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Please add profiles of those who were born, lived or died in Salem County, New Jersey.
Official Website
European settlement began with English colonists in the seventeenth century, who were settling both sides of the Delaware River. They established a colonial court in the area in 1681, but Salem County was first formally organized within West Jersey on May 17, 1694, from the Salem Tenth. Pittsgrove Township was transferred to Cumberland County in April 1867, but was restored to Salem County in February 1868. The area was initially settled by Quakers.
The Old Salem County Courthouse, situated on the same block as the Salem County Courthouse, serves as the court for Salem City in the 21st century. It is the oldest active courthouse in New Jersey and is the second oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States, the oldest being King William County Courthouse in Virginia. The courthouse was built in 1735 during the reign of King George II using locally manufactured bricks. The building was enlarged in 1817 and additionally enlarged and remodeled in 1908. Its distinctive bell tower is essentially unchanged and the original bell sits in the courtroom.
Judge William Hancock of the King's Court presided at the courthouse. He was later killed by the British in the American Revolutionary War during the massacre at Hancock House committed by the British against local militia during the Salem Raid in 1778. Afterward the courthouse was the site of the "treason trials," wherein suspected Loyalists were put on trial for having allegedly aided the British during the Salem Raid. Four men were convicted and sentenced to death for treason; however, they were pardoned by Governor William Livingston and exiled from New Jersey. The courthouse is also the site of the legend of Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson's proving the edibility of the tomato. Before 1820, Americans often assumed tomatoes were poisonous. In 1820, Colonel Johnson, according to legend, stood upon the courthouse steps and ate tomatoes in front of a large crowd assembled to watch him do so.[9]
Salem County is notable for its distinctive Quaker-inspired architecture and masonry styles of the 18th century. It had a rural and agricultural economy. In the early 20th century, its towns received numerous immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, who markedly added to the population. In the period following World War II, the county's population increased due to suburban development. To accommodate increasing traffic, the Delaware Memorial Bridge was built from Salem County to New Castle, Delaware.
Adjacent Counties
Municipalities
Alloway Twp. - Aldine, Alloway CDP, Friesburg, Oakland, Penton, Remsterville, Riddleton
Carneys Point Twp. - Carneys Point CDP, Helms Cove, Laytons Lake
Elmer
Elsinboro Twp.
Lower Alloways Creek Twp. - Hancock's Bridge CDP
Mannington Twp. - Marshalltown, Pointers
Oldmans Twp. - Pedricktown CDP
Penns Grove
Pennsville Twp. - Deepwater, Pennsville CDP
Pilesgrove Twp.
Pittsgrove Twp. - Brotmanville, Centerton, Norma, Olivet CDP
Quinton Twp. - Pecks Corner, Quinton CDP
Salem
Upper Pittsgrove Twp. - Daretown, Friendship, Monroeville, Whig Lane
Woodstown
Cemeteries
Links
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
National Register of Historic Places
Genealogical Society of Salem County
Salem County Historical Society
