George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams are historical figures who over the past 235 years have become synonymous with the Fourth of July and the America’s fight for freedom.
Philip Thomas has not.
But thanks to the Sgt. Lawrence Everhart Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in Frederick County, Thomas will now be remembered as the county’s first doctor, a patriot who served as colonel of the 4th Battalion, and someone who provided medical support, money, food and supplies to the Continental Army.
Born on June 11, 1747, Thomas was also the son-in-law of John Hanson, the first president of the Continential Congress under the Articles of Confederation.
“We want to recognize his service to the country,” said the Rev. Frederick W. Pyne, chapter chaplain, at a ceremony Sunday honoring Thomas at his grave in Frederick’s Mount Olivet Cemetery. “This plaque is a reminder for all to see and the tremendous debt we owe to him.”
Each year, chapter members honor someone from Frederick County who served in the Revolutionary War. The Sons of the American Revolution work to preserve the sites and memories of those who served.
“This chapter decided years ago that we were not in the business of having [ceremonial] dinners,” Pyne said. “We have dedications to those that served.”
Pyne said there are 40 to 50 men who served in the Revolutionary War buried throughout Frederick County, including at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Standing among a sea of graves, a small crowd of chapter members and their counterpart, Daughters of the American Revolution, watched as a Revolutionary color guard honored Thomas with a musket salute. Thomas was also honored with prayers and remembrances and a special marker that now adorns his headstone, which overlooks the grave of his wife, Jane Thomas.
“Dr. Thomas was more than just the first physician in Frederick County,” said Bruce Champion, chapter member and chairman of the event. “He played a major role in the recruitment of local militia during the early years of the war. As chairman of the Frederick County Committee on Safety, he was responsible for developing the militia from Frederick County.”
In 1775, Thomas was elected captain of the 4th and 34th battalion, and in 1776 he became colonel of the 4th battalion.
When Hanson died in 1783, Thomas took his place as the representative of Maryland in the new Congress. He lived at 110 W. Patrick St. until his death in 1815.
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