Tolls have been a way of life for many, many years. Our 19th century ancestors encountered them far more often then we do today. Below is an excerpt from the Laws of the State of New York ©1876 in which they are referring to the cost of tolls for a bridge. The second part of this quote brings out something I hadn't heard before, that a person could not cross the river 2 miles below or above the bridge unless you owned the land where you cross. I found that an Interesting point. Can't you see your character in a rush to get somewhere but doesn't have the means to pay the toll. He or She will have to go miles out of their way causing them valuable time to get to their destination. Or they might have to bargain with the devil to cross the bridge. Or... You can see the possibilities. Enjoy reading the law and seeing what the actual expenses were at this time.
12. As soon as said bridge shall be completed, it shall be lawful Toil, for said company to erect a toll-gate or gates at or near said bridge and to fix, exact, demand, receive and collect of all persons passing and repassing over said bridge, a toll, to be received and collected for the use of said company, and to make such erections as the directors may deem expedient to guard the entrances of said bridge, but said toll shall not exceed the following rates, to wit: for every stage, wagon, sleigh, carriage, hack or vehicle, drawn by two horses, mules or oxen, thirty cents. For every additional horse, mule or ox, ten cents. For every carriage, wagon, sleigh, vehicle, cart or sulky, drawn by one horse, mule or ox, twenty cents. For every horse, mule, ox or cow, five cents. For every hog, sheep, calf or goat, three cents. For every horse or mule ridden or led, ten cents. For every person crossing said bridge on foot, five cents.
§ 13. It shall not be lawful for any person, without the payment of the bridge tolls to said company, to cross said river within two miles above or below said bridge, unless such person be an owner, lessee or occupant of land adjoining said river at the point where he crosses the same; nor shall it be lawful for any persons, without the payment of said tolls to said company, to transport persons, animals, merchandise or goods, of any name or nature, across said river, except it be the owners or property of owners, lessees or occupants of lands adjoining the river as aforesaid at the point where said crossing is made; any person violating any of the provisions of this sectiou, shall, for every such offense, forfeit and pay the sum of ten dollars, to be recovered as a penalty by and in the name of said corporation and for their use and benefit in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
Very interesting stuff, Lynn.
ReplyDeleteIn particular, I think the interesting element, is that anyone (or any corporation) could erect a toll. Back then, when land transportation was so difficult, this was how roads and bridges were built and maintained without public money! If you, or your company built and maintained a section of road or a bridge, you were allowed by law to charge for its use.
I don't see this common element of 19th century life (land travel) brought into fiction very often...probably cuz it's boring(?). But that's just the point. Even into the 20th century, land transportation was slow and wretched (with the exception of rail travel). A lot of living hours were used up just sitting in an uncomfortable coach! What happened during those 18-hour stage coach rides with strangers?