190 The Story of The Bronx 



were obliged to use it; especially with the farmers of the 

 neighborhood, who found the growing city a good market 

 for their wood, vegetables, poultry, and other farm products, 

 or with the belated traveller who was compelled to arouse the 

 drowsy keeper of the toll-gate. The agitation against the 

 bridge culminated in 1756. The French and Indian War was 

 then in progress, and large bodies of British troops were con- 

 stantly in the city of New York on their way to and from the 

 scenes of war. Their commissariat had to be supplied, and 

 grain and forage for the horses; and the Westchester farmers 

 had a share of this profitable trade, as well as the farmers of 

 Long Island and New Jersey. The tolls at the bridge became 

 a heavy burden to them, and must have been a source of con- 

 siderable revenue to Colonel Philipse. 



Benjamin Palmer of City Island headed the movement for 

 the construction of a free bridge, and in 1756, a popular 

 subscription was started. Enough having been subscribed, 

 Palmer began the construction of his bridge at the site of the 

 original bridge, removed in 17 13, as stated above. As the 

 northern end of the bridge would thus have been on the island 

 of Paparinemo, its owner, Colonel Philipse, naturally objected, 

 and Palmer was obliged to seek a site farther down stream. 

 This he found on the land of Thomas Vermilye on the Fordham 

 side and of Jacob Dyckman on the Manhattan side, both of 

 whom interested themselves with Palmer in building the 

 bridge. Colonel Philipse, of course, resented this attempt 

 to deprive him of his tolls, and twice caused Palmer to be 

 impressed as a soldier for service in Canada; an action which 

 put Palmer to considerable expense in furnishing a substitute 

 on both occasions, besides delaying the completion of the 

 bridge. The movement, however, was a popular one; and 

 despite delays and opposition, the bridge was ready for use 



