AREA HISTORY:  Anderson’s Ferry, Hellam Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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ANDERSON’S FERRY – Page 605

Anderson’s Ferry, about three miles above Wrightsville, at Marietta, seems to 
have been a crossing place as early as 1725.  In the spring of 1727 there are 
records that Presbyterian clergymen of Donegal, Lancaster County, crossed here 
to visit settlers “along the Conewago on the west side of the river.”  Bertram 
Boyd “missionated” in York County about the time herein mentioned.  This ferry 
was used very extensively during the colonial period of our history, as well as 
much later.  It was chartered November 17, 1742.  Richard Peters, secretary of 
the Province of Pennsylvania, in writing to the proprietaries under the above 
date says “James Anderson’s petition for a ferry was presented to Mr. Thomas 
Penn, and he gave me verbal orders to make out the patent.

Gen. Gates, after his success at Saratoga in the capture of Gen. Burgoyne and 
his army, crossed the river at this ferry while on his way to congress then in 
session in York.  He remained over night with Col. Alexander Lowry, who lived on 
the Lancaster County side of the river.  Many of the congressmen, and others who 
had business with congress also crossed at this ferry.