Rodman Wharton

"Rodman Wharton, though young, had made himself felt, through his interest in the unfortunate. Among these were the slaves of our Southern States, for whose emancipation he was a warm advocate. Also, in another field, a meeting held at his house in 1851 resulted in founding ' The Catherine Street House of Industry,' for the temporary shelter of the homeless poor, which still continues its usefulness. In connection with some of our best citizens, he took an active interest in furthering the plans of Dorothea Dix, for the building of a hospital for the insane poor of Pennsylvania. Through the influence of this committee her memorial, reciting as an eye-witness the sufferings of this helpless class in the jails, penitentiaries, and almshouses of this Commonwealth, reached the Legislature, and resulted in the passage of a bill, April 14, 1845, for the establishment of ' The State Lunatic Hospital,' near Harrisburg, with the provision that the ' indigent insane' should always have precedence of ' pay patients.' In a letter to Rodman Wharton, Miss Dix says, 'I feel a real gratitude for the cordial, hearty manner in which you have taken up the cause I advocate.'

" Keeping thus in touch with the advanced thought of his time, and enjoying the best hooks, his intercourse with his friends was of the most delightful character. While num- bering among them differing shades of religious belief, he accorded to each the respect which he claimed for himself. He was a member of the Society of Friends, in whose principles he firmly believed.

" Frank, generous and just in his business relations, he won the respect and confidence, not only of his employees but of others with whom he came in contact, and the tidings of his death were received by his friends with profound regret."— S. B. W.

Rodman Wharton 6 (Deborah 5 , Samuel R.*, Joshua 3 , Thomas 2 , John 1 ), b. in Philadelphia, Jan. 26, 1820 ; d. July 20, 1854 ; m. June 4, 1850, Susanna Dillwyn Parrish, b. July 29, 1827, dau. of Dr. Joseph Parrish and Susanna Cox, his wife.

Children :

• 603. "William Redwood Wharton, d. inf.
• 604. Susanna Parrish Wharton, b. May 23, 1852.
• 605. William Rodman Wharton, b. May 9, 1854.