The Baltimore Sun, June 23, 1929.

Frederick Plans Johnson Memorial

Statue of the First Governor of Maryland to be Unveiled July 4

Judge Offutt to Speak

Ceremonies to be Under Auspices of Group Headed by Form Judge Worthington

Frederick, June 22 (Special) — Plans were completed yesterday for unveiling a memorial statue of Thomas Johnson, the first Governor of Maryland, in Courthouse Park, July 4.

The ceremonies will be under the auspices of the Thomas Johnson Memorial Association, former Judge Glenn H. Worthington, president, and arrangements have been made for an event of State-wide interest.

Judge T. Scott Offutt, Towson, president of the Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution, will be the principal speaker. Charles Francis Adams, Secretary of the Navy, a collateral descendant of Johnson, and Governor Ritchie have been invited as guests of honor.

Patriotic Groups Invited

All patriotic, fraternal and civic organizations have been invited. After a concert of half an hour by the First Regiment band at 10 o'clock in the morning the ceremonies will begin with invocation by the Rev. Dr. Douglass Hooff, rector of All Saint's Episcopal Church, followed by singing “My Country 'Tis of Thee.”

Judge Worthington, who will preside, will make an address with reference to the Memorial Association, organized about twelve years ago, and its activities, and will introduce Judge Offutt. Following the address of the latter the memorial will be unveiled by Miss Charlotte P. Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Smith, and Miss Ann Grahame Dennis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R. Dennis lineal descendants of Johnson.

Presentation of the statue to the County Commissioners for the use of the State then will be made by Judge Worthington, with response by Governor Ritchie or Secretary of State David C. Winebrenner. H. Dorsey Etchison will speak on behalf of the County Commissioners. A selection, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by the band will conclude the program.

Bust of Bronze

The statue is a granite pedestal for feet high upon which will rest the bronze bust of Johnson two and half by three and a half feet. The pedestal will rest on a circular concrete pavement twelve feet in diameter with two cement walks leading to the location.

The well-known portrait of Thomas Johnson and his family, by Charles Willson Peale, was used by Joseph Urner, sculptor, son of Chief Judge Hammond Urner, in the creation of the bust.

A bronze tablet containing a description of the life of Johnson will be placed on the side of the pedestal.

The bust, cast by a Baltimore firm, has arrived and the pedestal and tablet are expected next week and will be set in position and covered until the unveiling.

Lived at Rose Hill Manor

Johnson resided at Rose Hill Manor, two miles north of the city. He was buried in the old Episcopal graveyard on South All Saints street and his remains removed some years ago to Mount Olivet Cemetery. He has a number of descendants in this city. The statue will occupy a prominent place in the park close to the Clarke fountain.

A bronze memorial tablet to the memory of Roger Brooke Taney, a native of this county, justice of the United States Supreme Court and author of the famous “Dred Scott” decision, was unveiled in the Courthouse some time ago.

Frederick Plans Johnson Memorial, The Baltimore Sun, June 23, 1929 page 12.