn land).
355-356 William C. Haston As constable, William C. Haston had carried out some official duties in the case of Wilie Brogden v. H.H. Earles (motion to condemn land).
357 William C. Haston As constable, William C. Haston had carried out some official duties in the case of Newel Crain v. Hasey Earles & James Euten (motion to condemn land).
361 Montgomery G. Haston He was a security for the defendant in the case of State v. Jesse Brock (presentment for not keeping road in repair as overseer).
363 Isaac T. Haston Juryman in the case of Samuel Morgan, R.H. Gardner, C.J. Cheney, R.C. Gardner, & StClair Morgan v. William Worthington & James R. Hillis (debt). 
368 Isaac T. Haston David F. Wood v. Isaac T. Haston (appeal).  Case continued until the next term of the circuit court.
373 James M. Haston Juryman on the case of Lucinda Smallman v. Peyton Hansbrough (debt appeal).
Note:  Who was James M. Haston?  Some Haston family records indicate that Willie B. Haston (the oldest son of David Haston) had a son by that name and that he was born in 1832 and died in the Civil War in May 1864.

Year of 1859

Page

Name

Description
April
375 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Oliver Hillis (assault and battery).
380 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of Morgan & Company v. James K. Hillis and William Worthington (debt).
382 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of Jonathan Seamons v. James Templeton (trespass appeal).
383 James Haston Juryman on the case of Isham Richards v. Micajah Simmons (debt appeal).
384 Montgomery Haston The Grand Jury brought into court as a true bill a presentment against Montgomery Haston for profane swearing.  See pages 393-394.
387 Isaac Haston David F. Wood v. Isaac T. Haston (trespass).  The plaintiff declared that he did not want to prosecute any further.  Thus, the defendant was released by the court but was ordered to pay court costs and a fee to the justice of the peace who originally tried this case.
388 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of John Johnson v. Sylas (Silas) Ballard (trespass appeal).
389 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of Jonathan Seamons v. James Sparkman (appeal). 
August
393 William C. Haston Sworn, as constable, to attend the Grand Jury for this term of circuit court.
393-394 Montgomery Haston State v. Montgomery Haston (presentment for profane swearing).  He pleaded guilty and was fined $5.00, plus court costs.  Carter Drake (name of William Grissom, Jr. is written but crossed out) was his security for these costs.
400-414 State v. Jesse Adkins This case has nothing to do with the Haston family, but it is unusual and interesting.  Apparently, Jesse Adkins was accused of burning down Fancher's Mill in White County, TN.  Thomas H. Fancher was the prosecutor. The case began in White County, went to the State Supreme Court in Nashville at some point, but for some reason parts of it took place in Spencer (Van Buren County).  For that reason, minutes from earlier parts of the case are inserted (almost parenthetically) here in the circuit court minutes for Van Buren County, TN.  The Van Buren part of the trial begins on page 423 of this volume of circuit court minutes and continues through page 435, with more on pages 439-440.
422 James M. Haston Juryman on the case of James Sparkman v. Johnathan (Jonathan) Simmons.
December
423 M.G. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this December 1859 term of circuit court, beginning December 19, and James A. Haston was elected to the Grand Jury.
440 M.G. Haston Juryman on the case of Terry Gillentine v. Jonathan Simmons (debt appeal).
445 State v. Elizabeth Steakley
(indictment for murder)
This case began in December of 1843, but the defendant escaped jail.  Elizabeth Steakley had been accused of brutally murdering her infant daughter.  James A. Haston was the prosecutor of the case and several of his family members were witnesses.  No mention is made here of what happened to Elizabeth Steakley and any continuation of the 1843-1844 case, but the Van Buren County jailor (John Stewart) sought to secure the payment of court costs for this case from the State of Tennessee.  This issue (including whether or not the defendant escaped from jail and who the jailor was at that time) was to be continued in the next term of the circuit court.  See page 38 of the August 1860 circuit court minutes.


