Shelley v. Central Woodwork, Inc.

The sole question for determination in this case is whether or not a posthumous illegitimate child is a dependent under the Tennessee "Workmen’s Compensation Law? The Chancellor answered this question in the negative, depending primarily upon our case of Sanders v. Fork Ridge Coal & Coke Co., 156 Tenn. 145, 299 S.W. 795. To this holding exceptions were duly taken and an appeal has been seasonably perfected, briefs filed and arguments heard. We now have the matter for disposition.

James Bice and Mary Shelley lived together in an illicit relationship and no common law marriage or marriage by…