Cornelius Harnett

Cornelius Harnett ( born April 20, 1723 in Chowan County, North Carolina, † April 28, 1781 in Wilmington, North Carolina ) was an American businessman, farmer and politician. He also was a leading American Revolutionary in the Cape Fear region.

Career

Harnett, son of Cornelius and Elizabeth Harnett was born 1723 in Chowan County, North Carolina. Shortly after his birth his family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. In the following period, he was an influential merchant there. He also worked as a farmer and mill owner. Later, Governor Gabriel Johnston appointed him justice of the peace for New Hanover County.

Harnett decided in 1750 to pursue a career in politics when he was elected city commissioner of Wilmington. Four years later he was elected to represent that city in the North Carolina General Assembly. Then he was in 1765 chairman of the Sons of Liberty (English Sons of Liberty ) and a leader of the resistance movement against the Stamp Act. Later, he was from 1775 to 1776 the first President of the North Carolina Provincial Council or Council of Safety, the actual chief executive of the revolutionary state, but with limited authority. This probably had the effect that Sir Henry Clinton, a British general, excluded during the American War of Independence him in 1776 at the proclamation of a general amnesty. Then Harnett represented from 1777 to 1779 as a delegate of his home state in the Continental Congress where he signed the Articles of Confederation.

In January 1781 he was captured by British troops during the occupation of Wilmington. During his imprisonment, his health deteriorated so much that he was released on parole. Nevertheless, he died on April 28, 1781 and was buried at the St. James' Churchyard in Wilmington.