April 1860 - June 1863
Volume C - Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes
 

Year of 1860

Page

Name

Description
April
2-6 Wm. C. Haston
Montgomery G. Haston
Securities for Seth Wright in his newly elected role as circuit court clerk.
7 William C. Haston Sworn to attend the Grand Jury for this term of court, as a constable.  He was discharged from this specific task on page 29.
14 William C. Haston State v. Jesse Adkins (arson).  William C. Haston, as constable, was charged with the responsibility to sequester the jury overnight.  (twice mentioned on this page)
20 Emily Haston Emily Haston v. George W. Sparkman (trespass).  The jury ruled in favor of Emily Haston and assessed the damages against her premises to be $20.
25 James A. Haston
James M. Haston
Jurymen on the case of Johnathan (Jonathan) Seamons v. Peter Franks (appeal).
August
34 William C. Haston Sworn to attend the Grand Jury for this term of court, as a constable.
38 State v. Elizabeth Steakley State v. Elizabeth Steakley (murder).  This action was to recover $22.87 and 1/2 cents for keeping the defendant in jail from November 5, 1843 through January 1, 1844.  It was determined that she escaped when Daniel Collins was the jailor and not when John Stewart was jailor.  No mention was made here of the status of Elizabeth Steakley.
Note: James A. Haston was the original prosecutor of this case.
45 State v. Elizabeth Steakley The attorney general who was the State's prosecutor entered a nolle prosequi (declaration of no further prosecution) in this case and thus "it is therefore considered by the court that the defendant go hence without day and that the State of Tennessee pay all costs."
Note:  No specific mention was made here of the status of Elizabeth Steakley, but the wording would appear to suggest that she was still alive. 
51-52 I.T. Haston State v. M.D. Walker (peace warrant).  I.T. Haston was security for the defendant.
December
57 Montgomery G. Haston Summoned to circuit court jury duty for this term of court, beginning December 17, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
67-68 M.G. Haston A.J. McWherter v. R.J. Head and W.B. Darker Stayor (motion to condemn lands).  M.G. Haston was the justice of the peace who presented the papers for this case to the court. 
72 William C. Haston State v. Thomas Stipe and Levecy [spelling of her first name?] Crealy (lewdship).  Apparently, William C. Haston was a witness for two days in this case.  He was paid $2.00 for this time.
74 Martha Haston Martha Haston v. __?__ [first name smudged out with ink] Sparkman (trespass).  This case was continued to the next term of circuit court.
77 M.G. Haston In the case of State v. G.M. Gamble (gave a pistol to a prisoner in custody of the sheriff), M.G. Haston was a witness for the state for one day.  He was paid 50 cents.
78 James A. Haston Juryman in the case of Uriah York v. L.H. Meadows (debt appeal).
99 James M. Haston The Grand Jury brought a true bill against James M. Haston for unlawfully delivering liquor to a student. 
Note: The middle initial of the defendant is covered with smudged ink in this December 1860 entry, but the case comes to court in the April 1861 term of circuit court.  There, the name of James M. Haston, is clear.

Year of 1861

Page

Name

Description
April
112 Isaac T. Haston Juryman in case of State v. William Stewart (disturbing public worship).
113 James M. Haston State v. James M. Haston (giving liquor to students).  Isaac T. Haston, who was a juryman for the previous case, was not on the jury for this case.  If James M. Haston was the son of Willie B. Haston (David's son), then James M. Haston would have been the nephew of Isaac T. Haston (younger brother of Willie B. Haston) but they could have been fairly close in age.
115 W.C. Haston As constable, on May 31, 1860 W.C. Haston executed a warrant issued by the state of Tennessee to return Mijcager (Micajah) Walker to appear before B.L. Simmons, justice of the peace, to answer W.B. Cummings in a civil action by note under $50.
116 W.C. Haston W.C. Haston was paid $.50 for executing the above mentioned warrant on Micajah Walker.  On the same page W.C. Haston is mentioned again.  He located a tract of land that could be condemned to pay Micajah Walker's debt to W.B. Cummings.
117 W.C. Haston As constable, on February 18, 1861, W.C. Haston executed a warrant on Micajah Walker and J.P. Hale to summons them to appear before the justice of the peace (B.L. Simmons) to answer G.W. & W.J. Cummings in a plea of debt by note under $50.
118 W.C. Haston W.C. Haston was paid $1.00 for the execution of the above mentioned warrant on Micajah Walker and J.P. Hale.  On the same page, W.C. Haston, reported that he located a tract of land belonging to Micajah Walker that could be condemned to pay for his debt to the plaintiffs.
122 William C. Haston State v. John Holder [Holden?] (malicious stabbing).  William C. Haston and six other men came into court and offered to be security for the defendant. 
127 Isaac T. Haston State v. Edmand (Edmund or Edmond) Seals & Martha Seals (assault and battery).  Isaac T. Haston and two other men were security for the defendant. 
128 William C. Haston State v. William Smith (larceny).  William C. Haston was paid $1.00 for arresting the defendant and summoning two witnesses for the state.
134 W.C. Haston As constable, on February 25, 1861 W.C. Haston located land owned by Micajah Walker that could be condemned to pay the debt which Walker owed Terry Gillentine.
139 Martha Haston Martha Haston v. George W. Sparkman (trespass).  It appears that this case was changed into the following case.
140 Martha Haston Martha Haston v. George W. Sparkman (breach of marriage contract).  It appears that William Sparkman and Isaac T. Haston were witnesses in this case.  The parties agreed to compromise on the conditions that Martha would dismiss the case and pay court costs and George would pay $20 which would be discharged in a cow and a calf and anything else that Martha might desire up to the sum of the $20.
Note: Which Martha Haston was this?  Who were her parents?
149 M.G. Haston
Isaac T. Haston
Jurymen in the case of Jacob A. Stipe v. Thomas Stipe
150 W.C. Haston Thomas Stipe, defendant in the above case, lived on a tract of land that bordered W.C. Haston on the south and east.  This tract of land owned by W.C. Haston was probably the tract that his grandfather, Daniel Haston, purchased and lived on until his death (which was probably then inherited from Daniel by W.C. Haston's father, David).
153 James Haston Juryman in the case of James Hale v. Levi Rablersan [spelling?] & Lee Trogden (damage appeal). 

