Thomas Sim Lee�s long career of public service in Maryland began as a court clerk in his native Prince George�s County. In that position, Lee was responsible for the court's administrative matters and oversaw the well being of legal records for the county. Lee served in this office until the onset of the American Revolution.

With the outbreak of the American Revolution, Lee was among those who quickly moved to support the cause of independence. In the winter of 1775-76, he was commissioned a major in the Maryland Militia, and helped to organize a militia unit in Prince George�s County.

Lee was first elected Governor of Maryland by the legislature in 1779, and was reelected each of the next two years. He began his tenure during the turmoil of the American Revolution. Just a month into office, Governor Lee received this desperate plea from General George Washington, who wrote that �the situation of the army with respect to supplies is beyond alarming�we have not more that three days bread.� If the states could not provide the army with vital supplies, Washington feared �that the army will infallibly disband in a fortnight.� Ten days later, Lee replied that the Maryland General Assembly had passed legislation which, Lee hoped, offered �a well grounded hope that the wants of the Army will be speedily satisfied.�

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Bond, Clerk of Prince George�s County Court, 1767
MSA S987