Husband James Gibson Hart 1 2 3
Born: 2 Jan 1807 - Adams Co, PA 2 3
Christened:
Died: 5 Jul 1885 4
Buried:
Father: David Hart (1770/1775-1852/1862) 2 5
Mother: Sarah Paxton ( -1830) 2 5
Marriage:
Other Spouse: Isabella Moffit ( -1840) 1 - 1831 6
Other Spouse: Margery [Unk] ( -1855) 4
Wife Mrs. Jane B. Hopkins 4
Born:
Christened:
Died: Mar 1890 4
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - James Gibson Hart
He became a resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania, from Adams County, in the spring of 1807, when he was seven weeks old. He remained in the home nest until eighteen years of age, when self-reliance (the strongly marked trait of his character) asserted itself, and he determined by energy and industry to be self-sustaining, and provide a resting place for old age; consequently he engaged with Robert Moore to learn the trade of carder and fuller. Having finished his trade, he started in business for himself, in West Pike Run township, Washington County, manufacturing goods of different kinds and grades. He was always awarded the first premium for the extra quality and texture of his broadcloths, and other goods put on exhibition at what was then known as the "Cattle Show," at Washington, now our Agricultural Fair, and he manufactured the first piece of broadcloth ever exhibited at a Washington county fair.
In 1831 he married and following his trade in West Pike Run township until 1838, he removed to Centreville, a village six miles west of Brownsville, where he engaged in the dry-goods business. he pursued this business successfully until 1848, when, feeling that the future welfare of his family demanded an extension of his lines, he, when his sixth son, Brit Hart, was seven weeks old (same age as he himself was when he came from Adams county), removed to a farm in West Bethlehem township, one mile from what was then Hillsboro, later Scenery Hill.
He took a deep interest in the questions and political issues of the day. He was a strong advocate of education; and his "pet" was the common-school system, and he zealously fed and nurtured its growth and improvement in his county. It was years ago that, when the president of the board of directors (teachers being sent to him to be examined), knowing his unfitness, he with others conceived and agitated the question not only of teachers being examined by a county superintendent, but proposed other measures for the improvement of the system.
Politically, in the beginning he was an Old-line Whig; in the turning of the wheel a stanch Republican; and was chairman of the first committee
that met in Washington, to organize the Republican party. He was, in 1856, elected associate judge, with Jacob Slagle as colleague, and was re-elected in 1861 with Robert Dinsmore as colleague. It was due to the suggestions and efforts of Slagle and himself that the barbarous custom of withholding food from jurors, until their decision was given, was done away with; they looked not only upon the cruelty, but the desecration of principle as well. He was a devoted friend to the soldier and his cause, giving aid and comfort when and where he could. But the crowning efforts of his life was in his sacrifices, counsels and life work for his family. In that relation he lived exalted from the unwavering confidence reposed in him by his own children. They knew beyond a doubt that he in all things lived a life that was above a shadow of suspicion. In the dark hours of sorrow and affliction he was their Anchor, and when their Lifeboat seemed to be almost engulfed by the grim waves of death dashing against it, and though tempest-tossed himself, yet he was the stay, strength and comfort of his children. He gave to them that restful feeling, that, if "Father is at the helm all will be well" so far as an earthly hand can do. Death came so often, and took from him some loved one.
General Notes: Wife - Mrs. Jane B. Hopkins
from Brownsville, Fayette Co, PA