Prior to 1811 business corporations were established by special act of
the Legislature. The Mohawk Turnpike & Bridge Company was incorporated
by New York Laws of 1800, 23rd Session, Chapter 105. I checked the text
of the law and it contains names of the incorporators, and provisions
for issuance of capital stock, election of directors, taking of lands
for road construction, operation of the road, rates of toll, penalties
for evading tolls or damaging company property, etc.  The law is
available from the New York State Library [phone 518-474-5355, e-mail
[log in to unmask]] or from any large law library that holds the
printed session laws.

Jim Folts
New York State Archives

>>> [log in to unmask] 11/17/06 3:02 PM >>>
One of our regular visitors is doing research on the Mohawk Turnpike
which was incorporated in 1800 by the Secretary of State for New York
and it was completed by 1808.  So far, she cannot find any evidence in
the incorporation papers as to how the Turnpike was ever financed.  If
anyone can provide information to the following questions or give any
direction it would be greatly appreciated:  

How was the land for the Mohawk Turnpike purchased, by whom, and how
would it be listed on a land transfer or deed?

Kelly A. Yacobucci Farquhar
County Historian/RMO
Montgomery County Dept. of History & Archives
Old Courthouse, P.O. Box 1500
Fonda, NY  12068-1500
518-853-8186
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