Matthew Hanna was the son of Andrew Hanna ("of County Monaghan, Northern Ireland," of Scots descent) and Elisabeth. They came to (then) Lancaster Co., PA, where his father was "buried at the Paxtang Presbyterian Church Cemetery" (site was removed-?). Various undocumented sources claim Matthew was born in either N. Ireland or Pennsylvania (seek proof).

A "Matthew Hannah," a resident of Hanover Twp., signed Feb 1769 petition to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, to meet at Lancaster on 7 Feb 1769, He was against the division the Hanover Township. Notes and Queries, Historical, Biographical, and Genealogical, Chiefly Relating to Interior Pennsylvania, by Wm Henry Egle, 1894, 1st Ser., Vol. 1, p 85-86 (see photo). His family was a short ride away.

Then Matthew came to Cumberland Co., PA in about 1771-1781, where he served under Col. Joseph Dunlap, Capt. Brady and Capt. William Moorhead. He settled in Rockbridge Co., VA, where he was a tanner. He had a "tannery at the foot of the hill below Washington College." Another source describes the tannery at "SW corner of Randolph and Henry streets, later to be a part of the investment of Major Thomas J (Stonewall) Jackson, of the VMI faculty." George West Diehl's Rockbridge Notebook, published in the News-Gazette (Lexington, VA).

Matthew married Martha Montgomery, the daughter of Humphrey Montgomery and Mary Ramsey of Pennsylvania, in about 1776 in PA and they had 5 daughters. He belonged to New Monmouth Presbyterian Church, Lexington Presbyterian (once connected to this cemetery) and First Presbyterian, all in Lexington. He was "one of the first elders at Lexington" and later at the former.

During the Revolutionary War, Private Matthew Hanna served in Cumberland Co. in Capt. Miller's unit. D.A.R. Ancestor #A051193. I also found a "Lieutenant. Matthew Hanna, in 3rd Battalion in Cumberland Co. Militia, PA, #37121227," 9th Dec - 9 Jan 1777 muster roll. The data in quotes is on the Revolutionary War Card. (I reached the Findagrave limit of 5 photos already). Another original document begins:p 57, Pa, 3 Battn. - Cumberland Co. Militia, 1776-1777 - Col. John Montgomery (any family connection with wife Martha Montgomery?).
Capt. Jos Brady's Co., - 1 muster roll, Jan, 1777.
Capt. Robt. Culbertson's Co., 1 muster roll, Dec 1776.
Jas Mitchel's Co., 1 muster roll, Jan, 1777.
Hunter's Role of third Batalon of Cumberland County Militia under Coln John MtGomery, Capt. Joseph Brady compy Philad, January 9th 1777. 3 lined columns:1. #1. __?__ John Templeton #2. Seargent Jams? McCormick, #7 was Archibald Hanna
Under Capt. Joseph Brady's name is Lieut. MATTHEW HANNA

The DAR site Genealogy research database lists:
HANNA, MATTHEW Ancestor #: A051193
Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank(s): PRIVATE
Birth: 1747 LANCASTER CO PENNSYLVANIA
Death: 10-31-1815 LEXINGTON ROCKBRIDGE CO VIRGINIA
Service Description: 1) CAPT MILLER, CUMBERLAND CO
Spouse: 1) MARTHA MONTGOMERY

1778: "William Alexander, Matthew Hanna and John Galbraith were among the moving spirits in laying out the town of Lexington in 1778, and were, in a large measure, responsible for its growth." According to James Willson McClung's Historical Significance of Rockbridge County, Virginia, Staunton, VA, McClure Co., Inc, 1939 and 1979, page 33.

2 Oct 1782 30 lbs 1 Acre lot, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 365. John Galbraith and Barbara his wife to Matthew Hannah; 1 Acre lot adjoining Town of Lexington. Beginning at corner of Main St., on Northeast end of Town, and runneth North 55 1/2, W 12 poles to stake, South 25, E 14 poles, S 55 1/2, E 12 poles to stake, N 26, W 14 poles to beginning....

1 Apr 1783, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 383 for 10 3/4 acres adjoining Lexington, William Brown sold to Matthew Hanna. Beginning at post on highway below the town and runneth then N 63, E 37 1/2 poles to a post, NW 48 poles to a small white oak, S 63, W 37 1/2 poles to a stake, then SE 48 poles to beginning....

7 Jun 1785, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 521 for 1/2 acre lot #14, Trustees of Town of Lexington to Matthew Hanna. Along Main Street 195', along Henry Street...