Note:
Tennessee seceded from the Union on June 8, 1861.
This was roughly two months after the Civil War began with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumpter.

August

159 Wm. C. Haston State v. John Holden [Holder] (malicious stabbing).  Wm. C. Haston and three other men came into court as security for John Holden.
160 Isaac T. Haston State v. Edmond Seals & Martha Seals (assault and battery).  Appeared in court as security for the defendants.
December
172 M.G. Haston Summoned to be on the jury for the December 1861 term of circuit court, representing the 4th district of Van Buren County, and was chosen to be on the Grand Jury.  This circuit court term began on December 16.
173 M.G. Haston Another reference to his appointment to the Grand Jury.
177 William C. Haston State v. John Holder (malicious stabbing).  John Sparkman and William C. Haston were security for the defendant.
  William C. Haston State v. Thomas Shockley (giving liquors to a student).  William C. Haston was one of the defendant's securities.
183 Seth Wright The clerk for the circuit court of Van Buren County, Seth Wright, resigned to join the army of the Confederate States of America.  Although the beginning of the war was not mentioned in the circuit court records, in the December records there begin to appear references to men who joined the Confederate army.  On page 185, Wright's replacement (Andrew J. McElroy) swears his allegiance to the Confederate States of America.  The effects of the Civil War were just beginning to be felt in Van Buren County, TN.

Year of 1862

Page

Name

Description
April
187 William C. Haston As sheriff of Van Buren County, William C. Haston returned into court the writ of venire facias (which summoned people to jury duty). 
  Isaac T. Haston
James A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this April 1862 term of circuit court, beginning April 21, and both men were elected to the Grand Jury.
190 William C. Haston State v. Thomas J. Shockley (giving liquor to students).  William C. Haston is mentioned here as one of the defendant's securities.
June
196 William C. Haston As sheriff of Van Buren County, William C. Haston returned into court the writ of venire facias (which summoned people to jury duty). 
200 W.C. Haston State v. Thomas J. Shockley (giving liquor to students).  William C. Haston mentioned again as a security for this defendant.
December
204 William C. Haston As sheriff of Van Buren County, William C. Haston returned into court the writ of venire facias (which summoned people to jury duty). 
  M.G. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1862 term of circuit court, beginning December 1, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
207 William C. Haston State v. Thomas J. Shockley (giving liquor to students).  William C. Haston mentioned again as a security for this defendant.

Year of 1863      June only

Page

Name

Description
June
210 William C. Haston As sheriff of Van Buren County, William C. Haston returned into court the writ of venire facias (which summoned people to jury duty). 
211 Isaac T. Haston State v. Edmond Seals and Martha Seals (assault).  Isaac T. Haston was security for the defendants.
213 William C. Haston State v. Thomas J. Shockley (giving liquor to students).  William C. Haston mentioned again as a security for this defendant.

Year of 1864


There are no (known existing) Van Buren County, TN
circuit court minutes for the year of 1864.
 


August 1865 - August 1872
Volume D - Van Buren County, TN Circuit Court Minutes
 

Year of 1865     August - December only

Page

Name

Description
August
6 Isaac Haston Summoned to jury duty for this August 1865 term of circuit court, beginning August 21, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
Note: Which Isaac Haston was this?
December
12 William C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1865 term of circuit court, beginning December 18.  No mention was made of the election of a Grand Jury.

