Early History of Salem
Salem was first settled in 1761 by Joshua Conkey and James Turner who as soldiers in the French and Indian War, passed through the territory. In 1764, Alexander and James Turner acquired a patent which was soon divided up between the New Englanders from Pelham Mass. and a group of Scotch/Irish Presbyterians from Ballibay, Ireland.
The name of this place was disputed for many years. The New Englanders called it White Creek after the clear creek that ran through the village and the Scotch/Irish called it New Perth since it reminded them of home. In 1788 the New York State Legislature settled the dispute by calling it Salem, a name first used in 1777 for Fort Salem of Revolutionary War time.
Town of Salem Video Links
HISTORICAL ARCHIVES
INDEX TO THE GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS OF THE TOWN OF SALEM NEW YORK
INDEX TO THE HISTORICAL ARCHIVES
Of the Town OF SALEM, NEW YORK
Contact Town Historian: Judith Flagg ( j.flagg@outlook.com ) if you would like to access the archives.
Visit our Landmark and Revolutionary War Cemetery pages for more information about Salem history.
Click here for the 123rd Regiment website
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