Did you know that several of the early settlers of Williamsport fought in the Revolutionary War? Not only the towns founder General Otho Holland Williams fought, but many townsfolk as well. We owe these pioneers a great deal for their bravery. Some are buried in Riverview Cemetery.
On the north side of East Salisbury Street on lot 41 once sat one of Williamsport's fine early homes. The house was built c.1797 by John Orbison who only owned it for a short while. In 1798 he sold it to a Mr. Petzer for $350 who in turn sold it to Jonathan Tritle for 350 pounds in 1799. This price indicates a substantial improvement, proving the house stood at that time. Tritle immigrated from Germany aboard the ship Crawford in 1772. Jonathan quickly became a patriot, proving the love he had for his new country with his service in the Revolutionary War, fighting for independence. He was a “gunner” at Valley Forge with George Washington.
After the war, Tritle set up a household in Williamsport with his family in the newly built 2-story, 3-bay Georgian Style log house on East Salisbury. The home sat directly across the Street from where the Banking Mansion now stands. When Jonathan passed away sometime around 1825 he left the house to his daughter Catherine and her husband Peter Steffey. Peter and Catherine likely lived there and expanded the house. Peter Steffey was a contractor who is thought to have built the Banking Mansion in about 1814. (among other buildings in town). His family would eventually own the Banking-Mansion for over 75 years.
Sadly the fine old house, a building that was home to one of our nation's early heroes was destroyed to make way for a parking lot. What becomes of Williamsport when our heritage in brick, stone, and wood is all lost? Or just as serious, so irreversibly altered that nothing of the past remains. Some research should be done before demolition to uncover what history these structures may hold for our town and our country. We must do better to protect Williamsport’s heritage.