On 7 Jun 1785, Matthew Hanna purchased the site where he built the 3 story house, later known as the Old Blue Hotel, located at the intersection of North Main and Jefferson Streets. Rockbridge County Deed Book A, p 521. It would remain in his family for 86 years. His wife was willed his property at her death, and she willed it to daughter Martha Parry and her children. It was then sold to Parry kin James F Clyce in 1848, who 5 years later sold it to his heirs, the Gibbs. In 1871 it was purchased by Washington and Lee University, who used it for dorm housing. Originally called the Mansion House and the Exchange Hotel. It was painted blue at one time, thus its name. Then in 1947, local preservationists were unable to save the building, and it was demolished by Washington and Lee University (lexingtonva.gov/about). James W McClung's source above, pages 204-206 (see photos).

3 Aug 1787, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 670: William Brown sold to Matthew Hanna, via his attorney Andrew Moore, 4 1/4 acres, corner to John Galbreath; beginning at stake at upper end of a Meadow corner to John Galbreath land and running N 62, E 54 poles to a stake in a line of sd land at lower end of Meadow, then with line of same S 22, E 11 poles to a hickory and Spanish oak, then S 50, W 17 poles to a white oak,then S 78, W 20 poles to a white oak and red bud, N 20, W 13 poles crossing the upper end of the meadow to beginning...

3 Aug 1787 10 Acres, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 685. Andrew Moore attorney in fact for William Brown to John McKey, both of Rockbridge, 10 Acres beginning at stake at road near to corner of Matthew Hanna's land and running N 44, W 50 poles to a Spanish Oak and white oak near a corner of Matthew Hannah land then N 57, E 40 poles to a hickory and 2 white oaks, then S 27, E 54 poles to a stake by the road,then along road S 62, W 24 poles to beginning...

3 Aug 1787 31 Acres, is similar to one above in line with Matthew's land, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 686...

5 Feb 1788 7 Acres, Rockbridge Co., VA Deed Book A, p 684. Andrew Moore attorney in fact for William Brown to Hollingsworth Johnston and Company, Merchants of City of Richmond. 7 Acres, beginning at small white oak corner to Matthew Hanna's land and with a line of s.land S 63, W 39 poles to a white oak corner to said Hanna, then N 43, W 20 poles to 2 white oaks, then N 18, E 17 poles to Woods Creek, then down the several courses of the Creek 21 poles to a small Cedar and hickory on a large rock, then S 44, E 38 poles to beginning...

There are not any Hanna or Hannahs 1790 or 1800 on the Virginia censuses. In 1790 there was 1 in Pennsylvania, but he's too young,

On Apr 5, 1797, James Berry sold and deeded to the Trustees of the Lexington Presbyterian Congregation: Wm Lyle, Matthew Hanna and Arthur Walkup, the church cemetery. It fronted 169' on the E side of S. Main Street, between White & Lewis street and contained 1/2 an acre in Rockbridge Co., VA. The church was then on the NW corner of the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery, so I believe the cemetery is SJM Cemetery, where Matthew is buried...

On 12 May 1800, Matthew is listed as "guardian" for Polly Montgomery, the daughter of Humphry Montgomery, deceased in Rockbridge Co., VA Marriage bond for the marriage of Polly to John McCorkle. Matthew signs this original document. I suspect Polly could be wife Martha's niece or similar. The document with his signature is on Polly's memorial, Findagrave #51717719.

On the 1810 Lexington, VA census, I found Matthew Hanna with Free White Males: 1 - age 16 thru 25; 1 - 26 thru 44; and 1 - 45 and over (Matthew); Free White Females: 1 - 16 thru 25; 1 - 45 and over (wife Martha) and 3 slaves. 3 Household Members were over age 25 and with a total number of 8 Household Members. It appears Davy Buck was one of them. He was buried here at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in 1855, aged 85 (born about 1770) 40 years after Matthew passed. Matthew belonged to the same Lexington Presbyterian church where Davy was the sexton (maintaining the church and cemetery) for 40 years. The years Davy was the sexton is unknown. Davy seems to have lived longer than any of Matthew's children, as best as I can tell.

He wrote his will 14 Apr 1815, while weak in body, in Rockbridge Co., VA. It was recorded in Will Book 4, page 126.

"WHO WAS MATTHEW HANNA? I asked Henry Myers, Esq., this question and he answered: "He was my great grandfather. He came to Lexington before the Revolutionary war and built the house on the corner of Main and Henry streets, now owned by Mrs. Gibbs, one of the oldest, if not the oldest house in town. I have his old family clock with his name on its face." A daughter of Hanna married Rev. Daniel Blain, professor at Washington college and well known in the annals of the Presbyterian church by a succession of ministers of the same name. Another daughter of Mr. Hanna married John T. McKee of Kerr's creek; another John Parry, father of the late M. H. Parry of Fancy Hill. So the children of Madison Dunlap, and of John C. Laird and Samuel W. McKee of Kerr's creek, together with the children of John H. Myers, M. H. Parry, and Robt. C. McClure are all great grandchildren of Matthew Hanna. These with their descendants, even to the fifth generation give this man a host of descendants in Rockbridge, and not a person in the county bears his name as a surname. From what I learn from these old papers, Mr. Hanna was a good and useful man in matters relating to the church and his name deserves to be perpetuated in connection with Old Monmouth." From J. D. Morrison's "Old Monmouth and Its Times," #10. It was published in the Rockbridge County News, dated 28 Jan 1897. Capt. James Davidson Morrison was involved with about 3 local newspapers. Note: other sources say Hanna came to Virginia AFTER the Revolutionary war.

