Individual Details
Ralph Hart
(Bet Abt 1675 and 1680 - 30 Jul 1749)
Frederic W. Bailey, New Haven, Conn., "The Ancestry of the Hon. John Hart, of Hopewell, N.J., Signer of the Declaration of Independence"; The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. XXVI, No. 4; New York: October, 1895, pp. 170-177.
[extracts]
It is a request to the inhabitants of Newtown to hang gates to the Kills, signed, with many others, by Raulph Heart, John Coe, John Heart, Tunis Titus, Robert Field, Nathaniel Field, John Hunt, Josiah Furman, Samuel Moore, Joseph Sachett, Joseph Sackett, Jr. Since we shall have occasion to refer to this name of Raulph or Ralph Hart at Hopewell, as well as to John, and by it have been assisted in identifying the line, it is important to note it here. It is the only mention of Ralph to be found on all the Newtown records. The other names are quite familiar in the Hopewell search.
-----
Turning again to Dr. Cooley, p. 100, we read: "Major Ralph Hart was one of the earliest settlers of Hopewell, and is believed to have come from Stonington, Conn., preceding his brother, Captain Edward, a few years. He purchased a farm adjoining the Lawrence line, on the road leading from Ewingville to Lawrence."
-----
In the absence of all records bearing upon that early period of Hopewell's common life, our success in this would be most problematical but for the fact that we have found by close examination that the farms of Ralph, Edward, and John, and Nathaniel also, were all in the same general locality. The History of Burlington and Mercer Counties states that "John Hart's farm was on the west side of Rogers road, leading to Trenton from Hopewell." Presuming this to be the first John Hart, we again note the fact that John Hart, his son, in 1713 disposes of one hundred and seventy acres to G. Cooke, and the land is described as located in the great meadow belonging to Maidenhead--a section of country quite well defined as being between Lawrenceville and Trenton, with the Rogers road on the right and north. A more recent investigation has disclosed the fact that Ralph Hart's farm, now in possession of one Smith, lies on this very road leading from Lawrenceville to Trenton, and, what is more interesting still, the Temple farm, whereon now lives the last surviving member of the Temple family, into which Sarah Hart, the daughter of Edward, married, is in the neighborhood of where the original John Hart property as above stood. Aged Miss Temple, living on the old farm, states that she had heard her deceased brother, Jesse Temple, say that eight acres of Edward Hart's farm was then a part of the Temple estate, and, more interesting still, that John Hart, the Signer, was born in a house that stood near a spring down the lane on the farm. Consequently, while not, to be sure, conclusive, yet the fact that the brothers are found located so near together accords well with the view that John Hart the carpenter's estate was thus divided, each son sharing in the original farm.
_______________________________________________
The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Volume 37, #2, May 1962, Whole #146, p. 54
[Wittwer, Norman C., Hunterdon County Freeholders, 1741]
Amwell Township: Ralph Hart.
_______________________________________________
The Will of Ralph Hart, Hunterdon County, NJ 1749
Be it Remembered, that I Ralph Hart of Trenton in ye County of Hunterdon, and in the province of New Jersey Yeoman, of perfect and sound mind and memory do make and Declare this my last will and Testament in manner and form Following (Viz) Item I give devise and Bequeath unto my two sons Benjamin and Samuel Hart, the Plantation as I now live on, (Being in Trenton, as aforesaid,) to Them their Heirs and assigns for Ever, to be Divided in the following Manner, (Viz) My Son Benjamin, Shall have that part of my plantation as lyes on the south side of the Road, as which goes to Maidenhead, Except my Barn and four acres of Land about the said Barn to accomodate it, and also, one half of my woodland and half my medow which lies on the South sid of the above said Road, which Said woodland & medow is to be Equally Divided Between them; (as to Quantity and Quallity) (Viz) My Sons Benjamin and Samuel and also I Give my son Samuel that part of my Plantation as is on the North Side of the afore said Road, with my Dwelling house and orchard thereon, the Land & premises Bequeath'd as aforesaid to be possessed and enjoyed by them their heirs and assigns for ever: and also my barn the four acres of Land as before Excepted, I give and Bequeath to my Son Samuel Hart his Heirs and assigns for Ever, and also full Liberty of a way to the wood Land & medow bequeathed him on the South Side of my said plantation as abovesaid to pass and repass with wagon and horse or foot, to & from the said land, without hindrance, or molestation.
Item. I Give to my Eldest Son Ralph Hart My Sword & my walking Cane
Item. I Give to my son Josiah one year old mare colt.
Item. I Give to my son Benjamin one Gray Horse.
