Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-12


that in addition to the head Of the
family and his wife, Nicholas Hover
had Ave sons over is years Of age, two
sons under l6 and three daughters, and
that he owned two slaves which would
put him in the prosperous class.
Thomas johnson. before referred to,
was the first Of the three commission
erss appointed by President Washington
on January a., 1901, ito survey the Dis
trict, to accept and purchase land on
the, eastern side OF the river and to
provide suitable buildings for the ac-
commodation Of Congress, the President
and the executive departments"
Rose Hill Farm
His historic Rose Hill farm is mile
north Of Frederick City, at the junction
of the Northern Central Railroad and
the Frederick Turnpike road. 1t is quite
an estate and contains $50 acres Of
limestone land. The old mansion is
built Of brick, is large and of the
Colonial style. In front is a two-story
portico so often found in the stately
homes OF century and a half and more
ago. 1t stands back some distance from
the road, on slight elevation. sur
rounded by grove of trees, of which
some are massive oaks.
Thomas johnson was the first Gov
ernor of Maryland after the break with
Great Britain, and in this picturesque
old home Gov. johnson entertained
George Washington and other dis
tinguished patriots OF the period in
which the Governor himself played an
important part.
Thomas johnson was q native of CAL
vert County. Nd, also noted for its
historic homes. AS Governor Of Mary
land, he succeeded Robert Eden, who
was the last Of the proprietary Gov
errors. In the trying times Of the
Revolutionary War, he was a central
figure in Congress, always standing up
for the right Of the Colonies against
the oppression of the mother country.
He voted for the Declaration of In
dependence In Congress, but did not
sign that famous document owing to
his absence on account of illness in his
family.
Gov. Johnson
Gov. johnson was a delegate from
Maryland to the First Continental Con-
gress and nominated Washington as
Commander in Chief of the Army. On
February Is, 1777, he was elected by
the Legislature Of Maryland the first
Governor Of the, State. Prior to that
he had been sent to Congress at every
election. With William Paea, George
Platter and James Holiday, he was on
the committee which invited Gov. Eden
to resign and leave the province.
In 1776 he went to Annapolis to urge
the convention to authorize the Mary
land Delegates to unite with the other
members In declaring the Colonies free
and independent States. When he was
eligible for reelection as Governor, the
people voted for him. but he declined
w SSAsSs lay Woo 0RfOhASCA CAA4SA JuOkS
Of the General Court Of Maryland. and
in 1871 President Washington appointed
him an associate justice OF the United
States Supreme Court. At one time
he was offered the post Of Secretary Of
State by Gen. Washington, but declined.
He died at Rose Hill mansion on
October 26, 1919. and his death is re-
corded in the National Intelligencer Of
this city. He was first buried in the
family vault In the old Episcopal grave
yard on AL Saints street After many
years, according to Judge Edward s.
Delaplaine Of Frederick. Md, the grave
became obscure and in 1894 q marble
stone marking the spot was laid by
the Daughters Of the American Revolu-
ton. In 1918 the remains were re-
moved TO Mount Olivet Cemetery, where
1Pnument WAS erected. -
IN