Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County


Occasionally I have written about Pelham Bridge.  After many years, maintenance of the bridge became a burden  for the Town.  Ultimately, an effort was undertaken to arrange for Westchester County to take over ownership and maintenance of the bridge.  See Senate, N.Y. Times, Feb. 16, 1860, p. 4 ("the bill authorizing the Supervisors of Westchester County to purchase the Pelham Bridge [was passed]").  Eventually, the effort was successful, and the County took over the bridge.

With that responsibility, the County began appointed a "Keeper" of the bridge annual. By the late 1870s, the annual salary for the Keeper of Pelham Bridge was $250.

In December 1874, Westchester County appointed a man named Joseph Donaldson as Keeper of Pelham Bridge.  See Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Dec. 27, 1874, p. 12 ("Mr. Joseph Donaldson has been appointed keeper of Pelham Bridge.").  Similarly, in 1879, the County appointed a man named Lewis Baxter as Keeper of Pelham Bridge.  See Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Dec. 16, 1879, p. 8 ("Yesterday the Board of Supervisors of Westchester County appointed Lewis Baxter Keeper of Pelham Bridge, at a salary of $250 per annum.").

Labels: , , , , ,

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home