The semi-weekly messenger., 1906-10-23
NORTH EAST RIVER BRIDGE
Copy of the Original Act of the Pro-
yisiOnaI Government Granting
Charter for Bridge Over the River
Near Castle Haynes.

Following is a copy of the act of the
ASSEMBLY of the province of North
Carolina ratified December l, 1866,
granting to Benjamin Heron, his
heirs, executors, administrators Or as
signs a charter to build and operate
a ball bridge over North East river
The original charter is on file in the
office of the secretary of state:
An act to encourage Benjamin
Heron, Esquire to Build Bridge over
the North East Branch of Cape Fear
River at or near the place where the
Ferry is now kept by Edward Davis.
Whereas a Bridge over the North
East Branch of Cape Fear River at
or near the place where the Ferry is
now kept by Edward Davis would be
much for the Convenience CT all Trav-
elers and as the Land on both sides of
the River belongs to Benjamin Heron,
Esquire, the said Benjamin Heron is
his own expense on condition that the
Benefit thereof be vested in him and
his heirs and assigns forever.
Be it therefore Enacted by the
Governor, Council and Assembly and
by the authority Of the same that it
shall and may be lawfully for said
Benjamin Heron, his heir Executors,
Administrators or assigns to erect and
build good strong and substantial
Bridge over the North East Branch
of Cape Fear River as near as he con-
veniently can to the place where the
Ferry is now kept by Edward Davis
which Bridge shall have one wide
arch of thirty feet for Rats and Petty
Anglers to pass through and six feet
high above high water mark, and be
made to draw up occasionally for the
navigation of vessels of larger
burthen; and after Building and erect
ing the said Bridge as aforesaid it
shall and may be lawful for the said
Benjamin Heron, his heirs, Executors,
Administrators Or Assigns to keep a
sufficient Gate thereon and take and
receive from all persons that shall pass
over the same the following rates
that is to say, for every man and horse.
SiX-pence; for every fOur-wheeI carri-
age drawn by two horses or oxen Two
Shillings, and for every two wheel
carriage drawn by one Or two horses
or oxen One Shilling and for every
horse Or OK more FOur-pence each,
and for every head of meat cattle
Three-half-pence, and for every Twen-
ty Hogs Or Sheep Eighteen Pence and
so in proportion for a greater or lesser
number of hops Or sheep, and for all
Travellers on foot Four Pence each.
And be it further enacted by the Au-
thOrity aforesaid that after the said
Bridge is SO built and completely
erected as aforesaid, Provided it shall
be completed within four years after
the passing this act, it shall not be
lawful for any person whatsoever to
keep any Ferry, Build and Bridge or
set any person Or persons, carriage or
carriages, cattle, hogs or sheep over
the said River for Fee or Reward
within six miles of the same under
the Penalty of Twenty Shillingy, Proc
lamatiOn money for each and ever Of
fence to be recovered by a warrant by
the said Benjamin Heron, his Heirs,
Executors, Administrators or Assigns
before any Magistrate of the County
of New Hanover, to be applied so the
use of the proprietor of the said
Bridge at the time of tire offence be-
ing committed.
And be it further enacted by the
hority aforesaid that when the said
Bridge shall be built and erected as
said Benjamin Her0n-
his Heirs Executors and Administra
tors or Assigns shall forever thereaf-
ter keep the same in good order and
fit for passing over, and in case OF any
neglect shall be subject to the same
pains and penalties as other keepers
of Bridges and Ferrys are liable to by
the Laws of this Province.
VIM TRYON,
Read three time and Ratified in
open Assembly the 1st Day of Deeer-
ber Ammo Dom. 1866.
W. RUTHERFORD;
JOHN HAWER& President
Speaker.