John Tenney Priest was an American public servant who served as city clerk of Boston and Charlestown, Massachusetts.

On June 3, 1864, he received a gun shot wound at the Battle of Cold Harbor and lost one of his legs as a result.

[2] He was discharged for his wounds on June 17, 1865, and worked as a bookkeeper for a dry goods business upon his return home.

[4] However, Priest had to undergo an operation on his amputated leg, which led to Galvin returning as city clerk pro tempore on December 27, 1899.

[5] Priest received some support on the common council to succeed Galvin, but Edward J. Donovan was ultimately chosen.