John was born in Sullivan Co., TN and said to be "a well to do farmer, generous in the use of his means, and proverbially kind heaerted and liberal in his views." On May 31 1851 John applied for a military pension in Bradley Co., TN. At that time he stated that he served a a private in the company commanded by Capt. Samuel Bunch in the regiment of volunteers commanded by Col. John Williams during the war with the Seminole Indians in 1812. He also stated that at the request of Brigadier Gen. James White, he went as a spy to the Creek nation in the fall of 1813 Long with Andrew Cowan to examine the Indian situation. On finding the Indians preparing to attack the frontiers, they immediately notified Gov. Blount of TN and Gen. White. They were ordered to continue their observation of the hostile Indians until an army could be raised. He was honorably discharged in Dec. 1813 in Knoxville, TN. John McNair also served from Jan 10 to May 18 in 1814 as Capt. of a company of volunteers during the war with the Creek Indians. His company was in the regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Bunch in Gen. Daugherty's Brigade, of the East TN Militia. he served for four months and nine days and received pay of $171.61. The "Knoxville Intelligeneer" of 23 Jul 1822 says, "Married on Friday the 12th inst., by Robet Houston, Esqr., Col. John McNair and Miss Polly Sheritze." After marriage John and Mary Ann moved from Knox County to the Cherokee Nation (now Bradley Co.). In 1851 they moved to Union County, IL (South end of the state). After his death in 1852, Mary Ann and family located at Pleasant Hill, MO. At 74 years of age, John's widow Mary, applied for a widow's pension while living in St. Joe, AR declaring that John served in three campaigns. She also gave a full description of her husband at the time of his en-listment as--age 28 years, a farmer, resident of Sullivan and Knox County's, TN, height 6 ft. 2 in., hair black, eyes dark gray, complexion dark. She also stated that they were married in Knoxville, TN on 12 July 1821 by one Robert Houston who was Justice of the Peace. John died in Union County, IL.