From: The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume X W
A MYSTERY? Anna Wharton gives the mother of Robert as Hannah Owen, below the mother is listed as Hannah Carpenter. I think Anna was right and the the reference below is in error. I have more information, on elections etc. if you are interested just email.
WHARTON, Robert, mayor of Philadelphia, was born at "Walnut Grove," Southwark
Pa., (where the Meschianza was held by the British in May, 1795); son of
Joseph and Hannah (Carpenter) Wharton and grandson of Thomas Wharton, who
came from Westmorelandshire, England, prior to 1688, and married Rachel Thomas
at Bank Meeting in Philadelphia. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed
to a hatter, and after serving his term he entered the counting-house of
his half brother Charles. He appears in the Philadelphia Directory of 1785
as a flour merchant. He was married, Dec. 17, 1789, to Salome, daughter of
William and Salome (Wistar) Chancellor of Philadelphia. He was a member of
the city councils, 1792-95; alderman, 1796-98; and during the absence of
Mayor Hillary Baker he was acting mayor and succeeded in quelling a formidable
riot, which threatened the commercial interests of the city in 1796. In 1798,
when the yellow fever epidemic occurred in the Walnut Street prison and the
jailers resigned their positions, Alderman Wharton acted as jailer, and with
a few selected men as assistants suppressed a mutiny of the prisoners by
firing upon the mob, which act was commended by the grand jury as deserving
the thanks of the citizens. He was unanimously elected mayor as successor
to mayor Baker, who had died of the yellow fever, Sept. 25, 1798, and he
was in office, 1798-99, 1806-07, 1809-10, 1814-19, 1820-24. His record
establishes his place as one of the most useful mayors of the city. He was
a Federalist in politics; was a member of the city troop from June 19, 1798;
captain from Aug. 15, 1803; colonel from June 14, 1870, and was placed on
the honorary roll of the troop. In 1811 he was elected brigadier-general
of the 1st brigade, Pennsylvania militia, and in 1814 he served in the field
as a private soldier under Captain Ross, his former lieutenant, and while
in camp he was notified of his re-election as mayor. He was a charter member
and vice-president of the Washington Benevolent society. He died in Philadelphia,
Pa., March 7, 1834.
From: Philadelphia and her Merchants, pg. 51
"The corner store of the wharf was occupied by Wharton & Palmer, as early as 1797, and onward to and beyond 1807. This Mr. Wharton, was Mayor of the City in 1798 and for many years after that. He was bold, intrepid, and very active, ready at a moment's warning to quell a riot. His appearance at such gatherings with staff in hand and hat tipped a little on one side of his head, with firm step and independent authority, would scatter the ire and the fire of the most ferocious mob. Philadelphia never had a more efficient and popular municipal officer."
CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND SALOME:
Robert Owen m. Charlotte Musgrave
Joseph born May 31, 1791. died June 04, 1791