William Henry, Sr.

School: Northampton/Lehigh (Pennsylvania/PA)

William Henry, Sr. (1729-1786), an important Pennsylvanian and Revolutionary Patriot, was associated to both the Lancaster and Lehigh schools of gunsmithing. He served as armorer to George Washington and was one of the first men to build rifles in Lancaster. Henry entrusted his son William, Jr., to the capable hands of Andreas Albrecht and the master builders of Christian Springs. Another son, Abraham, later followed his brother to the Lehigh Valley. From here the Henry family established a multi-generational regional gunbuilding dynasty which culminated with the establishment of the factory at Jacobsburg/Boulton, PA, where today one can enjoy the Pennsylvania Museum of the Longrifle, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the American Longrifle. This museum is located near the Belfast Exit, Rt. 33, north of Easton, PA. See website link.