Thomas Wharton Evacuates Pennsylvania's Government
Thomas Wharton, Jr was the first President of Pennsylvania and led his Government out of Philadelphia when the British Occupation of Philadelphia began.
Thomas Wharton
Thomas Wharton, Jr was a Philadelphia merchant when issues began to arise between the colonies and Great Britain.
Although he signed several petitions against early British taxes, Thomas did not play an active part in the resistance movement until the Boston Port Act declared martial law in that northern city.
This was too much to bare, as the fear that the same might be done to his hometown was unacceptable.
Revolutionary
Once he threw himself into the Patriot Cause, Wharton’s dedication could be matched by few. When the leaders of Philadelphia met and formed the Committee of Correspondence, Thomas was present and was immediately chosen as a member.
Soon thereafter a Committee of Safety was organized. This shadow government ran Pennsylvania in spite of the Royal Governor’s orders.
In the weeks after the Declaration of Independence many of the States made sweeping changes. In Pennsylvania, these changes included installing a new Chairman of the Committee of Saftey.
The position was given to Thomas Wharton.
Executive of Pennsylvania
Wharton was essentially the Governor of Pennsylvania during this time.
His first goal was to oversee the writing of a Constitution for the State. This was done and the government which was create was extremely democratic. Instead of a Governor, there was an Executive Committee which consisted of one person elected from each county. Then, a President was chosen by the members of this Committee.
According to many of Wharton’s contemporaries, the new government was too democratic. Thomas believed it was just right. This helped him, as he was soon chosen as President of the Executive Committee.
This makes Thomas Wharton, in essence, the first Governor for the State of Pennsylvania.
Lancaster
The responsibilities of the President of Pennsylvania during wartime are too numerous to list here. Let’s just say that Wharton kept up an extensive correspondence with many leaders of the Revolution, most notably perhaps is George Washington.
Additionally, when the British took over Philadelphia, Wharton led the State Government out to Lancaster.
While in exile, according to Pennsylvania Vice President George Bryan, “his Excellency Thomas Wharton… died here very unexpectedly.” Still in his early 40’s, this leading Revolutionary did not see the liberation of his country and, most probably, lost his spot among history’s most notable American Founders.
Do you want to read more about other Presidents of Pennsylvania?
Great!
Enjoy these articles on Thomas Mifflin and John Dickinson.
I have not yet found a great book about the occupation of Philadelphia.
HOWEVER…
‘there is a great book about the man who became Military Governor when they left: Benedict Arnold. ‘The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold’ discusses (in part) the mess that the British left behind.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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