Item. I Give to my Grandson John Carpenter son to my Daughtor Mary one [Long?] Bible at my wife [decease?]
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Sarah wife to Robert Akers a pine chest with Drawers,
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Mercy wife to Joseph Tindall a Case & Bottle and a large pewter Basin
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Martha wife to Robert Laining [***] a large looking glass
Item. I Give to My Daughtor Elizabeth wife to Joseph Jones a large pewter Dish and a large Jar & Pott
Item. I Give to My Daughtor Abigail wife to Stephen Laining a large Blackwallnutt oval table
Item. I Give to my two sons Benjamin and Samuel Hart all my outstanding Debts, and also fifty pounds out of my Movable Estate to Enable them to pay my debts.
Item. I Give & Bequeath to Sarah my Beloved wife the remainder of all my movable estate tho fifty pounds first deducted out, I also will and order my wife to live in my now dwelling house and I also will and order my son Samuel to support her During her life and at her Decease
I Give and Bequeath unto my son Samuel the remainder of my Personal Estate whosoever and wheresoever, and Lastly I do hereby nomonate and appoint Sarah my wife Ralph Hart & Samuel Hart my two sons to be Executors of this my Last will & Testament, and do hereby Revoke, disallow, and make null and void all and other and former wills and Testaments, and Executors by me made, and named, and ratifying and Confirming this and no other but my last will and Testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set hand and seal this second Day of July in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred & forty nine
Ralph (his X mark) Hart
Published pronounced and Declared by the said Ralph Hart to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of
Samuel Hunt
Willie Phillips
Joseph Phillips
Samuel Hunt and Joseph Philips Two of the Witnesses to the within Will being Sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God did Severally Depose that they Saw Ralph Hart the Testator Within Named Sign and Seal the Same & hear'd him publish pronounce and Declare the Within Instrument to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of Sound disposing Mind & Memory as far as these Deponents knew and as they Verily believe and that William Philips the other Subscribing Witness was present and Signed his Name as a Witness to the said Will together with these Deponents in the presence of the Testator
[signed] Samuel Hunt
[signed] Joseph Phillips
Sworn at Trenton Augt. 22d 1749 before me
Theo. Severns Jun.
Sarah Hart Executrix and Samuel Hart Executor in the within Testament Named being sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God did depose that the Within Instrument contains the true last Will and Testament of Ralph Hart the Testator therein named So far as they know and as they verily believe and that they will well & truly perform the same by paying first the Debts of the said Deseased then the Legacy in the said Testament specified so far as the Goods Chattels Credits of the sd Decd Can thereunto Extend & that they will make & Exhibit into the prerogative office in Burlington a Just & perfect Inventory of all & Singular the Goods Chattels & Credits of the said Decd. that shall come to their knowledge or posession or to the possession of any other person or persons for their use & tender a just & true Account when thereunto Lawfully Required.
Sarah (her X mark) Hart
[signed] Samuel Hart
Sworn at Trenton Augt 22d 1749
Theo Severns Junr.
_________________________________
Eli F. Cooley, Genealogy of Early Settlers in Trenton and Ewing, Old Hunterdon County, New Jersey; Hunterdon House: Lambertville, NJ, 1883, p. 100.
"The Ralph and Edward Hart Family."
[extract]
Major Ralph Hart (1) was one of the earliest settlers of Hopewell, and is believed to have come from Stonington, Conn., preceding his brother, Capt. Edward (2) a few years. He purchased and occupied a farm adjoining the Lawrence line, on the road leading from Ewingville to Lawrenceville. He married a Furman, it is supposed, and left, at his death, 1749, a widow, Sarah. His children were: Benjamin (3); Samuel (4)--who shared equally the homestead; Ralph (5); Josiah (6); Mary, married John Carpenter, of Jamaica, Long Island, whose children are: Hezekiah, John, married Ann, daughter of Creinyonce Vancleve, (see Vancleve family, No. 4), Mary, wife of John Hunt, of Pennington, Sarah, wife of Augustin Moore, Hannah, wife of Maj. Stephen Burrowes, and Catharine, wife of Israel Moore, (see Moore family, No. 11); Mercy, married Joseph Tindall; Martha, married Robert Lanning; Elizabeth, married Joseph Jones; and Abigail, married Stephen Lanning, (see Lanning family, No. 2.)
[Note: Eli F. Cooley neglected to mention Ralph Hart's daughter Sarah, wife of Robert Akers, who is clearly listed in Ralph's 1749 will - ed.]
