Peter was born ca. 1740 perhaps in Warminster, Bucks County, PA or more likely in current Frederick/Berkeley/Jefferson County, West Virginia on the Thomas Hart farm or estate named Elmwood, not too far from Shepardstown and Harpers Ferry.
Peter's parents could be Thomas Hart and Ester Miles (Myles) or his father could be John Hart, born between 1710- 1720 to Thomas the Elder Hart and Ester Miles. They were English Quakers, converted to Baptist about 1697. Thomas's parents John Hart and Susannah Rush arrived from England with William Penn. They later became a members of the Pennepek Baptist Church. Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
No accurate records for Peter's date or place of birth have been found or any documented list of all of Thomas Hart's children. Thomas Hart was said to have died at the age of 104 years old and was the father of 19 children. His age at death and where he died remains questionable as is the number of children he had. Some of his grandchildren have been incorrectly linked as his children on various Hart family web sites. At least one other Thomas Hart that was a Quaker brick layer in Philly has been incorrectly merged as the same Thomas. Thus even more confusing how old Thomas became and the names of his children.
Several groups lay claim to being descendants of Thomas the Elder. Direct male Y-DNA results for these groups do not match, meaning they do not share the same common male ancestor and are therefore, are not related to each other. Y-DNA for one of Peter's male descendants from Hawkins County, Tennessee matches include Josiah/Joseph Hart (thought to be the same person) and Aaron Hart, Patriots from current Union County, South Carolina that served with Thomas Brandon.
Peter's known brother was James Hart, father of James JR and Annie "Elizabeth" Hart Sizemore of Wilkes/Ashe County, North Carolina.
The following James Hart is not this Peter Hart's brother but could be his Uncle or cousin. Given the same names of some of the children for both Peter and this James, they seem to be very closely related.
Non Quakers at the time, James, Thomas, Samuel and Peter Hart family from Orange County, North Carolina with Quakers in 1768 Wrightsborough, Georgia are sons of James Hart and Rebecca Finley. James SR and Rebecca likely did not go to Georgia but some of their children did. James, Peter, Josiah and Samuel Hart found in Orange County, NC are likely the son James and grandchildren of Thomas Hart and Ester Miles. The 1755 Orange County NC tax list includes the names, James Hart, Josiah Hart, William Heart along with John Stanfield, several Peter Helton, Jr's and Sr, Timothy Terrell and 2 Obadiah Terrell's, all men with later connections to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky. The 1779 Orange County, NC tax lists include the names James, John, Joseph, Peter, Samuel, Stephen, Col. Thomas and Thomas JR Hart.
Not related to our Harts are Thomas Hart and Susan Rice from London, England and Hanover County, Virginia. That group includes the Harts from Hanover County that founded the Transylvania Company that hired Daniel Boone, Captain Nathaniel Hart, Benjamin husband of Nancy Morgan, Henry Clay and Thomas Hart Benton.
Thomas SR. Hart's family went from PA to Virginia about 1735 then left for current Fairforest, Union County, South Carolina about 1754 arriving there about the early to mid 1760's. It seems that they did not go directly to South Carolina as the Fairforest area was not settled for another 8 years in 1762 with the establishment of the original Fairforest Baptist Church by the Reverend Philip Mulkey from North Carolina.
An Aaron Hart is listed on the 1767 Anson County, North Carolina tax lists.
In 1735 Thomas Hart of Warminster, Bucks County, PA. was given a bond signed by Jost Hite, for 1500 acres of land on the Elk Branch, in current Jefferson/Berkeley County, (West) Virginia.
Not all of Thomas Hart's older children went with him to his estate in 1735. Some of his older children may have remained in Pennsylvania or moved to other parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The king confirmed Lord Fairfax's title to local lands, calling into question surveys and land sales Hite had made. There were long going court cases involving Lord Thomas Fairfax and Jost Hite over Virginia lands. Records of Jost Hite in Augusta County, VA, From Chalkley's, Volume 2, " Vol. 2 - Paul vs. Hite--O. S. 310; N. S. 110--Bill, 81st January, 1794, by Margaret Paul of Pennsylvania. Many years ago Joist Hite sold to Thos. Hart land in now Berkeley County. Hart sold a part to John Miles of Pennsylvania. On 2d April, 1747, Miles made his will and devised the land "intail" to oratrix, his only child, an infant. She married William? Paul, now deceased. Oratrix and father always lived in Pennsylvania. Fairfax claimed the land, was sued by Hite and lands decreed to Hite, but the Hite heirs refuse to give it up. Jacob Miller, Abraham Neil, Robt. Lowry, Philip Ingle, Godwin Swift, William Dark petition that they, with Giles Cook, are in possession of a tract of land on Elk Branch in Berkeley County, 1,300 acres, part was sold by Jost Hite to Thos. Hart and by him conveyed to petitioners. 17th June, 1803, Peter Martin, Sr., aged 73, 4 or 5 years ago, he was shown a tree that formerly stood in Cavalier Martin's yard by Thos. Hart. 17th June, 1803, Thos. Hart, Sr., aged nearly 80 years, deposes, he was with the surveyor and his father when they surveyed Jost Hite's 1,100 acres. 27th April, 1795, Ann Thomas, aged 78, deposes at Spread Eagle Tavern, kept by John Dunwoody in Philadelphia (285 High St.), she was married to John Miles in 1739 or 1740, that by him she had a son, Griffith Miles, who died when an infant, and Margaret, the plaintiff. 27th April, 1795, John Cart, aged 69 years, deposes, same place. 5th September, 1795, Edward Lucas, son of Edward Lucas, deposes. 19th March, 1787, Thos. Rutherford deposes, in 1752 as surveyor for Fairfax he made survey for Thos. Hart and an adjoining one for Miles Hart, son of Thomas. Joseph Darke owned adjoining land. In 1740 deponent saw a log house covered with clap board or shingle and nailed roof on north side of Elk Branch on land now in dispute. The house was said to be the property of John Miles, who had purchased from Thos. Harte, Sr. 5th September, 1795, John Wright, aged 70, deposes, he came to Virginia in 1747 or 1748 and was shown the land by James Glenn, Sr., who said John Miles claimed the land. A shingled house was uncommon. 17th February, 1795, General William Darke deposes, he was ordered out with the militia against the insurgents (in September) which prevented him from attending taking depositions in Philadelphia. Bond, 29th March, 1735, by Thomas Hart of Warminister in County Bucks, Penna., husbandman to Jost Hite of Orange County, Va. Gentleman title bond for 2 tracts, 1,000 acres on Elk Branch on the Wagon Road from Potomack to Opeckon, 500 acres northward from above. 27th September, 1794, Thos. Hart, aged 71 years, about 60 years ago his father, Thomas Hart, purchased 1,500 acres. In 1754 Thomas, Sr., was about to remove to Carolina."
