White River Bridge Co. - Stock Certificate

The White River Bridge Company was organized in 1818 with 27 enrolled members and Geo. E. Wales, clerk and treasurer. In the autumn of that year the second bridge was opened for public use. Dec. 17, 1832 the company discussed the subject of taking down their bridge or repairing it, but nature decided that point. In the spring freshet of 1833, the bridge was carried away by the ice. Aug. 1, 1833 the company decided to build another bridge to be completed by September 1834. The bridge was not completed until 1836. The records of the company between August, 1833 and November, 1848 are missing. Nov. 1, 1848 the third book of the company's records was opened. At a meeting held that day, Justin C. Brooks was chosen clerk and treasurer which offices he continued to hold until 1858. The number of shareholders in the meantime was 118 and the stock paid a quarterly dividend of $1.50 to each share. In 1854, the town bought the bridge for $2,265, paying out the surplus money borrowed for that purpose. About as large a sum was subsequently expended in repairing the bridge and it still remained a weak, unsightly structure. April 14 1858 the White River Bridge Company was dissolved by mutual consent, when a final dividend of $1.60 was paid on each share.