9. “Honest” John Hart was forced to flee into the wilderness and survive the New Jersey winter at the age of 65 after the British sought his capture in 1776.
A political radical who entered colonial public office in 1750, “Honest” John Hart developed a reputation for fairness and politeness throughout his career. Supporting the revolutionary cause, voting for and acting as a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, Hart was elected Speaker to the newly created New Jersey General Assembly in August 1776. In this capacity, Hart became a marked man, wanted by the British for treason, and forced to flee from his home in early December 1776 as the British advanced into New Jersey. With his thirteen children in toe, the sixty-five-year-old sent his younger offspring to stay with relatives as he retreated into the wilderness to evade capture.
Discovering his estate empty, it was occupied by the British. Looting valuables, slaughtering livestock, and damaging the buildings, their raucous stay was only terminated with the Continental victory at Trenton on December 26. After more than a month living in open fields and in the mountains during the harsh winter, Hart was finally able to return to what remained of his home. Repaying the favor to the Continental Army, Hart offered a comfortable respite between June 22-24 1778, the days prior to the Battle of Monmouth, to more than 12,000 men under Washington’s command. He would not live to see ultimate victory, dying from kidney stones in 1779.