SOURCE
Tennessee Supreme Court Case Files
Tennessee State Library and Archives
Range: 37
Section: B
Shelf: 2
Box Number: 1137
Pages: 37

ABSTRACT

On 15 August 1878, William Jackson married Clementine McCloud. Without the benefit of divorce, Jackson married Mary "Ver" Sparks on 13 August 1882. The State brought charges of Bigamy against Jackson. He was convicted and sentenced to 2 years hard labor in the State Penitentiary. The case was appealed to the TN Supreme Court.

PRIMARY SURNAMES

Jackson, Sparks, McCloud

LOCATION

Putnam County, Tennessee

GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION

• William Jackson married Clementine McCloud 15 Aug 1878.
• William A. Jackson married Mary Sparks on 13 Aug 1882.
• Sol Sparks is the father of Mary "Ver" Sparks.
• Mary Sparks married John Webb six or seven years ago. They were never divorced.
• Francis McCloud is the mother of Clementine (McCloud) Jackson.
• Lafayette Sparks is the brother of Mary "Ver" Sparks.
• Marriage License for William Jackson to Mary Sparks
  • William Jackson age 24, Christian, born in Putnam County, residence Putnam County
  • Mary Sparks, widow, age 21, born in Putnam County, residence Putnam County
  • John W. Jackson District 5, witness
  • Thomas Chelor District 5, witness
  • Thomas Welch District 5, witness
  • W. M. J. Ford, Minister

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED

• Marriage License of Wm. A. Jackson to Clementine McCloud issued 15 Aug 1878. Rites of Matrimony was solemnized 15 Aug 1878.
• Marriage License of William Jackson to Mary Sparks issued 12 Aug 1882. Rites of Matrimony was solemnized 13 Aug 1882.

TIMELINE

• 15 Aug 1878: William A. Jackson married Clementine McCloud.
• 13 Aug 1882: William Jackson married Mary "Ver" Sparks.
• 10 Oct 1882: William Jackson indicted for marring Ver Sparks while having a living wife, Clementine McCloud, whom he never divorced.
• 30 Dec 1882: William Jackson was arrested and conveyed to the Putnam County Jail.
• 15 Feb 1883: William Jackson plead Not Guilty to the charges of Bigamy.
• 24 Feb 1883: The Jury found William Jackson Guilty of Bigamy and set punishment to 2 years in the State Penitentiary.

DEPOSITIONS

• Henry P. Davis
• W. J. Isbell
• John Jackson
• Sol Sparks
• Francis McCloud
• Lafayette Sparks
• J. W. Jackson

 NAMES LISTED IN THE COURT CASE

• H. J. Brown, Sheriff
• Grand Jury (* indicates selected to serve)
  • Elihu Nicholas*
  • Eli Shipley, Foreman*
  • B. F. Wooten*
  • Joseph Phifer
  • J. C. Bray*
  • Joseph Buckner*
  • Dudley Clark
  • George Robinson*
  • A. V. Horn
  • John Jackson*
  • J. L. Bilbrey
  • E. L. Thompson
  • L. R. Brown
  • P. L. Butler
  • Gallant Tucker
  • H. T. Lee
  • Zeb Carr
  • B. Burch*
  • T. C. Holladay*
  • John E. Lack*
  • John Hall
  • J. B. Rector*
  • J. R. Jaquess
  • P. C. Gentry*
  • J. R. Lee*
• A. P. Warren, Constable
• G. W. Robinson, Prosecutor
• John Jackson
• Thomas Welch
• H. P. Davis
• E. L. Gardenhire, Attorney General
• J. A. Carlen, Clerk
• G. M. Moore, Deputy Sherriff
• Jury
  • William Bohanan
  • John Jared
  • Alexander West
  • J. L. Odum
  • Thomas Farris
  • J. F. Gragg
  • John Mills
  • Calvin Julian
  • Leroy Carr
  • James Randolph
  • A. V. Merritt
  • Wilson West

BILL OF COSTS

• Attorney General G. B. Murry
• Clerk J. A. Carlen
• Sheriff H. J. Brown
• Deputy Sheriff G. M. Moore
• W. J. Isbell
• H. P. Davis
• George Robinson
• John Jackson
• Sol Sparks