Innes, Harry (1752-1816) | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Name: Innes, Harry (1752-1816)

Historical Note: Harry Innes (January 4, 1752 – September 20, 1816) was the first United States federal judge in Kentucky. Innes was a member of eight of the ten conventions leading to the separation of Kentucky from Virginia, and was a vocal proponent of separation. He also served as president of the first electoral college which chose Kentucky's first Governor and Lieutenant Governor. After Kentucky separated from Virginia, Innes was selected to be chief judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals (then the state's highest court), but declined the appointment, remaining instead on the District Court. He was the only federal judge in Kentucky until the Judiciary Act of 1801 made what had been the Kentucky District Court a part of the new Sixth Circuit. In 1802 the Judiciary Act of 1801 was repealed and Innes was once again the judge of the District of Kentucky. He remained in office until his death on September 20, 1816, in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Innes