Year of 1866

Page

Name

Description
April
17 William C. Haston Security (along with W.B. Cummings and William Shockley) for Denny Cummings, in his election to the office of circuit court clerk for Van Buren County.
18 W.C. Haston Another reference to the above mentioned security for Denny Cummings, as newly elected circuit court clerk.
19 William C. Haston
(& W.C. Haston)
Three other references to the above mentioned security for Denny Cummings, as newly elected circuit court clerk.
20 W.C. Haston Another reference to the above mentioned security for Denny Cummings, as newly elected circuit court clerk.
22 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. Uriah Drake & others (no reason stated here).  The plaintiff by her attorney moved the court to amend her writ, which was allowed.  See entry below on page 29.
Note: Who was this Almirah Haston?  According to one online record, this would probably be the widow of James M. Haston (son of Wiley B. & Tamsey Austin Haston), who died in the Civil War in 1864.  If so, her maiden name was Alvira Carter.  Their children were named William H. Haston, Isham Frank Haston, and James M. Haston, Jr.
29 Almirah Haston
James Haston (deceased)
William Haston
Frank Haston
James Haston (junior?)
Almirah Haston v. Uriah Drake & others (damages).  "The plaintiff moved the court to withdraw the previous declaration and amend the writ to read thus: to answer the complaint of Almirah Haston administrator of James Haston deceased who sues for her own use and for the use of William Haston, Frank Haston, and James Haston, minor children of James Haston deceased in an action to these damage thirty thousand dollars which motion is by the court allowed."
39 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. U.Y Drake & others.  "The defendants moved the court to strike out the second count in the plaintiff's amend of declaration upon the ground that the cause of action therein shown is for false imprisonment and the plaintiffs are prosecuting the suit without security...which motion was overruled by the court."  The court also overruled a motion by the defendants that said the plaintiff's declaration was vague, uncertain, and showed no specifying statement of cause of action.
39-40 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, administratrix v. U.Y Drake & others.  The attorney of the plaintiff came to court to move that the court strike out certain pleas of the defendant, but the court overruled the motion of the plaintiff's attorney.
August
41 I.T. Haston Summoned to circuit court jury duty for this August 1866 term of court, beginning the 3rd Monday in August, but was not elected to the Grand Jury.
57 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James Haston deceased for her own use of Frank, William & James, children of James Haston deceased v. Uriah Y. Drake and others.  The defendants produced in court a compromise of the plaintiff through which Almirah Haston dropped all charges, but the defendants were required to pay all court costs.  Almirah signed with a mark, so apparently she was not able to write her own signature.
59 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. Uriah Y. Drake et als.  The plaintiff came into court to move that the motion to dismiss the case be overruled, which was done.
62 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James Haston v. U.Y. Drake and others.  "Motion to dismiss suit of plaintiff came the parties again by their attorneys and the matter arising upon the written compromise filed by the defendants on yesterday being considered by the court, the motion of defendants to dismiss is overruled."
  Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James Haston v. U.Y. Drake and others.  The defendant presented a motion for the court to dismiss the suit because the plaintiff had not provided security.  The court overruled that motion. 
63 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. Uriah Y. Drake & others.  The attorney of the plaintiffs requested that the court attach the real estate of the defendants, Thurman and Drake, until the final hearing of this case.  It is not clear if this motion was overruled or accepted.
December
64 Wm. C. Haston
James Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this December 1866 term of circuit court, beginning on the third Monday of December, but neither were elected to the Grand Jury.
  M.N. Haston As constable, he was summoned to attend this term of court and wait on the Grand Jury.
Note: The first two initials are somewhat "entangled" with the writing from the line above and, thus, it is not possible to distinguish the two initials.  However, later court records indicate that this was M.N. (Miles N.) Haston.  See the note in the 1865 county court minutes regarding who this Miles N. Haston probably was.
65 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. State of Tennessee.  It appears that the plaintiff moved the court to order a certiorari (writ of appeal to a higher court).  This motion was continued to the next term of court.
 

Year of 1867

Page

Name

Description
April
78 James A. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this April 1867 term of circuit court, beginning the third Monday of April, but was not elected to the Grand Jury.
99 James A. Haston Juryman on case of J.P. Anderson, Administrator of John Anderson, Deceased v. Resin [spelling?] Stroud (certiorari).  For some reason, this case was "X-ed" out.  The case appears again on page 102.
102 James A. Haston Juryman on case of J.P. Anderson, Administrator of John Anderson, Deceased v. Resin [spelling?] Stroud (certiorari).
104 W.C. Haston
James A. Haston
M.G. Haston
Jurymen on the case of Isaac Hillis v. D.F. Wood (debt certiorari).
118 James Haston State v. Edmond Seals and wife Martha.  Apparently, James Haston (which James Haston?) was a witness in this case.
119 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix v. State of Tennessee (petition for certiorari).  The court granted this petition for certiorari (writ of appeal to higher court).
124 Almirah Haston State v. Uriah Y. Drake, W___ Thurman, Wm. Grissom, Alexander Grissom, David Martin, Isham Martin, and Samuel Porter [spelling is questionable on some of these names].  The attorney general for the State made some kind of motion regarding these defendants.  The handwriting is hard to read.
125 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James Haston and the "next friend" of Frank Haston, Wm. Haston, James Haston, the children of James M. (or N.) Haston* (deceased) v. Uriah Y. Drake, Winslow [spelling?] Thurman, Wm. Grissom, Alexander Grissom, and J.K. Hillis.  The attorney for the plaintiff, apparently, moved the court to supply some papers (perhaps court records).  It seems that the court decided not to comply with this request.
*Note: In previous records of the court, the deceased father of these children was only named as "James Haston."  It appears that an initial of "M" occurs here, between his given name and his surname.  It is possible that this letter is a error that was marked out.
126 Erasmus Haston The Grand Jury returned a bill against Erasmus Haston for disturbing public worship.  Who was this Erasmus Haston?  Who were his parents?
August
127 Wm. Haston
Cyrus Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this August 1867 term of circuit court, beginning on the third Monday of August, and E.C. (Cyrus) Haston was elected to the Grand Jury.
Notes: See the entry on page 128 (below) regarding this Wm. Haston.  Edward Cyrus Haston was the grandson of David and Peggy Haston.  His mother was Lucinda Haston, but he was reared by David and Peggy.  Edward Cyrus Haston's father was an unknown (to us) man with the surname of Moore, but he (E.C.) took on the Haston surname.  See the entry for him on the David Haston timeline.
128 Miles N. Haston Miles N. Haston was a constable for Van Buren County and was sworn and put in charge of the Grand Jury.  For information on Miles N. Haston, see the 1865 county court record that mentions him.
  Wm. Haston "Wm. Haston who was summoned to serve as a juror at this term of this court and being under 21 is excused."
132 E. Haston
Isaac T. Haston
State v. Thiglman [spelling?] Shepherd & E. Haston (disturbing public worship).  John Shepherd and Isaac T. Haston were security for the defendants. 
137 James A. Haston Juryman in the case of State v. Jonah Hamrick (petit larceny).
148 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. Uriah Y. Drake & others (damages).  The defendants made some kind of motion regarding files, but the motion was overruled.
149 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix v. Uriah Y. Drake & others.  The defendants made some motion which was granted.
161 Almirah Haston
James M. Haston
State v. Uriah Y. Drake and others.  This is a follow up on a motion made in the Aprils term of court by the attorney general regarding an ex officio indictment against the defendants. 
164 Almirah Haston
James M. Haston
Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James M. Haston v. U. Y. Drake & others.  The plaintiff moved the court to strike out the pleas and motions filed in this court at this term, but the motion was overruled.
165 E.C. Haston State v. W.J. Drake and others.  E.C. [Edward Cyrus] Haston (Grand Juror empanelled at the present term of court) and two other men were ruled "incompetent by reason of affinity to the parties."  They were replaced.
171 E.C. Haston State v. James Hunter & John Gillentine & others.  E.C. [Edward Cyrus] Haston (Grand Juror empanelled at the present term of court) and two other men were ruled "incompetent by reason of affinity to the parties."  They were replaced.
December
176 I.T. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1867 term of circuit court, beginning on the 3rd Monday, and was elected to the Grand Jury.
187 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston v. Uriah Drake & others (damages).  This cause deferred until the next term of circuit court.
200 VB County jail burned "The county of Van Buren has no jail at present it was burned by the Rebels in time of the war."
203 John Haistain He was paid $6.00 for guarding a prisoner for three days and three nights.
Note: Who was this John Haistain?  The surname spelling in the minutes certainly appears to be as indicated here.
 

