Cornelius Harnett (1723 - 1781)

Born 20 Apr 1723 in Chowan, North Carolina

Died 28 Apr 1781 at age 58 in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Cornelius Harnett served with American Founding Fathers during the American Revolution.

Cornelius Harnett is Notable.

Cornelius Harnett, son of Cornelius Harnett and Mary Holt, was born April 20, 1723, in Chowan County, North Carolina. Cornelius, the father, was a merchant in Dublin, Ireland. He immigrated to North Carolina about 1722, where he had a stormy political career. Mary Holt was the daughter of Obadiah Holt.^[1]

He married Mary Grainger, the daughter of Joshua Grainger Jr. The couple had no children.^[1]

Harnett died April 28, 1781. He was not in good health. The Revolution was not going well for the Colonies. Wilmington was captured by the British. The British commander captured and arrested Cornelius, bound his hands and feet, and tossed him over a horse, like a sack of potatoes. He was then imprisoned in a roofless blockhouse, where he remained some time before being released, only to return home to die.^[1]

He was buried at the Saint James Churchyard Cemetery, Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, USA. See photo at Find a Grave.

His epitaph, chosen by himself, is from Pope's "Essay on Man":^[1]

This biography covers only the basic genealogical facts concerning Cornelius Harnett. Please read from the list of sources to find out more about this patriot.

Legacy

• Harnett County, North Carolina is named in his honor.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Connor, Robert Digges Wimberly. CORNELIUS HARNETT: AN ESSAY IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY. Raleigh, N. C. : Edwards and Broughton Printing Company, 1909. Available at Google Books and Archive.org

• Wikipedia Article
• Cornelius Harnett
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress