Thomas Plater
Encyclopedia
Thomas Plater was an American
lawyer and politician from Maryland
. He represented the third district of Maryland in the U.S. House
from 1801 to 1805.
Thomas was born in Annapolis, Maryland
, and brought up on his father's plantation of Sotterly in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He was the fourth of six children of George and Elizabeth (Rousby) Plater. His father, George Plater
, served Maryland in the Continental Congress
and governor. As the third son, Thomas wasn't likely to inherit the plantation. He did follow his father's example in that he went to the College of William and Mary
in Virginia
and read law.
Plater was admitted to the bar and practiced law. He made his home in Georgetown
and held several local offices before being elected to the 7th Congress as a Federalist
in 1800. He was re-elected to the 8th Congress and served until 1805.
After Plater's congressional service he resumed the private practice of law. He later moved to Poolesville
in Montgomery County, Maryland
, where he died in 1830.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and politician from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. He represented the third district of Maryland in the U.S. House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1801 to 1805.
Thomas was born in Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, and brought up on his father's plantation of Sotterly in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He was the fourth of six children of George and Elizabeth (Rousby) Plater. His father, George Plater
George Plater
George Plater was an American planter, lawyer, and statesman from Saint Mary's County, Maryland. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780, and briefly served as the sixth Governor of Maryland in 1791 and 1792.-Early life and education:Plater was born on the family...
, served Maryland in the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
and governor. As the third son, Thomas wasn't likely to inherit the plantation. He did follow his father's example in that he went to the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and read law.
Plater was admitted to the bar and practiced law. He made his home in Georgetown
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
and held several local offices before being elected to the 7th Congress as a Federalist
Federalist Party (United States)
The Federalist Party was the first American political party, from the early 1790s to 1816, the era of the First Party System, with remnants lasting into the 1820s. The Federalists controlled the federal government until 1801...
in 1800. He was re-elected to the 8th Congress and served until 1805.
After Plater's congressional service he resumed the private practice of law. He later moved to Poolesville
Poolesville, Maryland
Poolesville is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland United States with a population of approximately 5000 people. It is surrounded by the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, and is considered a distant bedroom community for commuters to Washington, DC.The name of the town comes from the...
in Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, where he died in 1830.