John Hart (colonial administrator) facts for kids

John Hart was an important leader who served as the 12th Royal Governor of Maryland from 1714 to 1715. He then became the 12th Proprietary Governor of Maryland from 1715 to 1720. This happened after the Calvert family got their control of Maryland back. His time as governor was a big step in bringing the Calvert family's power in Maryland back to normal.

John Hart's Early Life

John Hart was born in Ireland, specifically in County Cavan. His father was Merrick Hart, and his mother was Lettice Vesey. His uncle was Archbishop John Vesey. We don't know many details about his early life. However, we do know that he served in the military in Spain and Portugal during the War of the Spanish Succession.

John Hart married a woman named Mary Purefoy. She was the daughter of Henry Hart and Anne Beresford. John and Mary had two children together: a son named Thomas and a daughter named Marylandia.

Becoming Governor of Maryland

The Calvert family had lost control of their land in Maryland back in 1689. This was partly because they were Catholic. Benedict Calvert, 4th Baron Baltimore wanted his family's land back. He realized that his family's religion was the main problem. So, he decided to change his religion to Anglicanism. He hoped this change would help him get his family's wealth and land in the New World back.

This was a big decision for Benedict. His father, Charles Calvert, 3rd Baron Baltimore, was very angry about it. He stopped giving Benedict money and stopped paying for his grandchildren's education. But Benedict was able to get some money from Queen Anne. She also agreed to let him choose John Hart as the new governor of Maryland. There was one condition: Hart had to share £500 each year from his earnings with Benedict Calvert.

Because of this agreement, John Hart's time as governor was very important. It marked the beginning of the Calvert family getting their control over Maryland back.

John Hart's Next Job

After his time as governor of Maryland ended, John Hart was given a new role. He was appointed as the governor of the Leeward Islands. He held this position from 1721 to 1727. After he left, Thomas Pitt, 1st Earl of Londonderry took over as governor of the Leeward Islands.