Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/560

 456 THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. another ferry was established from the west end of Ferry Lane, near where the present Barrington bridge is located, to the west bank of Barrington River, at the foot of what was known as Jennys Lane, now the road leading from the main highway by Lewis T. Fisher's residence to the river. Reference is made to a bridle-way and to this ferry in the town records under date of May i8, 1739. Voted "that the town accept a way through John Adams land leading to the ferry, by two good gates, allowing him to take in the highway on the North side of his land until he is molested by court or proprietary ; and it was voted that the town accept of an open highway through Edward Bosworth's land and Jacob Bosworth's to a convenient place for keeping the ferry over to Mr. Samuel Miller's." That part of the vote relative to "an open highway," refers to the road leading to Martin's Ferry, between Barrington and Warren, Mr. Samuel Miller living in Warren. With the growth of the town on the west side of the river, opposite Warren, a public ferry was needed for the people to communicate with Warren, Bristol, and Swansea, and one was established at the foot of the highway known as Ferry Lane, in the neighborhood of the Martins, Bosworths, and Ingrahams. It was known as Martin's Ferry and was owned and managed by Col. Nathaniel Martin before and during the Revolution. We have not been able to find the date of its establishment or suspension but it was probably given up for carriage travel on the building of Kelley's Bridge. Foot passengers continued to be ferried over at a small fee until recent years, within the memory of people now living. During the Revolutionary War and afterwards most of the transportation of soldiers, baggage, equipments, etc. was made at Martin's Ferry for the reason that thereby two ferriages were avoided, over the Barrington and Warren Rivers.