John Hart was born February 20, 1780 in Montgomery (now Grayson County) Virginia and died August 18, 1855 in Meadow Creek, Whitley County, Kentucky.
Dec. 8, 1825
John HART to Jacob BALDWIN, 100 acres on south side of Bakers Ridge on Brushy Fork of Praters [Prathers] Creek, adj. Elisha BALDWIN, for $100. Signed: John (X) HART. Wit: Eno. W. BALDWIN. Proved Sept. 18, 1869, by John REEVES from E.W. BALDWIN's handwriting.
He married 1st ca 1800 (probably Grayson Co., Virginia) to Permelia Morgan (born ca 1783 and died ca 1829-1830, possibly Sullivan County, Indiana). She was daughter of William and Mary Morgan. He married 2nd. May 10, 1827 (Whitley County, Kentucky) to Lydia Rains (born 1796 South Carolina and died September 13, 1878, Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky). Lydia and John are buried in Stanfield Cemetery, Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky.
John was a slave owner, though the circumstances surrounding his status as a slave owner are rather uncertain; in particular, it isn't clear why he would want to purchase a 3 year old boy.


At a county court holden for the Body of Whitley County
Dec Term 1818
Ordered that a summons do Ishue returnable to the 1st day of the next January Term against Lamme Clark, Samuel Cox Snr., Thomas Cox, Asa Ellison, Cornelius Gatliff, James Gatliff, Charles Gatliff, John Bryant, James Finley, Travis Finley, James Helton, John Hart, Burten Litten, James Mahan, Elijah Prewit, Uriah Parks, James D. Parker, Edward Reilly, William Sexon [?] Snr., Richard White, Harrison White, John White Snr. & Samuel W. Walker to show cause if any they can why they gave a fraudulent list of their taxable property in the year 1818 and why they shall not be fined according to law for such failure.
John Hart was born February 20, 1780 in Montgomery (now Grayson County) Virginia and died August 18, 1855 in Meadow Creek, Whitley County, Kentucky. He married 1st ca 1800 (probably Grayson Co., Virginia) to Permelia Morgan (born ca 1783 and died ca 1829-1830, possibly Sullivan County, Indiana). She was daughter of William and Mary Morgan. He married 2nd. May 10, 1827 (Whitley County, Kentucky) to Lydia Rains (born 1796 South Carolina and died September 13, 1878, Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky). Lydia and John are buried in Stanfield Cemetery, Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky.
"Saga of the bitten ear", from: Clerk of Courts Office
Whitley County, Kentucky, Williamsburg, KY 40769
Court Order Book 2, July Term 1820
John Hart appeared in court under an attachment awarded against him on yesterday for his contempt in not appearing as a witness for the commonwealth vs. Cornelius Gatliff and being sworn cleared himself of the contempt alleged: whereupon by order of the court the said John Hart was recognized in 200$ to appear here on the 1st day of the next term to give witness upon this indictment against the sd. Cornelius Gatliff for feloniously biting off part of the ear of the sd. John Hart.
July Term 1820, next entry: The commonwealth vs. Cornelius Gatliff. Upon an Indt. for feloniously biting off part of the ear of John Hart. The said deft. appd. in discharge of his recognizance and by order of the court the said Cornelius Gatliff with James Gatliff his surety was recognize in the amount of 300$ with conditions to appear.
Cornelius Gatliff vs. John Hart dismissed by order of the plaintiff.

John died August 18, 1855, Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky. He was the father of at least 22 known children; 12 by Permelia Morgan and 10 by Lydia Rains.

Children by John Hart and Permelia Morgan, Permelia, William Morgan, Rachael, Peter, Andrew Hash, Hannah, Joseph, James Daniel, Sabra Jane, John Preston, Louisa E and Thomas W Hart.
Children by John Hart and Lydia Rains, Tempha Serelda, Emily Narcissus, Mary Ann, Marshall, Pheba, George W, Abraham Stowe, Caroline M, Manerva and Henry Synder Hart.