Jesse Wharton

For the politician from Maryland, see Jesse Wharton (Maryland governor).

Jesse Wharton (July 29, 1782 – July 22, 1833) was an attorney who briefly represented Tennessee in each house of Congress.

Jesse Wharton
United States Senator from Tennessee
In office March 17, 1814 – October 10, 1815
Appointed by	Willie Blount
Preceded by	George W. Campbell
Succeeded by	John Williams
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1809
Preceded by	William Dickson
Succeeded by	Pleasant Moorman Miller
Personal details
Born	(1782-07-29)July 29, 1782 Covesville, Virginia
Died	July 22, 1833(1833-07-22) (aged 50) Nashville, Tennessee
Party	Democratic-Republican
Spouses	Mary "Polly" Philips Wharton Elizabeth Auston Rice Wharton
Children	John Overton Wharton Joseph Philips Wharton Rhoda Ann Wharton Sarah Angelina Wharton Mary Philips Wharton Elizabeth Jane Wharton Francis Alexander Ramsey Wharton Thomas Jesse Wharton Fedelia Wharton

Biography

Wharton was born in Covesville, Albemarle County, Virginia; studied law at Dickinson College, was admitted to the Virginia bar, and practiced in Albemarle County. He married Mary "Polly" Philips (6 September 1786 – 11 April 1813), the daughter of Joseph Philips Jr. and Milberry Horn, on April 20, 1804, in Davidson County, Tennessee. They had five children: John Overton, Joseph Philips, Rhoda Ann, Sarah Angelina, and Mary Philips. Mary died at the age of 26. Wharton also had five children with his second wife, his cousin, Elizabeth Auston Rice, of Virginia.^[1]

Career

After moving to Tennessee, Wharton was elected as a Democratic Republican to the Tenth Congress as Representative in the United States House of Representatives, and served from March 4, 1807, to March 3, 1809. He was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George W. Campbell and served from March 17, 1814, to October 10, 1815,^[2] when a successor was elected. He then returned to his law practice. In 1832 he was named to the Board of Visitors of the United States Military Academy.^[3]

Death

Wharton died in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 22, 1833, one week before his fifty first birthday. He is interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery.^[4] His grandson, Wharton Jackson Green was a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina.^[5]