Second wife to Ralph Hart, who was the cousin to John Hart, the signer of the Declaration of Independance. This Ralph Hart became the target for British soldiers who were anxious to capture some of the family of the Signer, in order that they might be compelled to divulge the hiding place od that important man. So it was that Penelope Hart became a heroine by disguising herself in men's clothing whenever the British were in the neighborhood. It was she who never walked in the public road, no remained two nights in succession in the same house. She was required to carry water and food to her lonely husband, but more often the need was to carry these things to the hunted Signer, John Hart. This patriotic man survived many hardships because of the brave woman who put fear aside and came to his aid when others would not have dared venture out because of the lurking enemy, always ready to capture any suspicious person.
As the Revolutionary War drew to a close, Penelope Hart's husband died leaving his estate to her and their four daughters. His will was dated December 3, 1782. The daughters were Jerusha, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Mary. The 122 acre farm where they lived was situated three miles above Pennington, on the great road to Amwell. The buildings on this property consisted of a large convenient store dwelling house, a frame barn and other buildings.
It is stated that the youngest daughter, Mary, was only ten years old at the time of her father's death. So, this brave woman, Penelope Hart, grand-daughter of Cornelius Anderson, lived on to share the joy and burden of raising and helping her growing daughters. The heroine of Old Hopewell is honored today, as her name was given to the Pennington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. That group was organized in 1929 and the name given was: "Penelope Hart Chapter DAR."