John Hoskins Stone

John Hoskins Stone ( 1750 in Charles County, Maryland, † October 5, 1804 in Annapolis, Maryland ) was an American politician and from 1794 to 1797 the fifth Governor of Maryland.

Early years and political rise

The exact date of birth of John Stone is not known. The sources go but out of a time around the year 1750. He came from a prominent political family. William Stone, one of his ancestors, had already been governor of the British colony of Maryland 100 years before his birth. His brother Thomas was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, another brother named Michael was 1789-1791 deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives. The father was the owner of the plantation " Poynton Manor ". The young John enjoyed a private school education. After studying law, he was working as a lawyer in Charles County and Annapolis.

During the Revolutionary War Stone officer was in a regiment from Maryland. He participated in many battles and was wounded several times. In 1779, he retired after a further injury as a Colonel from the army. Then he turned to politics. He was a member of the Federalist Party. Between 1779 and 1785, and again from 1791 to 1792 he served on the advisory board of Governors of Maryland. In between, he was from 1785 to 1787 deputy in the House of Representatives from Maryland. In 1790 he was again elected to this body. In the years 1794, 1795 and 1796, he was elected for one year by the Legislature to the governor of his state.

Governor of Maryland and other CV

Johnstone took up his new post on 14 November 1794 and kept it until November 17, 1797. During this time, Maryland supported the development of the neighboring Federal Capital Washington. He was a supporter of President George Washington and his policies. Stone also introduced an annual accountability report of the Governor to the Legislature. After the end of his term he retired from politics. Johnstone died in 1804 in Annapolis. With his wife Mary Couden he had four children.