The district was organized after achieving statehood in 1796

1796–1805: one, then three seats

Tennessee began with one seat in 1796. It was apportioned two more seats in 1803. With the addition of two representatives following the 1800 census, all three seats were elected 'General Ticket' statewide for the 8th Congress.

More information Cong ress, Years ...

Cong ress	Years		Seat A				Seat B				Seat C
			Member	Party	Electoral history		Member	Party	Electoral history		Member	Party	Electoral history
4th	March 4, 1795 – June 1, 1796		Statehood achieved June 1, 1796
	June 1, 1796 – December 5, 1796		Vacant
	December 5, 1796 – March 3, 1797		Andrew Jackson (Nashville)	Democratic-Republican	Elected October 15, 1796, to finish the new term and seated December 5, 1796. Re-elected in 1797. Resigned when elected U.S. senator.
5th	March 4, 1797 – September 1797
	September 1797 – November 23, 1797		Vacant
	November 23, 1797 – March 3, 1799		William C. C. Claiborne	Democratic-Republican	Elected September 26, 1797, to finish Jackson's term and seated November 23, 1797, despite being under the minimum age for service. Re-elected in 1799. Re-elected in 1801 but resigned to become Governor of Mississippi Territory.
6th	March 4, 1799 – March 3, 1801
7th	March 4, 1801 – December 7, 1801		Vacant
	December 7, 1801 – March 3, 1803		William Dickson (Nashville)	Democratic-Republican	Elected November 14, 1801, to finish Claiborne's term and seated December 7, 1801. Re-elected in 1803. Redistricted to the 3rd district.
8th	March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1805						George Campbell (Knoxville)	Democratic-Republican	Elected in 1803. Redistricted to the 2nd district.		John Rhea (Blountville)	Democratic-Republican	Elected in 1803. Redistricted to the 1st district.

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1873–1875: one at-large seat, among nine other districts

More information Cong ress, Years ...

Cong ress	Years	Member	Party	Note
43rd	March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875	Horace Maynard (Knoxville)	Republican	Redistricted from the 2nd district and re-elected in 1872. Retired.

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No future at-large seats were apportioned after 1875.

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present