Year of 1868

Page

Name

Description
April
208 James A. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this April 1868 term of circuit court, beginning April 21, but was not selected to the Grand Jury.
  W.C. Haston He and others were summoned to be a substitute for some men who were excused from jury duty in this term of court.
210 James A. Haston
W.C. Haston
Jurymen on the case of State v. Leander Johnson & Margaret Simmons (lewdness).
215 James A. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Leander Johnson & Margaret Simmons (lewdness).
216 W.C. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Leander Johnson & Margaret Simmons (lewdness).
219 James A. Haston
W.C. Haston
Jurymen on the case of State v. James Hunter (extortion).
223 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix v. U.Y. York & others (damage).  The case was continued until the next term of this court.
224 W.C. Haston Juryman on the case of Seth Wright v. Hiram Dodson (replevin).  Replevin was a writ to take action to recover personal property.
238 W.C. Haston Sallie Martin v. W.C. Haston (damages).  "On motion of the plaintiff by attorney ___ is granted.  The plaintiff __ __ by striking out the words "two hundred" and ___ the words "one thousand."
August
245 Almirah Haston Almirah Haston, Administratrix of James Haston, deceased, who sues for her own use and for the use of Franklin W. Haston, James Haston, minor children of James Haston, Decd. v. U.Y. Drake, Winton Thurman, J.R. Hillis, William Grissom, and Alexander Grissom, defendants (damages).  The attorney for Almirah Haston entered a nolle prosequi ("we shall no longer prosecute"), thus the case was dismissed and the plaintiff was required to pay the court costs.  Generally, a nolle prosequi indicated that some part of the plaintiff's case had fallen apart.
255 William C. Haston Sallie Martin v. William C. Haston (damages).  The jury ruled in favor of the plaintiff and assessed the damages to be $75.00.  No details are given regarding what kind of damages were involved.
256 William C. Haston Sallie Martin v. William C. Haston (damages).  The defendant's attorney made the motion that "no witness on the part of the plaintiff be taxed in the bill of cost against the defendant in this cause except Mark Martin, John Martin, Stephen Martin, Perry Passons, Obediah Earls, Jasper Hodges, and John Hodges."
December
258 Isaac T. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1868 term of circuit court, beginning December 21, but no mention is made of the empanelling of a Grand Jury.
 

Year of 1869

Page

Name

Description
April
265 Miles Haston Summoned to this April 1869 term of circuit court, beginning the 3rd Monday of April, but his name was not drawn for him to be on the Grand Jury.
273 M.G. Haston M.G. Haston (and several others) signed an "Official Bond" as security for James A. Hill in relation to his appointment as clerk of the circuit court.
275 M.G. Haston M.G. Haston also signed a "Revenue Bond" which was associated with the appointment of James A. Hill to the office of circuit court clerk.
276 M.G. Haston He signed another document as security for James A. Hill, related to Hill's circuit court clerk appointment.
280 Miles Haston Juryman in the case of State v. John W. Phifer (assault and battery).
281 M.G. Haston
James A. Haston
Jurymen in the case of State v. John W. Phifer (assault and battery).
285 Miles Haston
W.D. Haston
James A. Haston
Jurymen in the case of State v. Hiram Graves (tipling [tippling]).
287 Miles Haston
M.G. Haston
James A. Haston
Jurymen in the case of State v. David Moore (profanity).
August
290 W.C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this August 1869 term of circuit court, beginning August 16, but was not selected for the Grand Jury.
293 W.C. Haston Juryman in the case of State v. John Newman (lewdness).
295 W.C. Haston Juryman in the case of State v. W.T. Worthington (assault with intent to kill).
298 W.C. Haston Mentioned as a juryman in the continuation of State v. W.T. Worthington (assault with intent to kill).
300 W.C. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. A.C. York (assault).
304 W.C. Haston Juryman in the case of State v. W.T. Worthington (carrying a dangerous weapon).
307 William C. Haston The Grand Jury presented an indictment against William C. Haston for obstructing a road.
311 W.C. Haston State v. W.C. Haston (obstructing road).  The defendant "says he cannot deny but that he is guilty in manner and form as charged."  He was fined $1.00 and W.B. Cummings was his security for the fine and court costs.
314 W.B. Haston's heirs This W.B. Haston (son of James A. Haston) was killed as a Confederate soldier in the Battle of Perryville (KY) during the Civil War.  He had owned one tract of 935 acres in civil district 7 which was valued at $100.  Taxes for 1866, 1867, & 1868 were due, so the land was ordered to be sold in order to pay the taxes.
315 W.C. Haston Juryman in the case of John T. Rodgers v. James R. Bosson (damages).
319 Wm. C. Haston Mentioned again as a juryman in the case of John T. Rodgers v. James R. Bosson (damages).
December
329 Isaac T. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this December 1869 term of circuit court, beginning December 20. 
 

