US Congressman. He attended private school and joined the Continental Army at the start of the Revolution. He served with the Third Maryland Battalion until the end of the war, attaining the rank of Captain. He served in the Maryland House from 1785 to 1787. In 1788 Contee was elected to the Continental Congress. He was elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the First United States Congress and served one term, 1789 to 1791. He endorsed a Potomac River location for the new national capital, causing him to lose favor with his constituents, who objected to Maryland ceding land to the federal government. He did not run for reelection in 1790, and spent several years traveling in Europe and studying theology. He continued to study religion when he returned to the United States, and became ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1803. Contee served as priest of the Port Tobacco Episcopal Church, also holding office as Presiding Judge of the Charles County Orphans Court. In 1814 he was narrowly defeated for election as Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, and died on his estate, "Bromont" just a year later. He was the uncle of US Senator Alexander Contee Hanson and Congressman Thomas Contee Worthington.
US Congressman. He attended private school and joined the Continental Army at the start of the Revolution. He served with the Third Maryland Battalion until the end of the war, attaining the rank of Captain. He served in the Maryland House from 1785 to 1787. In 1788 Contee was elected to the Continental Congress. He was elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the First United States Congress and served one term, 1789 to 1791. He endorsed a Potomac River location for the new national capital, causing him to lose favor with his constituents, who objected to Maryland ceding land to the federal government. He did not run for reelection in 1790, and spent several years traveling in Europe and studying theology. He continued to study religion when he returned to the United States, and became ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1803. Contee served as priest of the Port Tobacco Episcopal Church, also holding office as Presiding Judge of the Charles County Orphans Court. In 1814 he was narrowly defeated for election as Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, and died on his estate, "Bromont" just a year later. He was the uncle of US Senator Alexander Contee Hanson and Congressman Thomas Contee Worthington.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Contee memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
