John McNairy

Who was John McNairy?

John McNairy was a United States federal judge in Tennessee.

Born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, McNairy read law to enter the bar in 1788. He opened a private practice in Jonesboro, Tennessee, also serving as a judge in the Superior Court of Law and Equity for Davidson County, Tennessee.

He was nominated by President George Washington on February 17, 1797, to be the first judge of the United States District Court for the District of Tennessee, the seat having been created by 1 Stat. 496. He was confirmed by the Senate, and received his commission, on February 20, 1797. On April 29, 1802, the district was divided into the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, but McNairy was assigned to both districts by operation of law, and continued to be the sole federal judge serving the state of Tennessee until his resignation, on September 1, 1833.

He died near Nashville, Tennessee.

McNairy County, Tennessee, is named in his honor.