Ferries and Bridges 191 



at the end of 1758. On New Year's Day, 1759, hundreds of 

 people from the surrounding country and from Manhattan 

 Island attended a great barbecue to celebrate the opening of 

 the "Free Bridge," which was accomplished amid great re- 

 joicings. The toll bridge fell into disuse, the gatekeeper gave 

 up his position, and Colonel Philipse had to advertise for a 

 new lease ; from this time forth, it was virtually a free bridge 

 also. 



Dyckman erected a tavern on the Manhattan side of the 

 bridge, but failed soon afterward, the tavern passing into 

 the hands of the Hyatts, father and son, and becoming famous 

 in Revolutionary annals, where it is frequently mentioned. 

 Dyckman asked relief from the Legislature for the expense 

 and disbursements he had been under in the construction of 

 the bridge, but was not successful. Palmer, at the end of the 

 century, also made unsuccessful appeals to the Legislature for 

 his outlay. The press took up his cause and stated that he 

 had struck the first blow for American freedom in this State, 

 "for it was almost as difficult for Mr. Palmer to get a free 

 bridge in those days as it was for America to get her freedom." 

 Aaron Burr and others finally subscribed a purse of £30 to 

 relieve the necessities of the old man. 



A road was built from the Westchester end of the bridge, 

 connecting with the Albany and Boston post-roads. The 

 bridge was equally known as "Dyckman's Bridge," the "Free 

 Bridge," and the "Farmers' Bridge." It is known to-day 

 in the vicinity as "Hadley's Bridge," probably from the fact 

 that this portion of the ancient manor of Philipsburgh was 

 bought from the Commissioners of Forfeiture in 1785 by 

 George Hadley, and occupied by him. The site of the present 

 Farmers' Bridge is identical with that of the original bridge, 

 which appears on one military map of the Revolution under 



