A Guide to Early American Homes North & South

1956:  A Guide to Early American Homes North & South (Volumes I and II Combined), by Dorothy and Richard Pratt.  Bonanza Books, New York, 1956, Volume II, Page 20.

This directory-style book includes the following entry for Wharton Place (bold print is as presented in the book):

WHARTON (c. 1800)

By appointment: Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Busch, P.O. Box 146, Mappsville.

This is a beautiful restoration on a larger scale—a fine foursquare, hipped-roof, two-and-a-half-story brick mansion with a Federal flavor.  It is something not seen elsewhere on the Shore, leading one to believe it may have been designed by an architect brought over from Philadelphia.  The small widow’s walk on the roof was probably used by John Wharton to watch his ships as they slipped through the inlet to Assawamen [sic] Creek at the foot of the hill.  He is said to have done his share of smuggling, like many another marine merchant of the times.