17 Facts About Joseph Kent

Joseph Kent was an American politician and planter who was a United States Senator from Maryland, serving from 1833 until his death in 1837.

Joseph Kent served in the House of Representatives, representing the 2nd congressional district of Maryland from 1811 to 1815 and again from 1819 to 1826, and as the 19th Governor of Maryland from 1826 to 1829.

Joseph Kent received a liberal schooling at Lower Marlboro Academy, and studied medicine.

Joseph Kent was admitted to medical practice in Lower Marlborough, Calvert County in 1799 with a Doctor Parran, but ceased relations with Parran after a political disagreement in 1801.

Joseph Kent purchased a 300-acre slave plantation named "Rosemount" near Bladensburg, Maryland, and settled there around 1807.

Joseph Kent was passionately fond of roses and the old terraced garden was kept profusely planted with lilies and roses, justifying his choice of the new name he had given his home.

Joseph Kent continued the practice of medicine and engaged in farming on his estate.

In 1807, Dr Joseph Kent removed to the vicinity of Bladensburg and entered the Maryland State Militia as a Surgeon's mate, in the 34th Regiment of the Maryland Militia.

Joseph Kent presided at the first public meeting in Washington for the organization of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, in which he became a director.

Joseph Kent was a Presidential Elector in 1816, casting his vote for James Monroe.

Joseph Kent later broke with the Federalist party and by the time of the next election he was a Democratic-Republican, in which he was elected to another term in the House of Representatives from March 4,1819, until he resigned on January 6,1826.

Joseph Kent was in support of improving internal transportation, including expanding the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Joseph Kent sought to improve the maintenance of the state's records, "so indispensably necessary to its correct history" as he said.

Joseph Kent married Alice Lee Contee on July 8,1828, at "Bromont", near Newburg, Charles Co.

Joseph Kent was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and served from March 4,1833, until his death at his home, "Rosemount," near Bladensburg.

Joseph Kent served as chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia.

Joseph Kent is buried in an unmarked grave at his home of "Rosemount".