The Puritans' first priority in building Salem was to create a communal meeting house, which reflected both the Puritan faith and the communal nature of their society. The meeting house served as a place where the members of the community would come together for religious services, prayer meetings, and other social events. It was typically located in the center of the town and served as the focus of community life.
Around the meeting house, the Puritans laid out a grid pattern of streets and allocated plots of land to individual families. These plots were typically large enough for a house, a garden, and a barn or workshop. The Puritans believed that this arrangement would promote order and harmony within the community, and it also allowed for efficient use of land.
In addition to the meeting house and individual house lots, Puritan towns also included other important communal structures, such as schools, blacksmith shops, and mills. These structures were essential for the survival and prosperity of the community, and they helped to foster a sense of self-sufficiency among the Puritans.
The arrangement of Puritan towns reflected their religious beliefs, their communal values, and their practical needs. These towns were designed to provide a safe and orderly environment in which the Puritans could live and worship according to their beliefs.