Protocol of the College of Overseers - 1791
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March 16, 1791
3) A petition to the Court in Easton for a bridge over the Bushkill by (among others) Hubler’s Place, which will be beneficial to the Gemeine in Nazareth, was communicated and signed by the Brethren of the College.
September 28, 1791
3) The Master Builder Hauck has inquired whether he can count on a considerable building [project] in Bethlehem in the coming year, because in that case he will turn down outside work. One talked of the new addition to the tavern here, which has been suggested, or the enlarging of the tavern over the Lehigh. Because each has various difficulties connected to it, one believes it necessary to refrain for the time being. On the other hand, it is believed that from every perspective it would be beneficial if the building of a bridge over the Lehigh would be undertaken. Then one could adapt and better use the tavern over the Lehigh more for strangers. One has to fear that soon perhaps a bridge over the Lehigh will be built at Curria, and because the road from Philadelphia to Wyoming, as well as to Easton, would be somewhat nearer, one would lose all travel through here, to the great disadvantage of the trades in Bethlehem. If this does not happen, then one must put up with it if other entrepreneurs received permission to build a bridge near Bethlehem (because all rivers and highways belong to the state), through which the Gemeine would lose not only all Emolumento,* which it could have for the loss of the ferry, but also must expect all kinds of uncomfortable situations, if outsiders get possession of the bridge.–One thinks a wooden bridge would be the best, and Br. Horsfield says that William Nyee recently explained, in front of him and others, [that] he would venture to build such a bridge over the Lehigh near Bethlehem for £750. The College believed that it would be good if the Gemein Diaconie attempted to obtain an Act of Assembly for such a bridge construction, and at the same time a certain moderate toll would be allowed [to the Gemein Diaconie], which could soon pay for the bridge, and would become a compensation for the loss of the ferry in the future, in addition to the benefits which must flow to the inhabitants [of the town] through increased traffic. One believed such an act would be had without difficulty.
* profit
October 5, 1791
Present: Schweiniz, Schropp, Reich, Horsfield, Witke, Böhler, Bishoff, Andreas.
1. At the reading of the last protocol it was reported that in the Elders’ Conference it was noted that the building of the bridge over the Lehigh is yet untimely. The College wished very much, however, that the matter would not fall from attention, and believed that if at this time, when the Spirit of Improvements in the land is so great, one does not undertake soon to receive an Act of Assembly, that in a few years it could become much harder.– Br. Horsfield has also measured the width of the Lehigh at the ferry, and also made an estimate of the costs, and found that a bridge with stone pillars could not go over £1000.
December 21, 1791
3. A report from Br. Horsfield, in which various proposals for the building of a bridge over the Lehigh are laid out, was read.
–It was agreed that a Bridge would be to the great benefit of Bethlehem’s sustenance, and wished also that no time would be wasted in moving to obtain an act therefore in the present session of the Assembly. Among the suggestions, the second, that the Bridge will be built for the account of the Gemein-Diaconie through Br. Horsfield with the agreement of the Vorstehers, had the most approval.
–Brother Horsfield believed he could show that the bridge would not cost more than £750. If this matter should receive the approbation of the Elders’ Conference, then steps would soon be taken for the completion of this project.
Transcriptions and translations by Katherine Carté Engel
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