It does not say exactly where or if he did in fact go there. During this time frame North and South Carolina were considered the same place and only referred to as the Carolinas.
Thomas SR Hart had an older brother John and younger brothers Josiah and Joseph.
Union County, South Carolina History for Major James Franklin Hart #24300760 gives his parents as John Hart and Elizabeth Greer along with his grandfathers as Josiah Hart, a native of Virginia and Rev. Thomas S Greer.
Note; Thomas S Greer, Thomas The Elder Hart and Easter Miles are all listed in the same cemetery. If Thomas the Elder is buried there, it remains unproven.
DNA results at the 27 marker stage for a direct male descendant of Peter Hart is an exact match to the Josiah Hart line in Union County South Carolina. Matches include William Josiah Hart, b. ca 1752, Christopher Hart, b. 1543, d. 1581, Oxfordshire, England, Miles Hart b. ca 1820, Union County, South Carolina/Franklin County, Georgia and Josiah Hart.
Note; the same markers are only 1 off from descendants of John Hart from New Jersey, the "Signer of the Declaration of Independence". Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
Nothing is known about Peter's early life; it seems he spent some of that time in South Carolina.
A Peter, John Hart and George Sizemore are listed together on the muster roll of John Hitchcock's company 1759-1760 during the Cherokee expedition to Fort Prince George, (current Pickens County) South Carolina (one of the Companies of Colonel George Gabriel Powell). Most of this unit was formed in the Old Darlington District of South Carolina near the Pee Dee River. However, George Sizemore is from the Lower 96th District. Part of this District later became Union County, South Carolina. My understanding is this company of men broke up and all deserted due to lack of supplies and an outbreak of Smallpox. Signed by the commanding officers, Jan 15, 1760": #10. Sizemore, George deserted Oct 27, 1759; #11, Hart, John (James?), deserted, Oct. 27, 1759; #14. Hart, Peter, deserted Nov 17, 1759.
Source, Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South.
Some of the Sizemore family did go to Georgia and were there for about 8 years from about 1765 until about 1773. There is a Sarah Sizemore listed in the 1820 York County, SC census confirming at least one Sizemore family was in the area at that time.
During the Revolution, Union County, South Carolina was a hotbed of Tory activity with Tories outnumbering Patriots. The Fairforest Baptist Church at this time was used as a headquarters for Tories. Many families left the area as with a lot of pioneers did not wish to be involved in the conflict. Such may be the case with our Peter Hart.
Aaron and Joseph Hart served in the Revolution under Col Thomas Brandon from Fairforest, Union County, SC. Thomas Brandon, said to be born in Lancaster, PA appears to be related to the Brandon's in Rowan County, North Carolina, Col Brandon served with Col. Benjamin Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain and without question was more than aware of the Sizemore family. Thomas Brandon and Benjamin Cleveland were well known to be very hard on Tories and were more likely to hang them than not.
Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxable in the same household in Surry Co, NC. under Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1776. Ben Cleveland was also from Orange County, Virginia and would have been only a couple of years older than our Peter Hart. Did our Peter Hart know him in Virginia?
1779, Ben Cleveland wanted to hang Edward and Owen Sizemore. At the request of Capt. John Cox, they were among those involved in the Tory insurrection who were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior. If not for the actions of John Cox, many James Hart descendants might not be here today.
1780, Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC hung a Tory said to be a Sizemore, perhaps these 3 brother's fathers, Edward, AKA "Old Ned".
Edward, Owen and George Sizemore are included in a 1781 Tory payroll for the Spartanburg District of South Carolina.
Their brother Ephraim Sizemore served as a patriot in the American Revolution in the S.C. militia after the fall of Charleston. He was in the New River valley in Virginia/NC in 1787, but the next year Ephraim left, probably to go to S.C. 1790, he and George are living in Orangeburg District, S.C. By 1800, he is in Spartanburg District, S.C.
George Sizemore must have changed sides because he is also included in the July 01, 1785, Patriot pay records for South Carolina.
Peter Hart and his brother James Hart both appear on a muster roll of Capt. John Cox's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1781. This record is found in the book "Montgomery County Revolutionary War Records 1775-1783." Peter and James SR Hart or any of their descendants never filed for a Rev War pension. That was not uncommon as many Patriots felt they were only doing what needed to be done and did not expect to be paid for it.
Deed Book 2: 1787-1788, p 241-244. 13 Dec 1784: James Rishtan of Ninety Six District S.C. Wit: James Hart... who swore by oath 14 Dec 1784 before William Moore, J.P.
1803 - George Sizemore, deed 100 ac to James Hart, Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Praters Creek.
1803 - James Hart, deed 100 ac to Peter Hart, George Koon's line on Praters Creek, wit: George Sisemore, Elisha Baldwin, Joseph Baldwin.
"Descendants of Peter and Dority Hart 1740-1995 Virginia and North Carolina and Allied Families" by Ruth Gibbs Hart and Karen L. Cooper
Peter and Dority were the parents of nine children. Many of them left the area for Knox/Whitley County Kentucky, Hawkins County Tennessee and Mercer County Missouri.
1, James Hart born 1768, living in Knox County, Kentucky until 1812.
2, Mark Hart born Abt. 1770, married to Barbara Kirk on September 17, 1800 in Grayson County Virginia. Last known in Russell County, Virginia about 1808 with children Samuel & Susanna Hart.
3, Margaret (Mahala) Hart born Bet. 1772 - 1774, NC, married Abt. 1796 to Stephen Floyd. They lived and died in Whitley/Knox County Kentucky but thier grave sites are unknown.
4, William Hart born Abt. 1775, Montgomery/Grayson CO., VA, married Abt. 1798, VA or NC to Mary Cadwell (Caldwell).
5, Peter Jr Hart born about 1778, NC, married Hannah Poe, May 18, 1801, Jefferson, Ashe CO., NC.
6, John Hart born February 20, 1780, Grayson CO., VA, first marriage to Permelia Morgan, Abt. 1800, Grayson.
Second marriage, Lydia Rains, May 10, 1827, Whitley County Kentucky. John lived on Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky and is buried there with Lydia Rains in Stanfield Cemetery.
7, Nancy Hart born Abt. 1784, Grayson CO., VA, married to Andrew Hash, February 25, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
8, Stephen Hart born 1785, Montgomery (now Grayson) CO., VA., married to Sarah Bradford, May 30, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
9, Unknown Son, maybe David Hart born after 1785.
