John Fenwick was an Englishman known for his role as a colonial founder in America. He established the town of Salem in present-day New Jersey in 1675, which became one of the earliest settlements in the region. Fenwick was a Quaker and sought to create a community based on religious freedom and tolerance. In addition to founding Salem, Fenwick was involved in land transactions and governance in the New Jersey colony. He was granted a large tract of land by the Duke of York, which he used to attract settlers. His efforts contributed to the growth of the area and the establishment of Quaker communities.