Of course, ip a region devoted to agriculture the facilities of travel were in each family, and neighborly exchanges of opportunities were equal to the demand. So also the rivers on both sides of the county ofltred large advantages from the very first for trade and other interests. But the first known public conveyance, outside of j^ostal arrangements, through this county was established in 1772, as appears by the following advertisement in the New York Journal of July 9th :

"The Stage Coach between New York and Boston "Which for the first Time sets out this day from Mr. Fowler's Tavern (fonnerly kept by Mr. Stout) at Fresh Water in New York will continue to go the Coui-se between Boston and New York, So as to be at each of those places once a fortnight, coming in on Saturday Evening and seting out to return by the way of Hartford on Monday Morning. The price to Passengers will be 4 d New York or 3 d lawful Money per Mile and Baggage at a reasonable lute.

" Gentlemen and Ladies who choose to encourage this useful, new and expensive LTndertaking, may depend upon good Usage, and that the Coach will always put up at Houses on the Road where the best Entertainment is provided. . . . If ou Trial the Subscribers find Encouragement they will perform the Stage once a Week, only altering the Day of setting out from New York and Boston to Thursday instead of Jlonday Morning.