John Hart

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Founding Fathers
John Hart
State New Jersey
Religion Christian- Presbyterian [1]
Founding Documents Declaration of Independence

John Hart (1713 – May 11, 1779) was known as "Honest John Hart", he was a founding father of America, a landowner, a farmer, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, member of the Second Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence. When the British invaded New Jersey, he was forced into hiding as a wanted man sought by his pursuers.

Early life

An exact date of birth is unknown and the year is also disputed. Hart was the son of Captain Edward Hart, militia leader who was assigned to fight the French in Canada. John had little education but he did have good sense and virtue. Later in life he knew the law and was considered informed on money and business matters. John married Deborah Scudder and they would raise 13 children. He became a wealthy farmer with the purchase of 190 to 380 acres of land complete with grist mills. In 1750, John was elected Freeholder for Hunterdon County, the highest elected office in the county. In 1761, John was elected to the Provincial Assembly of New Jersey. In 1776, he was designated one of the officials to sign the new Bill of Credit notes issued as money for the western New Jersey division of the treasury.[2]

Revolutionary War

Shortly after signing the Declaration of Independence, Hart became Speaker of the Assembly, the highest political rank in New Jersey. John became a marked man by both the British forces and Hessian mercenaries.[3] Tragedy soon followed, his farm, livestock, grist mills and property were destroyed. His wife lay dying when British forces invaded. John and his thirteen children fled for their lives. He lived by hiding in the forest and sleeping in caves, eluding capture. Without the Speaker, the state assembly had ajourned.

General George Washington forces had succeeded in defeating the British known as the Battle of Princeton. Hart would return to reconvene the State Assembly at Pittstown. June 22, 1778 he invited the American army to encamp on his farm. George Washington and between 6,000 and 12,000 soldiers camped in his fields having his famous Council of War at the nearby Hunt House, then set off to fight which is known as the Battle of Monmouth on June 28.


The toll on Hart was great and his own health started to fail. He resigned from the legislature in 1779. Less than three-years after signing the Declaration, Hart died at his Hopewell farm in New Jersey on May 11. He is buried in the yard of the First Baptist Church at the town of Hopewell, Mercer County.


  2. John Hart Biography
  3. Signer of the Declaration of Independence-John Hart