Text Box: Visiting Old Hanna’s Town in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania was an interesting trip into the past.

 “Old Hannastown had a brief but interesting history.  A fort was built and on July 13, 1782 it was attacked and burned by the British, Tories and Seneca Indian.  This is considered by some to be the last hostile action of the Revolutionary War.  The Westmoreland County Historical Society is excavating the sight and has reconstructed the Fort and Hannah’s Tavern.” *

 “Two months prior to the burning of Hannahstown, May 1782, Francis II (Jean Francois Ory), and his youngest son, Jacob, were killed, two other sons, John and Francis, captured and his farm burned by the Indians.  Francis II was around 52 years old at the time. (He was 58.) Francis II’s daughter Eve was instrumental in saving the fort during the subsequent siege.  She was about 25 years old at the time.  She is considered a heroine and is well known by those familiar with the history of Old Hannastown.  She never married and is buried in the United Presbyterian Church in Congruity, Pennsylvania, about four miles north of Old Hannastown.  The DAR has put a plaque on her grave briefly describing her actions during the siege.”

 “Eve Oury was paid a gratuity of $100 by act of March 17, 1838 and granted a special pension of $40.00 per year by act of April 1, 1846.  The later states ‘it was granted for heroic bravery and risking her life in defense of the garrison of Hannastown Fort in 1778 when it was attacked by a large number of Indians, and that by her fortitude she performed efficient service in driving away the Indians and thus saved the Inmates a horrid butchery by the merciless and savage foe’.”
 
by James G. Niles

 * More buildings have been reconstructed as of 1999.
Jim Ory
Hanna's TownText Box: Hannastown Sign
Text Box: Hannastown Fort Sign
Text Box: Hanna’s Tavern & Jail
Text Box: Hanna’s Tavern & Jail
Text Box: Rearview of Hanna’s Tavern and Store
Text Box: Hannastown Fort
Text Box: Interior Building in Hannastown Fort