Peter's parents could be Thomas Hart and Ester Miles (Myles) or his father could be John Hart, born between 1710- 1720 to Thomas the Elder Hart and Ester Miles. They were English Quakers, converted to Baptist about 1697. Thomas's parents John Hart and Susannah Rush arrived from England with William Penn. They later became a members of the Pennepek Baptist Church. Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
No accurate records for Peter's date or place of birth have been found or any documented list of all of Thomas Hart's children. Thomas Hart was said to have died at the age of 104 years old and was the father of 19 children. His age at death and where he died remains questionable as is the number of children he had. Some of his grandchildren have been incorrectly linked as his children on various Hart family web sites. At least one other Thomas Hart that was a Quaker brick layer in Philly has been incorrectly merged as the same Thomas. Thus even more confusing how old Thomas became and the names of his children.
Several groups lay claim to being descendants of Thomas the Elder. Direct male Y-DNA results for these groups do not match, meaning they do not share the same common male ancestor and are therefore, are not related to each other. Y-DNA for one of Peter's male descendants from Hawkins County, Tennessee matches include Josiah/Joseph Hart (thought to be the same person) and Aaron Hart, Patriots from current Union County, South Carolina that served with Thomas Brandon.
Peter's known brother was James Hart, father of James JR and Annie "Elizabeth" Hart Sizemore of Wilkes/Ashe County, North Carolina.
The following James Hart is not this Peter Hart's brother but could be his Uncle or cousin. Given the same names of some of the children for both Peter and this James, they seem to be very closely related.
Non Quakers at the time, James, Thomas, Samuel and Peter Hart family from Orange County, North Carolina with Quakers in 1768 Wrightsborough, Georgia are sons of James Hart and Rebecca Finley. James SR and Rebecca likely did not go to Georgia but some of their children did. James, Peter, Josiah and Samuel Hart found in Orange County, NC are likely the son James and grandchildren of Thomas Hart and Ester Miles. The 1755 Orange County NC tax list includes the names, James Hart, Josiah Hart, William Heart along with John Stanfield, several Peter Helton, Jr's and Sr, Timothy Terrell and 2 Obadiah Terrell's, all men with later connections to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky. The 1779 Orange County, NC tax lists include the names James, John, Joseph, Peter, Samuel, Stephen, Col. Thomas and Thomas JR Hart.
Not related to our Harts are Thomas Hart and Susan Rice from London, England and Hanover County, Virginia. That group includes the Harts from Hanover County that founded the Transylvania Company that hired Daniel Boone, Captain Nathaniel Hart, Benjamin husband of Nancy Morgan, Henry Clay and Thomas Hart Benton.
Thomas SR. Hart's family went from PA to Virginia about 1735 then left for current Fairforest, Union County, South Carolina about 1754 arriving there about the early to mid 1760's. It seems that they did not go directly to South Carolina as the Fairforest area was not settled for another 8 years in 1762 with the establishment of the original Fairforest Baptist Church by the Reverend Philip Mulkey from North Carolina.
An Aaron Hart is listed on the 1767 Anson County, North Carolina tax lists.
In 1735 Thomas Hart of Warminster, Bucks County, PA. was given a bond signed by Jost Hite, for 1500 acres of land on the Elk Branch, in current Jefferson/Berkeley County, (West) Virginia.
Not all of Thomas Hart's older children went with him to his estate in 1735. Some of his older children may have remained in Pennsylvania or moved to other parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The king confirmed Lord Fairfax's title to local lands, calling into question surveys and land sales Hite had made. There were long going court cases involving Lord Thomas Fairfax and Jost Hite over Virginia lands. Records of Jost Hite in Augusta County, VA, From Chalkley's, Volume 2, " Vol. 2 - Paul vs. Hite--O. S. 310; N. S. 110--Bill, 81st January, 1794, by Margaret Paul of Pennsylvania. Many years ago Joist Hite sold to Thos. Hart land in now Berkeley County. Hart sold a part to John Miles of Pennsylvania. On 2d April, 1747, Miles made his will and devised the land "intail" to oratrix, his only child, an infant. She married William? Paul, now deceased. Oratrix and father always lived in Pennsylvania. Fairfax claimed the land, was sued by Hite and lands decreed to Hite, but the Hite heirs refuse to give it up. Jacob Miller, Abraham Neil, Robt. Lowry, Philip Ingle, Godwin Swift, William Dark petition that they, with Giles Cook, are in possession of a tract of land on Elk Branch in Berkeley County, 1,300 acres, part was sold by Jost Hite to Thos. Hart and by him conveyed to petitioners. 17th June, 1803, Peter Martin, Sr., aged 73, 4 or 5 years ago, he was shown a tree that formerly stood in Cavalier Martin's yard by Thos. Hart. 17th June, 1803, Thos. Hart, Sr., aged nearly 80 years, deposes, he was with the surveyor and his father when they surveyed Jost Hite's 1,100 acres. 27th April, 1795, Ann Thomas, aged 78, deposes at Spread Eagle Tavern, kept by John Dunwoody in Philadelphia (285 High St.), she was married to John Miles in 1739 or 1740, that by him she had a son, Griffith Miles, who died when an infant, and Margaret, the plaintiff. 27th April, 1795, John Cart, aged 69 years, deposes, same place. 5th September, 1795, Edward Lucas, son of Edward Lucas, deposes. 19th March, 1787, Thos. Rutherford deposes, in 1752 as surveyor for Fairfax he made survey for Thos. Hart and an adjoining one for Miles Hart, son of Thomas. Joseph Darke owned adjoining land. In 1740 deponent saw a log house covered with clap board or shingle and nailed roof on north side of Elk Branch on land now in dispute. The house was said to be the property of John Miles, who had purchased from Thos. Harte, Sr. 5th September, 1795, John Wright, aged 70, deposes, he came to Virginia in 1747 or 1748 and was shown the land by James Glenn, Sr., who said John Miles claimed the land. A shingled house was uncommon. 17th February, 1795, General William Darke deposes, he was ordered out with the militia against the insurgents (in September) which prevented him from attending taking depositions in Philadelphia. Bond, 29th March, 1735, by Thomas Hart of Warminister in County Bucks, Penna., husbandman to Jost Hite of Orange County, Va. Gentleman title bond for 2 tracts, 1,000 acres on Elk Branch on the Wagon Road from Potomack to Opeckon, 500 acres northward from above. 27th September, 1794, Thos. Hart, aged 71 years, about 60 years ago his father, Thomas Hart, purchased 1,500 acres. In 1754 Thomas, Sr., was about to remove to Carolina."
