Thomas Johns Perry (1807-1871)
MSA SC 3520-2108
Thomas Johns Perry studied law under his father, Roger Perry, and was admitted to the Allegany County, Maryland bar in 1828.1 In 1834 he was elected to the Maryland State Legislature and served a two-year term.2 In 1845 he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Congress in which he also served a two year term.3 In 1851 he was elected to a ten year term as Judge of the Circuit Court composed of Allegany and Washington Counties.4 He ran for re-election but was defeated by Judge Dan Weisel.5 In the Spring of 1867 he was elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention of Maryland.6 He was also elected that same year to the bench of the Fourth Judicial District where he served until his death on June 27, 1871.7
Judge Perry married Sarah Van Lear on November 20, 1835.8 They had three children; Van Lear Perry, who became a prominant doctor, Mary Louisa Perry, Sarah Van Lear Perry, and Ida Perry. He married a second time to Kate Lowney and by that marriage had one child, Frank Perry.9
Return to Biographical Profile
© Copyright Maryland State Archives