Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The Town House
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2015
1. The Town House Marker
stood, from 1718 until 1785,
The Town House.
Here Governor Burnet convened
The General Court in 1728 and 1729,
a Town Meeting held here in 1765
protested against The Stamp Act,
and another in 1769,
denounced the tax on tea.
Here met, in 1774, the last General Assemby
of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
which, June 17, in defiance of Governor Gage,
chose delegates to
The First Continental Congress.
The House of Assembly was thereupon dissolved,
and the election of a new house, to meet at Salem,
as ordered by the Governor, but this,
by later proclamation, he refused to recognize.
In contempt of his authority the members met
in this town house, October 5,
and after organizing resolved themselves to
A Provincial Congress,
and adjourned to Concord,
there to act with other delegates as
The First Provincial Congress of Massachusetts.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1718.
Location. 42° 31.281′ N, 70° 53.727′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The First Meeting House Erected in Salem (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Town House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Joshua Ward House (about 300 feet away); Lyceum Hall (about 400 feet away); Central Building (about 500 feet away); The London Coffee House (about 500 feet away); The Witch Gaol (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, June 29, 2015
2. The Town House Marker
The marker is on the left corner of the building facing Washington Street.
Photographed by Marc Posner, April 29, 2024
3. The Town House Marker
Photographed by Marc Posner, April 29, 2024
4. The (former) First Church
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 861 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