It does not say exactly where or if he did in fact go there. During this time frame North and South Carolina were considered the same place and only referred to as the Carolinas.
Thomas SR Hart had an older brother John and younger brothers Josiah and Joseph.
Union County, South Carolina History for Major James Franklin Hart #24300760 gives his parents as John Hart and Elizabeth Greer along with his grandfathers as Josiah Hart, a native of Virginia and Rev. Thomas S Greer.
Note; Thomas S Greer, Thomas The Elder Hart and Easter Miles are all listed in the same cemetery. If Thomas the Elder is buried there, it remains unproven.
DNA results at the 27 marker stage for a direct male descendant of Peter Hart is an exact match to the Josiah Hart line in Union County South Carolina. Matches include William Josiah Hart, b. ca 1752, Christopher Hart, b. 1543, d. 1581, Oxfordshire, England, Miles Hart b. ca 1820, Union County, South Carolina/Franklin County, Georgia and Josiah Hart.
Note; the same markers are only 1 off from descendants of John Hart from New Jersey, the "Signer of the Declaration of Independence". Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
Nothing is known about Peter's early life; it seems he spent some of that time in South Carolina.
A Peter, John Hart and George Sizemore are listed together on the muster roll of John Hitchcock's company 1759-1760 during the Cherokee expedition to Fort Prince George, (current Pickens County) South Carolina (one of the Companies of Colonel George Gabriel Powell). Most of this unit was formed in the Old Darlington District of South Carolina near the Pee Dee River. However, George Sizemore is from the Lower 96th District. Part of this District later became Union County, South Carolina. My understanding is this company of men broke up and all deserted due to lack of supplies and an outbreak of Smallpox. Signed by the commanding officers, Jan 15, 1760": #10. Sizemore, George deserted Oct 27, 1759; #11, Hart, John (James?), deserted, Oct. 27, 1759; #14. Hart, Peter, deserted Nov 17, 1759.
Source, Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South.
Some of the Sizemore family did go to Georgia and were there for about 8 years from about 1765 until about 1773. There is a Sarah Sizemore listed in the 1820 York County, SC census confirming at least one Sizemore family was in the area at that time.
During the Revolution, Union County, South Carolina was a hotbed of Tory activity with Tories outnumbering Patriots. The Fairforest Baptist Church at this time was used as a headquarters for Tories. Many families left the area as with a lot of pioneers did not wish to be involved in the conflict. Such may be the case with our Peter Hart.
Aaron and Joseph Hart served in the Revolution under Col Thomas Brandon from Fairforest, Union County, SC. Thomas Brandon, said to be born in Lancaster, PA appears to be related to the Brandon's in Rowan County, North Carolina, Col Brandon served with Col. Benjamin Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain and without question was more than aware of the Sizemore family. Thomas Brandon and Benjamin Cleveland were well known to be very hard on Tories and were more likely to hang them than not.
Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxable in the same household in Surry Co, NC. under Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1776. Ben Cleveland was also from Orange County, Virginia and would have been only a couple of years older than our Peter Hart. Did our Peter Hart know him in Virginia?
1779, Ben Cleveland wanted to hang Edward and Owen Sizemore. At the request of Capt. John Cox, they were among those involved in the Tory insurrection who were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior. If not for the actions of John Cox, many James Hart descendants might not be here today.
1780, Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC hung a Tory said to be a Sizemore, perhaps these 3 brother's fathers, Edward, AKA "Old Ned".
Edward, Owen and George Sizemore are included in a 1781 Tory payroll for the Spartanburg District of South Carolina.
Their brother Ephraim Sizemore served as a patriot in the American Revolution in the S.C. militia after the fall of Charleston. He was in the New River valley in Virginia/NC in 1787, but the next year Ephraim left, probably to go to S.C. 1790, he and George are living in Orangeburg District, S.C. By 1800, he is in Spartanburg District, S.C.
George Sizemore must have changed sides because he is also included in the July 01, 1785, Patriot pay records for South Carolina.
Peter Hart and his brother James Hart both appear on a muster roll of Capt. John Cox's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1781. This record is found in the book "Montgomery County Revolutionary War Records 1775-1783." Peter and James SR Hart or any of their descendants never filed for a Rev War pension. That was not uncommon as many Patriots felt they were only doing what needed to be done and did not expect to be paid for it.
Deed Book 2: 1787-1788, p 241-244. 13 Dec 1784: James Rishtan of Ninety Six District S.C. Wit: James Hart... who swore by oath 14 Dec 1784 before William Moore, J.P.
1803 - George Sizemore, deed 100 ac to James Hart, Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Praters Creek.
1803 - James Hart, deed 100 ac to Peter Hart, George Koon's line on Praters Creek, wit: George Sisemore, Elisha Baldwin, Joseph Baldwin.
"Descendants of Peter and Dority Hart 1740-1995 Virginia and North Carolina and Allied Families" by Ruth Gibbs Hart and Karen L. Cooper
Peter and Dority were the parents of nine children. Many of them left the area for Knox/Whitley County Kentucky, Hawkins County Tennessee and Mercer County Missouri.
1, James Hart born 1768, living in Knox County, Kentucky until 1812.
2, Mark Hart born Abt. 1770, married to Barbara Kirk on September 17, 1800 in Grayson County Virginia. Last known in Russell County, Virginia about 1808 with children Samuel & Susanna Hart.
3, Margaret (Mahala) Hart born Bet. 1772 - 1774, NC, married Abt. 1796 to Stephen Floyd. They lived and died in Whitley/Knox County Kentucky but thier grave sites are unknown.
4, William Hart born Abt. 1775, Montgomery/Grayson CO., VA, married Abt. 1798, VA or NC to Mary Cadwell (Caldwell).
5, Peter Jr Hart born about 1778, NC, married Hannah Poe, May 18, 1801, Jefferson, Ashe CO., NC.
6, John Hart born February 20, 1780, Grayson CO., VA, first marriage to Permelia Morgan, Abt. 1800, Grayson.
Second marriage, Lydia Rains, May 10, 1827, Whitley County Kentucky. John lived on Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky and is buried there with Lydia Rains in Stanfield Cemetery.
7, Nancy Hart born Abt. 1784, Grayson CO., VA, married to Andrew Hash, February 25, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
8, Stephen Hart born 1785, Montgomery (now Grayson) CO., VA., married to Sarah Bradford, May 30, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
9, Unknown Son, maybe David Hart born after 1785.
Peter was born ca. 1740 perhaps in Warminster, Bucks County, PA or more likely in current Frederick/Berkeley/Jefferson County, West Virginia on the Thomas Hart farm or estate named Elmwood, not too far from Shepardstown and Harpers Ferry.
