Revolutionary War Army Officer, Maryland Governor. Smallwood was educated in England and Maryland and became a tobacco farmer and merchant. He was elected to Maryland's colonial legislature in 1760, serving until 1775. At the start of the Revolution he commanded the first Maryland battalion to join the Continental Army. Smallwood's unit saw action at the Battle of Long Island, where a rearguard action of Maryland and Delaware soldiers prevented the destruction of the Army. At the Battle of White Plains Smallwood was wounded and received promotion to Brigadier General. From 1776 to 1780 he alternated between service with the Continental Army and tours of duty with the Maryland militia. In early 1780 Smallwood and his Maryland troops were assigned to the Carolinas, where they took part in the Battle of Camden. During the Carolinas campaign Smallwood received promotion to Major General. Following the Revolution, Smallwood returned to his Charles County plantation. In 1785 he was elected Governor, serving until 1788 and playing an important part in Maryland's ratification of the US Constitution. In 1791 Smallwood was elected to the State Senate and served as Senate President. His home, Smallwood's Retreat, is now part of a state park named in his honor, and a memorial stands at the bottom of the hill below his house.
Revolutionary War Army Officer, Maryland Governor. Smallwood was educated in England and Maryland and became a tobacco farmer and merchant. He was elected to Maryland's colonial legislature in 1760, serving until 1775. At the start of the Revolution he commanded the first Maryland battalion to join the Continental Army. Smallwood's unit saw action at the Battle of Long Island, where a rearguard action of Maryland and Delaware soldiers prevented the destruction of the Army. At the Battle of White Plains Smallwood was wounded and received promotion to Brigadier General. From 1776 to 1780 he alternated between service with the Continental Army and tours of duty with the Maryland militia. In early 1780 Smallwood and his Maryland troops were assigned to the Carolinas, where they took part in the Battle of Camden. During the Carolinas campaign Smallwood received promotion to Major General. Following the Revolution, Smallwood returned to his Charles County plantation. In 1785 he was elected Governor, serving until 1788 and playing an important part in Maryland's ratification of the US Constitution. In 1791 Smallwood was elected to the State Senate and served as Senate President. His home, Smallwood's Retreat, is now part of a state park named in his honor, and a memorial stands at the bottom of the hill below his house.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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