James Thomas (March 11, 1785 – December 25, 1845) served as the 23rd Governor of the state of Maryland in the United States from 1833 to 1836. He practiced medicine and served as judge in several courts throughout Maryland, and served in the Maryland State Senate from 1824 to 1830.
He was born at "De la Brooke Manor" in St. Mary's County, Maryland on March 11, 1785, the son of William Thomas and Catherine Boarman. He entered St. John’s College with the class of 1800, but he did not graduate. He graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy in 1804. Thomas studied medicine in Philadelphia and received his doctor’s degree there in 1807. In 1808, he married his cousin, Elizabeth Coates.[1]
He practiced medicine in St. Mary's County until the outbreak of the War of 1812. Thomas also served as a justice of the peace and, from 1810 to 1812, was a member of the Levy Court of St. Mary’s County. He was commissioned as major in the Fourth Maryland Cavalry and later brevetted a major general.[1]
After the war, Thomas resumed his medical practice, but soon entered politics. He served as a Maryland State Senator from the Western Shore from 1826 to 1831. He was elected governor by an overwhelming majority in 1833, the last anti-Jacksonian candidate to be chosen before that party became the Whigs. Thomas was sworn into office on January 17, 1833. He was instrumental in bringing about a settlement between the interests of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad which meant so much to the success of the railroad. He supported appropriations for the support of general education. During his term occurred the removal of the government deposits which preceded the failure of the Bank of Maryland during 1834. Beginning on August 6, 1835, a mob began several days of rioting, burning and looting. After several days of anarchy, the Governor called for federal troops whose arrival, together with drastic action by General Samuel Smith, brought an end to several days of chaos. This incident prompted Governor Thomas to take measures for the establishment of a state militia organization.[1]
When his term expired on January 14, 1836, he retired to his home at "Deep Falls," St. Mary’s County. He died there on Christmas Day 1845, and was buried in the Thomas’ family cemetery at "Deep Falls".[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdFrank F. White, Jr. (1970), "Biography of James Thomas", The Governors of Maryland 1777-1970, Annapolis: The Hall of Records Commission, pp. 107–109, OCLC 144620, retrieved 2011-04-28
james, thomas, governor, maryland, james, thomas, march, 1785, december, 1845, served, 23rd, governor, state, maryland, united, states, from, 1833, 1836, practiced, medicine, served, judge, several, courts, throughout, maryland, served, maryland, state, senate. James Thomas March 11 1785 December 25 1845 served as the 23rd Governor of the state of Maryland in the United States from 1833 to 1836 He practiced medicine and served as judge in several courts throughout Maryland and served in the Maryland State Senate from 1824 to 1830 James Thomas23rd Governor of MarylandIn office January 17 1833 January 14 1836Preceded byGeorge HowardSucceeded byThomas VeazeyMember of the Maryland SenateIn office 1826 1831Personal detailsBorn 1785 03 11 March 11 1785St Mary s County Maryland U S DiedDecember 25 1845 1845 12 25 aged 60 Deep Falls St Mary s County Maryland U S Political partyanti JacksonianSpouseElizabeth CoatesProfessionphysicianBiography editHe was born at De la Brooke Manor in St Mary s County Maryland on March 11 1785 the son of William Thomas and Catherine Boarman He entered St John s College with the class of 1800 but he did not graduate He graduated from Charlotte Hall Military Academy in 1804 Thomas studied medicine in Philadelphia and received his doctor s degree there in 1807 In 1808 he married his cousin Elizabeth Coates 1 He practiced medicine in St Mary s County until the outbreak of the War of 1812 Thomas also served as a justice of the peace and from 1810 to 1812 was a member of the Levy Court of St Mary s County He was commissioned as major in the Fourth Maryland Cavalry and later brevetted a major general 1 After the war Thomas resumed his medical practice but soon entered politics He served as a Maryland State Senator from the Western Shore from 1826 to 1831 He was elected governor by an overwhelming majority in 1833 the last anti Jacksonian candidate to be chosen before that party became the Whigs Thomas was sworn into office on January 17 1833 He was instrumental in bringing about a settlement between the interests of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad which meant so much to the success of the railroad He supported appropriations for the support of general education During his term occurred the removal of the government deposits which preceded the failure of the Bank of Maryland during 1834 Beginning on August 6 1835 a mob began several days of rioting burning and looting After several days of anarchy the Governor called for federal troops whose arrival together with drastic action by General Samuel Smith brought an end to several days of chaos This incident prompted Governor Thomas to take measures for the establishment of a state militia organization 1 When his term expired on January 14 1836 he retired to his home at Deep Falls St Mary s County He died there on Christmas Day 1845 and was buried in the Thomas family cemetery at Deep Falls 1 References edit a b c d Frank F White Jr 1970 Biography of James Thomas The Governors of Maryland 1777 1970 Annapolis The Hall of Records Commission pp 107 109 OCLC 144620 retrieved 2011 04 28 Political officesPreceded byGeorge Howard Governor of Maryland1833 1836 Succeeded byThomas Veazey Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Thomas Governor of Maryland amp oldid 1210528536, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
