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In 1775, Israel Morey was given a charter (originally procured from King George III by William Simpson) that provided him with exclusive rights to ferry people and products between Fairlee, Vermont and Orford, New Hampshire. Samuel Morey, Israel’s son, inherited the charter and used this right to try out his latest invention—in 1792, Morey launched his steam-powered boat across the Connecticut River between the two towns. Ferries continued to be used for larger and heavier items even after the construction of the first bridge. |