The Salem County Historical Society May 2005 No.10
THE HISTORY HIGHWAY
In Salem
County
“The Student’s Newsletter”
This Student Newsletter is the tenth in a series being
prepared by the Historical Society to be shared by the classroom teacher, with
their students as a group activity or independently.
The Story of Robert Gibbon Johnson and the Tomato
Robert Gibbon Johnson
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This legend, as some would call it, happened almost 200 years ago. It is about a man named Robert Johnson. He was very well-known around Salem. He was born on July 23, 1771 and raised in Salem. He was 49 years old when this story took place. He was a member of one of the community’s pioneer families and was Salem’s first Citizen. In 1808 he had made a trip abroad. When he returned he introduced the tomato to the farmers of the community and persuaded them to grow the things as ornamental shrubs. He was very well-known and said to be the wealthiest man in Salem County. He was also a friend of George Washington. He lived in a mansion on Market Street, just down from the Court House. (This house is still standing. It is between the NEW courthouse and the Presbyterian Church, set back on Market Street.) There was a time in America when scientists and doctors branded the tomato as poisonous and it would not be served at the table. On
Sept. 26, 1820, Col. Johnson announced that he would eat a tomato,
also called the Wolf Peach, Jerusalem apple or love apple, on the
steps of the county courthouse at noon. (The courthouse where this
was supposed to have happened is still standing in the center of Salem.)
No one had ever dared taste it for the fear of what would happen
to them. His friends and neighbors came from miles around to witness this man eat this tomato. That morning, in 1820, about 2000 people were jammed into the town square. Very few believed he really intended to eat this. His doctor, Dr. James Van Meeter, shook his head and told Col. Johnson that he would get very sick. Well, 12 o’clock noon came and went but no sight of Colonel Johnson. The spectators began to hoot and jeer. Then, 15 minutes later, Col. Johnson emerged from his mansion and headed up Market Street towards the Courthouse. The crowd cheered. The fireman’s band struck up a lively tune. He was a very impressive-looking man as he walked along the street. He was dressed in his usual black suit with white ruffles, black shoes and gloves, "tricorn" (corner) hat, and cane. |
At the Court House steps he spoke to the crowd about the history of the tomato. He told them that it had been eaten by the Egyptians and Greeks but then lost in history. Later it turned up in Peru and Mexico. Then it was taken to Europe. From Europe, Col. Johnson told the crowd, he had brought it to Salem. He picked a choice one from a basket on the steps and held it up so that it glistened in the sun. He told them that "the time will come when this luscious golden tomato, rich in nutrition, a delight to the eye, a joy to the palate whether fried, baked, broiled or even eaten raw will form the foundation of a great garden industry”. "To help dispel the tall tales, the fantastic fables that you have been hearing ……… And to prove to you that it is not poisonous I am going to eat one right now", he said. …..There was not a sound as the Col. dramatically brought the tomato to his lips and took a bite. A woman in the crowd screamed and fainted but no one paid her any attention; they were all watching Col. Johnson as he took one bite after another. He grabbed another from a basket and bit into that one too. He raised both his arms, and again bit into one and then the other. The crowd cheered and the firemen’s band blared
a song." Men and women were so happy. “He’s done it", they shouted. "He’s still alive. It’s not poisonous. He is still standing". Col. Johnson kept right on eating the tomatoes biting into them until he had emptied the basket. |
