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

Thomas Kennedy

(1776-1832)

Photographed By F. Robby, June 2, 2008

1. Thomas Kennedy Marker

Inscription. The Maryland Constitution in 1818 maintained religious test requirements that effectively prohibited Jews from being elected to state office. Kennedy, a Scottish Presbyterian immigrant, was elected to the House of Delegates in 1817 from Washington County. Kennedy believed religious discrimination was wrong. He began a bitter, eight-year struggle culminating in 1826 with the constitutional changes that freed Jewish citizens of Maryland from political discrimination. Kennedy also served in the Maryland Senate and established the 'Hagerstown Mail' newspaper. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Erected by Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland State Highway Administration.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 39° 37.843′ N, 77° 43.444′ W. Marker is in Hagerstown, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Potomac Street (Maryland Route 65) 0.1 miles south of Memorial Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. 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. Jacob Wheaton (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rose Hill Cemetery (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Rose Hill Cemetery

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(about 500 feet away); 1810-1830 (about 500 feet away); 1790-1810 (about 500 feet away); 1850-1870 (about 600 feet away); 1830-1850 (about 600 feet away); 1770-1790 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hagerstown.

More about this marker. Marker nominated by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.

Additional commentary.
1. Thomas Kennedy
I am a direct descendant of Thomas Kennedy and I am writing a thesis about his life from Paisley onwards -- if you have any books, articles, people or places you know I should know about, please submit using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted December 5, 2008, by KP Minott of Aptos, California.

Photographed By F. Robby, June 2, 2008

2. Thomas Kennedy Marker

Thomas Kennedy image. Click for full size.

3. Thomas Kennedy

Thomas Kennedy Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, April 2, 2022

4. Thomas Kennedy Statue

The statue is located in Thomas Kennedy Park, 50 East Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, Maryland.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,694 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 3, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.