1658 Northampton Ferry Ordinance[From Trumbull’s 19th Century History of Northampton, p. 61]
1658; Ferry Established across the Connecticut River
As the population increased, better facilities were demanded for crossing the Connecticut
River. Indian canoes, or perchance a skiff owned by individuals, were as yet the only
means of transit. These were not always at hand when wanted, and at best illy
accommodated the public. A boat was built at the expense of the town, in 1658, but there
is nothing on record to show its size, shape, capacity, or cost. The following rules
concerning the use of this ferry were adopted:
"Aprill 27th (58). An ord[e]r, for makeing and ord[e]ring the boate made by the Townes
men vizt: First yt wee make choyse of Goodman Bartlet for the keeping of the kay if any
pson or psons haue occation to vse the said boate they shall demand the kay of Rob:
Bartlet. Secondly Yt all sd pson or psons after Yt thay haue had the key delivered to
[them] shall stand to the hazard of the boate till the hay [is] Delivered to the proper
keeper appointed by the Towne or to his assignes. Thirdly that those that make vse of the
boate shall not leaue it aboue 30 rodde be[low] the lower end of the Iland Yt is belowe
the middle med[ow] neither aboue the lower end of the Ileland without [the] side Yt is
next the River vndr the penalty of two shillings 6d. for every such defect. Further that
they shall lock it to such a place Yt in an ordynary way it shalbe secure from takeing
away vnless it bee vnlocked vnder the penalty of 5s for every such defect. ffourthly Yt
noe pson or psons Yt carry over the boat over the River shall not retaine it ther aboue an
howre and halfe. Further that if hee or they shall keepe the key after they haue brought
over the boate and locked it aboue one howre shall forfite 2s 6d for every such Defect.
ffulther if any pson or psons shall breake or loose the oares belonging to the boate shal
either pay for them or provide as good as they were againe.
ROB: BARTLET
JOSEPH FFITCH Townesmen.
THOMAS WOODFORD
This crossing place, the first provided by the town, must have been below the present
ferry at Hockanum. It was probably near the turn of the river at the upper end of the “ox
bow." The Island mentioned has disappeared. Robert Bartlett lived at the lower end of
Pleasant Street, and his was the house nearest to the ferry. No great use could have been
made of this boat except for farming purposes, as there was then no settlement at Hadley,
and its position was much too far to the south for the convenience of communication with
that town, had it been in existence.