Nancy Hart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nancy Hart
Allegiance	United States of America
Born	Around 1735 North Carolina
Died	1830 Henderson County, Kentucky
Spouse	Benjamin Hart
Children	Six sons and two daughters
Occupation	Spy, housewife

Nancy Morgan Hart (c. 1735–1830) was a rebel heroine of the American Revolutionary War who used her wits and courage to stand up against soldiers loyal to the British crown. Many stories about her adventures have been passed down through history, showing her as a tough frontier woman who was dedicated to the cause of American independence.

It's important to know that while many stories about her are popular and widely shared, it can be tricky for historians to figure out exactly which parts are completely true and which parts might be folklore – stories that grew and changed as they were told over many years. This mix of fact and legend makes her story even more interesting!

Early Life and Family

While we don't know every single detail about Nancy Hart's early life, it is believed she was born around 1735. Some researchers think she was born in North Carolina, possibly in the Yadkin River valley. Others suggest she might have been born in Pennsylvania or New York state. Her maiden name was Morgan, and she married Benjamin Hart. The Hart family was connected to some important people in American history; later descendants included famous politicians like Thomas Hart Benton and Henry Clay.

In the early 1770s, Nancy, Benjamin, and their children moved from North Carolina to Georgia. They settled in the beautiful and fertile Broad River valley in the northeast part of the state. Living on the frontier meant that people had to be very self-sufficient and skilled. Nancy Hart was known for having many useful frontier skills. She knew a lot about plants and herbs, which was important for medicine and daily life. She was also skilled at hunting and shooting, abilities that were necessary for providing food and protecting her family in the wilderness.

Nancy Hart also had family connections to important figures in the war. She was a cousin of General Daniel Morgan, a respected leader in the Continental Army who won a significant victory at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina in 1781.

Appearance and personality

People who knew "Aunt Nancy," as she was sometimes called, described her as a tall woman with a strong build. She was known for having red hair and a face marked by smallpox, a common illness at the time. One early description mentioned that she wasn't considered beautiful, something she herself might have agreed with if she had the chance to look in a mirror often – mirrors weren't common on the frontier!

More than her appearance, Nancy Hart was known for her personality. She was said to have a quick temper, a fearless spirit, and a strong desire to stand up to anyone who wronged her or her family and friends. Many people remembered that she was the one who often took charge in the Hart household, not her husband. Nancy and Benjamin Hart had a large family with six sons and two daughters. Even though she couldn't read or write, Nancy had plenty of the practical skills and knowledge needed to survive and thrive on the frontier.

Revolutionary War Stories

Many of the most famous stories about Nancy Hart come from the Revolutionary War period. These tales highlight her bravery and cleverness in dealing with soldiers who were against the American cause.

One well-known story tells of a time, possibly in 1779, when a group of five or six soldiers loyal to the British came to the Hart house. They were looking for food or perhaps someone they were chasing. The soldiers demanded that Nancy cook them one of her turkeys. Even though they were on opposite sides of the war, Nancy agreed to feed them.

As the soldiers came inside the cabin, they put their guns near the door before sitting down at her table to eat. While they were eating, Nancy, using her quick thinking, managed to push their guns outside through a small opening or hole in the wall of the cabin. After some time had passed, she grabbed one of the remaining guns and told the men to stay put. According to the story, one soldier didn't listen to her warning, and she took action to stop him. Another soldier then moved towards the weapons, and she again acted decisively to protect herself and her home. She then held the remaining soldiers until her husband and neighbors arrived.

Other Stories of Courage

Besides the famous turkey story, other tales are told about Nancy Hart's actions during the war, showing her determination and resourcefulness.

Mrs. Louisa H. Kendall, who was the niece of Nancy's son John Hart, wrote a letter in 1872 sharing some stories her uncle had heard from his mother. According to this letter, one time Nancy was taking a heavy bag of grain to the mill. A group of soldiers loyal to the British stopped her, forced her off her horse, and threw the grain onto the ground. But Nancy wasn't easily defeated. She picked up the heavy bag herself and walked the rest of the way to the mill, showing her incredible strength and resolve.

Another story says that Nancy Hart would act like a sharpshooter, watching for soldiers loyal to the British as they tried to cross the Broad River and taking action to stop them.

