Exploring Historic Salem: The Quaker Port of New Jersey

Salem, New Jersey, may sit slightly off the beaten path, but this 2.6-square-mile city is a heavyweight of American history. With a legacy spanning over 340 years, Salem serves as the seat of Salem County and stands as one of the most significant colonial settlements in the mid-Atlantic.

From its deep Quaker roots to its role as a bustling port, Salem offers a landscape of red-brick architecture that mirrors the historic streets of Philadelphia. It is a community that has survived political turmoil, wartime massacres, and the rise and fall of industry, yet remains a dedicated guardian of New Jersey’s earliest days.

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The Vision of John Fenwick

Salem was founded in 1675 by the Quaker John Fenwick, seven years before the founding of Philadelphia. Fenwick had purchased a share of West Jersey and arrived with 150 settlers to establish a colony based on the principles of the Society of Friends.

• The Salem Oak: According to local tradition, Fenwick met with the Lenape under the shade of a massive oak tree in 1675 to negotiate a peaceful treaty for the land. That tree, the legendary Salem Oak, stood in the Friends Burial Grounds for over 500 years until it fell in 2019. It remains a powerful symbol of the city’s founding.
• A Port of Importance: By the late 17th century, Salem had become an essential colonial port, a hub for shipbuilding and international trade that rivaled the growth of nearby Burlington.

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The Old Salem County Courthouse (1735)

At the corner of East Broadway and Market Street stands a jewel of American law: the Old Salem County Courthouse.

• National Significance: Built in 1735 using locally manufactured brick, it is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States.
• Revolutionary Treason: In 1778, following the “Salem Raid” by British forces, the courthouse was the site of intense treason trials. Suspected Loyalists were tried here for aiding the British during the bloody Hancock House massacre. While four men were sentenced to death, they were eventually pardoned by Governor William Livingston.

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The Salem County Historical Society

The Society is housed in a unique complex of three interconnected buildings on Market Street, headlined by the Alexander Grant House (1721).

• Quaker Architecture: The house is built of classic Flemish-bond brick, a signature style of the region’s Quaker settlers. The rear “keeping room,” dating to 1717, still features its original walk-in hearth and sleeping loft.
• The John Jones Law Office: On the Society’s grounds sits an architectural curiosity—a tiny, octagonal brick building with a conical roof. Built in 1735, it is believed to be the oldest surviving law office in the United States.
• Relics of Power: The Society’s museum holds two extraordinary artifacts: a Windsor bowback chair that once belonged to William Penn and a ring containing a lock of George Washington’s hair.

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Industry and Preservation

In the 19th century, Salem was an industrial powerhouse known for glassmaking, canning, and floor coverings. While large-scale manufacturing declined after World War I, the city has successfully reinvented itself as a center for heritage tourism.

The downtown area, specifically Broadway and Market Street, is a listed Historic District on both the State and National Registers. Walking these streets today, the simple, elegant brick row homes provide a remarkably preserved view of life in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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If You Visit

Salem is a “walking town” where history is visible on nearly every corner.

• Location: Market St. & Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079.
• The Historical Society: 83 Market Street. Be sure to visit the Alexander Grant House and the Law Office on the grounds.
• The Courthouse: Though modern court business has moved, the 1735 building remains a centerpiece of the historic district.
• Friends Burial Ground: Located on West Broadway, this is the site where the Salem Oak once stood and remains a peaceful place for reflection.

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For More Information:

• Salem County Historical Society (www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com)