Hartwell’s History
TOURNAMENT ANGLERS OFTEN talk of the cunning strategy needed to capture five competitive bass, but consider the savvy required for a civilian to pull off military moves so significant that geographic references would forever memorialize their name. Such was the case for Nancy Hart, Georgia’s most famous female Revolutionary War participant and Lake Hartwell’s namesake.
Well known for her fierce commitment to driving British soldiers and sympathizers out of the Georgia upcountry, this hardy frontierswoman was no sideline-sitter. In fact, Hart is said to have fought alongside her husband and sons in the Battle of Kettle Creek (Feb. 14, 1779), during which dozens of patriot prisoners were freed.
Also inspiring the names of Georgia’s Hart County and the city of Hartwell, Hart was described as a tall woman with a large frame who often dressed as a man to infiltrate British camps and gather military intelligence. She also employed her shooting skills to hide near river crossings and pick off British soldiers — no doubt contributing to a reputation that earned her the Cherokee nickname Wahatchee (“War Woman”).
By far, the
