Grocers and other Provisions Providers

Photograph, viewed south, of Derby Square and the Market House in downtown Salem, Massachusetts.

The large number of grocers (N=81) indicated the high volume need of provisions for Salem's residents. Eleven people identified themselves as dry goods suppliers. There were also a number of traders (N=8), but what they traded was unspecified. Additionally, there are numerous more specialized provisions providers in Salem, including bakers (N=31), butchers (N=7), dealers fruits & vegetables (N=2), tobacconists (N=16), cigar makers/manufacturers (N=6), a fish dealer, salt makers (N=17), wood and coal suppliers (N=13), meal/flour merchants (N=5), paper/ stationary dealers (N=2), distillers (N=7), a brewer, apothecaries (drugggists, N=10), stove sellers (N=4), a wool dealer, a glass and crockery dealer, oyster dealers (N=4), a garden seed seller, iron/coal/salt/lime suppliers (N=5), soap and candle manfacturers (N=3), a clay pipe maker and confectioners (N=2). Two coffee houses are listed in the directory. There were also a few book sellers (N=7) in Salem. Thirteen people identified themselves as victualers, which can be either a provider of provisions to the military, or the keeper of a restaurant or tavern. Given that Salem had very few military personnel in the area, it is more likely that these victualers were restaurateurs.

This is a small section from the 1874 "Atlas of the City of Salem, Massachusetts" depicting Derby Square, bound by Essex, Central, Front and Washington Streets in downtown Salem. One can see the Derby House, Salem House, Lawrence Business Block, the Asiatic Building (with Post Office and Salem Savings Bank) and the First Church.