DeHart Family History - by Andrew Jackson DeHart

A Preliminary Study of the Origin and History of the DeHart Family

By: Andrew Jackson DeHart


DEACON JOHN DeHART

By John S. Smiley

In History of Tennessee River Batist Association

John DeHart, son of Nathan and Catherine DeHart, was born in Burke County, N. C.,. November 26,.1804.

His parents moved to Tennessee about the time of his first recollections where they dwelt a short time and from there they moved and finally settled in Wayne County, Kentucky, on a creek named Johnson�s Fork where our subject was brought up to the occupation of farming.

Like so many of his day and generation, he was deprived of an education on account of the meagre chances afforded him in his youth, and so he had to brave life�s battles without book knowledge.

Truthful, honest, sober and industrious, he grew up among a family of several children, of whom he was the elder, and made a man of strong judgment, active effort and determination.

He was married to Jane Roberts, a woman well fitted by her fine womanly qualities to make our subject a good wife, which marriage took place October 18, 1823. His noble consort had some education and could read the Bible which was the guide of the couple in subsequent life.

In October, 1828, our subject with his wife and two children, Lydia and Martin, Moved to Macon county, North Carolina, and located the first year on the Hall farm opposite the mouth of Cowee. From this place he moved to a farm on the west bank of the Little Tennessee river, now the farm of his grandson. A. M. Freeman, a short distance from Brush Creek church where he resided nene years on States land.

While here he became acquainted with several of the noted Cherokee Indians, who were his neighbors, dwelling along the Nantahala river, as they had not yet been removed by the United States. Uchella, the chief old Charlie and Sal were Mr. DeHart�s nearest neighbors in those pioneer days, and to the honor of those simple children of these mountains, they respected their neighbor�s livestock, always furnishing him information as to its whereabout and sometimes, as a neighborly act, would bring it home to its owner.

Few families of the whites dwelt in what is now Swain county at that early day, and it fell to our worthy subject to aid in opening the first road down the Little Tennessee river about the year 1830.

(Photograph)
JOHN DeHART
November 26, 1804
December 25, 1892

It was the good fortune of our subject to listen to the preaching of Humphrey Posey, G. F. Caler and others that fastened the conviction for sin on his mind; but not until the loss of a dear child by drowning in the Little Tennessee river, did he fully see his deep depravity and need of salvation. Thus convicted, he wrestled with the Lord and found peace to his soul, on his knees, on the banks of the river, in secret. He confessed Christ in baptism at the hands of Elder G. F. Caler, thus becoming a member of Brush Creek church in 1834. He was ordained a Deacon in Brush Creek in 183__ , and was in the organization of Cold Spring Baptist church in May, 1851.

Like most new honverts (sic), our subject was made to doubt his regeneration, at first, but the Saviour gave him an answer of peace, afetr praying and inquireng about the matter in these words which seemed almost like a dream: �I will be with thee in the sixth trouble and will not forsake thee in the seventh�; this made him happy and strengthened his faith.

About the year 1838 he bought the Joe Sherill place on Alarka for $866.25, where he soon settled and prospered as a dutiful christian and citizen. He was a member f the Board of Education and warden of the poor in Macon county for seven or eight years.

Only three families resided above Brother DeHart on Alarka at the time of settlement here, viz: Ute Sherrill, Dick Wiggins and Pendley Hers on Alarka, thirteen children, eight males and five females including those born elsewhere, completed his large and industrious family.

On July 3, 1886, God took this kind helpmate home and our Brother was left alone.

Again in August 25,1887, he formed a second marriage to Jane Owen a respectable widow of the Methodist persuasion, to whom is accorded the lot of consoling our Brother in his advanced years.

The life habits of our brother in Israel are such as are well worthy of notice here. He was blessed with several thousand dollars worth of property which he has, as a true parent, equally disposed of among his children save a little he still holds for himself and wife, so he intends no waste in lawsuits.

The writer has known him for forty years and can truthfully and with pleasure say that Brother John DeHart is and has been truly good to the poor, and vry liberal to the support of the gospel and church of which he was a member. He has refused a dollar a bushel for his corn offered by speculators and let his poor laborers have it at seventy-five cents a bushel.

His promises were sure to be fulfilled to the letter, and his overflowing honor in giving weights and measures in disposing of meat and grain of which, through a provident life of industry and economy by the blessing of God, he always had plenty of, is worthy of mention and imitation.

And his hospitality abounded so that his home was the refreshing place for many of the saints and others of his fellowmen and women. As our Brother approached the latter part of his 88th year he took a careful review of his past life and to use his own words said: �I feel that I have wronged no one, and have done some good in the world�. He said that he was resting on that hope he gained on Tennessee river so long ago, and if saved it is the mercy of God, and not for any good that I have done.� He was heard to say at the burial of one of his children that he had often prayed at that graveyard for the salvation of his children.

He, in December, 1892, a few days before his death, had his coffin made believing that the time of his departure was near. He walked and could attend to business near the house on Friday, 23rd of December, but at light was taken very ill and on Sunday night, December 25th, 1892, he calmly fell to sleep to await the sound of Gabriel�s trump, beloved and mourned.

Contributed by John R. DeHart
Document Prepared by Gloria Lambert


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Last updated: Friday, 29-Mar-2024 03:25:22 MDT