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Birth: Unknown (Baptized December 31, 1713)
Death: May 11, 1779 (Age unknown)
Colony: New Jersey
Occupation: Politician, Judge
Significance: Signed The Declaration of Independence
John Hart was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Born in New Jersey, Hart's exact date of birth is unknown, but it is thought to be sometime between 1706 and 1713. The first official record of Hart was for his baptism in late 1713.
Hart got involved in politics as an adult, and he was elected to his county's Board of Freeholders in 1750, before eventually being elected to the New Jersey Colonial Assembly in 1761, a position which he held for a decade. As tensions grew between Great Britain and the Colonies, Hart was appointed to New Jersey's Committee of Safety and became a voice for Independence in New Jersey.
In 1776, Hart was elected and served in the Second Continental Congress. Hart voted for Independence, and he signed The Declaration of Independence. After signing The Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, Hart left the Second Continental Congress later that month and headed back to New Jersey where he had been elected Speaker of the newly formed New Jersey General Assembly.
Forced to go into hiding when the British took control of Trenton, New Jersey, Hart fell into poor health and died 1779 at the age of about 65 years old.
John Hart in Philadelphia
Hart arrived in Philadelphia in 1776 as a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress. While serving as a member of the Second Continental Congress, Hart worked at Independence Hall, and he signed The Declaration of Independence. A plaque commemorating Hart for signing The Declaration of Independence can be found on Signers' Walk on the 600 block of Chestnut Street (between 5th & 6th Streets).
