history of the Pirates is synonymous with the life of a man who believed hard work, fellowship, community dedication and loyalty were the cornerstones of a purposeful life. That man was Henry Stackhouse Williamson. It was said at the time that “Harry Williamson was the biggest-hearted man who ever came down the pike to Lancaster”.

He was born of English Quaker ancestry on February 27, 1853 in Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He died in Lancaster May 20, 1917, at the age of 64 years.

Following high school he began a merchandising career in the clothing business in Wilmington, Delaware. He later opened his own business in Harrisburg in partnership with a friend from Wilmington. There they built a very successful store. After several profitable years there it was decided to establish a store in Lancaster. Later the task of operating two stores became too much of a burden on his health so he sold the Harrisburg operation. His partner came to Lancaster with him but in a few short years withdrew from the business. The Williamson department store continued to a very successful venture and after many years of operation Williamson sold it to his former partner and another individual.

Throughout his dedicated business and community service career he believed that tired and burdened business and professional men should get away occasionally for a day of pure, wholesome recreation and fellowship, out in the open. He would invite a group of his friends to go on a fishing and hiking trip along the Susquehanna River.

At that time the Susquehanna had an abundance of fish, mostly shad, so Williamson and his friends would go there four or five time a year, usually from Spring to late Fall to fish. After each trip they would have dinner at Benton, Fern Cliff, Pequea, Holtwood or Peach Bottom along the river. The catch of the day was usually served and following dinner there was singing sparking a festive mood. Williamson and his friends didn’t drink. They didn’t find it necessary as a prelude to a good time. The introduction of spirits into the dining functions didn’t occur until the early 1940’s.

Mr. Williamson, or Harry as he was fondly known, was a unique character in many ways. It can truly be said that no other citizen in his time ever contributed more to Lancaster than he did.He was a great philanthropist. He gave Lancaster City Williamson Park, the gateway to which was erected by the Pirates as a memorial to Williamson. He gave Williamson Field, the athletic field, to Franklin and Marshall College. He founded The Recreation Commission, leading to the free playgrounds of Lancaster. He contributed greatly to Lancaster General and St. Joseph’s Hospitals and the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian Associations. He was President of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. He was a trustee at Franklin and Marshall College and a director at Stevens Trade School. He was President of the Benner Manufacturing Company, a director of Hamilton Watch Company and People’s Bank and Trust Company. He endowed a children’s ward at Lancaster General Hospital. He also served as President of the County of the County Fair Association, an outgrowth of his two productive farms. It was difficult to recall a local worthwhile movement that did not receive sympathetic encouragement and cooperation from him.

In 1910 Harry Williamson invited a large group of his friends to his home on Wheatland Avenue, Upland Lawn, for an afternoon of recreation and refreshment. It was here that the club know as the Pirates was organized. Williamson was elected its first Chief and served as Chief from 1910 until his death on May 20, 1917, two days following a Pirate cruise to Accomac on the Susquehanna River, a favorite rendezvous for the Pirates. Years later the site of organization, Upland Lawn, was razed and replaced by an apartment complex known as Williamson Square.