Sir Thomas Wharton was born in 1615 in the county of Westmoreland, the second son of Sir Thomas Wharton and Lady Philadelphia Carey. The Whartons are descendants of Gilbert de Querton who was an officer with William the Conquerer in 1066.

Sir Thomas was created Knight of the Bath in 1626 and served in the army for 20 years in Ireland. In 1659 he was elected Member of Parliament for Westmoreland and supported the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.

He married twice and in 1662 he purchased Edlington where he and his family lived. He had a passion for education and gave to the poor of Edlington by paying a Master to teach them to read and write and providing apprenticeships to local boys.

He died on 30th October 1684 and is buried in Edlington.