We are excited to announce that The Martin-Henesy House will join the Banking-Mansion family. Mrs. Linda Henesy was a kind and loving woman and was among the first to introduce herself to us when we moved in. She smiled and waved us to come over at every chance to encourage us and our restoration, sometimes giving us an antique lamp or a quilt that had descended in the family. When she passed, we approached her son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Diana Henesy, and offered to buy the house to restore it. This house means a great deal to the Henesy family and means a great deal to us. As the house begins its restoration journey, we look forward to sharing the progress with all of you and are excited to bring another Williamsport treasure back to its former glory.
Situated quietly along the north side of East Salisbury Street in Williamsport, on original lot 42 of the town laid out by Otho Holland Williams in 1787, sits a charming, almost storybook-looking log house covered in weatherboarding. Unassuming and sweet in appearance, the lovely old house at 27 E. Salisbury is one of the older remaining structures in town, dating from the late 18th century when an act of the Maryland Assembly established Williamsport.
Built using either Chestnut or Oak logs, the sturdy house stands 2 1/2 stories tall in the main block, with a massive brick chimney crowing the western gable and a later 19th-century ell, with a shed roof to the back or north. The home is three bays wide with double arched window sashes, replacing the original 9/6 panes in the Victorian Era (the house still has one of the old windows in the attic.) A turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival porch with round columns and a massive but simple balustrade protect the front door, also updated in the Victorian period with fancy paneled jams, an ornate door, and an arched transom.
In the summer of 1799, James Martin leased empty lot 42 from the estate of Otho Holland Williams. Martin was buying up other lots in down, developing them, and selling them for a profit, as many others such as Jacob T. Towson, Hollman, Weisel, and others were doing. Starting in June, Martin built the front part of the existing house, fitting it with fine mantles, a lovely staircase, a heart of pine floors, and a detached kitchen building behind. The home was small but stylish, built in the Federal/ late Georgian style, and, at that time, would have been among the prettier homes in town. We now know that it must have taken about five months to build a two-story log house, as in October of that year, the house and lot sold to Henry Shiltnite for 150 pounds sterling, no small sum in 1799 Williamsport.
Jacob Tolly Towson, a man we often overlook for his massive contribution to Williamsport's growth in the early years, bought this house and many others in an enormous sale of more than ten lots in April 1824. More about Mr. Towson can be read in an earlier article about his now-demolished incredible brick mansion on East Potomac Street, where the garage parking lot is. Jacob Towson built another house on the western portion of this lot about 1825, which he rented to Phillip (1743-1847) and Elizabeth Crow (1790-1840), to whom he eventually sold it in 1847. Phillip's son, John Crow, a shoemaker (1824-?), purchased this house and its now 1/2 lot in 1848 for $375, becoming neighbors with his father, who sadly passed away later that same year. The 1850 census shows John, his wife Catherine, a young son, George, aged 3, and a maidservant named Eva living in the house, property valued at $500.
John Crow's estate sold 27 E Salisbury in November of 1902 to the Snyder family for $1,185, and the Snyders would go on to sell the home to William Ardinger in 1911, who owned the house for 45 years before selling it to Florence and Raymond Henesy in August of 1956.
Raymond G. Henesy Sr. (1910-1959) was active in the Williamsport Fire Department; he and Florence (Eberly) Henesy (1910-1967) were married in 1934. They attended the Rehoboth Church across the street from their home. Raymond passed away young at home, aged only 49 years old, and Florence at only 57, eight years later.
Their son Raymond Jr. (1935-2016) and his wife Linda Lou Wolfe Henesy (1942-2023) purchased the old homestead in May 1968. Raymond Jr. worked for 45 years at the famed Cushwa Brick Company just across the creek from town; in retirement, he worked tirelessly at helping to keep the green spaces in town looking sharp for his beloved hometown. Linda had a passion for helping people, and after graduating from High School in Hagerstown, she graduated from Hagerstown Junior College with the first nursing class offered. She received her bachelor's in nursing from Shenandoah University and then her master's from George Mason. She would go on to teach nursing, developing a curriculum that is still being used today, all while being a mother and wife and devoting her extra time to her church, homeless shelters, and community. Linda passed away peacefully earlier this year at home, as she had wanted it. The Henesy family owned the old house for nearly 70 years.
The historic old house just had its 224th birthday this summer. As it turns 225 next year, it will be re-invigorated with complete restoration by new stewards who love and respect it. We hope Mrs. Henesy is watching down with a smile. Williamsport's historic architecture and brick, wood, and stone heritage should be better protected and respected; this place and its history matter.
