From The Salem Town Historian's Office

• Coming of Age. The Diary of Young Man Thaddeus H. Walker, 1851-1854
• Diary of a 19th Century Farm Wife
• Next Year In Salem
• Salem Album
• The Back Shop and Other Tales
• The Family Of David French
• Tales and Legends From Salem

All book orders are to be sent to William A. Cormier, Town Historian, c/o Proudfit Hall P. O. Box 297, Salem, New York 12865. When ordering, please make the check out to the correct sponsor listed under each book description. With your payment, send your complete name, address, zip code, tel. number and the title of the book being purchased.

For information call or E Mail:
Tel. 518-854-3527.
E Mail address: wacormier1@verizon.net

“Coming of Age. The Diary of Young Man Thaddeus H. Walker, 1851-1854”
Set in Salem, New York, the diary of Thaddeus H. Walker tells us of his experiences as he apprentices to become a lawyer, explores far off places via the new Delaware and Hudson Railroad, and works on the successful family farm.  In his own words, the reader learns about the joys and disappointments of his social life, his eventual move to Topeka, Kansas, his influence in organizing the Kansas Republican party, and his Kansas campaigns for the office of governor. Cost of the soft cover book is $20 plus $5 shipping and 7% sales tax.  Make check out to New Perth Publishing.

"Diary of a 19th Century Farm Wife, Almira E. McCleary, 1886."
A story of a Salem farm wife, depicting her trials and tribulations in running the family farm home as a tavern. Potato farming, railroad transportation, family relations, daily chores, religious beliefs, and medical practices absorb her life. Twenty-one illustrations. Price is $14.95, plus mailing $3 and NY Sales tax of 7%.  Make check out to New Perth Publishing.

Next Year in Salem
A Chronicle of the Home Front During WW II, 1940 - 1945.
by William A. Cormier

Researched over a period of six years, this 206 page hard cover book details Salem's part in World War II, describing the activities on the home and war fronts. Included is a chronology of the important local, county, state and national events of the times and of WW II land and sea battles.

Many personal experiences are told for the first time, reflecting the spirit of the community and those who fought on the battle fronts. Fifty-seven rare pictures are included, plus an extensive 20 page name index, making the book an important historical and genealogy resource. This book has something for everyone.

The price of the book is $20.00. For mailing add an additional $2.50 and 7% sales tax for NYS residents. Make check out to New Perth Publishers.

Salem Album

This unique soft cover album contains over 240, 19th century and turn of the century photographs with text of Salem's past. Never before published, pictures of people, events, disasters, parades, buildings, vistas, street scenes, etc . visually document life in Salem at that time. The historical pictures, taken by Salem photographers B. C. Kinney, Robert Cruikshank and others, represent early photography at its best. Price is $15. For mailing add an additional $2 and 7% sales tax for NYS residents. Make check out to Dr. Asa Fitch Historical Society.

The Back Shop and Other Tales
by William A. Cormier

The 38 page soft cover manuscript is the only locally written history of railroading in Salem. The monograph, beginning in 1850, covers railroading on the Troy and Rutland Railroad and the Delaware and Hudson line that ran through the town of Salem until its demise in 1982. Personal stories of Salem men and others who worked for the T&R and the D&H detail early steam engine experiences: names of railroad workers, working conditions, equipment, blizzard of '88, train wrecks, fires, floods, fatal accidents, heroes, etc. The manuscript contains a computer generated map of the original Salem railroad yards and roundhouse circa 1890 as well as a map of the Washington County D&H lines in 1908.

The modern history of the Batten Kill Railroad short-line begun in 1982 and the Northeastern New York Railroad Preservation Group begun in 1994 are also included. Price is $9.95. For mailing add $2.50 and 7% sales tax for NYS residents. Make check out to New Perth Publishing.

The Family of David French

A 240 page hard cover history and genealogy of the Rev. David French family, dating back to the Revolutionary War to modern times. Covers the French family ties to Salem and Cambridge, New York, Pennsylvania and other states. Hundreds of related names such as Blair, Cummings, Dickson, Gray, Henry, Ingles, McClellan, Murdoch, Owens, Randles,Smock, Stewart, White and many more are included. A genealogy must. Price is $20. Add $2.50 for mailing and 7% sales tax for NYS residents. Make check out to New Perth Publishing.

Tales and Legends From Salem
Edited by James Alcott
Editorial consultant, W. A. Cormier

Historic Salem, NY, settled almost 250 years ago, is rich in history and folklore. A new illustrated book - Tales and Legends From Salem - captures over 40 stories and vignettes from the area. They include The Grey Man, Salem's guardian spirit, several other ghosts, a witch, the hideaway of Daniel Shays and his followers in the 1780's, Old Head Allen who was caught disinterring a body and separating its head for the advancement of medical science, and the story of a mysterious disappearance and a haunted chimney. Price is $10. Add $1.00 for postage. No sales tax required. Make check out to Friends of the Bancroft Library.