Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Thomas Sim Lee (1745-1819)
MSA SC 3520-800
Governor of Maryland, 1779-1782, 1792-1794 (Federalist)

Born:  October 29, 1745 either in Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County at his father's home,
        or at "Blenheim," his grandfather's estate, Charles County1
Father:  Thomas Lee2
Mother:  Christiana (Sim) Lee3
Education:  completed preparatory studies; possibly studied in Europe4
Religious Affiliation:  Anglican; converted to Catholicism when he married5
Marriage:  October 27, 1771 to Mary Digges6
Children:  Ignatius Digges, Archibald (died young), Archibald (Archy), Thomas, William, John Lee,
        Mary (Molly) Christian, Elizabeth Digges7
Military Service:  Colonel, Lower Battalion of Militia, Prince George's County, 1774-17798
Positions:
            Clerk, Court of Oyer, Terminer and Gaol Delivery, Prince George's County, 1766-1762
            Clerk, Prince George's County Court, 1767-1776
            Conventions, Prince George's County, 1775-1776
            Executive Council, 1777-1779
            Governor of Maryland, 1779-1782, 1792-1794, 1798 (elected, declined to accept)
            Delegate, Continental Congress, 1782-1783
            Director, Potomac Company, 1785
            Maryland Senate elector, Frederick County, 1786
            Delegate, Constitution Ratification Convention, Frederick County, 1788
            Presidential elector, 1792
            Maryland Senate, 1794
            Land speculator, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., after 17949
Residence: "Needwood" in Middletown Valley, Frederick County10
Real Property: At time of death, owned approx. 2,100 acres in Frederick and Montgomery counties, plus at least 61 lots in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.11
Personal Property: estimated value of $13,325.79 at time of death, including books and slaves12
Slaves, servants, and employees: 109 slaves listed on inventory of estate; Robert, Joan, Betsy and Richard, sold to Eliza D. Lee Horsey, October 25, 1806; Nelly, manumitted June 5, 1818; 13
Died:   October 9, 1819 at "Needwood," in Middletown Valley, Frederick County14
Buried:  at "Melwood Park," Prince George's County;
        reinterred in Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery, Upper Marlboro, 188815

Notes on sources

Extended biography

Return to Thomas Sim Lee's introductory page


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