Hart County, Kentucky

Text

Historical Marker #43 in Munfordville commemorates the establishment of Hart County, which is named in honor of a War of 1812 veteran.

Nathaniel Hart was born in Maryland and moved to Lexington in 1794. In Kentucky, Hart owned a rope factory and studied law under his brother-in-law, Henry Clay. During the War of 1812, he commanded the Lexington Light Infantry, a militia company. His troops became part of Colonel William Lewis's 5th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Militia.

On January 22, 1813, at the Battle of the River Raisin, Hart was wounded and captured. Many of the wounded Kentuckians were massacred by Native American troops after the battle. Despite being promised safe passage away from the area, Hart was found by other Indians and was tomahawked and scalped. Unlike many Kentuckians who fought at River Raisin, Hart's body was recovered and his remains were moved to Frankfort in 1834.

When Hart County was formed in 1819, it was named in his honor.