Thomas Wharton Jr.
| Thomas Wharton, Jr. | |
|---|---|
,_by_Charles_Willson_Peale_(1741_-_1827).jpg) |
|
| 1st President of Pennsylvania | |
|
In office March 5, 1777 – May 22, 1778 |
|
| Vice President | George Bryan |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | George Bryan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1735 Chester County, Province of Pennsylvania, British America |
| Died |
(aged 42–43) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Residence | "Twickenham," Montgomery County, Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Merchant |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Thomas Wharton Jr. (1735 – May 22, 1778) was a Pennsylvania merchant 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.
Wharton was born in Chester County in the Province of Pennsylvania, in 1735. He was born into one of Philadelphia's most prominent early Quaker families. He was known as "Junior" to distinguish him from a cousin of the same name. His father, John Wharton, served as coroner of Chester County. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Wharton, a native of Westmorland, England, came to Pennsylvania around 1683; he served on the Philadelphia Common Council (1713–1718).
In 1762, Wharton married Susannah Lloyd, the daughter of Thomas Lloyd and great-granddaughter of Thomas Lloyd, an early governor of Pennsylvania and a colleague of William Penn. They were married by a pastor in Christ Church, an Anglican church, and were therefore disowned by the Quakers of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Wharton was thereafter associated with the Anglican Church, but never formally converted. The couple had five children before Susannah's death ten years later. Wharton then married Elizabeth Fishbourne and had three children with her. Wharton owned a country home called "Twickenham" near Abington Meeting in Montgomery County.
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