Thomas Wharton Jr.

Infobox Politician (general)
name= Thomas Wharton, Jr.


image_width=200
title=1st President of Pennsylvania
term_start= 5 March 1777
term_end= 23 May 1778
predecessor=
successor= George Bryan
birth_date= 1735
birth_place= Chester County, Pennsylvania
death_date= 23 May 1778
death_place= Lancaster, Pennsylvania
party=
residence= "Twickenham," Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
spouse=
profession= merchant
religion= Episcopalian

Thomas Wharton Jr. (1735–1778) was a Pennsylvania statesman and politician of the Revolutionary era. He served as the first President of Pennsylvania (an office akin to Governor) following the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

Early life and family

Thomas Wharton Jr. was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1735. He was born into one of Philadelphia's most prominent early Quaker families. His father, John Wharton, served as coroner of Chester County. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Wharton, a native of Westmoreland, England, came to Pennsylvania around 1683; he served on the Philadelphia Common Council (1713–1718).

Wharton in 1762 married Susannah Lloyd, the daughter of Thomas Lloyd and great-granddaughter of Thomas Lloyd, an early governor of Pennsylvania and a colleague of William PennChapter on Thomas Wharton in "Patriot Improvers: Biographical Sketches of Members of the American Philosophical Society" by Whitfield J. Bell 1997, DIANE ISBN 0871692260] . They were married by a pastor in Christ Church and were therefore disowned by Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. They had five children, but Susannah died ten years later. Wharton then married Elizabeth Fishbourne and with her had 3 more children. He owned a country home called "Twickenham" near Abington Meeting in Montgomery County.

The Wharton family was involved in various areas of business and public service, including shipbuilding for the Continental Navy. Members of the Wharton family served in the Continental Congress and the State Legislature, as Mayor of Philadelphia and on the City Council, in positions of military leadership, and in other offices.

At the time of his death, Thomas Wharton Jr. was survived by at least three sons."Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, from its organization to the termination of the Revolution. [Mar. 4, 1777 - Dec. 20, 1790] ." Harrisburg, Pub. by the State, 1852-53. Entries for 4-5 March 1777 (v. XI p. 173-4), 23 Sept 1777 (v. XI p. 312), 1 Oct 1777 (v. XI p. 313), 25 May 1778 (v. XI p. 499).]

The American Revolution

Thomas Wharton became a merchant and was well respected for his character as well as his business acumen. Following the passage of the 1765 Stamp Act Wharton became an early and resolute supporter of the American cause. After news of Britain’s closure of Boston Harbor reached Philadelphia a public meeting was held 20 May 1774 at which Wharton was chosen as a member of the Committee of Correspondence. In 1774,Wharton was one of twenty-five citizens who formed the Committee of Safety, Pennsylvania’s governing body in the early days of the Revolution. On 24 July 1776 he became President of that body. As such he was a member of the committee directing that a new Constitution be drafted for the State.

President of Pennsylvania

On 28 September 1776 Pennsylvania adopted a new State Constitution. This document created an Executive Council of twelve men. On a joint ballot of the Council and the General Assembly Wharton was elected the first President of the Council.

Thomas Wharton, and each of his successors in that office, may be referred to, quite properly, as President of Pennsylvania. However, the position is analogous to the modern office of Governor, and Presidents of Council are often listed with those who have held the latter title.

Wharton was elected 5 March 1777 and took office immediately, under the title "His Excellency Thomas Wharton, Junior, Esquire, President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the same." He held office until his death in 1778.

In September 1777, with British forces poised to take Philadelphia, the Executive Council evacuated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was at this same time that the Continental Congress also evacuated to Lancaster and then to York, Pennsylvania. Wharton retreated to Lancaster along with other representatives of the State government. In the only election held while the Council was in Lancaster Wharton was reelected President on 21 November 1777. (After the initial election of officers on 5 March 1777 annual leadership elections were held in the fall, following the popular elections in October.)

Wharton as President had some difficult decisions to make. He found it necessary to banish to Virginia several of his acquaintances and friends, most of them Quakers, because of the possibility that they were siding with the British. Although this action was thought prudent by the revolutionary authorities, it was not based on much evidence and Wharton's social connections suffered because of it.

Death

In May 1778, with the Council still in Lancaster, Wharton died in that city at the age of 43. (The date is given as both 22 May and 23 May. [http://virtualology.com/apthomaswharton Virtual American Biographies] entry for Thomas Wharton] [http://www.nga.org National Governors Association] biography of [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=ff22e07fe6f3c010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD Thomas Wharton] ] ) Wharton was given an elaborate funeral with full military honors, in accordance with his position as commander in chief of the State's forces, and was buried within the walls of Evangelical Trinity Church in Lancaster. [http://politicalgraveyard.com Political Graveyard] page for surname [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/wharton.html Wharton] , accessed 29 April 2007.]

A Commonwealth of Pennsylvania historical marker at Trinity Church commemorates both Wharton and Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin, the first and last Governors and presidents of Pennsylvania under the 1776 State Constitution. The marker was dedicated in 1975 and is located on Duke Street in Lancaster.Pennsylvania State Historical Marker for [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/DOH/descriptresults.asp?secid=31&markertext=thomas+wharton&markertextsubmit=Search+by+Keywords Thomas Wharton] ] The text of the marker reads:

Holy Trinity

"Founded in 1730.
A session for an Indian treaty was held in the original church building in 1762.
The present edifice was dedicated in 1766.
Here are interred the remains of Thomas Wharton (1778) and Gov. Thomas Mifflin (1800)."

Note

At least one web site reports that Wharton's Presidential term began 4 March 1777. [http://www.nndb.com NNDB] listing of [http://www.nndb.com/gov/928/000051775/ Pennsylvania Governors] , accessed 25 April 2007.] However, the minutes of the Executive Council indicate clearly that Wharton was elected and took office on 5 March.

References