Philip Wharton (fourth baron Wharton)
See also Philip Wharton, 4th Baron Wharton
1613-1696. Philanthropist and friend to Nonconformist ministers. A member of both the Long Parliament and Westminster Assembly, as well as a soldier in the Civil War, he was a friend of Oliver Cromwell* but took little part in national affairs from 1649-60. After the Restoration and during the period of the persecution of Nonconformists (1660-89), he did what he could in Parliament to oppose repressive legislatione.g., he opposed the second Conventicle Act* of 1670. At his home at Woburn he entertained Nonconformist leaders and helped them financially. By a deed made in 1662 he settled some of his lands at Healaugh, Yorkshire, upon trustees for 1,050 Bibles and Catechisms to be given to poor children.