Person:John Hart (16)

Name^[1]	John Hart
Gender	Male
Birth^[1]	Abt 1617	Scotland
Marriage	2 Apr 1644	Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotlandto Unknown
Marriage	2 Apr 1644	Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotlandto Agnes Baxter
Death^[1]	8 Jan 1686/87	Taughboyne, Donegal, Ireland

John Hart was born in Scotland and educated St. Andrews, received his M.A. in 1637. He was ordained at Crail, 22 March 1642/3. In 1644, he married Agnes Baxter. He was installed at Dunino, December 30, 1646. He resigned in 1650. That same year he was installed at Dunkeld. He joined the protesters in 1651 and was deposed in 1652. He was installed at Hamilton, on January 23, 1653. An October 1655, a commissioner from Taughboyne, Ireland appeared at the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr with a call to Mr. Hart. He was installed at Taughboyne (Monreagh) in 1656 for a salary of 150 British pounds sterling per year. He was deposed for nonconformity in 1661, but continued to minister. On a visit to Dublin in the winter of 1662/3 some of those engaged in Blood's plot applied to Mr. Hart for is concurrence. According to Latimer, The matter had been broached to Messrs. John Heart, John Greg, and Andrew Stewart, who at once refused to have anything to do with a movement likely to become both disloyal and dangerous, and, having heard nothing more about the design, concluded that it was abandoned."

 When examined later as to his complicity he incautiously dropped the word that brought trouble to Mr. Thomas Boyd, Minister of Parliament for Bangor.  In vindicating himself, he said that when the plot was revealed to him, he expressed his abhorrence, as Mr. Boyd in Dublin knew.  This led to Mr. Boyd's arrest and subsequent expulsion from the House of Commons.  Hart seems to have been liberated on bail to appear when called upon.  Hart was excommunicated and imprisoned in Lifford, 1664 to 70 for disobeying a summons issued by Robert Leslie, Bishop of Raphoe, to appear before his court. Latimer, In his History of the Irish Presbyterians states, "Bishop Robert Leslie of Raphoe, summoned to his court Messrs. John Hart, Taughboyne; Thomas Drummond, Ramelton; William Semple, Letterkenny; and Adam White, Fannet. On their failing to appear, he passed sentence of excommunication on them, and then condemned them as excommunicated persons to confinement in the common jail of Lifford, " without bail or mainprize;" but through the indulgence of the sheriff, they were permitted to dwell together in a private house. Notwithstanding many efforts made to obtain their release, they were kept prisoners for six years. At last, a petition on their behalf was presented to the King, who, when informed that they had previously suffered for being royalists, wrote the Lord Lieutenant ordering their release, which, in October, 1670, was effected."

In 1681 Hart again found trouble with the authorities. "The Presbytery of Lagan, near Derry, held a fast in 1681, and drew up a paper showing the causes which moved them to its observance. This paper was read in all their places of worship. But some of the authorities having obtained a copy, the Revs. William Trail, Ballindrait; James Alexander, Convoy; Robert Campbell, Ray; and John Hart, Monreagh, were summoned to appear at Raphoe before the magistrates. After examination, they were discharged; but, in a few weeks, were brought to Dublin, examined by the Privy Council, and compelled to give bail to appear at next Lifford assizes. On being tried, they were found guilty of holding the fast in question, were condemned to pay a fine of £20 each, and to be imprisoned until they would sign an engagement not to offend similarly in future. This they refused to do, and, consequently, were confined for more than eight months in Lifford.

He died January 8, 1687 at age 70 and was buried at Taughboyne.

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