John Hart (d. 1779)

Signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Hopewell township, NJ, in 1700; he was not a soldier, but a courageous public-spirited farmer. He served in the provincial legislature of New Jersey, and was a member of the Congresses of 1774, 1775, and 1776. In 1777–78 he was chairman of the New Jersey Council of Safety, and when the state was invaded by the British, his farm and stock were destroyed and he had to fly with his family to the forest. After the battles of Trenton and Princeton had freed most of New Jersey from the invaders, he returned to his farm and passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. He was affectionately known in his part of the country and in Congress as “Honest John Hart.” He died in Hopewell township.