SENATE, 1st, 2nd (1st session only; resigned and replaced by Joel Dyer), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th General Assemblies, 1796-1799, 1801-11; representing Hawkins County in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Assemblies; Hawkins and Sullivan counties in the 7th and 8th Assemblies; Speaker of the Senate in the 6th, 7th, and 8th Assemblies; Democrat. Born in West Marlborough Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 1758; son of Robert and Sarah (Harlan) McMinn. Educated in Virginia. Removed to Tennessee in 1776 and built his home, “New Market,” near Rogersville, Hawkins County. Merchant; operated a tavern or hotel at Rogersville; advocate of public education and improved river navigation. Regimented command of militia, 1789. Member of Territorial Legislature, 1794; member of Constitutional Convention, 1796. Served as Governor of Tennessee from September 27, 1815,, to October 1, 1821. Indian agent, 1823-24. McMinn County and McMinnville, Warren County, are both named in his honor. He was married three times: (1st) to Hannah Cooper, (2nd) to Mary Kincaid, and (3rd) to Mrs. Nancy (Glasgow) Williams. He had one daughter, Jane McMinn, apparently by his first wife. After his terms as governor, he purchased property at Calhoun, McMinn County, and was appointed in charge of the Cherokee Agency, 1823-24. He died on November 17, 1824, in Hawkins County, and is buried in Calhoun Cemetery.

Sources: White, Messages of the Governors of Tennessee, I, 442-43; Dictionary of American Biography; Tennessee Blue Book, 1969-70, p. 114; Clayton, History of Davidson County, 414.

From Biographical Directory: Tennessee General Assembly, 1796-1967, Issue 3