AREA HISTORY:  Hanover Town, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE TOWN OF HANOVER – Page 574

Notwithstanding the derision of the settlers McAllister laid out the town, in 
1763 or 1764.  He placed the centre of it on the higher ground to the southwest 
of his residence, and changed the course of the roads to conform to the plan of 
the streets.  The latter he named from the places to which the roads led; that 
running toward Frederick being called Frederick Street; that toward York, York 
Street; that toward Carlisle, Carlisle Street, and that toward Baltimore, 
Baltimore Street.  What is now known as Abbottstown Street, was called “Pidgeon 
Street,” as it led to Pidgeon Hills, although it ended at Harrisburg, or 
“Harris’ Ferry.”

The original intention of the founders of all towns at that date, seems not to 
have been so much a desire for fame, or to realize an immediate fortune, as to 
make an investment that would continue to yield a handsome revenue forever.  
Hence all lots were sold subject to a yearly rent of a certain number of 
shillings.  Some property in Hanover is still hold under such title, and the 
rent must be paid to the legal representatives of the estate of Richard 
McAllister.  The deeds also required the purchases to build a house at least 
eighteen feet square on the lot, within two years after the date of the deed.

The first house, after the lots were staked off, was on Frederick Street, on the 
site of the house now owned and occupied by Isaac Wise, was built by John 
Nusser, who was derisively called the “Governor of McAllistertown,” on account 
of having built the first house in the new town.  Several other houses were 
built soon afterward, all of logs, and each two stories in height.  One of these 
stood on Frederick Street where John Rupp now lives; another where Daniel S. 
Barnitz now resides, and still another on the site of O’Bold’s Building – the 
last two being on Broadway.  Some disorder was occasioned by the dispute as to 
the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania and Maryland, but this was not serious, as that 
trouble had expended its fury before Hanover was laid out as a town.  The title 
of “Rogues’ Harbor,” or “Rogues’ Resort,” was given to Hanover, on account of 
the number of fugitives from justice that found a refuge on this disputed land.  
The following is from Rev. Wiestling’s narrative:  “If the sheriff of York 
County could catch a delinquent half a mile out of town, in a northeast 
direction, then he might legally make him his prisoner, under the authority of 
the courts of this county; but neither in town nor nearer the town than that, 
had he any  ministerial power.”  An anecdote, related by a respectable old 
gentleman, deserves credit:  A number of robbers having broken into McAllister’s 
store, he seized them and took them to York for confinement, but the sheriff 
refused to admit them, saying, “You, of Hanover, wish to be independent; punish 
your villains yourselves.”  The number of disreputable characters who sought 
refuge in Hanover must have been considerably exaggerated by tradition, for, as 
stated above, the town had but five or six houses in 1764, and in 1768, it was 
decided to be in Pennsylvania by running of Mason and Dixon’s line.

The new town was named Hanover, at the suggestion of Michael Tanner, a friend of 
McAllister, and a native of Hanover, in Germany.  Tanner had been commissioned 
one of his majesty’s justices of the peace as early as 1755, and was one of the 
commissioners appointed to lay off York County in 1749.  The lots of the new 
town were sold at fair prices.  As an evidence of this, Lot No. 22, on Carlisle 
Street, next lot north of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, now the site of Mrs. M. W. 
Barnitz’s handsome residence, was bought from McAllister by George Blinsinger 
for £4, on the 19th day of March, 1794.

The early settlers of this locality, and even as late as the founding of 
Hanover, were frequently visited by Indians, but no record is given of them 
committing much depredation.  One instance of remarkable note, however, was the 
shooting* of Adam Forney, which occurred on the 17th of March, 1748.  A red man, 
under the influence of intoxicating liquor, called at Forney’s house, and asked 
him for rum.  Forney gave him one drink, when he demanded more, which was 
refused.  The Indian became very much enraged, started away, but soon returned, 
having a loaded gun in his hand, and shot Forney in the breast.  The Indian was 
captured, taken before Justice Swope, of York, and after a hearing, was 
imprisoned, and was not released until Adam Forney recovered from his painful 
wounds.  Indians frequently visited Hanover in small bodies, as late as the 
beginning of the Revolutionary war in 1775, sometimes greatly frightening some 
of the inhabitants, but doing no injury to them.  They came chiefly for the 
purpose of begging from the whites or trading with them.


* This occurred within a few yards of the farm house of Karl Forney, now 
occupied by his son, Samuel Forney.