James Thomas (Governor of Maryland)
Encyclopedia
James Thomas 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 1824–1830.
in 1804. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and receiving his doctor’s degree there in 1807. In 1808, he married his cousin, Elizabeth Coates.
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.
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.
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."
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
of the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1833 to 1836. He practiced medicine and served as judge in several courts throughout Maryland, and served in the Maryland State Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
from 1824–1830.
Biography
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 AcademyCharlotte Hall Military Academy
Charlotte Hall Military Academy, located at Charlotte Hall, Maryland, was established as Charlotte Hall School in 1774 by Queen Charlotte to provide for the liberal and pious education of youth to better fit them for the discharge of their duties for the United States...
in 1804. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and receiving his doctor’s degree there in 1807. In 1808, he married his cousin, Elizabeth Coates.
He practiced medicine in St. Mary's County until the outbreak of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. 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.
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
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
. 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
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, abbreviated as the C&O Canal, and occasionally referred to as the "Grand Old Ditch," operated from 1831 until 1924 parallel to the Potomac River in Maryland from Cumberland, Maryland to Washington, D.C. The total length of the canal is about . The elevation change of...
and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
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
Samuel Smith (Maryland)
Samuel Smith was a United States Senator and Representative from Maryland, a mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, and a general in the Maryland militia. He was the brother of cabinet secretary Robert Smith.-Biography:...
, brought an end to several days of chaos. This incident prompted Governor Thomas to take measures for the establishment of a state militia organization.
When his term expired on January 14, 1836, he retired to his home at "Deep Falls
Deep Falls
Deep Falls is a historic home located at Chaptico, St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. It began as a one-story four-room frame house that was reportedly built in 1745. The house was apparently extensively remodeled at some time during the last two decades of the 18th century then again...
," St. Mary’s County. He died there on Christmas Day 1845, and was buried in the Thomas’ family cemetery at "Deep Falls."