John Hart - Cave Dweller
John Hart was a New Jersey native who signed the Declaration of Independence the hid in a cave.
John Hart
John Hart was a miller and public servant at the outset of the American Revolution. Already an older man when troubles began he was a respected citizen of New Jersey.
When his State formed a Provincial Congress, Hart was important enough to serve as the first Vice President. He sat on the New Jersey Committee of Safety as well as the Committee of Correspondence.
Independence
When the famous vote for the Declaration of Independence was approaching, many States whose delegate were going to vote no were recalled. They were replaced with representatives who favored separation.
John Hart was sent as one of these representatives. He voted for, and later signed, the Declaration of Independence.
Hart returned to New Jersey where he was chosen Speaker of the General Assembly. He served on several important committees which were responsible for assisting in the war effort.
The War Comes to New Jersey
In December 1776, the British moved through New Jersey. John Hart, now a wanted man, fled to the hills where he took refuge in a cave!
Fortunately, this did not last long. Shortly after, General Washington crossed the Delaware and retook Trenton, removing the British from the area.
A year and a half later, Hart would return the favor by letting Washington use his land as a camp for over 12,000 soldiers.
Shortly after, John Hart would pass away from what was then called ‘gravel.’ We know it now as kidney stones. Unfortunately, he would not see the end of the war and the beginning of the nation he gave so much to create.
If you would like to read about another New Jersey Founder, check out this article:
Philemon Dickinson - Commander of New Jersey’s Revolutionary Militia
Samuel Dick Goes Off in an Extraordinary Manner
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While John Hart does not have a good biography available, you can learn more about the Declaration Signers in ‘Signing Their Lives Away.’.
