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Thomas Ward Veazey

Description

Oil on Canvas portrait painting of Thomas Ward Veazey (1774-1842) by an unknown artist. Veazey was born at "Cherry Grove" in Cecil County, Maryland. His father, Edward Veazey (1730-1784) was a planter and Sheriff. Veazey attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and graduated in 1795. He returned home and began work as a planter. Veazey was a presidential elector for James Madison in 1808 and 1812 and a representative in the Maryland House of Delegates (1811-1812). During the War of 1812, he commanded the 49th Regiment, Maryland Militia with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, Veazey returned to his work as a planter. He served as a member of the Governor's Council from 1833-1835. In 1835, Maryland Whigs of the State Legislature nominated him as their candidate for governor and Veazey won the election. He was staunchly pro-slavery and highly critical of abolitionists. Veazey funded big projects for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and served as Governor until 1839. Veazey was married three times, widowed twice, and fathered a total of ten children. At the time of his death, he owned 27 slaves. Veazey is buried in the family plot at "Cherry Grove" near Earleville, Maryland.

Creator

Date

1836

Materials

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

21.5 x 28 inches

Object ID

1969.123.1

Resource ID

7872

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Edna Veazey S. Reeves.

Digital Publisher

Digital resource provided by the Maryland Center for History and Culture

Rights

This digital image is made available here for private study, scholarship, and research. Commercial and other uses are prohibited without the permission of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. For more information, visit the MCHC’s Reproductions and Permissions web page.