Year of 1870

Page

Name

Description
April

At the outset of this circuit court term, no mention is made of the summons and empanelling of jurors for this term of court.  The record of those actions appears later, on page 342, after some cases were recorded.  It seems that the clerk forgot to enter this information into the records until after the term began.
 

342 Isaac T. Haston Juryman on the case of J.C. Myres v. J.B. Hamrick (replevin).  Replevin was a writ to take action to recover personal property.
342 Dock Shepperd
David Hastings [spelling?]
These men were summoned to jury duty for this April 1870 term of circuit court and were selected to be on the Grand Jury.
Notes: Dock (or "Doc") Shepherd married Maggie (Margaret) Haston, daughter of William C. Haston.  See the Howard H. Hasting material for more information on him.  The surname spelling here for "David H____" is not clear, but see the entry for "David Haston" on page 346.
346 David Haston One of the Grand Jurors who brought this presentment to court: State v. Wayman Kirby (bigamy).
Note: Which David Haston was this?  Daniel Haston's son by that name passed away in 1860.  Thomas C. Haston had a son by the name of David Crockett Haston, born about 1837, but did he still live in Tennessee at this time?  His parents had moved to Missouri several years earlier and disappeared.  James W. Haston had a son by the name of David Montgomery Haston, who was born about 1846 and was the brother of Samuel Shockley Haston (see page 371 entry).
347 M.G. Haston's land W.N. Goforth v. James Medley.  James Medley owned a tract of land in district 7 that bounded land on by M.G. Haston on the north.
Note: M.G. Haston died a few months earlier, December 20, 1869.
360 Isaac T. Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Emily Coatney & Nancy Hickman (keeping a house of ill fame).
August
370 W.C. Haston
J.A. Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this August 1870 term of circuit court, beginning August 15, and selected for the Grand Jury.  W.C. Haston was appointed foreman of the Grand Jury.
371 Samuel Haston He and others were summoned to replace some men on the jury for this term who had been excused.
Note:  Who was this Samuel Haston?  Whose were his parents?  This could have been Samuel Shockley Haston, who had been a Confederate soldier in the Civil War.  Samuel Shockley Haston was the son of James W. and Jane Shockley Haston.  James W. Haston was a son of David and Peggy Haston.
375 Samuel Haston Juryman on case of State v. William Roberts (carrying arms).
376 Samuel Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Jonathan Padgett (carrying arms).
380 William C. Haston's land John White and Manerva White owned a tract of land that bounded William C. Haston's land (and the mill tract) on the south.  This land was mentioned in John Stewart, Administrator v. Manerva White and Wm. Wallis (motion to condemn lands).
391 Isaac T. Haston Solomon Harrison v. William Sparkman & Isaac T. Haston.  This cause was continued to the next term, but the defendants were ordered to pay the cost for this term of court.
394 Samuel Haston Juryman on the case of Terry Gillentine v. John Mitchell.
396 Samuel Haston Juryman on the case of State v. Leander Johnson & Margaret Simmons (lewdness).
398 W.C. Haston Mentioned as the foreman of the Grand Jury for this term.
407 W.C. Haston Mentioned as the foreman of the Grand Jury for this term.
December
421 C.T. Haston
Cyrus Haston
Summoned to jury duty for this December 1870 term of circuit court, beginning December 19.  C.T. Haston was selected to be on the Grand Jury.
Note: This C.T. (Charles Thomas) Haston was the son of William Carroll Haston.  He later moved to Hickory Valley of White County, TN and played a major role in the (Old) Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years.
428 Cyrus Haston Juryman on the case of John Southerland v. J.C. Morgan (damages).
432 Cyrus Haston Juryman on the case of John Mitchell v. A.L. Parker (ejectment).
433 Cyrus Haston Juryman on the case of John Mitchell v. A.L. Parker (forcible entry).
444 Cyrus Haston Juryman on the case of Solomon Harrison v. William Sparkman (damage appeal).
 

