Henry, John, 1750-1798

John Henry (November 1750 – December 16, 1798) was an American lawyer and statesman. He notably served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland, as one of Maryland's first two United States Senators, and as the eighth Governor of Maryland.

Born at Weston, his family's estate in Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland, Henry attended West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County, Maryland and graduated from the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in 1769; he then studied law at the Middle Temple (one of the Inns of Court where English barristers are trained) in London. He returned to the United States in 1775 and practiced law in Dorchester County. Henry served as a member of Maryland House of Delegates from 1777 to 1780 and a member of the Maryland State Senate from 1780 to 1790. During that time he was chosen as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland from 1778 to 1780 and from 1785 to 1786; during his service, he was a member of the committee that prepared the ordinance for the government of the Northwest Territory.

Henry was elected as one of Maryland's first two United States Senators. Initially aligning with the Pro-Administration/Federalists, he switched allegiances to the Democratic-Republican Party by 1796, receiving two electoral votes for president of the United States in that year's election. The Maryland Legislature elected Henry governor in 1797. He was sworn into office on November 17, 1797, resigning his Senate seat in December. During Henry's tenure, the state militia system was restructured and additional troops were drafted. Because of his declining health, Henry chose not to run for reelection. He died at Weston a month after the end of his term as Governor and was buried in Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery in Cambridge, Maryland.