 During the Colonial period , Maryland 's Proprietors , the Lords of Baltimore , who generally remained in England , chose who would serve as the Governor of Maryland on their behalf . Between 1692 , when the Baltimores lost control , and 1715 , Maryland was a direct Royal Colony , and the Governor was appointed by the British Monarch . The Lords of Baltimore regained their Royal Charter in 1715 , and then they resumed choosing the Governors until the beginning of the American Revolution . The first Governor chosen to break this chain of Colonial Governors was Thomas Johnson ( 1732 – 1819 ) , who took office on March 21 , 1777 . 
