Although this headstone states Col Hance Hamilton was born in 1721, this is unlikely since he was contracted by William Penn to defend his settlement in Pennsylvania and immigrated aboard the ship Diligence of Scotland in 1729. It is probable that the headstone was in error based on being made long after his death and relying on a broken worn original headstone that was not easily legible.

Text excerpts from History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania, published 1886.

Col. Hance Hamilton is connected with the early history of York and Adams, a born leader of men, with that genius that founds empires, organizes States, and wields boundless control over great communities.

His remains were first interred in Black' s graveyard, on Upper Marsh Creek, where they reposed for eighty years, and were disinterred and placed in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg. The quaint lettered stone slab that was placed over his first burial lies prone upon the ground. He was the first sheriff, elected in 1749, of York County. At the end of this term he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county. In 1756 he was captain of Provincial troops in the French and Indian war. He was at Fort Littleton (Fulton County) from where he described in a letter the capture by the Indians of McCord's Fort. He was in Armstrong's expedition against Kittanning. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, First Battalion Pennsylvania Regiment of foot soldiers of the Province.

He was of pure Scotch blood. The children mentioned in his will are Thomas, Edward, Harriett, Sarah (married Alexander McKean), Mary (married Hugh McKean), Dr. Hance Garvin, George, John William, and James. None of his descendants are now living in this part of the country.

Although this headstone states Col Hance Hamilton was born in 1721, this is unlikely since he was contracted by William Penn to defend his settlement in Pennsylvania and immigrated aboard the ship Diligence of Scotland in 1729. It is probable that the headstone was in error based on being made long after his death and relying on a broken worn original headstone that was not easily legible.

Text excerpts from History of Cumberland and Adams counties, Pennsylvania, published 1886.

Col. Hance Hamilton is connected with the early history of York and Adams, a born leader of men, with that genius that founds empires, organizes States, and wields boundless control over great communities.

His remains were first interred in Black' s graveyard, on Upper Marsh Creek, where they reposed for eighty years, and were disinterred and placed in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg. The quaint lettered stone slab that was placed over his first burial lies prone upon the ground. He was the first sheriff, elected in 1749, of York County. At the end of this term he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county. In 1756 he was captain of Provincial troops in the French and Indian war. He was at Fort Littleton (Fulton County) from where he described in a letter the capture by the Indians of McCord's Fort. He was in Armstrong's expedition against Kittanning. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, First Battalion Pennsylvania Regiment of foot soldiers of the Province.

He was of pure Scotch blood. The children mentioned in his will are Thomas, Edward, Harriett, Sarah (married Alexander McKean), Mary (married Hugh McKean), Dr. Hance Garvin, George, John William, and James. None of his descendants are now living in this part of the country.