 In the winter of 1852-1853, nearly the entire territorial legislature was quartered there including Judge Matthew Deady and Hon.Asahel Bush, who occupied a room together, Joseph Meek, Colonel George K. Shiel, James W. Nesmith, Delazon Smith, James K. Kelly, Benjamin Harding, John Whiteaker, Nathaniel Ford of Polk county, and George Law Curry.In 1854, the U. S. Surveyor General's office for Oregon was removed to Salem, and occupied rooms at the Bennett House for some time.