Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hart, George Vaughan
HART, GEORGE VAUGHAN (1752–1832), general, born in 1752, was fifth in descent from General Henry Hart, military governor of Londonderry and Culmore forts in the seventeenth century. He became in 1775 an ensign in the 46th foot, and was engaged in the American war. In 1776 he joined the forces at Cape Fear, North Carolina, and served as aide-de-camp to Major-general Vaughan in the unsuccessful attack on Charlestown. He was engaged under Sir William Howe in the battles on Long Island, and at the attack and capture of several of the adjacent forts. His regiment passed the winter at Amboy, and was employed in escort service. In the next year he sailed in Lord Howe's fleet to Chesapeake Bay, and was present at the battles of Brandywine Creek (11 Sept. 1777) and Germantown (4 Oct. 1777). He was promoted lieutenant in 1777, and during the following winter while stationed at Philadelphia was employed in the fortification of the town. He was present at the battle of Monmouth, and afterwards joined in the expedition under General Grey which destroyed the stores and fortifications of New Haven, Connecticut. Between 1778 and 1779 Hart was engaged in active service in the West Indies. In 1779 he was made a captain. The rest of his military life was devoted to service in India, where he was present at the taking of Bangalore, at the three sieges of Seringapatam, as well as many other minor affairs, including the battle before Seringapatam on 15 May 1791, when his horse was killed under him, and that of Mullavelly in 1798. On the acquisition of the province of Canara in 1799 he was appointed to command it. The year before he had been made a colonel, and after his return home he was placed on the staff in Ireland, and made major-general 1 Jan. 1805, and lieutenant-general in 1811. He was also commander of the northern district and governor of Londonderry and Culmore. He represented Donegal county in parliament from 23 Oct. 1812 till the dissolution of 1831. Hart died at his seat at Kilderry, Donegal, 14 June 1832. He married Charlotte, daughter of John Ellerker of Ellerker, in 1792, and by her had five sons and three daughters.
[Gent. Mag. 1832, ii. 180-1; Annual Register, 1832, p. 208; Colange's Gazetteer of the United States; Burke's Landed Gentry.]