Early Life
Thomas Johnson was born on November 4, 1732 in Calvert County, Maryland. He received his early education at home before studying law and being admitted to the bar in 1753. During the late 1750s and early 1760s Johnson served on various county courts and on the Maryland General Assembly. In 1766 Johnson married Anne Jennings, and the couple went on to have seven children together.
Revolutionary Years
In 1774 Johnson was selected to represent Maryland in the Continental Congress. At the convention Johnson was a strong proponent of electing George Washington to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He went on to become senior brigadier general of Maryland Militia, helping recruit troops for Washington.
The state legislature elected Johnson as the first Governor of Maryland in 1777, where he was twice reelected. In the 1780s Johnson acted on a number of judicial posts in Maryland while also serving as member of the Maryland House of Delegates. In 1790 Johnson became Chief Justice of the Maryland general court.
Supreme Court
In 1791 President Washington nominated Johnson to become an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and he officially began his post on August 5 of that year. However, due to persistent health issues, Johnson was only able to serve on the court for less than a year, resigning on January 16, 1793. Johnson’s tenure on the Supreme Court marks the shortest of any Justice to date.
Justice Johnson was involved in writing the first opinion of the Supreme Court in the 1792 Georgia v. Brailsford case, ruling that a state may sue in the Supreme Court.
Death
In 1795 Johnson declined President Washington’s offer to become Secretary of State. He lived in his home in Frederick, Maryland until his death on October 26, 1819 at the age of 86.
Notable Cases:
Georgia v. Brailsford (1792)
