Thomas Semmes, son of Dr. Edward Semmes and Sarah Middleton his wife, was born August 13, 1778, in Prince George’s County, according to family records. He first studied medicine under Dr. Dick, but later entered the medical college of the University of Pennsylvania from which he was graduated in 1801. He then studied in Paris and St. Petersburg, Russia, before returning to the States, but upon arrival in Maryland he discovered that practically all of his patrimony had been consumed through careless guardianships.
He settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where in 1808 he married Sophia Wilson Potts, the daughter of John Potts and Eliza Ramsey his wife of that city. ...
He was a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria and a member of the Masonic Order. He died in Alexandria during 1833.
His will, dated July 29, 1833, was probated in Alexandria on 12, following. He bequeathed Mrs. Eliza Potts $850, being the amount of her money which stood in his name on the books of the Bank of Alexandria. The residue of the estate was willed to his wife to bring up “our children.” The executors so named were his wife, William G. Gardiner, Bernard Hooe, and Samuel I. Potts.
His widow, Sophia W. Semmes, died testate in Alexandria, Virginia, during 1839. She named her children—Sarah Wilhelmina, styling her the youngest daughter, William Hawley Semmes, Douglas Ramsey Semmes, Mary Elizabeth Semmes, Thomas Semmes, and Ann Sophia Slaughter. Her son, Thomas, and her brother, Samuel I. Potts, were named executors.
