I want to post an example from my own research on my 4GGF John F. Thompson Sr. that illustrates how incomplete the present indices to Circuit Court records are. This case is listed in the index to this volume as: Case Name Type Pages ---- ---- ---- ----- 667 Thompson, John F. exparte petition 110, 158 Once I looked at the actual records, I found that many other names were involved, and none of these are in the present index. Here are the records: TSLA, Bedford County, Tennessee, Circuit Court Minutes, 1853-1855, Tuesday 4 April 1854, Page 110 John F. Thompson and others, exparte petition for division of slaves Be it remembered that this cause came on again to be heard before the Honorable H. L. Davidson, Judge. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that sends the last term of this court that Emily Earnhart one of the petitioner says intermarried with one Thomas Baxter and that it is more proper to divide and alot the slaves between the said Emily and her said husband and the said Henry Earnhart, which was ordered by the decree of this court at the last term to be divided, and on motion of the said Thomas Baxter and Emily about their counsel it is ordered that Graden H. Stewart, Garrett Phillips, and Alex Sanders be appointed and directed in addition to their duties directed by the decree of the last term be directed to divide and alot to the said Thomas Baxter, Emily his wife one share in Henry Earnhart one share and that they report their actions to the present term of the court. TSLA, Bedford County, Tennessee, Circuit Court Minutes, 1853-1855, Wednesday 12 April 1854, Page 158 John F. Thompson, administrator and others, exparte, decree Be it remembered that this cause came on for further hearing this the 11th day of April 1854 before the Honorable H. L. Davidson and upon petition, interlocutory decree in the report of the commissioners appointed to divide said slaves - which report is in the words and figures following, to wit: We the undersigned commissioners who were appointed by the Circuit Court of Bedford County at its December term 1853 and again at the April term 1854 of said court to divide and alot the slaves belonging to the estate of Henry Earnhart deceased among the children of said Henry Earnhart, beg leave to report that they have met together and after being sworn, proceeded to divide and alot said slaves as follows, two wit: Michael Earnhart, the slaves David and Nancy, valued at $2000; to William D. Arnold and wife Minerva the slaves Alec and Letsy valued at $2000; to [blank] Baxter and wife Emily the slaves Anderson and Thomas valued at $2000; and Henry C. Earnhart the slaves Will and Harriet and Pleasant, valued at $2000. All of which is respectfully submitted G. H. Stewart, A. Sanders, Garrett Phillips, commissioners Steve Carson