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286 HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
illustrious revolutionary patriot of Maryland, was among the first in America
to assist the cause of his country against the oppressions of Great Britain, and
was early in life honored with the most important and arduous trusts which
his countrymen could confer. He was the son of Thomas Johnson and Dorcas
Sedgwick, and was born in Calvert County, on the 4th of November, 1732,
but for the last forty years of his life was a resident of Frederick County.
Having received the rudiments of a common school education at an early age,
he was sent to Annapolis to write in the provincial court office. In a short
time, he commenced the study of law under the auspices of Mr. Bordley, and
after being admitted to the bar he soon arose to the first professional rank in
the province. On the commencement of the troubles with Great Britain, he,
with others, stepped forward to oppose the unjust demand of the mother
country, and never swerved from the path that led to independence. He was
a member of the first congress; was a member of every important committee;
distinguished for his patriotic speeches, and nominated George Washington to
be commander-in-chief of all the armies of the United Colonies. During the
month of July, 1776, he was absent from congress, and until the 9th of
November following, was serving in the Convention which formed the first
constitution of the State. Shortly after the adjournment of congress he was
appointed a brigadier-general of the Frederick County militia, which afterwards formed a large part of General Washington's army in the Jerseys.
Whilst engaged in the field he was elected, as before stated, the first republican Governor of Maryland, and immediately repaired to Annapolis. He
filled the office of that eventful time with a diligence, integrity, and patriotic
ability, that have not been excelled by any of his successors. After his gubernatorial term expired he removed to Frederick Town, which he often represented
in the House of Delegates, and shortly after his re-eligibility to the Governor's
chair he was re-elected, which honor he declined as well as many others that
were afterwards tendered him. He was among the most conspicuous advocates in the convention which adopted the constitution of the United States,
matching successfully the transcendent talents of Martin, the Chases and
Mercer. Upon the decease of Mr. Harrison, chief judge of the General Court,
Mr. Johnson was appointed to fill the vacancy, which office he held until he
was appointed one of the associate judges of the Supreme Court of the United
States. The feeble state of his health obliged him to resign in 1793. On the
formation of Washington's cabinet he was invited to accept the position of
Secretary of State, but declined. He, however, accepted the appointment of
commissioner of the city of Washington, with Dr. Steuart and Mr. Daniel
Carroll, in conjunction with whom he laid off the plan and fixed on the sites
of the capitol, president's house, and other public buildings. After this, Mr.
Johnson lived retired in the bosom of his family, and died at "Rose Hill,"
the seat of his son-in-law, Mr. John Grahame, in Frederick County, on the
26th of October, 1819. It is said that when John Adams was asked why so
many southern men occupied leading positions and possessed great influence
| Title | History of Maryland - 2 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000317 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 286 HISTORY OF MARYLAND. illustrious revolutionary patriot of Maryland, was among the first in America to assist the cause of his country against the oppressions of Great Britain, and was early in life honored with the most important and arduous trusts which his countrymen could confer. He was the son of Thomas Johnson and Dorcas Sedgwick, and was born in Calvert County, on the 4th of November, 1732, but for the last forty years of his life was a resident of Frederick County. Having received the rudiments of a common school education at an early age, he was sent to Annapolis to write in the provincial court office. In a short time, he commenced the study of law under the auspices of Mr. Bordley, and after being admitted to the bar he soon arose to the first professional rank in the province. On the commencement of the troubles with Great Britain, he, with others, stepped forward to oppose the unjust demand of the mother country, and never swerved from the path that led to independence. He was a member of the first congress; was a member of every important committee; distinguished for his patriotic speeches, and nominated George Washington to be commander-in-chief of all the armies of the United Colonies. During the month of July, 1776, he was absent from congress, and until the 9th of November following, was serving in the Convention which formed the first constitution of the State. Shortly after the adjournment of congress he was appointed a brigadier-general of the Frederick County militia, which afterwards formed a large part of General Washington's army in the Jerseys. Whilst engaged in the field he was elected, as before stated, the first republican Governor of Maryland, and immediately repaired to Annapolis. He filled the office of that eventful time with a diligence, integrity, and patriotic ability, that have not been excelled by any of his successors. After his gubernatorial term expired he removed to Frederick Town, which he often represented in the House of Delegates, and shortly after his re-eligibility to the Governor's chair he was re-elected, which honor he declined as well as many others that were afterwards tendered him. He was among the most conspicuous advocates in the convention which adopted the constitution of the United States, matching successfully the transcendent talents of Martin, the Chases and Mercer. Upon the decease of Mr. Harrison, chief judge of the General Court, Mr. Johnson was appointed to fill the vacancy, which office he held until he was appointed one of the associate judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. The feeble state of his health obliged him to resign in 1793. On the formation of Washington's cabinet he was invited to accept the position of Secretary of State, but declined. He, however, accepted the appointment of commissioner of the city of Washington, with Dr. Steuart and Mr. Daniel Carroll, in conjunction with whom he laid off the plan and fixed on the sites of the capitol, president's house, and other public buildings. After this, Mr. Johnson lived retired in the bosom of his family, and died at "Rose Hill," the seat of his son-in-law, Mr. John Grahame, in Frederick County, on the 26th of October, 1819. It is said that when John Adams was asked why so many southern men occupied leading positions and possessed great influence |
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