(1) The Columbia Division comprises the counties of Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, and Wayne.

(2) The Northeastern Division comprises the counties of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, and White.

(3) The Nashville Division comprises the counties of Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson.

[1][2] The judgeship was filled by President George Washington's appointment of John McNairy.

On March 3, 1837, Congress assigned the judicial district of Tennessee to the Eighth Circuit.

Finally, on June 14, 1878, Congress authorized a separate judgeship for the Western District of Tennessee, at which time President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed David M. Key as judge for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee.

The first judge to serve only the Middle District of Tennessee was John J. Gore, appointed by Warren G. Harding.

The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first.