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Hanover County Prior to English colonization what is today Hanover County was hunting ground for the Pamunkey and Chickahominy Indians. In the late 17th century it was settled by plantation owners and others involved in the tobacco related economy. At that time it was part of New Kent County. Hanover County was officially formed on November 26, 1720 from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was named for King George I of England, who was Elector of Hannover in Germany when he came to the throne. Two early port towns on the Pamunkey River were Hanovertown and Newcastle. Both were mercantile villages from which tobacco was shipped to England. Neither exists today. Patrick Henry," Orator of the Revolution" and first Governor of Virginia, was born in Hanover County in 1736. Henry began his law career with an impassioned plea against the King (known as the Parson's Cause case) at Hanover Courthouse. "Scotchtown", Henry's family home while Governor of Virginia, has been preserved and is open to the public. He also worked at the Hanover Tavern, owned by his in-laws. Henry was greatly influenced by The Rev. Samuel Davies, the leader of "The Great Awakening" in Virginia, who established Pole Green and other meeting houses in Hanover in the 1740's and later was the first president of Princeton University". During the Revolution, Lord Cornwallis stayed at Hanover Tavern on his way to Yorktown (it's said that he left without paying his bill). Colonel Tarleton and General Lafayette traversed the County several times. The Comte de Rochambeau also marched through the Courthouse on the way to Yorktown. Dolley Madison was a resident of Hanover during this same period. Henry Clay of Kentucky, author of the Missouri Compromise, was born in Hanover County in 1777. He ran for president three times; served as a United States Senator; as a member of the House of Representatives; and as Secretary of State. Edmund Ruffin, the famous agriculturalist and secessionist, moved to Hanover County in 1844. He fired the first shot on Ft. Sumter in South Carolina at the start of the Civil War. He committed suicide after the Confederate defeat and is buried in Hanover. Hanover County played a major role in the Civil War. Many battles were fought in Hanover including some of its bloodiest conflicts as the Union Armies tried to take Richmond. Those battles include The Seven Days Battle; Cold Harbor, and North Anna as well as numerous smaller battles and skirmishes. The Town of Ashland, originally called Slash Cottage, was created as a resort on the railroad prior to the Civil War. Randolph- Macon College moved there from Boydton, Virginia in 1868. Today Washington and Franklin Hall, the first building of the new campus, is a state and national landmark. Its construction was funded largely by students. (Source: http://www.co.hanover.va.us/history.htm ) Links: Hanover Government Site Hanover Schools Hanover Chamber of Commerce We adhere to a strict Privacy Policy. Be assured any information sent through this website is strictly confidential.   First Advantage Realty on Facebook

Featured Listing Churchland Farms 25 Ac. Estate Lots Several Sites Available From the $190's   Your Neighborhood REALTOR® Charles H. Evelyn Principal Broker email Charles  Phone: (804) 328-1212 Toll Free: (800) 630-6153 Fax: (804) 966-7107

First Advantage Realty, LLC
Charles H. Evelyn, III - Principal Broker
PO Box 62 | 2200 Barnetts Rd
Providence Forge, VA 23140
Phone: (804) 328-1212
Toll Free: (800) 630-6153
Fax: (804) 966-7107
Licensed in Virginia  #226-019100