Statesman; presumably born in
North Carolina, although some authorities say in
England, April 20, 1723; became owner of a large estate near
Wilmington, being a man of considerable wealth.
He was influential in his State, and was among the first to
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Harnett's House. |
denounce the Stamp Act and kindred measures.
He was a leading man in all public assemblages as the
Revolutionary War approached; was president of the provincial congress in 1775; and on the abdication of the royal governor (
Martin) became acting governor of the
State.
He was excepted in an offer of pardon to the inhabitants of
North Carolina by Sir
Henry Clinton, in which exception was ineluded
Robert Howe.
He was the
chief constructor of the constitution of
North Carolina, framed in 1776, under which
Harnett became one of the council: and in 1778 he was elected to Congress.
While the
British held possession of the country adjacent to
Cape Fear River in 1781,
Harnett was made prisoner, and died in confinement, April 20, 1781.
His dwelling was a fine old mansion, about a mile and a half from the centre of the city of
Wilmington, N. C., on the northeast branch of the
Cape Fear River.