[extracts]
It is a request to the inhabitants of Newtown to hang gates to the Kills, signed, with many others, by Raulph Heart, John Coe, John Heart, Tunis Titus, Robert Field, Nathaniel Field, John Hunt, Josiah Furman, Samuel Moore, Joseph Sachett, Joseph Sackett, Jr. Since we shall have occasion to refer to this name of Raulph or Ralph Hart at Hopewell, as well as to John, and by it have been assisted in identifying the line, it is important to note it here. It is the only mention of Ralph to be found on all the Newtown records. The other names are quite familiar in the Hopewell search.
-----
Turning again to Dr. Cooley, p. 100, we read: "Major Ralph Hart was one of the earliest settlers of Hopewell, and is believed to have come from Stonington, Conn., preceding his brother, Captain Edward, a few years. He purchased a farm adjoining the Lawrence line, on the road leading from Ewingville to Lawrence."
-----
In the absence of all records bearing upon that early period of Hopewell's common life, our success in this would be most problematical but for the fact that we have found by close examination that the farms of Ralph, Edward, and John, and Nathaniel also, were all in the same general locality. The History of Burlington and Mercer Counties states that "John Hart's farm was on the west side of Rogers road, leading to Trenton from Hopewell." Presuming this to be the first John Hart, we again note the fact that John Hart, his son, in 1713 disposes of one hundred and seventy acres to G. Cooke, and the land is described as located in the great meadow belonging to Maidenhead--a section of country quite well defined as being between Lawrenceville and Trenton, with the Rogers road on the right and north. A more recent investigation has disclosed the fact that Ralph Hart's farm, now in possession of one Smith, lies on this very road leading from Lawrenceville to Trenton, and, what is more interesting still, the Temple farm, whereon now lives the last surviving member of the Temple family, into which Sarah Hart, the daughter of Edward, married, is in the neighborhood of where the original John Hart property as above stood. Aged Miss Temple, living on the old farm, states that she had heard her deceased brother, Jesse Temple, say that eight acres of Edward Hart's farm was then a part of the Temple estate, and, more interesting still, that John Hart, the Signer, was born in a house that stood near a spring down the lane on the farm. Consequently, while not, to be sure, conclusive, yet the fact that the brothers are found located so near together accords well with the view that John Hart the carpenter's estate was thus divided, each son sharing in the original farm.
_______________________________________________
The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Volume 37, #2, May 1962, Whole #146, p. 54
[Wittwer, Norman C., Hunterdon County Freeholders, 1741]
Amwell Township: Ralph Hart.
_______________________________________________
The Will of Ralph Hart, Hunterdon County, NJ 1749
Be it Remembered, that I Ralph Hart of Trenton in ye County of Hunterdon, and in the province of New Jersey Yeoman, of perfect and sound mind and memory do make and Declare this my last will and Testament in manner and form Following (Viz) Item I give devise and Bequeath unto my two sons Benjamin and Samuel Hart, the Plantation as I now live on, (Being in Trenton, as aforesaid,) to Them their Heirs and assigns for Ever, to be Divided in the following Manner, (Viz) My Son Benjamin, Shall have that part of my plantation as lyes on the south side of the Road, as which goes to Maidenhead, Except my Barn and four acres of Land about the said Barn to accomodate it, and also, one half of my woodland and half my medow which lies on the South sid of the above said Road, which Said woodland & medow is to be Equally Divided Between them; (as to Quantity and Quallity) (Viz) My Sons Benjamin and Samuel and also I Give my son Samuel that part of my Plantation as is on the North Side of the afore said Road, with my Dwelling house and orchard thereon, the Land & premises Bequeath'd as aforesaid to be possessed and enjoyed by them their heirs and assigns for ever: and also my barn the four acres of Land as before Excepted, I give and Bequeath to my Son Samuel Hart his Heirs and assigns for Ever, and also full Liberty of a way to the wood Land & medow bequeathed him on the South Side of my said plantation as abovesaid to pass and repass with wagon and horse or foot, to & from the said land, without hindrance, or molestation.
Item. I Give to my Eldest Son Ralph Hart My Sword & my walking Cane
Item. I Give to my son Josiah one year old mare colt.
Item. I Give to my son Benjamin one Gray Horse.
Item. I Give to my Grandson John Carpenter son to my Daughtor Mary one [Long?] Bible at my wife [decease?]
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Sarah wife to Robert Akers a pine chest with Drawers,
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Mercy wife to Joseph Tindall a Case & Bottle and a large pewter Basin
Item. I Give to my Daughtor Martha wife to Robert Laining [***] a large looking glass
Item. I Give to My Daughtor Elizabeth wife to Joseph Jones a large pewter Dish and a large Jar & Pott
Item. I Give to My Daughtor Abigail wife to Stephen Laining a large Blackwallnutt oval table
Item. I Give to my two sons Benjamin and Samuel Hart all my outstanding Debts, and also fifty pounds out of my Movable Estate to Enable them to pay my debts.