Peter's parents could be Thomas Hart and Ester Miles (Myles) or his father could be John Hart, born between 1710- 1720 to Thomas the Elder Hart and Ester Miles. They were English Quakers, converted to Baptist about 1697. Thomas's parents John Hart and Susannah Rush arrived from England with William Penn. They later became a members of the Pennepek Baptist Church. Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
No accurate records for Peter's date or place of birth have been found or any documented list of all of Thomas Hart's children. Thomas Hart was said to have died at the age of 104 years old and was the father of 19 children. His age at death and where he died remains questionable as is the number of children he had. Some of his grandchildren have been incorrectly linked as his children on various Hart family web sites. At least one other Thomas Hart that was a Quaker brick layer in Philly has been incorrectly merged as the same Thomas. Thus even more confusing how old Thomas became and the names of his children.
Several groups lay claim to being descendants of Thomas the Elder. Direct male Y-DNA results for these groups do not match, meaning they do not share the same common male ancestor and are therefore, are not related to each other. Y-DNA for one of Peter's male descendants from Hawkins County, Tennessee matches include Josiah/Joseph Hart (thought to be the same person) and Aaron Hart, Patriots from current Union County, South Carolina that served with Thomas Brandon.
Peter's known brother was James Hart, father of James JR and Annie "Elizabeth" Hart Sizemore of Wilkes/Ashe County, North Carolina.
The following James Hart is not this Peter Hart's brother but could be his Uncle or cousin. Given the same names of some of the children for both Peter and this James, they seem to be very closely related.
Non Quakers at the time, James, Thomas, Samuel and Peter Hart family from Orange County, North Carolina with Quakers in 1768 Wrightsborough, Georgia are sons of James Hart and Rebecca Finley. James SR and Rebecca likely did not go to Georgia but some of their children did. James, Peter, Josiah and Samuel Hart found in Orange County, NC are likely the son James and grandchildren of Thomas Hart and Ester Miles. The 1755 Orange County NC tax list includes the names, James Hart, Josiah Hart, William Heart along with John Stanfield, several Peter Helton, Jr's and Sr, Timothy Terrell and 2 Obadiah Terrell's, all men with later connections to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky. The 1779 Orange County, NC tax lists include the names James, John, Joseph, Peter, Samuel, Stephen, Col. Thomas and Thomas JR Hart.
Not related to our Harts are Thomas Hart and Susan Rice from London, England and Hanover County, Virginia. That group includes the Harts from Hanover County that founded the Transylvania Company that hired Daniel Boone, Captain Nathaniel Hart, Benjamin husband of Nancy Morgan, Henry Clay and Thomas Hart Benton.
Thomas SR. Hart's family went from PA to Virginia about 1735 then left for current Fairforest, Union County, South Carolina about 1754 arriving there about the early to mid 1760's. It seems that they did not go directly to South Carolina as the Fairforest area was not settled for another 8 years in 1762 with the establishment of the original Fairforest Baptist Church by the Reverend Philip Mulkey from North Carolina.
An Aaron Hart is listed on the 1767 Anson County, North Carolina tax lists.
In 1735 Thomas Hart of Warminster, Bucks County, PA. was given a bond signed by Jost Hite, for 1500 acres of land on the Elk Branch, in current Jefferson/Berkeley County, (West) Virginia.
Not all of Thomas Hart's older children went with him to his estate in 1735. Some of his older children may have remained in Pennsylvania or moved to other parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The king confirmed Lord Fairfax's title to local lands, calling into question surveys and land sales Hite had made. There were long going court cases involving Lord Thomas Fairfax and Jost Hite over Virginia lands. Records of Jost Hite in Augusta County, VA, From Chalkley's, Volume 2, " Vol. 2 - Paul vs. Hite--O. S. 310; N. S. 110--Bill, 81st January, 1794, by Margaret Paul of Pennsylvania. Many years ago Joist Hite sold to Thos. Hart land in now Berkeley County. Hart sold a part to John Miles of Pennsylvania. On 2d April, 1747, Miles made his will and devised the land "intail" to oratrix, his only child, an infant. She married William? Paul, now deceased. Oratrix and father always lived in Pennsylvania. Fairfax claimed the land, was sued by Hite and lands decreed to Hite, but the Hite heirs refuse to give it up. Jacob Miller, Abraham Neil, Robt. Lowry, Philip Ingle, Godwin Swift, William Dark petition that they, with Giles Cook, are in possession of a tract of land on Elk Branch in Berkeley County, 1,300 acres, part was sold by Jost Hite to Thos. Hart and by him conveyed to petitioners. 17th June, 1803, Peter Martin, Sr., aged 73, 4 or 5 years ago, he was shown a tree that formerly stood in Cavalier Martin's yard by Thos. Hart. 17th June, 1803, Thos. Hart, Sr., aged nearly 80 years, deposes, he was with the surveyor and his father when they surveyed Jost Hite's 1,100 acres. 27th April, 1795, Ann Thomas, aged 78, deposes at Spread Eagle Tavern, kept by John Dunwoody in Philadelphia (285 High St.), she was married to John Miles in 1739 or 1740, that by him she had a son, Griffith Miles, who died when an infant, and Margaret, the plaintiff. 27th April, 1795, John Cart, aged 69 years, deposes, same place. 5th September, 1795, Edward Lucas, son of Edward Lucas, deposes. 19th March, 1787, Thos. Rutherford deposes, in 1752 as surveyor for Fairfax he made survey for Thos. Hart and an adjoining one for Miles Hart, son of Thomas. Joseph Darke owned adjoining land. In 1740 deponent saw a log house covered with clap board or shingle and nailed roof on north side of Elk Branch on land now in dispute. The house was said to be the property of John Miles, who had purchased from Thos. Harte, Sr. 5th September, 1795, John Wright, aged 70, deposes, he came to Virginia in 1747 or 1748 and was shown the land by James Glenn, Sr., who said John Miles claimed the land. A shingled house was uncommon. 17th February, 1795, General William Darke deposes, he was ordered out with the militia against the insurgents (in September) which prevented him from attending taking depositions in Philadelphia. Bond, 29th March, 1735, by Thomas Hart of Warminister in County Bucks, Penna., husbandman to Jost Hite of Orange County, Va. Gentleman title bond for 2 tracts, 1,000 acres on Elk Branch on the Wagon Road from Potomack to Opeckon, 500 acres northward from above. 27th September, 1794, Thos. Hart, aged 71 years, about 60 years ago his father, Thomas Hart, purchased 1,500 acres. In 1754 Thomas, Sr., was about to remove to Carolina."
