Early Life and Legal Career
Thomas Johnson was born on November 4, 1732, in Calvert County, Maryland. His father was a successful planter, and young Thomas received his education at home before studying law with Stephen Bradley.
By 1753, Johnson was admitted to the Maryland bar. He proved a capable attorney and moved his practice to Frederick County in 1760. The following year, voters elected him to the Maryland provincial assembly, beginning a political career that would span decades.
His legal and political skills quickly gained notice. By the early 1770s, Johnson was among the most prominent lawyers in Maryland and increasingly involved in the growing resistance to British colonial policies.
Revolutionary Leadership
Johnson's opposition to British policy led him to represent Maryland at both the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the Second Continental Congress starting in 1775. At the second gathering, he delivered the speech nominating George Washington to lead the Continental Army.
The two men had met years earlier and developed a mutual respect. Washington's selection as commander was not guaranteed, and Johnson's nomination speech helped build consensus among the delegates. It marked the beginning of a friendship that would last the rest of Washington's life.
From January 1776 to February 1777, Johnson served as a brigadier general in the Maryland Militia. He led troops to support Washington's forces during the difficult winter of 1776-1777, when the Continental Army was retreating through New Jersey.
First Governor of Maryland
On February 13, 1777, the Maryland legislature elected Thomas Johnson as the state's first governor. He received 40 of the 52 votes cast, with the remaining ballots scattered among several opponents.
Johnson's inauguration on March 21, 1777, was a grand affair at the State House in Annapolis. Soldiers fired volleys in review, and artillery batteries offered a thirteen-gun salute. The pageantry underscored the significance of the moment: Maryland now had its own elected leader, independent of British rule.
As wartime governor, Johnson faced the practical challenges of supporting the revolutionary cause. He worked to secure provisions for Washington's army and prepared defenses against potential British invasion. The legislature reelected him in November 1777 and again in November 1778.
Later Service and the Supreme Court
After leaving the governorship, Johnson continued his public service. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1780, 1786, and 1787, and represented Maryland at the 1788 convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution.
In 1790, Johnson became chief justice of the Maryland general court. The following year, President Washington nominated his old friend to the U.S. Supreme Court. Johnson was confirmed and served from 1791 to 1793.
He wrote the Court's first formal opinion but resigned after less than two years due to declining health. The rigors of riding circuit, which required Supreme Court justices to travel and hear cases around the country, proved too demanding.
Naming the Capital
Johnson's final major contribution came through his service on the board of commissioners overseeing the creation of the new federal capital. He was largely responsible for the decision to name it Washington in honor of the president.
The gesture reflected their decades of friendship and Johnson's admiration for Washington's leadership. It also demonstrated Johnson's political instincts. Naming the capital after the most popular figure in the country helped build public support for the new government's seat.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Johnson died on October 26, 1819, at the age of 86. He was initially buried at All Saints' Episcopal Churchyard in Frederick, Maryland. In 1913, his remains were moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery, also in Frederick.
Johnson's legacy rests on his contributions at critical moments in American history. He helped launch Washington's military leadership, governed Maryland through its most challenging years, and contributed to establishing the new federal government and its capital.
Several schools and buildings bear his name, including Governor Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Maryland. The original Thomas Johnson of historical significance remains one of the less famous Founding Fathers, but his impact on the nation's early years was substantial.