The Squamscot River Bridege


The Squamscot River as a barrier to travel from the South to the North, since it required a crossing of the river at Exeter.  In 1700, Richard Hilton petitioned the General Assembly for the privilege of establishing a ferry, and keeping a public house at this property in Stratham.  The request for a term of 50 years was promptly granted “provided there be a convenient way on both sides of the river laid out to the ferry without making it a province charge.”

On April 21, 1721, Jonathan Wiggin petitioned Governor Samuel Shute, “ Council & Representatives convened in General Assembly” for a ferry on the southerly side of the river, on the grounds that Mr. Hilton had failed to fulfill the conditions of his grant, that he was required to procure a way to the ferry from the Kings Highway, so that the public would not be charged for it, yet never procured a way to the ferry on the south side of the river, causing all travelers to trespass on Mr. Wiggin’s farm land.  Mr. Wiggin was unable to obtain any redress from Mr. Hilton, etc., etc.

On July 12, 1721, a hearing was held, but it does not appear that Mr. Hilton was present.  Mr. Wiggin was there to present his petition, and was voted by the General Assembly that he should have the ferry and the improvements thereof for the space of  29 ½ years, the remainder of the original 50 year grant.

In 1742, Andrew Wiggin petitioned for extension of the grant, which was apparently approved.  However, in 1750, a petition was filed to grant approval of a ferry up river of the Wiggin ferry, to be known as Hall’s Ferry.  This was to be at the site of Hilton’s Ferry, that was originally located near the village of Newfields.  This petition was approved Dec. 25, 1750.Meanwhile, between 1746 and 1747, four different petitions were filed with the Council and House, to construct a draw bridge over the  “ Exeter River below the Falls of Exeter Town.”  On May 14, 1747, after all petitioners, and anti-petitioners had been heard, the House voted that “ the petitioners have liberty at their own cost to build a draw bridge over Exeter River for public use.”  For reasons now unknown, no action was taken by the petitioners  for 8 years.   Another petition was filed with the General Assembly, dated Nov. 25, 1755, signed by 304 persons, to enable a bridge to be constructed at the Newfields location, above the Ferry location.  This was not be be.

 On Feb. 23, 1768, after numerous hearings and petitions over the previous 8 years, Thomas Wiggin and 131 others again petitioned the Court.  This  time, for a Public Lottery to raise money to erect and complete the bridge, and for the future maintenance of the bridge.  This petition met with favor and on March 26, 1768, the House passed an act granting approval.  The bridge was supposed to be completed by March 29, 1770, at the lower Ferry location.  However, an extension of 2 years for completion was granted, and the bridge was finally finished about 1775.  The Act making this a toll bridge was passed by the legislature on June 21, 1792.

In 1806, a chartered accompany was organized to rebuild and care for the bridge.  The charter was signed by  Governor John Langdon on June 18, 1807.   The bridge was rebuilt by  Henry Wiggin of New fields, by contract , for $ 4900.  The bridge was opened Dec. 10, 1807.  It was rebuilt again in 1838, and in 1884, when the draw was repaired.  In 1892, the Selectment of Stratham and Newfields took over the shares of stock in the bridge, issuing promissory notes.  Finally, on April 10, 1907, authority was given by the Legislature for the Rockingham County to take full possession of the bridge.  Subsequent responsibility for the bridge was taken over by the State as part of the highway system.  The bridge was again rebuilt in 19__, as a swinging bridge, to be opened and closed upon request.  In 19__the bridge was made a permanently closed bridge.  Because of it’s open grating on the roadway surface,  it became known as the “singing bridge”, as auto tires made a noise.

In 2000/2002, the bridge was again rebuilt, with a raised surface that permits pleasure craft easy passage under it.