It does not say exactly where or if he did in fact go there. During this time frame North and South Carolina were considered the same place and only referred to as the Carolinas.
Thomas SR Hart had an older brother John and younger brothers Josiah and Joseph.
Union County, South Carolina History for Major James Franklin Hart #24300760 gives his parents as John Hart and Elizabeth Greer along with his grandfathers as Josiah Hart, a native of Virginia and Rev. Thomas S Greer.
Note; Thomas S Greer, Thomas The Elder Hart and Easter Miles are all listed in the same cemetery. If Thomas the Elder is buried there, it remains unproven.
DNA results at the 27 marker stage for a direct male descendant of Peter Hart is an exact match to the Josiah Hart line in Union County South Carolina. Matches include William Josiah Hart, b. ca 1752, Christopher Hart, b. 1543, d. 1581, Oxfordshire, England, Miles Hart b. ca 1820, Union County, South Carolina/Franklin County, Georgia and Josiah Hart.
Note; the same markers are only 1 off from descendants of John Hart from New Jersey, the "Signer of the Declaration of Independence". Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
Nothing is known about Peter's early life; it seems he spent some of that time in South Carolina.
A Peter, John Hart and George Sizemore are listed together on the muster roll of John Hitchcock's company 1759-1760 during the Cherokee expedition to Fort Prince George, (current Pickens County) South Carolina (one of the Companies of Colonel George Gabriel Powell). Most of this unit was formed in the Old Darlington District of South Carolina near the Pee Dee River. However, George Sizemore is from the Lower 96th District. Part of this District later became Union County, South Carolina. My understanding is this company of men broke up and all deserted due to lack of supplies and an outbreak of Smallpox. Signed by the commanding officers, Jan 15, 1760": #10. Sizemore, George deserted Oct 27, 1759; #11, Hart, John (James?), deserted, Oct. 27, 1759; #14. Hart, Peter, deserted Nov 17, 1759.
Source, Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South.
Some of the Sizemore family did go to Georgia and were there for about 8 years from about 1765 until about 1773. There is a Sarah Sizemore listed in the 1820 York County, SC census confirming at least one Sizemore family was in the area at that time.
During the Revolution, Union County, South Carolina was a hotbed of Tory activity with Tories outnumbering Patriots. The Fairforest Baptist Church at this time was used as a headquarters for Tories. Many families left the area as with a lot of pioneers did not wish to be involved in the conflict. Such may be the case with our Peter Hart.
Aaron and Joseph Hart served in the Revolution under Col Thomas Brandon from Fairforest, Union County, SC. Thomas Brandon, said to be born in Lancaster, PA appears to be related to the Brandon's in Rowan County, North Carolina, Col Brandon served with Col. Benjamin Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain and without question was more than aware of the Sizemore family. Thomas Brandon and Benjamin Cleveland were well known to be very hard on Tories and were more likely to hang them than not.
Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxable in the same household in Surry Co, NC. under Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1776. Ben Cleveland was also from Orange County, Virginia and would have been only a couple of years older than our Peter Hart. Did our Peter Hart know him in Virginia?
1779, Ben Cleveland wanted to hang Edward and Owen Sizemore. At the request of Capt. John Cox, they were among those involved in the Tory insurrection who were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior. If not for the actions of John Cox, many James Hart descendants might not be here today.
1780, Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC hung a Tory said to be a Sizemore, perhaps these 3 brother's fathers, Edward, AKA "Old Ned".
Edward, Owen and George Sizemore are included in a 1781 Tory payroll for the Spartanburg District of South Carolina.
Their brother Ephraim Sizemore served as a patriot in the American Revolution in the S.C. militia after the fall of Charleston. He was in the New River valley in Virginia/NC in 1787, but the next year Ephraim left, probably to go to S.C. 1790, he and George are living in Orangeburg District, S.C. By 1800, he is in Spartanburg District, S.C.
George Sizemore must have changed sides because he is also included in the July 01, 1785, Patriot pay records for South Carolina.
Peter Hart and his brother James Hart both appear on a muster roll of Capt. John Cox's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1781. This record is found in the book "Montgomery County Revolutionary War Records 1775-1783." Peter and James SR Hart or any of their descendants never filed for a Rev War pension. That was not uncommon as many Patriots felt they were only doing what needed to be done and did not expect to be paid for it.
Deed Book 2: 1787-1788, p 241-244. 13 Dec 1784: James Rishtan of Ninety Six District S.C. Wit: James Hart... who swore by oath 14 Dec 1784 before William Moore, J.P.
1803 - George Sizemore, deed 100 ac to James Hart, Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Praters Creek.
1803 - James Hart, deed 100 ac to Peter Hart, George Koon's line on Praters Creek, wit: George Sisemore, Elisha Baldwin, Joseph Baldwin.
"Descendants of Peter and Dority Hart 1740-1995 Virginia and North Carolina and Allied Families" by Ruth Gibbs Hart and Karen L. Cooper
Peter and Dority were the parents of nine children. Many of them left the area for Knox/Whitley County Kentucky, Hawkins County Tennessee and Mercer County Missouri.
1, James Hart born 1768, living in Knox County, Kentucky until 1812.
2, Mark Hart born Abt. 1770, married to Barbara Kirk on September 17, 1800 in Grayson County Virginia. Last known in Russell County, Virginia about 1808 with children Samuel & Susanna Hart.
3, Margaret (Mahala) Hart born Bet. 1772 - 1774, NC, married Abt. 1796 to Stephen Floyd. They lived and died in Whitley/Knox County Kentucky but thier grave sites are unknown.
4, William Hart born Abt. 1775, Montgomery/Grayson CO., VA, married Abt. 1798, VA or NC to Mary Cadwell (Caldwell).
5, Peter Jr Hart born about 1778, NC, married Hannah Poe, May 18, 1801, Jefferson, Ashe CO., NC.
6, John Hart born February 20, 1780, Grayson CO., VA, first marriage to Permelia Morgan, Abt. 1800, Grayson.
Second marriage, Lydia Rains, May 10, 1827, Whitley County Kentucky. John lived on Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky and is buried there with Lydia Rains in Stanfield Cemetery.
7, Nancy Hart born Abt. 1784, Grayson CO., VA, married to Andrew Hash, February 25, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
8, Stephen Hart born 1785, Montgomery (now Grayson) CO., VA., married to Sarah Bradford, May 30, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
9, Unknown Son, maybe David Hart born after 1785.
