Rash's Surname Index


Notes for Thomas Jr. WHARTON

ELIZABETH FISHBOURNE4 (William3, Hannah2, Samuel Carpenter1), born Sept. 1, 1752; died in Philadelphia, April 24, 1826; married THOMAS WHARTON, JR. (second wife), Dec. 7, 1774. His first wife was Susannah, daughter of Thomas Lloyd, grandson of the president of the Council, by whom he had 5 children. She was buried in Friends Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Oct. 24, 1772. THOMAS WHARTON, JR., died at Lancaster, Pa., May 23, 1778. He was born in 1735 and brought up in Chester. In 1755 he was in Philadelphia, apprenticed to Reese Meredith. He became a merchant, one of the principal importers in Philadelphia, and owned a country seat called "Twickenham" in Montgomery County. In 1760 his name appears on the list of the Schuylkill Fishing Club. He warmly supported the cause of the colonies, was one of the signers of the Non-importation Resolutions of 1765, together with others of his family. He was prominent in the call for convening the Assembly in extra session, and, when this was refused, in calling a Provincial Convention. Thomas Wharton, Sr., and THOMAS WHARTON, JR., were present as deputies representing Philadelphia. THOMAS WHARTON, JR., became a member of the Committee of Safety, and, July 24, 1776, president of the Council of Safety, which had temporary charge of the government. He was elected by the Assembly president of the Supreme Executive Council (inaugurated March 5, 1777), and served with great honor and credit in this responsible position. He had the powers of a governor and was known as GOVERNOR WHARTON. Probably worn out by exertion, care, and anxiety, he died rather suddenly at Lancaster, May 28, 1778, and was buried in the Lutheran Church at that place.

WHARTON, Thomas, governor of Pennsylvania, was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1735; son of John and Mary (Dobbins) Wharton; grandson of Thomas and Rachel (Thomas) Wharton and of James Dobbins. His grandfather, Thomas Wharton, emigrated from Westmoreland, England, prior to 1688 and settled in Pennsylvania. Thomas removed to Philadelphia previous to 1755 and engaged in the mercantile business there, taking for a partner Anthony Stocker. He became influential in business, and was prominent in pre-revolutionary matters, and his name with those of his father and grandfather were among the first affixed to the resolutions against importations of 1775. He was Chosen a member of the committee of correspondence, May 20, 1774; was a member of the committee of safety in 1775; president of the council of safety with executive authority of the government, 1776-77, and was elected first president of Pennsylvania in 1777 with David Rittenhouse as vice-president serving until his death. He removed to Lancaster, Pa., with the executive council on the British occupation of Philadelphia. He was twice married: first, Nov. 4, 1762, to Susannah, daughter of Thomas and Susannah (Kearny) Lloyd, and secondly Dec 7, 1774, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary (Tallman) Fishbourne of Philadelphia. He died at Lancaster, May 23, 1778.
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