Jesse Wharton (Maryland governor)

He quickly became a successful planter and politician in the colony, holding several political offices and amassing 11 slaves and more than 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) before his death only six years after his arrival.

[4] Wharton's appointment passed over four more senior members of the council, including Philip Calvert.

Settlers on the western shore feared an attack from hostile Native Americans, and earlier that year the colony had armed some friendly tribes in preparation for just such an eventuality.

These twin crises reached a peak in July, when the rebellion in Virginia succeeded in toppling its colonial government and settlers on the western shore were warned to arm themselves against an imminent native attack.

He had only governed the colony from Charles Calvert's departure on June 16, 1676, until he named Thomas Notley as his successor just prior to his death in July of the same year.