Born in Philadelphia to an influential mercantile family, John Baynton followed in his father's footsteps and entered into the same profession at an early age.
Virtually dominating the Western-frontier trade market through sometimes unsavory business practices, the firm's success did not last long.
Ultimately, Baynton, Wharton, and Morgan became bankrupt and merged with another firm to form the Indiana Company.
The Crown withheld approval of the land grant, and Wharton went to London to negotiate on behalf of his firm.
The subsequent feud between Wharton and his former partners allegedly led to Baynton's untimely death, brought on by the stress of the matter.