See a lovely article in the 5 Jan 1898 issue of the Lexington Gazette, published every Wednesday by Maj Elihu H Barclay editor and Company, on page 2. It was titled An Old House and a Notable (the T is missing from the printing) Family. The first 3 columns describe Matthew Hanna and family, including Rev. Daniel Blain and his kin. It describes Hanna's home as a two story frame construction, with "a cellar, with a high gable turned toward Main street, from which it stood back about 30 or 40 feet with a grassy yard and green trees. Within, the house had one large room, into this two smaller rooms, each with a fireplace opened. There was no way of heating the large rooms except from the two smaller, and it must have been very cold in winter. Upstairs the arrangement of rooms was like that below. Round this house ran a porch from a door on Henry street to one in the back yard, completely encircling half the building, and making it, in my childish eyes a great, charming residence. The large room I have spoken of was used for dining room in early ties. ad often for more sacred purposes. There was no church building in Lexington then. The first church was opened in the fall of 1802. Before this, preaching was in the Court House, or sometimes at Mr. Hanna's. Prayer meetings were held there; and the records of Lexington Presbytery show that this body repeatedly adjourned from Monmouth or the Academy "to meet at Mr. Hanna's." It was written by "A.R., Central Presbyterian."

The 8 May 1937 WPA Historical Survey #ROC-430 includes the home of Wm H Boley and the 4 pages include his neighbors. It says ….. and Matthew Hanna was among the pioneers of this section, a large land owner and of these men, "Matthew Hanna was probably the most prominent, and was known as the "First Citizen of Lexington" due to his public spirit and his interest in the development of the town."

Large flat tablet marker says:
WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE
ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF
MATTHEW HANNA,
WHO DIED OCT. 31ST 1815, AGED 68 YEARS.
MARTHA,
WIFE OF MATTHEW HANNA
WHO DIED APRIL 14TH 1821. AGED 72 YEARS
JOSHUA, CAROLINE AND DELIA,
CHILDREN OF JOHN AND MARTHA PARRY
MARTHA,
WIFE OF JOHN PARRY
WHO DIED DECR 26TH 1824, AGED 45 YEARS
MARTHA J.
DAUGHTER OF DR. J. E. AND MARTHA H. McCLUER
JOHN PARRY,
WHO DIED MARCH 8TH 1840, AGED 72 YEARS
CALEB PARRY,
SON OF C.S. AND ANNIE H. WAYNE.
WHO DIED
AUGUST 19TH, 1845,
AGED 7 YEARS 9 MONTHS AND 21 DAYS
"Tis sweet as year by year we lose
Our dear ones out of sight, in faith to muse
How grows in Paradise our store."

The epitaph is from The Jackson Memorial Cemetery Survey, Complete to 1960 (incorrect) by Col. William Couper, (copy from Washington & Lee University, Special Collections) page 12. I made other minor changes from the actual hard to read gravestone in person and from photos in the above transcription. The quote is from
John Keble (25 April 1792 to 29 March 1866).

I note there were other early Hannas close in age in the area. John Hanna built a 1 1/2 story log structure in Kerrs Creek that was surveyed by the WPA in 1935. Robert Hanna, 1750-1825, was buried at the North Mountain Burying Ground in Augusta Co., #23286381.

Data on him is also in the hard to locate, Hanna of Castle Sorbie, Scotland, and Descendants: (Originally, a History of the Hanna Families of Scotland: Land of Our Fathers, North Ireland, America 1150-1955), 1960 by Rev. James Arthur MacClannahan Hanna (located my copy in Lexington in the 1990's). Contains data, but little to no sources. Today, the castle is called Sorbie Tower, of the Clan Hannay (AKA Hanna), located south of Wigton in Galloway, about a mile east of Sorbie village. It was built in the 16th century by Alexander Hannay. It was donated to the Clan Hannay Society (formerly named Hannay, Hanna, Hannah Clan Soceity) in 1965. The ruin or stronghold has been renovated several times and still in need of many funds and TLC for restoration.

The family motto in Latin was Per ardua ad alta. Meaning, through difficulties I seek higher things or through efforts to high things.

JSH shared: Many Rockbridge Hanna's are being connected to the Chowan Co., NC, Kanawha Co., WV plus Mercer Co. and Shelby Co., Kentucky Hanna's. Also "Shenandoah Valley John Hanna's" probate is in Hampshire Co., VA.

Bio researched and written by LSP