Jesse Wharton (Colonial Governor)

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Jesse Wharton († July 27, 1676 in St. Mary's City , Saint Mary's County , later in the US state of Maryland ) was the English colonial governor of the Province of Maryland in 1676 .

Life

Nothing is known about Jesse Wharton's youth and schooling. In 1670 he came to the Province of Maryland from Barbados . He became a successful planter. With the help of up to eleven slaves cultivated an area of ​​1200 hectares. Wharton was also politically active. Since 1672 he was a member of the colonial Governor's Council, where he rose to the position of deputy colonial governor. In this capacity he had from June 16, 1676 the office of governor as acting successor to Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimoretake over. He held this office for only a few weeks until his death. However, he has already practically performed the work of governor during his time on the governing council, since Lord Baltimore was more formally the owner of the colony in this office. At that time the colony was threatened from two sides. For one, the colony was threatened by hostile Indian tribes. As a countermeasure, other tribes were won as allies. On the other hand, the Bacon's rebellion in Virginia also threatened the stability of the Province of Maryland. Wharton died in July 1676. He was succeeded as colonial governor by Thomas Notley .