Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Thomas Johnson (1732-1819)
MSA SC 3520-743
Governor of Maryland, 1777-1779 (Federalist)


Biographical Profile-
Born: November 4, 1732 near St. Leonard's Creek, Calvert County1
Father: Thomas Johnson2
Mother: Dorcas (Sedgwick) Johnson3
Education:  attended public schools; studied law with Stephen Bordley4
Religious Affiliation: Anglican5
Marriage: February 16, 1766 to Ann Jennings6
Children:  Thomas Jennings, James, Joshua, Anne Jennings, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Dorcas7
Military Service:
            Senior Brigadier General, Maryland Militia, 1776-1777
            Leader of the Maryland troops sent to help General Washington retreat through New Jersey8
Positions:
            Lawyer
            Clerk of indictments, Frederick County, appointed 1760, Anne Arundel County, 1761
            Lower House, Anne Arundel County, 1762-1774, Frederick County, 1780-1781, 1786-1788
            Committee of Correspondence, Anne Arundel County, 1774
            Delegate, Continental Congress, 1774-1776
            First Council of Safety, Western Shore, 1775
            Conventions, Anne Arundel County, 1774-1776, Caroline County, 1776
            Governor of Maryland, 1777-1779
            Maryland Senate elector, Frederick County, 1786
            Judge, Court of Appeals for Tax Assessments, Frederick County, 1786
            Delegate, Constitution Ratification Convention, Frederick County, 1788
            Director, Potomac Company, president, 1789
            Chief Judge, General Court, 1790-1791
            Member, Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia, 1791-1794
            Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court, 1791-1793 (resigned)
            Justice, Orphans' Court, Frederick County, 17999
Died: October 26, 1819 at "Rose Hill," near Frederick Town, Frederick County10
Buried: All Saints' Parish Cemetery, Frederick Town11

Notes on sources

Link to New Dictionary of National Biography Entry

Link to Biography from Frank White's Governors of Maryland

Return to Thomas Johnson's introductory page


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