Mr. Snead, another person related to the Harts, shared a story about Nancy's quick thinking. One time during the war, Nancy was making lye soap in her cabin. Her daughter noticed someone spying on them by looking through a crack in the wall. Nancy reacted instantly. She grabbed a ladle of the hot, boiling soap and threw it towards the spy's eyes. Then, she went outside, captured the spy, tied him up, and turned him over to the local Patriot militia (the American side).

There are also accounts that say Nancy was so dedicated to the American cause that she would sometimes dress up as a man. By doing this, she could enter the camps of the soldiers loyal to the British without being recognized. This allowed her to listen to their conversations, observe the layout of their camps, and gather valuable information that could help the American forces.

According to some folklore, the local Native American tribes referred to Nancy Hart by a name that might translate to "War Woman," and they even named a creek after her. However, many scholars question this idea. They point out that there were records of the Cherokee name for the creek that existed before the war. Also, a researcher named James Mooney noted in the late 1800s that there were indeed cases of women acting as warriors among the Cherokee people, suggesting the idea of a "War Woman" wasn't necessarily unique to Nancy Hart.

Life After the War

After the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, life began to change for people in America. George Rockingham Gilmer, who served as the governor of Georgia twice before 1850, actually knew Nancy Hart personally. In a book he published in 1855 about early settlers, he wrote that Nancy became involved in religion after the war.

He described how a Methodist group started meeting in her neighborhood. Nancy went to their meeting place looking for comfort or guidance. When she arrived, the people were having a private meeting, and the door was closed. Showing her typical determination, she reportedly took out her knife, cut whatever was holding the door shut, and walked right in. She listened to what they were saying about finding peace and became a very enthusiastic member, described as fighting against difficulties with the same energy she used to fight against the soldiers during the war.

In the late 1780s, the Hart family moved to Brunswick, Georgia. Some stories suggest they might have also spent time in Alabama and South Carolina. Sadly, Benjamin Hart died not long after their move. Nancy Hart eventually returned to the area near the Broad River where they had lived before, but she found that their old cabin had been washed away by a flood.

Eventually, she went to live with her son John Hart and his family. They settled along the Oconee River in Clarke County, near the city of Athens, Georgia. Around 1803, John Hart and his family, including Nancy, moved again, this time to Henderson County, Kentucky. They settled there near other relatives. Nancy Hart spent the rest of her long life in Kentucky. She was buried in the Hart family cemetery located a few miles outside of Henderson. She lived to be quite old for that time period, passing away around 1830.

Legacy

Nancy Hart's bravery and legendary actions have not been forgotten. People in Georgia and beyond have found ways to remember and honor her contributions to the cause of American independence.

Near the place where her frontier cabin is believed to have stood along River Road in Elbert County, Georgia, a group called the Daughters of the American Revolution built a replica cabin in the early 1900s. They even used some of the original stones from the chimney of her first cabin, which had been located on a hill overlooking a creek called Wahachee Creek.

Several places in Georgia have been named in honor of Nancy Hart:

• Hart County: A county located north of Elbert County was named after her.
• Hartwell: The main town, or county seat, of Hart County is also named in her honor.
• The Nancy Harts: During the American Civil War (1861-1865), a group of women in LaGrange, Georgia, formed their own all-female militia company to help defend their town. They named themselves "The Nancy Harts" to show their courage and determination, inspired by the Revolutionary War heroine. This was especially important because most of the men in the town were away fighting in the war.
• Lake Hartwell and Hartwell Dam: In the 20th century, a large lake and the dam that created it were named Lake Hartwell and Hartwell Dam, partly in her memory.
• Hart State Park: A state park located near Lake Hartwell is also named after her.
• Nancy Hart Highway: Georgia State Route 77 is officially named the Nancy Hart Highway, running through the area where she lived.

In 1997, Nancy Hart was recognized for her significant place in the state's history when she was inducted into Georgia Women of Achievement. The chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Milledgeville, Georgia, was also renamed in honor of Nancy Hart, further cementing her place as a celebrated figure in American history.

Nancy Hart's story, a mix of historical fact and inspiring legend, continues to be told as an example of the courage and spirit of the people who helped create the United States, showing that heroes can come from anywhere and be anyone, even a tough, resourceful woman on the frontier.