Shortly after signing the Declaration of Independence, Hart became Speaker of the Assembly, the highest political rank in New Jersey. John became a marked man by both the [[British]] forces and Hessian mercenaries.<ref>[http://www.johnhart.net/ Signer of the Declaration of Independence-John Hart JohnHart.net]</ref> Tragedy soon followed, his farm, livestock, grist mills and property were destroyed. His wife lay dying when British forces invaded. John and his thirteen children fled for their lives. He lived by hiding in the forest and sleeping in caves, eluding capture. Without the Speaker, the state assembly had ajourned. | Shortly after signing the Declaration of Independence, Hart became Speaker of the Assembly, the highest political rank in New Jersey. John became a marked man by both the [[British]] forces and Hessian mercenaries.<ref>[http://www.johnhart.net/ Signer of the Declaration of Independence-John Hart JohnHart.net]</ref> Tragedy soon followed, his farm, livestock, grist mills and property were destroyed. His wife lay dying when British forces invaded. John and his thirteen children fled for their lives. He lived by hiding in the forest and sleeping in caves, eluding capture. Without the Speaker, the state assembly had ajourned. |