Nancy Anne Morgan Hart
Nancy Anne Morgan Hart was a patriot and a participant during the Revolutionary War. She was well known for her skills as a hunter, shooter, herbalist, and her efforts against the Cherokee, British soldiers, and British sympathizers.
Nancy was born in North Carolina around 1735. She was connected through family ties to the Revolutionary War general Daniel Morgan and to the legendary frontiersman and explorer Daniel Boone. She married Benjamin Hart in 1760. Hart came from a very distinguished family that produced the famous senators Thomas Hart Benton and Henry Clay.
Nancy was a tall, thin woman who measured about six feet in height. She had fiery red hair, a smallpox scarred face, and was cross-eyed. She had a harsh tongue, a nasty temper, and was known for getting revenge from anyone who harmed her friends or family.
During the Revolutionary War, Hart would disguise herself as a simple minded man and wander into British garrisons and Tory camps to gather information which she would pass on to patriot authorities. She was also a participant at the Battle of Kettle Creek on February 14, 1779.
After the war and Benjamin’s death, Nancy moved several times with her son John. They eventually settled in Henderson County, Kentucky. She died in 1830 and was buried in the family cemetery outside of Henderson.
Hart was one of the most patriotic women in Georgia and has been honored in many ways. Hart County, Hartwell, Lake Hartwell, Hartwell Dam, Hart State Park, and Nancy Hart Highway have all been named for her. In 1997 Nancy was inducted into Georgia Women of Achievement.
There are some people, including scholars, who claim that Nancy didn’t exist, that she was just a legend, but I know for a fact that had she never existed then neither would I exist, for Nancy Anne is my 7th great grandmother and I’m proud to be descended from such a brave American
Nancy was born in North Carolina around 1735. She was connected through family ties to the Revolutionary War general Daniel Morgan and to the legendary frontiersman and explorer Daniel Boone. She married Benjamin Hart in 1760. Hart came from a very distinguished family that produced the famous senators Thomas Hart Benton and Henry Clay.
Nancy was a tall, thin woman who measured about six feet in height. She had fiery red hair, a smallpox scarred face, and was cross-eyed. She had a harsh tongue, a nasty temper, and was known for getting revenge from anyone who harmed her friends or family.
During the Revolutionary War, Hart would disguise herself as a simple minded man and wander into British garrisons and Tory camps to gather information which she would pass on to patriot authorities. She was also a participant at the Battle of Kettle Creek on February 14, 1779.
After the war and Benjamin’s death, Nancy moved several times with her son John. They eventually settled in Henderson County, Kentucky. She died in 1830 and was buried in the family cemetery outside of Henderson.
Hart was one of the most patriotic women in Georgia and has been honored in many ways. Hart County, Hartwell, Lake Hartwell, Hartwell Dam, Hart State Park, and Nancy Hart Highway have all been named for her. In 1997 Nancy was inducted into Georgia Women of Achievement.
There are some people, including scholars, who claim that Nancy didn’t exist, that she was just a legend, but I know for a fact that had she never existed then neither would I exist, for Nancy Anne is my 7th great grandmother and I’m proud to be descended from such a brave American