Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Thomas Kennedy

1776 - 1832

— Civil Rights Figure —

Thomas Kennedy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

1. Thomas Kennedy Marker

Inscription. An advocate of religious liberty, Thomas Kennedy was born in Scotland and immigrated to America in 1795. He was elected to represent Hagerstown in the Maryland legislature in 1817 and served on a committee tasked with considering removing the “political disability of the Jews”. in 1819, his committee submitted “an act to extend to the sect of people professing the Jewish religion the same rights and privileges that are enjoyed by Christians.” it was initially unsuccessful and he was defeated for reelection in 1823 over this issue. Reelected in 1825, he reintroduced the measure. It became law in 1826. In the next election, Jewish citizens Solomon Etting and Jacob Cohen were elected to the Baltimore city council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics.

Location. 39° 37.943′ N, 77° 43.4′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Memorial Boulevard and South Potomac Street. Marker is part of the Hagerstown Circle of Achievement in Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hagerstown MD 21740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Matthias Peter Möller (here, next to this marker); John V. Jamison, Sr. and John V. Jamison Jr.

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(here, next to this marker); Mary Lemist Titcomb (here, next to this marker); William Preston Lane, Jr. (here, next to this marker); William Othello Wilson (here, next to this marker); Peter Buys (here, next to this marker); Henry Kyd Douglas (here, next to this marker); Maurice Edward Frock (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Kennedy - msa.maryland.gov. (Submitted on August 16, 2017, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Thomas Kennedy. (Submitted on September 29, 2022, by Jill Craig of Hagerstown, Maryland.)

Hagerstown Circle of Achievement Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

2. Hagerstown Circle of Achievement Markers

This marker is the topmost on this panel

Hagerstown Circle of Achievement image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 9, 2017

3. Hagerstown Circle of Achievement

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.