Skip to Main Content

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

CIRCUIT COURT

CLERKS

COUNTY COURT CLERKS

Appointed by County Court Justices (Constitution of 1776, sec. 47):
1777-1795 Brooke Beall
1795-1827 Upton Beall
1827-1845 Brice Selby

Appointed by Governor to 7-year term (Chapter 224, Acts of 1836, confirmed by Chapter 160, Acts of 1837):
1845-1851 Samuel T. Stonestreet

CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS

Elected by Voters to 6-year terms (Constitution of 1851, Art. IV, sec. 14):
1851-1863 James G. Herring
1863-1865 E. Barrett Prettyman (D)

Elected by Voters to 6-year terms (Constitution of 1864, Art. IV, sec. 29):
1865-1867 E. Barrett Prettyman (D)

Elected by Voters to 6-year terms (Constitution of 1867, Art. IV, sec. 25):
1867-1885 E. Barrett Prettyman (D)
1885-1897 James Anderson (D)
1897-1903 Thomas Dawson (R)
1903-1915 John L. Brunett
1915-1926 Preston B. Ray (D)

Elected by Voters to 4-year terms (Constitution of 1867, Art. XVII, added by Chapter 227, Acts of 1922, ratified Nov. 7, 1922):
1926-1930 Preston B. Ray (D)
1930-1958 Clayton K. Watkins (D)

Elected by Voters to 4-year terms (Constitution of 1867, Art. IV, sec. 25, amended by Chapter 99, Acts of 1956, ratified Nov. 6, 1956):
1958-1966 Clayton K. Watkins (D)
1966-1990 Howard M. Smith (D)
1990-1994 Bettie Skelton (D)
1994-2006 Molly Q. Ruhl (D)
2006-2014 Loretta E. Knight (D)
2014-2021 Barbara H. Meiklejohn (D) (retired March 31, 2021)
2021- Karen A. Bushell (D)

Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland Government
Maryland & the Federal Government
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!

[ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research
||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ]

Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright March 14, 2022 Maryland State Archives