Complex sentence: The new bridge's first stone was laid on 31 March 1838 by Elkanah Armitage, Boroughreeve of Salford, and the final stone almost a year later on 23 March 1839, by Sir Humphrey de Trafford, 2nd Baronet.
Split into simpler sentences: The new bridge's first stone was laid on 31 March 1838 by Elkanah Armitage, Boroughreeve of Salford. Inclement weather caused several construction delays, For one example of these delays, see but the final stone was laid almost a year later on 23 March 1839, by Sir Humphrey de Trafford, 2nd Baronet.