Salem Gibralter

The Salem Gibralter was the first candy commercially sold in the United States. It is still being sold.

The Salem Gibralter was originated by the Spencer family of northern Salem, Massachusetts in 1806, after they relocated from England. A shipwreck left them destitute, so that their neighbors donated them supplies; they included a barrel of sugar since Mrs. Spencer was a confectioner. She first sold her lemon or peppermint flavored hard candy on the steps of the First Church herself, until they became so popular that she was able to purchase a horse and wagon to sell them to neighboring towns. As hard candy remains stable indefinitely if kept dry, captains of commercial ships in turn could carry the candy to ports throughout the world for sale.

After Mrs. Spencer died, the business remained in family hands until the 1830s, when it was sold to John William Pepper. Ye Olde Pepper Companie continues to sell the candies, using the original recipe.

References

* [http://newenglandphotos.blogspot.com/ Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, America's Oldest Candy Company ]
* [http://www.yeoldepeppercandy.com/pages/history.html Company History Page]