Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/563

BARRINGTON BRIDGE. 457 The following bill is a sample of the business done: " State of Rhode Island, &c. To Luther Martin, Dr. To ferrying over and back Fifty one men belonging to Capt. Eben'r Peck's Company of Militia at 4 cts. per ferriage $4.08 cts., It being on Muster Day the 2nd Day of October, 1798. Errors excepted; pr. Luther Martin. I hereby certify that Mr. Luther Martin ferried over the above men. Eben'r Peck, Capt. Also to ferrying over and back Gen'l T. Allin and seven troopers with their Horses at 6 cts. per Piece, 96 cts. Luther Martin, Ferrimmi!' Barrington, Oct. 29, 1798. At the opening of the new century, prosperity was return- ing to an impoverished people and ready communication of the towns with each other and with the capitals. Providence and Newport, seemed indispensable for the advancement of business. Kelley's toll bridge connected New Meadow Neck with Warren and Bristol, and the land travel to and from Newport, Providence, and Boston, on the east side of the bay, traversed Warren, New Meadow Neck and Reho- both by way of Monroe's Tavern, through what is now See- konk and East Providence. The leading citizens of Barring- ton, Warren, and Bristol saw that this was a circuitous route and sought a more direct way. Their first act was to procure the removal of the gates and bars which obstructed the highway from Wannamoisett through the Brown neigh- borhood from Captain Willett's to Armington's Corners and to make of it a public thoroughfare. The Town Council of Barrington, consisting of Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Heath, Thomas Allin and, Elkanah Humphrey, united in an address to the town of Rehoboth, asking that a " Highway be laid out through the town of Rehoboth from Barrington to the