Peter's parents could be Thomas Hart and Ester Miles (Myles) or his father could be John Hart, born between 1710- 1720 to Thomas the Elder Hart and Ester Miles. They were English Quakers, converted to Baptist about 1697. Thomas's parents John Hart and Susannah Rush arrived from England with William Penn. They later became a members of the Pennepek Baptist Church. Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
No accurate records for Peter's date or place of birth have been found or any documented list of all of Thomas Hart's children. Thomas Hart was said to have died at the age of 104 years old and was the father of 19 children. His age at death and where he died remains questionable as is the number of children he had. Some of his grandchildren have been incorrectly linked as his children on various Hart family web sites. At least one other Thomas Hart that was a Quaker brick layer in Philly has been incorrectly merged as the same Thomas. Thus even more confusing how old Thomas became and the names of his children.
Several groups lay claim to being descendants of Thomas the Elder. Direct male Y-DNA results for these groups do not match, meaning they do not share the same common male ancestor and are therefore, are not related to each other. Y-DNA for one of Peter's male descendants from Hawkins County, Tennessee matches include Josiah/Joseph Hart (thought to be the same person) and Aaron Hart, Patriots from current Union County, South Carolina that served with Thomas Brandon.
Peter's known brother was James Hart, father of James JR and Annie "Elizabeth" Hart Sizemore of Wilkes/Ashe County, North Carolina.
The following James Hart is not this Peter Hart's brother but could be his Uncle or cousin. Given the same names of some of the children for both Peter and this James, they seem to be very closely related.
Non Quakers at the time, James, Thomas, Samuel and Peter Hart family from Orange County, North Carolina with Quakers in 1768 Wrightsborough, Georgia are sons of James Hart and Rebecca Finley. James SR and Rebecca likely did not go to Georgia but some of their children did. James, Peter, Josiah and Samuel Hart found in Orange County, NC are likely the son James and grandchildren of Thomas Hart and Ester Miles. The 1755 Orange County NC tax list includes the names, James Hart, Josiah Hart, William Heart along with John Stanfield, several Peter Helton, Jr's and Sr, Timothy Terrell and 2 Obadiah Terrell's, all men with later connections to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky. The 1779 Orange County, NC tax lists include the names James, John, Joseph, Peter, Samuel, Stephen, Col. Thomas and Thomas JR Hart.
Not related to our Harts are Thomas Hart and Susan Rice from London, England and Hanover County, Virginia. That group includes the Harts from Hanover County that founded the Transylvania Company that hired Daniel Boone, Captain Nathaniel Hart, Benjamin husband of Nancy Morgan, Henry Clay and Thomas Hart Benton.
Thomas SR. Hart's family went from PA to Virginia about 1735 then left for current Fairforest, Union County, South Carolina about 1754 arriving there about the early to mid 1760's. It seems that they did not go directly to South Carolina as the Fairforest area was not settled for another 8 years in 1762 with the establishment of the original Fairforest Baptist Church by the Reverend Philip Mulkey from North Carolina.
An Aaron Hart is listed on the 1767 Anson County, North Carolina tax lists.
In 1735 Thomas Hart of Warminster, Bucks County, PA. was given a bond signed by Jost Hite, for 1500 acres of land on the Elk Branch, in current Jefferson/Berkeley County, (West) Virginia.
Not all of Thomas Hart's older children went with him to his estate in 1735. Some of his older children may have remained in Pennsylvania or moved to other parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The king confirmed Lord Fairfax's title to local lands, calling into question surveys and land sales Hite had made. There were long going court cases involving Lord Thomas Fairfax and Jost Hite over Virginia lands. Records of Jost Hite in Augusta County, VA, From Chalkley's, Volume 2, " Vol. 2 - Paul vs. Hite--O. S. 310; N. S. 110--Bill, 81st January, 1794, by Margaret Paul of Pennsylvania. Many years ago Joist Hite sold to Thos. Hart land in now Berkeley County. Hart sold a part to John Miles of Pennsylvania. On 2d April, 1747, Miles made his will and devised the land "intail" to oratrix, his only child, an infant. She married William? Paul, now deceased. Oratrix and father always lived in Pennsylvania. Fairfax claimed the land, was sued by Hite and lands decreed to Hite, but the Hite heirs refuse to give it up. Jacob Miller, Abraham Neil, Robt. Lowry, Philip Ingle, Godwin Swift, William Dark petition that they, with Giles Cook, are in possession of a tract of land on Elk Branch in Berkeley County, 1,300 acres, part was sold by Jost Hite to Thos. Hart and by him conveyed to petitioners. 17th June, 1803, Peter Martin, Sr., aged 73, 4 or 5 years ago, he was shown a tree that formerly stood in Cavalier Martin's yard by Thos. Hart. 17th June, 1803, Thos. Hart, Sr., aged nearly 80 years, deposes, he was with the surveyor and his father when they surveyed Jost Hite's 1,100 acres. 27th April, 1795, Ann Thomas, aged 78, deposes at Spread Eagle Tavern, kept by John Dunwoody in Philadelphia (285 High St.), she was married to John Miles in 1739 or 1740, that by him she had a son, Griffith Miles, who died when an infant, and Margaret, the plaintiff. 27th April, 1795, John Cart, aged 69 years, deposes, same place. 5th September, 1795, Edward Lucas, son of Edward Lucas, deposes. 19th March, 1787, Thos. Rutherford deposes, in 1752 as surveyor for Fairfax he made survey for Thos. Hart and an adjoining one for Miles Hart, son of Thomas. Joseph Darke owned adjoining land. In 1740 deponent saw a log house covered with clap board or shingle and nailed roof on north side of Elk Branch on land now in dispute. The house was said to be the property of John Miles, who had purchased from Thos. Harte, Sr. 5th September, 1795, John Wright, aged 70, deposes, he came to Virginia in 1747 or 1748 and was shown the land by James Glenn, Sr., who said John Miles claimed the land. A shingled house was uncommon. 17th February, 1795, General William Darke deposes, he was ordered out with the militia against the insurgents (in September) which prevented him from attending taking depositions in Philadelphia. Bond, 29th March, 1735, by Thomas Hart of Warminister in County Bucks, Penna., husbandman to Jost Hite of Orange County, Va. Gentleman title bond for 2 tracts, 1,000 acres on Elk Branch on the Wagon Road from Potomack to Opeckon, 500 acres northward from above. 27th September, 1794, Thos. Hart, aged 71 years, about 60 years ago his father, Thomas Hart, purchased 1,500 acres. In 1754 Thomas, Sr., was about to remove to Carolina."
It does not say exactly where or if he did in fact go there. During this time frame North and South Carolina were considered the same place and only referred to as the Carolinas.
Thomas SR Hart had an older brother John and younger brothers Josiah and Joseph.