Item. I Give & Bequeath to Sarah my Beloved wife the remainder of all my movable estate tho fifty pounds first deducted out, I also will and order my wife to live in my now dwelling house and I also will and order my son Samuel to support her During her life and at her Decease
I Give and Bequeath unto my son Samuel the remainder of my Personal Estate whosoever and wheresoever, and Lastly I do hereby nomonate and appoint Sarah my wife Ralph Hart & Samuel Hart my two sons to be Executors of this my Last will & Testament, and do hereby Revoke, disallow, and make null and void all and other and former wills and Testaments, and Executors by me made, and named, and ratifying and Confirming this and no other but my last will and Testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set hand and seal this second Day of July in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred & forty nine
Ralph (his X mark) Hart
Published pronounced and Declared by the said Ralph Hart to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of
Samuel Hunt
Willie Phillips
Joseph Phillips
Samuel Hunt and Joseph Philips Two of the Witnesses to the within Will being Sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God did Severally Depose that they Saw Ralph Hart the Testator Within Named Sign and Seal the Same & hear'd him publish pronounce and Declare the Within Instrument to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of Sound disposing Mind & Memory as far as these Deponents knew and as they Verily believe and that William Philips the other Subscribing Witness was present and Signed his Name as a Witness to the said Will together with these Deponents in the presence of the Testator
[signed] Samuel Hunt
[signed] Joseph Phillips
Sworn at Trenton Augt. 22d 1749 before me
Theo. Severns Jun.
Sarah Hart Executrix and Samuel Hart Executor in the within Testament Named being sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God did depose that the Within Instrument contains the true last Will and Testament of Ralph Hart the Testator therein named So far as they know and as they verily believe and that they will well & truly perform the same by paying first the Debts of the said Deseased then the Legacy in the said Testament specified so far as the Goods Chattels Credits of the sd Decd Can thereunto Extend & that they will make & Exhibit into the prerogative office in Burlington a Just & perfect Inventory of all & Singular the Goods Chattels & Credits of the said Decd. that shall come to their knowledge or posession or to the possession of any other person or persons for their use & tender a just & true Account when thereunto Lawfully Required.
Sarah (her X mark) Hart
[signed] Samuel Hart
Sworn at Trenton Augt 22d 1749
Theo Severns Junr.
_________________________________
Eli F. Cooley, Genealogy of Early Settlers in Trenton and Ewing, Old Hunterdon County, New Jersey; Hunterdon House: Lambertville, NJ, 1883, p. 100.
"The Ralph and Edward Hart Family."
[extract]
Major Ralph Hart (1) was one of the earliest settlers of Hopewell, and is believed to have come from Stonington, Conn., preceding his brother, Capt. Edward (2) a few years. He purchased and occupied a farm adjoining the Lawrence line, on the road leading from Ewingville to Lawrenceville. He married a Furman, it is supposed, and left, at his death, 1749, a widow, Sarah. His children were: Benjamin (3); Samuel (4)--who shared equally the homestead; Ralph (5); Josiah (6); Mary, married John Carpenter, of Jamaica, Long Island, whose children are: Hezekiah, John, married Ann, daughter of Creinyonce Vancleve, (see Vancleve family, No. 4), Mary, wife of John Hunt, of Pennington, Sarah, wife of Augustin Moore, Hannah, wife of Maj. Stephen Burrowes, and Catharine, wife of Israel Moore, (see Moore family, No. 11); Mercy, married Joseph Tindall; Martha, married Robert Lanning; Elizabeth, married Joseph Jones; and Abigail, married Stephen Lanning, (see Lanning family, No. 2.)
[Note: Eli F. Cooley neglected to mention Ralph Hart's daughter Sarah, wife of Robert Akers, who is clearly listed in Ralph's 1749 will - ed.]
Events
| Birth | Bet Abt 1675 and 1680 | Probably Newtown in what is now | |||
| Death | 30 Jul 1749 | ||||
| Occupation | yeoman | ||||
| Burial | First Presbyterian Churchyard |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Furman (1681 - 1749) |
| Father | John Hart (1654 - 1712) |
| Mother | Mary Hunt (1660 - 1703) |
| Sibling | John Hart (1675 - 1752) |
| Sibling | Nathaniel Hart (1682 - 1742) |
| Sibling | Edward Hart (1685 - 1752) |
| Sibling | Joseph Hart (1695 - 1777) |