Robert Wharton (Philadelphia)
Encyclopedia
Robert Wharton was the longest-serving Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Wharton was born in Philadelphia, January 12, 1757, the son of Joseph Wharton, a successful merchant. At an early age he left his studies, and was apprenticed to a hatter. He entered the counting-house of his brother Samuel
, a Philadelphia merchant, but he spent much of his time in outdoor sports, and until 1818 was president of the famous fox-hunting club of Gloucester, New Jersey
that was organized in 1766. In 1790 he became a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company
, a social club, of which he was president 1812–1828.
riot in 1798, and also took part in suppressing others.
He was fifteen times elected mayor of Philadelphia between 1798 and 1824. After serving two one-year terms, 1798–1800, he declined nomination in 1800. He served three more terms, 1806–1808 and 1810–1811, then on being re-elected in 1811, he declined to serve. Subsequently, he served nine more terms, 1814–1819 and 1820–1824. His 14 years of service and 15 elections to the office make him the longest-serving and most-elected mayor in Philadelphia's history.
in 1798 and served as its captain from 1803 to 1811. In 1810, the six troops of cavalry in the city were organized into a regiment, of which Wharton was elected colonel. Later, he was elected brigadier-general of the state militia. He was vice-president of the Washington Benevolent Society
, of which he was an original member.
Wharton married Salome Chancellor. He died in Philadelphia, March 7, 1834.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
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Wharton was born in Philadelphia, January 12, 1757, the son of Joseph Wharton, a successful merchant. At an early age he left his studies, and was apprenticed to a hatter. He entered the counting-house of his brother Samuel
Samuel Wharton
Samuel Wharton was a merchant, land speculator, and politician from Dover in Kent County, Delaware. John Bayton, George Morgan, and George Croghan, deputy superintendent of Indian affairs, joined in a partnership on the Ohio country and Indian Trade after 1763...
, a Philadelphia merchant, but he spent much of his time in outdoor sports, and until 1818 was president of the famous fox-hunting club of Gloucester, New Jersey
Gloucester, New Jersey
Gloucester, New Jersey may refer to:* Gloucester City, New Jersey, Camden County* Gloucester Township, New Jersey, Camden County* Gloucester County, New Jersey...
that was organized in 1766. In 1790 he became a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company
Schuylkill Fishing Company
The Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania, also known as the State in Schuylkill, was the first angling club in the American Colonies. Still in existence, it claims to be the oldest social club in the English-speaking world...
, a social club, of which he was president 1812–1828.
Political career
He was a member of city council from 1792 till 1795. In 1796 he was made alderman of Philadelphia, and in that year quelled a riot among the sailors, who had organized themselves into a body and demanded higher wages. After reading the riot act he requested them to disperse, and, being received with shouts of defiance, Wharton ordered each of his men "to take his man," and the sailors were captured and imprisoned. He quelled the Walnut Street PrisonWalnut Street Prison
Walnut Street Prison founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1790 is considered the first American penitentiary, if not the first in the world. The word "penitentiary" came from the Pennsylvania Quakers and their belief in penitence and self-examination as a means to salvation...
riot in 1798, and also took part in suppressing others.
He was fifteen times elected mayor of Philadelphia between 1798 and 1824. After serving two one-year terms, 1798–1800, he declined nomination in 1800. He served three more terms, 1806–1808 and 1810–1811, then on being re-elected in 1811, he declined to serve. Subsequently, he served nine more terms, 1814–1819 and 1820–1824. His 14 years of service and 15 elections to the office make him the longest-serving and most-elected mayor in Philadelphia's history.
Military service
He became a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City CavalryFirst Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
in 1798 and served as its captain from 1803 to 1811. In 1810, the six troops of cavalry in the city were organized into a regiment, of which Wharton was elected colonel. Later, he was elected brigadier-general of the state militia. He was vice-president of the Washington Benevolent Society
Washington Benevolent Societies
The Washington Benevolent Societies were grass-roots political clubs set up 1808-1816 by the Federalist Party in the U.S. to electioneer for votes...
, of which he was an original member.
Wharton married Salome Chancellor. He died in Philadelphia, March 7, 1834.
External links
- Biographical sketch, under Thomas Wharton