About the Society
THE MARYLAND STATE SOCIETY, UNITED STATES DAUGHTERS OF 1812
The Governor William Smallwood Chapter
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William Smallwood was born in Charles County, Maryland in 1732. His family was wealthy and active in the political affairs of colonial Maryland. He attended school in England and served in the British army during the French and Indian Wars. In 1761, he began his political career as a member of the Maryland Assembly. Smallwood was an active advocate against the British position. He took command of the first full strength MD battalion to join the Continental Army. During the Battle of White Plains, Smallwood received a serious wound in action that gained him a promotion to Brigadier General. After recuperating, he rejoined his men at Elk River to protect the army’s supplies. In 1780, he and his troops formed the reserve at the battle of Camden. Shortly after the battle he returned to Maryland and continued gathering additional troops and supplies until the end of the war.
Following the Revolution, Smallwood returned to his Charles County plantation and in 1785 he was elected Governor of Maryland and served until 1788.
Smallwood died on February 12, 1792. He never married and therefore was without direct heirs. The house that Smallwood built himself was eventually restored and in 1958 it was donated to the State of MD. The members of the Governor William Smallwood Chapter, Maryland State Society, United States Daughters of 182 placed a plaque on the house to commemorate the brave deeds of an early Marylander and American Patriot.