John Hart was a resident of Hopewell, New Jersey, before the Gano family moved to the area. In my book on the Ganos, I mentioned Brother Hart, but I didn’t call him a Baptist, as is often implied in other histories. He appears to me to be a Presbyterian. He was not a preacher, and he was not a true politician, even though he was clearly a blessing to the Baptists in Hopewell and a patriot. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and a leader of the people of New Jersey. It was he who gave his Baptist neighbors property to build a meeting place, and in that meeting house General Washington and his staff met prior to the Battle at Princeton.
Despite his service to God, the Hart family suffered severely during the War for Independence. He was driven from his home and was forced to sleep in caves, thickets and even in a dog house. Throughout the war, he was constantly on the move, returning home from time to time to learn that all his cattle and crops had been stolen or destroyed, leaving his family destitute. Nevertheless he never shirked the responsibilities which were laid upon him, and after the Battle of Princeton, he convened the legislature at Trenton.
John Hart passed away on this day in 1779 shortly after, and due to the hardships of the war.
John Hart passed away on this day in 1779 shortly after, and due to the hardships of the war.
His remains were laid in the graveyard of Hopewell Baptist Church down by the road toward the foot of the Hart property.
– Source: “This Day in Baptist History,” Thompson and Cummins