From A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789 (Edward Papenfuse et al):
-- Was a law student prior to his service in the Revolutionary War.
-- Active in Masonic Lodge #37 in Princess Anne from 1782. Grand Master 1814-1815.
-- Lower House, Somerset Co, MD 1789, 1790, 1791-1793 (speaker), 1806, 1807, 1808-1809 (speaker), 1809.
-- Trustee of Washington Academy, Somerset Co, 1797-1819
-- Senate elector, Somerset Co, 1796, 1801, 1806, 1811
-- 1st Lieutenant, Fifth Company, Smallwood's battalion, Jan 1776
-- Captain, 1st MD Regiment, Dec 1776
-- Major, 4th MD Regiment, 1777
-- Wounded and taken prisoner at Battle of Camden, 1780, exchanged in 1781
-- Transferred to 1st MD Regiment, discharged 1783
-- Major General, 2nd Division, Maryland Militia, commissioned 1794
-- 1812, elected Governor of MD
-- Stands on major issues: Favored the adoption of education for all people. While opposed to war with the British in 1812, Winder pushed for legislation to outfit the militia to protect Maryland. When he realized the national government would not provide these funds, he noted that ïf the expenses of a war waged by the national authorities are to be borne by the States, it is not difficult to foresee that the state treasury will soon be exhausted, and the annihilation of the state governments must soon follow."
-- Died of a liver complaint between July 1 and Aug 3, 1819, in Baltimore.
-- Wealth at death: TEV, $17,266.01 current money, including 53 slaves, 84 oz. plate, 26 books, and "the late Gen. Washington's campaign chest". FB, $8,715.23. Land: at least 2,027 acres in Somerset Co, 2 lots in Vienna Town, Dorchester Co, and 4 lots in Washington (now Allegany) Co.