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September, 1999. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** FROM: John S. DeHart's History of the DeHart Family and mentioned in Hatfield's History of Elizabeth as the "Venerable" John DeHart. He sat in the Continental Congress and was Mayor of same town for many years. He was also one of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of NJ, being elected by the legislature Sept. 4, 1776. He died June 1, 1795 at the age of 67 years being buried in the St. John's Church Yard. It was stated that he lived and died in a large old-time colonial stone house which had a huge fireplace. It was referred to as the "DeHart Mansion," being at the corner of Rahway Avenue and Cherry St., in Elizabeth. His tombstone read "His worth, in private life, was truly great; nor will his public virtues be forgotten." This article goes on to say that he never took his seat on the Bench as Chief Justice, however, did write a letter of acceptance to the Governor. John DeHart wrote a letter stating what a great honor it was and expressed his wish that his abilities were equal to that high and important office and declared that such as they are, they shall be exhorted to discharge, with dignity and uprightness, the very great trust reposed on him. This letter was dated September 16, 1776. In January, the Governor notified the Legislature that DeHart had refused to qualify, and appointed Robert Morris in his place per Hatfield's History, pg. 443. The year of 1776 was a very dangerous time. John was said to be a soldier as well as a civilian. He had no time to think of judgeships. He was an eminent lawyer, and could earn his living without holding an office. Also, stated that he was a man of property if he could succeed in driving out the British. If he didn't he could have been hung as a rebel. In addition to what was mentioned on tablet to his memory was the following inscription. "In memory of John DeHart, Esquire, Counsellor at Law and Mayor of this Borough, who departed this life June 1st, 1795. Aged LXVI (66) years. His worth in private life as truly great: "nor will his public virtues be forgotten: his name being recorded on the list of chosen patriots who composed the memorable Congress of 1789, under the new charter." /Source: Linda Demko 98-06-10 08:18:11 Post to DeHart List ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Abstract of John DeHarts Will Will of John DeHart Sr. of Elizabethtown, Essex County. I give to my wife Sarah my dwelling house, with land westward to land formerly belonging to John Joline, deceased, to garden of son John; thence to land of John Chetwood; also an annuity of 140 pounds yearly. To Mrs. Mary Hunt (late Mary Dagworthy), an annuity of 41 pounds arising from the estate of Captain Ely Dagworthy, deceased. Remainder of my real and personal property to be sold and trust set up to pay the above annuities. The residue of my estate to be divided between my eight children as follows: John, Jacob, Matthias Dagworthy, Stephen Richard, Sarah, Abigail, Jane and Louisa Esther Flint; book accounts deductible from each Childs share. The eight children to have equal division of trust funds and estate after the decease of my wife and the decease of Mary Hunt. Executors sons Jacob, John and Matthias Dagworthy DeHart. Witnesses-Peter Masker, John Chetwood and Aaron Ogden. Dated Apr 4, 1794. Proven Jun 26, 1795. Source: DeHart Family, The - Some of the Descendants of Balthazar de Haert, a Merchant of Early New York", pg 27. By David M. Riker. ADDITIONAL NOTES: This John DeHart who married Sarah Dagworthy descends from the *Four DeHart Brothers* line as below. ***Would you mind posting the source of information where you found Ely Dagworthy's will? John DeHart, Honorable b abt 1728 d 01 Jun 1795 m Sarah Dagworthy ..Jacob DeHart, Col b 31 Dec 1699 d 21 Sep 1777 m Abigail Crane ....Matthias 'Mathys' DeHart, Capt b Abt. 1667 d 27 Oct 1751 m Jannetje 'Joanna' Maurits-Mauritz ......Balthazar DeHart b Abt. 1633 d Bef. 04 Jan 1672 partners/s Margritie Stuyvestant John DeHart was a representative for New Jersey at the Continental Congress.