Cassell, Edward P.

From Salem Links and Lore

Edward Cassell (?- Dec. 4, 1915) was a black caterer who in 1851, first became a hairdresser, then a waiter. By 1872 he was listed

in the directories as a caterer, the business he became well known for.

His culinary skills won him acclaim in Boston and Newport as well as Salem.

He was the second African-American resident to cater to the crowds at Hamilton Hall, succeeding John Remond, the patriarch of the well-known Abolitionist family and quite the entrepreneur himself.

His Ropes Street home burned to the ground in the Great Salem Fire of 1914, and he died in the following year.

See Also

Pursuing punch and Mr. Cassell Streets of Salem blog

"Ropes was home to many influential Salemites" letter to the editor, Salem News, June 29, 2017.