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(quorum). STANDS ON PUBLIC/PRIVATE ISSUES:
Governor Horatio Sharpe (1718-1790) described
Thomas in 1755 as a councillor "not averse to
writing to Lower House" in contrast to other
councillors who, although holding lucrative pub-
lic offices, "scarcely ..... have ever taken upon
themselves to pen a common message." WEALTH
DURING LIFETIME. LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: prob-
ably 1,695 acres in Anne Arundel, Cecil, and
Calvert counties (probably 500 acres in Calvert
County acquired through marriage to Anne Chew
and his 355-acre home plantation in Anne Arun-
del County acquired as his share of his father's
estate; Thomas was probably living on the land
prior to his father's death). SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELECTION AND DEATH:
purchased 1,707 acres in Baltimore County from
his father-in-law's estate in 1752, but sold it to
his sister-in-law Henrietta Maria Chew Dulany in
1758. Acquired 20 acres in Anne Arundel County
by the time of his death. WEALTH AT DEATH. DIED:
on November 23, 1762, at "Lebanon," West River,
Anne Arundel County, after a long illness that
had prevented him from attending meetings in
Annapolis since at least 1760. PERSONAL PROP-
ERTY: TEV, £408.14.3 sterling, £4,467.18.9 cur-
rent money (including 80 slaves, more than 716
oz. plate); FB, £408.14.3 sterling, £4,362.19.8
Maryland currency prior to distribution to heirs.
LAND: 1,715 acres in Anne Arundel, Cecil, and
Calvert counties.
THOMAS, PHILIP (1747-1815). BORN: on June
11, 1747, near Chestertown, Kent County; only
surviving son. NATIVE: at least third generation.
RESIDED: moved to Frederick Town, Frederick
County, in August 1769 to the lot now known as
110 West Patrick Street; Thomas's country estate
in Frederick County was known as "Mount Philip."
FAMILY BACKGROUND. FATHER: James Thomas (?-
1761) of Kent County, son of James Thomas, who
married second, (first name unknown) Hackett.
MOTHER: Elizabeth Bellicum of Kent County. SIS-
TERS: Sarah; Rebecca. MARRIED on February 18,
1773, Jane Contee (1747-1781), daughter of John
Hanson, Jr. (1721-1783) and wife Jane Contee
(1728-1812). Jane was the granddaughter of both
Samuel Hanson (ca. 1685-1740) and Alexander
Contee (ca. 1691-1740). She was the niece of Wal-
ter Hanson (1711/12-1794); Samuel Hanson (1716-
1794); John Contee (1722-ca. 1796); Thomas
Contee (ca. 1729-1811); and Charity Hanson
(1724-?), who married second, Arthur Lee (?-
1760). She was the great niece of Robert Hanson
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(ca. 1680-1748). Her brothers were Alexander
Contee Hanson (1749-1806); John (1753-1760);
Samuel (1756-1781); and Peter Contee (1758-
1776). Her sisters were Catherine Contee (1744-
?); Elizabeth (1751-1753); and Grace (1762-
1763). Her first cousin was Samuel Hanson, of
Samuel (ca. 1752-1830). OTHER KINSHIP: Jane was
the great-granddaughter of both Walter Storey (ca.
1666-1726) and Thomas Brooke (ca. 1659-1730/
31). CHILDREN. SONS: James; John Hanson (1779-
1815), who served in the Lower House, 1808-
1809, 1809, and who married on October 5, 1809,
Mary Isham, daughter of Rawleigh Colston of
Berkley County, Virginia, niece of Chief Justice
John Marshall. DAUGHTERS: Catherine Hanson
(1755-?), who married Dr. Ashton Alexander;
Rebecca Bellicum (1777-?), who maried Alex-
ander Contee Magruder. PRIVATE CAREER. EDU-
CATION: studied medicine and attended profes-
sional lectures under Dr. Vandyke in Philadelphia;
worked in a Philadelphia hospital and a "better-
ing" house (reformatory); attended a series of
lectures on natural and experimental psychology.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Anglican, All Saints'
Parish, Frederick County. SOCIAL STATUS AND
ACTIVITIES: Gent., by 1771; Esq., by 1781. OC-
CUPATIONAL PROFILE: physician. Thomas moved
to Frederick Town in August 1769 to begin his
practice of medicine. He was the first physician
"of record" in Frederick County, and held the
title of medical purveyor from 1781 to 1783. He
was one of the founders and the first president
of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary-
land, holding this office from 1801 to 1815 (longer
than any succeeding president is said to have done).
PUBLIC CAREER. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Conven-
tions, Frederick County, 1st, 1774, 4th, 1775;
Lower House, Frederick County, 1777 (Griev-
ances 2), 1777 -1778. OTHER STATE OFFICE: pres-
idential elector, 1788. LOCAL OFFICES: Committee
of Correspondence, Frederick County, elected
1775; Committee of Observation, Frederick
County, elected 1775; justice, Frederick County,
1778-at least 1780; justice, Orphans' Court,
Frederick County, 1778-1781; justice, Court of
Oyer, Terminer, and Gaol Delivery, Frederick
County, special commission June 21, 1781; county
lieutenant, Frederick County, appointed Febru-
ary 20, 1781; Maryland Senate elector, Frederick
County, 1796; All Saints' Parish Vestry, Fred-
erick County, 1804-1807, reelected 1812. MILI-
TARY SERVICE: captain, Third Battalion of Mili-
tia, Frederick County, November 28, 1775;
recommended for a commission as captain in a
811
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