Year of 1871

Page

Name

Description
April
461 Jane Haston Jane Haston v. Thos. H. Shockley (appeal).  The plaintiff dismissed the suit and the defendant assumed all of the costs.  No other information is given about this case.
Note: Which Jane Haston was this?
480 W.A. Haston State v. Pillow Neil (carrying arms).  W.A. Haston was the prosecutor in this case.
Note: Who was W.A. Haston?
481 W.A. Haston State v. Pillow Neil (carrying arms).  W.A. Haston was the prosecutor in this case, thus W.A. Haston was probably the person who was threatened by these arms. The defendant pleaded guilty and he was fined $10 and court costs.  He entered into "recognizance with good security in the sum of $250," with the "condition that he keep the peace towards all good citizens of the state."  William Worthington was security for him
488 John Haston The Grand Jury returned for presentment, State v. John Haston (tipling).  Tippling (proper modern spelling) means to drink (alcoholic liquor) or engage in such drinking, especially habitually or to excess.  See page 495.
Note: Who was this John Haston?  According to one genealogical record, Isaac Haston (son of Joseph Haston) had a son by the name of John E. Haston who was born in 1830.  He would have been 40+ years old at this time.  Why does he not appear in other earlier court records?  James A. Haston (son of Joseph) had a son by the name of John Taylor Haston, who was born in 1844.  Was one of these two men the "John Haston" of this case?
  Woody Haston The Grand Jury returned for presentment, State v. Woody Haston (selling spirituous liquors).  See page 496.
Note: According to Howard H. Hastings' research, James A. Haston had a son (born April 25, 1849 & died February 6, 1919) by the name of James Woodville Haston.
August
495 John Haston State v. John Haston (illegal tipling).  John Haston said that he was not guilty.  The jury found him not guilty.
496 Woody Haston
W.C. Haston
State v. Woody Haston (selling spirituous liquors).  Woody Haston admitted that he was guilty as charged.  He was required to pay a fine of $2.50.  W.B. Cummings and W.C. Haston acknowledged themselves security for the fine and court costs.
499 Isaac T. Haston State v. B.L. Simmons and his securities, Isaac T. Haston, John J. Walker, S.P. Dodson, Peter Carter, and James Haston.  The attorney general presented a motion against the defendant and his securities.  Apparently, B.L. Simmons had failed to pay the State $93.39 for some previous action.  The cause was continued to the next court term.
521 D.L. Haston Rhoda Riddles v. Isham Hale.  D.L. Haston was security for the plaintiff (forcible entry and detainee). 
Notes: (1) What is forcible entry and detainee?  Example: If you do not pay your rent, the landlord can bring a "forcible entry and detainee' action (eviction) against you. (2) Who was D.L. Haston?  This was probably David Lavander Haston ("Big Van"), son of William Carroll Haston.
December
531 D.L. Haston D.L. Haston was mentioned here as a deputy sheriff who returned the venire facias to court, to summons the jury.
531-532 Isaac T. Haston
G.M. Shepherd
Summoned to jury duty for this December 1871 of circuit court, beginning December 18, and was selected to be a part of the Grand Jury.
Note: G.M. Shepherd was probably Green Madison Shepherd, the same man known as "Doc" Shepherd.  Read more about him and his relationship to the Haston family in a genealogical report created by Howard H. Hastings, Sr.
546 Charley Haston Juryman in the case of State v. Hester Wilson (selling liquor to students). 
Note:  This would have been C.T. (Charles Thomas) Haston, son of William Carroll Haston, who moved up to White County in the early 1880s and became a leader in the (Old) Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
 

Year of 1872

Page

Name

Description
April
556-557 W.C. Haston Summoned to jury duty for this April 1872 term of circuit court, beginning April 15, and was selected to the Grand Jury.  He was appointed foreman for the Grand Jury.
557 Cyrus Haston He was summoned to substitute for someone who was excused from the jury for this term.
562 Cyrus Haston Juryman in the case of Bryce Little and wife, guardian v. W.B. Cummings, Adm. (debt).
563 D.L. Haston Mary Seals v. D.L. Haston (trespass).  Apparently, parts of this case were dismissed but other parts were upheld.
571 M.G. Haston's lands Although he had been dead since December 20, 1869, M.G. Haston's land is mentioned on this page.  A.J. Goforth owned a tract of land (in State-Van Buren County v. B.L. Simmons, tax collector for Van Buren County) that adjoined land that had been owned my M.G. Haston.
574 D.L. Haston Mary Seals v. D.L. Haston (trespass).  A jury heard this case but did not have time that day to render a decision, thus the case was continued until the next day.
579 D.L. Haston Mary Seals v. D.L. Haston (trespass).  The jury ruled in favor of the defendant.  John W. Seals was security for the court costs.
582 D.L. Haston Mary Seals v. D.L. Haston (trespass).  The plaintiff made a motion for a new trial, but it was overruled.  The plaintiff was going to appeal the case to the State Supreme Court in Nashville in the upcoming December.
August
606 D.L. Haston Juryman on case of Martin White v. Burritt College (appeal). 
613 D.L. Haston Juryman on the case of Elisha Cheek v. Edmond Sparkman (debt appeal).