James Thomas (Governor of Maryland)

James Thomas ( born March 11, 1785 Saint Mary's County, Maryland, † December 25, 1845 ) was an American politician and 1833-1836 Governor of Maryland.

Early years

James Thomas attended St. John's College and then to 1804 the Charlotte Hall Academy. Subsequently, he studied until 1807 at the University of Pennsylvania Medical. Between 1808 and 1812 he served as justice of the peace in Saint Mary's County. Since 1810, he was also judge in a tax court, and since 1811 at a guardianship court in the same district.

Political rise

During the war of 1812 he served in a unit from Maryland. He distinguished himself by exceptional bravery. When the war ended he had brought it from Major to Major General. Between 1824 and 1830, Thomas was a member of the Senate of Maryland. On January 7, 1833, he was elected by the Legislature as a member of the Whig Party as the new governor of his state.

Governor of Maryland and other CV

James Thomas took up his new post on January 17, 1833. After he was re-elected in 1834 and 1835, he could remain in office until January 14, 1836. During this time, the expansion of the railway network throughout the State of Maryland went on ahead. The school system was better funded and geological study was commissioned to explore the natural resources of the state. During this time there were some negative developments. So the Bank of Maryland collapsed and a cholera epidemic was invading the state. After the end of his tenure, James Thomas withdrew from politics. The married Elizabeth Coates former governor died late in 1845 and was buried in "Deep Falls" in Saint Mary's County.