John Austin Wharton (April 1806 – December 17, 1838) was distinguished Texian statesman, lawyer, and soldier. He served as Adjutant General at the Battle of San Jacinto. In a eulogy at his grave, Republic of Texas President David G. Burnet said of him, "The keenest blade on the field of San Jacinto is broken." He died a bachelor on December 17, 1838, while serving as a member of the Texas Congress. His nephew, John A. Wharton, who would go on to be a Confederate Army general, was named for him.
John Austin Wharton was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in April 1806. He became an orphan in 1816 and was raised, along with his four siblings by his uncle Jesse Wharton who ensured that he received a classical education. His older brother, William H. Wharton, preceded him in immigrating to colonial Texas in 1827. John Austin Wharton arrived in Texas between 1829 and 1833.[1][2]
In Texasedit
Upon arrival in Texas, Wharton became an agitator for Texas Independence from Mexico. He participated in conventions and consultations which led to Texas declaring independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. He also formed one of the first Freemason lodges in Texas.
Hero of San Jacintoedit
Previously, in December 1835, Sam Houston had appointed Wharton as Texas's agent in New Orleans to procure supplies for the coming conflict; and was responsible for bringing the cannons known as the "Twin Sisters" to the Texian army. Wharton was later appointed Adjutant General on Houston's staff. Wharton fought bravely during the Battle of San Jacinto, where Mexican strongman Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana was captured. Wharton was recognized by Texas' Secretary of War Thomas Rusk for his service. Wharton also served as Secretary of War of the nascent Republic of Texas in 1836.
After Texas' independenceedit
Wharton County, Texas, was named for John A. Wharton and his brother William H. Wharton.
Wharton was elected to the Texas Congress, which was meeting in Houston in 1836 and served until 1837, chairing the Education Committee. During this time, the Texas schooner Independence was busy transporting Texas diplomatic officials, when on April 17, 1837 she was captured by Mexican navy ships. On board was Wharton's brother, William H. Wharton, Texas Minister to the United States, who was imprisoned in Matamoros, Mexico. Wharton attempted to gain the release of his brother and other Texans captured, but he too was imprisoned when he arrived in Mexico. The Wharton brothers eventually escaped and returned to Texas.[1]
Wharton became ill and died on December 17, 1838. He is buried in Founders Memorial Park in Houston. At his funeral, the President of the Republic of Texas provided Wharton's eulogy. In it, he called Wharton, "the keenest blade of San Jacinto."
Campbell, Randolph B. "Mike" (August 26, 2020). "Wharton, John Austin (1806–1838)". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
Further readingedit
Wortham, Louis J. (1924). A History of Texas, from Wilderness to Commonwealth. Vol. 2. Port Worth, TX: Wortham Molyneaux Company. pp. 247, 252, 253, 287.
Wortham, Louis J. (1924). A History of Texas, from Wilderness to Commonwealth. Vol. 3. Port Worth, TX: Wortham Molyneaux Company. p. 364.
External linksedit
Kemp, Louis Wiltz (2020). "Wharton, John A." San Jacinto Museum of History. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
April 13, 2024
john, austin, wharton, died, 1838, john, austin, wharton, april, 1806, december, 1838, distinguished, texian, statesman, lawyer, soldier, served, adjutant, general, battle, jacinto, eulogy, grave, republic, texas, president, david, burnet, said, keenest, blade. John Austin Wharton April 1806 December 17 1838 was distinguished Texian statesman lawyer and soldier He served as Adjutant General at the Battle of San Jacinto In a eulogy at his grave Republic of Texas President David G Burnet said of him The keenest blade on the field of San Jacinto is broken He died a bachelor on December 17 1838 while serving as a member of the Texas Congress His nephew John A Wharton who would go on to be a Confederate Army general was named for him John Austin WhartonTexas Secretary of WarIn office 1836 October 1836Member of theRepublic of Texas House of Representativesfrom Brazoria CountyIn office October 3 1836 June 13 1837Personal detailsBornApril 1806Nashville Tennessee USDiedDecember 17 1838 aged 32 Republic of TexasResting placeFounders Memorial CemeteryMilitary serviceAllegianceRepublic of TexasBranch serviceTexas ArmyRankColonelBattles warsTexas Revolution Battle of San Jacinto Contents 1 Early life 2 In Texas 3 Hero of San Jacinto 4 After Texas independence 5 Memorials 6 References 7 Sources 8 Further reading 9 External linksEarly life editJohn Austin Wharton was born in Nashville Tennessee in April 1806 He became an orphan in 1816 and was raised along with his four siblings by his uncle Jesse Wharton who ensured that he received a classical education His older brother William H Wharton preceded him in immigrating to colonial Texas in 1827 John Austin Wharton arrived in Texas between 1829 and 1833 1 2 In Texas editUpon arrival in Texas Wharton became an agitator for Texas Independence from Mexico He participated in conventions and consultations which led to Texas declaring independence from Mexico on March 2 1836 He also formed one of the first Freemason lodges in Texas Hero of San Jacinto editPreviously in December 1835 Sam Houston had appointed Wharton as Texas s agent in New Orleans to procure supplies for the coming conflict and was responsible for bringing the cannons known as the Twin Sisters to the Texian army Wharton was later appointed Adjutant General on Houston s staff Wharton fought bravely during the Battle of San Jacinto where Mexican strongman Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana was captured Wharton was recognized by Texas Secretary of War Thomas Rusk for his service Wharton also served as Secretary of War of the nascent Republic of Texas in 1836 After Texas independence edit nbsp Wharton County Texas was named for John A Wharton and his brother William H Wharton Wharton was elected to the Texas Congress which was meeting in Houston in 1836 and served until 1837 chairing the Education Committee During this time the Texas schooner Independence was busy transporting Texas diplomatic officials when on April 17 1837 she was captured by Mexican navy ships On board was Wharton s brother William H Wharton Texas Minister to the United States who was imprisoned in Matamoros Mexico Wharton attempted to gain the release of his brother and other Texans captured but he too was imprisoned when he arrived in Mexico The Wharton brothers eventually escaped and returned to Texas 1 Wharton became ill and died on December 17 1838 He is buried in Founders Memorial Park in Houston At his funeral the President of the Republic of Texas provided Wharton s eulogy In it he called Wharton the keenest blade of San Jacinto Memorials editWharton County Texas is named for the Wharton brothers The Texan brig Wharton was named for John Austin Wharton References edit a b Handbook of Texas Online Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online Volume 19 No 3Sources editCampbell Randolph B Mike August 26 2020 Wharton John Austin 1806 1838 Handbook of Texas Online Texas State Historical Association Retrieved June 1 2023 Further reading editWortham Louis J 1924 A History of Texas from Wilderness to Commonwealth Vol 2 Port Worth TX Wortham Molyneaux Company pp 247 252 253 287 Wortham Louis J 1924 A History of Texas from Wilderness to Commonwealth Vol 3 Port Worth TX Wortham Molyneaux Company p 364 External links editKemp Louis Wiltz 2020 Wharton John A San Jacinto Museum of History Retrieved June 1 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Austin Wharton died 1838 amp oldid 1158023632, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
