Salem, Eastern Cape

Salem is a settlement in South Africa, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Grahamstown and 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Alexandria. It was founded as a settlement of the Hezekiah Sephton party of 1820 Settlers comprising the following families and individuals: Jones, John Filmer, Wm. Muir, Urry, Watkins, Colling, Booth, Rees, Talbot, Bryant, Wm. Penny, Oats, Prior, Timlett, Rayner, Prinn, Istead, Jenkinson, Cyrus, Wells, Marsh, Serle, Sparks, C. Penny, Witherage, Gush, Wickman, Clark, Watson, Hancock, Shaw, Webb, Kidd, Meller, Evans, Hogsflesh, Slater, Croft, Turpin, Brown, Ochse, B. Rudman, S. Rudman, Caldicott, Watkins and R. Jones. The families travelled in three parties from Port Elizabeth, the last arriving at the Salem site on July 23rd.[1]:11 The name is of biblical origin (Genesis 14:18) and, proclaimed the Sunday after their arrival by the Reverend Shaw[1]:18, means 'peace'; the local application refers to a reconciliation between sects.[2]

Salem
1820 Methodist Church in Salem
Salem
Salem
Coordinates: 33°28′17″S 26°29′00″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape
DistrictSarah Baartman
MunicipalityMakana
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
6150

A church built from mud blocks and thatch was consecrated in 1824, and replaced by a stone structure in 1832. The church often served as a refuge for women and children during the Frontier Wars. Several settler houses, built in the Georgian style, have been preserved.[3]

In December 2017 the Constitutional Court upheld a land claim lodged in respect of the Salem Commonage by descendants of the black community that previously occupied the land.[4]

References
  1. Powell, F. Whinchcombe (1960). Hancock's Drift: The Story of the Great Wagon Road. 21 Berg Str, Pietermaritzburg: F.W. Whinchcombe.CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. Raper, P. E. (1989). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 395. ISBN 978-0-947464-04-2 – via Internet Archive.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Sandra Olivier (2005). Touring in South Africa. Struik. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-77007-142-1.
  4. "Salem Party Club and Others v Salem Community and Others (CCT26/17) [2017] ZACC 46 (11 December 2017)". www.saflii.org. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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