Union County, South Carolina History for Major James Franklin Hart #24300760 gives his parents as John Hart and Elizabeth Greer along with his grandfathers as Josiah Hart, a native of Virginia and Rev. Thomas S Greer.
Note; Thomas S Greer, Thomas The Elder Hart and Easter Miles are all listed in the same cemetery. If Thomas the Elder is buried there, it remains unproven.
DNA results at the 27 marker stage for a direct male descendant of Peter Hart is an exact match to the Josiah Hart line in Union County South Carolina. Matches include William Josiah Hart, b. ca 1752, Christopher Hart, b. 1543, d. 1581, Oxfordshire, England, Miles Hart b. ca 1820, Union County, South Carolina/Franklin County, Georgia and Josiah Hart.
Note; the same markers are only 1 off from descendants of John Hart from New Jersey, the "Signer of the Declaration of Independence". Susanna Rush Hart is from the same Rush family as Signer Doctor Benjamin Rush, whose name is just below John Hancock.
Nothing is known about Peter's early life; it seems he spent some of that time in South Carolina.
A Peter, John Hart and George Sizemore are listed together on the muster roll of John Hitchcock's company 1759-1760 during the Cherokee expedition to Fort Prince George, (current Pickens County) South Carolina (one of the Companies of Colonel George Gabriel Powell). Most of this unit was formed in the Old Darlington District of South Carolina near the Pee Dee River. However, George Sizemore is from the Lower 96th District. Part of this District later became Union County, South Carolina. My understanding is this company of men broke up and all deserted due to lack of supplies and an outbreak of Smallpox. Signed by the commanding officers, Jan 15, 1760": #10. Sizemore, George deserted Oct 27, 1759; #11, Hart, John (James?), deserted, Oct. 27, 1759; #14. Hart, Peter, deserted Nov 17, 1759.
Source, Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South.
Some of the Sizemore family did go to Georgia and were there for about 8 years from about 1765 until about 1773. There is a Sarah Sizemore listed in the 1820 York County, SC census confirming at least one Sizemore family was in the area at that time.
During the Revolution, Union County, South Carolina was a hotbed of Tory activity with Tories outnumbering Patriots. The Fairforest Baptist Church at this time was used as a headquarters for Tories. Many families left the area as with a lot of pioneers did not wish to be involved in the conflict. Such may be the case with our Peter Hart.
Aaron and Joseph Hart served in the Revolution under Col Thomas Brandon from Fairforest, Union County, SC. Thomas Brandon, said to be born in Lancaster, PA appears to be related to the Brandon's in Rowan County, North Carolina, Col Brandon served with Col. Benjamin Cleveland at the Battle of Kings Mountain and without question was more than aware of the Sizemore family. Thomas Brandon and Benjamin Cleveland were well known to be very hard on Tories and were more likely to hang them than not.
Edward Sizemore and James Hart are listed as taxable in the same household in Surry Co, NC. under Col. Benjamin Cleveland in 1776. Ben Cleveland was also from Orange County, Virginia and would have been only a couple of years older than our Peter Hart. Did our Peter Hart know him in Virginia?
1779, Ben Cleveland wanted to hang Edward and Owen Sizemore. At the request of Capt. John Cox, they were among those involved in the Tory insurrection who were allowed to take the oath of allegiance and post bond for their good behavior. If not for the actions of John Cox, many James Hart descendants might not be here today.
1780, Col. Benjamin Cleveland in Wilkesboro, NC hung a Tory said to be a Sizemore, perhaps these 3 brother's fathers, Edward, AKA "Old Ned".
Edward, Owen and George Sizemore are included in a 1781 Tory payroll for the Spartanburg District of South Carolina.
Their brother Ephraim Sizemore served as a patriot in the American Revolution in the S.C. militia after the fall of Charleston. He was in the New River valley in Virginia/NC in 1787, but the next year Ephraim left, probably to go to S.C. 1790, he and George are living in Orangeburg District, S.C. By 1800, he is in Spartanburg District, S.C.
George Sizemore must have changed sides because he is also included in the July 01, 1785, Patriot pay records for South Carolina.
Peter Hart and his brother James Hart both appear on a muster roll of Capt. John Cox's Company in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1781. This record is found in the book "Montgomery County Revolutionary War Records 1775-1783." Peter and James SR Hart or any of their descendants never filed for a Rev War pension. That was not uncommon as many Patriots felt they were only doing what needed to be done and did not expect to be paid for it.
Deed Book 2: 1787-1788, p 241-244. 13 Dec 1784: James Rishtan of Ninety Six District S.C. Wit: James Hart... who swore by oath 14 Dec 1784 before William Moore, J.P.
1803 - George Sizemore, deed 100 ac to James Hart, Bakers Ridge, Crab Fork of Praters Creek.
1803 - James Hart, deed 100 ac to Peter Hart, George Koon's line on Praters Creek, wit: George Sisemore, Elisha Baldwin, Joseph Baldwin.
"Descendants of Peter and Dority Hart 1740-1995 Virginia and North Carolina and Allied Families" by Ruth Gibbs Hart and Karen L. Cooper
Peter and Dority were the parents of nine children. Many of them left the area for Knox/Whitley County Kentucky, Hawkins County Tennessee and Mercer County Missouri.
1, James Hart born 1768, living in Knox County, Kentucky until 1812.
2, Mark Hart born Abt. 1770, married to Barbara Kirk on September 17, 1800 in Grayson County Virginia. Last known in Russell County, Virginia about 1808 with children Samuel & Susanna Hart.
3, Margaret (Mahala) Hart born Bet. 1772 - 1774, NC, married Abt. 1796 to Stephen Floyd. They lived and died in Whitley/Knox County Kentucky but thier grave sites are unknown.
4, William Hart born Abt. 1775, Montgomery/Grayson CO., VA, married Abt. 1798, VA or NC to Mary Cadwell (Caldwell).
5, Peter Jr Hart born about 1778, NC, married Hannah Poe, May 18, 1801, Jefferson, Ashe CO., NC.
6, John Hart born February 20, 1780, Grayson CO., VA, first marriage to Permelia Morgan, Abt. 1800, Grayson.
Second marriage, Lydia Rains, May 10, 1827, Whitley County Kentucky. John lived on Meadow Creek, Whitley Co., Kentucky and is buried there with Lydia Rains in Stanfield Cemetery.
7, Nancy Hart born Abt. 1784, Grayson CO., VA, married to Andrew Hash, February 25, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
8, Stephen Hart born 1785, Montgomery (now Grayson) CO., VA., married to Sarah Bradford, May 30, 1805, Grayson CO., VA.
9, Unknown Son, maybe David Hart born after 1785.
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