John McNairy (March 30, 1762 – November 12, 1837) was a British-American federal judge of the United States District Court for the District of Tennessee, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

Education and career

Born on March 30, 1762, in Lancaster County, Province of Pennsylvania, British America, McNairy read law in 1788. He entered private practice in Jonesboro, North Carolina (unorganized territory from April 2, 1790, Southwest Territory from May 26, 1790) starting in 1788. He was a Judge of the Superior Court of Law and Equity, Mero District, starting in 1788. He was nominated to the Territorial Court for the Southwest Territory by President Washington on June 7, 1790, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 8, 1790, serving in that post until his appointment to the District of Tennessee.

Federal judicial service

Following the admission of the Southwest Territory to the Union as the State of Tennessee on June 1, 1796, McNairy was nominated by President George Washington on February 17, 1797, to the United States District Court for the District of Tennessee, to a new seat authorized by. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1797, and received his commission the same day. McNairy was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on April 29, 1802, to a new joint seat authorized by. His service terminated on September 1, 1833, due to his resignation. The Judiciary Act of 1801 abolished the United States District Court for the District of Tennessee on February 13, 1801, and assigned McNairy to serve as a district judge on the United States Circuit Court for the Sixth Circuit. The Act was repealed on March 8, 1802, reestablishing the district court as of July 1, 1802.

Death

McNairy died on November 12, 1837, near Nashville, Tennessee.

Honor

McNairy County, Tennessee, is named in McNairy's honor.

Note

Sources