Cornelius Harnett

Cornelius Harnett (April 20, 1723 – April 28, 1781) was an American merchant, farmer, and statesman from Wilmington, North Carolina. He was a leading American Revolutionary in the Cape Fear region, and a delegate for North Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779. Cornelius Harnett is the namesake of Harnett County, North Carolina.

Harnett's house, Poplar Grove, near Wilmington, North Carolina

Personal life

Harnett was born on April 10, 1723 to Cornelius and Elizabeth Harnett in Chowan County, North Carolina. Soon after he was born, his parents moved to Wilmington. As an adult, he obtained a plantation in Wilmington. He became a leading merchant there, and was interested in farming, milling, and mercantile ventures. Harnett was an Episcopalian, but has also been identified as a deist. Though he was an intelligent man, there is little known about his educational background. His intelligence served him well in his passion for politics.

Harnett married Mary Holt where they lived on his second plantation, Poplar Grove, located in Maynard (currently Hilton) which is north of Wilmington. During Harnett's political career, he maintained his relationship with his wife through letters. William Wilkerson,his associate, would deliver the letters.

Harnett's death came about after being captured and "thrown across a horse like a sack of meal". He was captured by the British upon their occupation of Wilmington in January of 1781. His health steadily declined while imprisoned. He died April 28, 1781, shortly after being released on parole. He was buried in St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Political career

In 1750 Harnett became involved in public affairs when he was elected Wilmington town commissioner. He was appointed a justice of the peace for New Hanover County by Governor Gabriel Johnston. Harnett was elected to represent Wilmington in the North Carolina General Assembly in 1754.

In 1765, Harnett became the chairman of the Sons of Liberty, and was a leader in the resistance to the Stamp Act. In 1775–1776, he served as the first president of the North Carolina Provincial Council, or Council of Safety, essentially the chief executive of the revolutionary state, although with limited powers. In 1776 he was excepted by Sir Henry Clinton from his proclamation of general amnesty. He was a member of the Continental Congress for 1777–1779.

References

• Connor, Robert D. W. Cornelius Harnett;: An essay in North Carolina history, 1971, Books for Libraries Press (ISBN 0-8369-5647-8).
• Connor, Robert D. W. Revolutionary Leaders of North Carolina, reprinted 1971 from 1916 edition. (ISBN 0-87152-063-X) Chapter 3: pp. 49–78.
• Cornelius Harnett at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links

• Excerpt from "Dictionary of North Carolina Biography" (ISBN 0-8078-1918-2)
• Cornelius Harnett Letters, #311-z at the Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Preceded by Royal Governor of North Carolina Josiah Martin

President of the North Carolina Council of Safety 1776

Succeeded by Samuel Ashe