Nevertheless, the Legislature in 1797 established the road aa a public highway and directed it to be opened as such, although the damages to the adjoining land-owners were not paid. Coles was authorized at his expense to cause the road to be cleared and rendered convenient for travelers, and for thirty years afterwards to collect an additional toll for passing the bridge, not exceeding fifty per cent, above what was authorized by the other acts, but he was to keep the road in repair for that time.*

The original Coles or Boston road extended up Third Avenue as far north as a point near the present line of One Hundred and Sixtieth Street, and thence ran east down the hill across ilill Brook over a bridge. (The stream is now filled in and forms a part of Brook Avenue at this point.) The road then deflected north and followed the present Fordham Avenue until what is now known as the Boston road was reached, and then followed it to the village of West Farms, where it struck the present Main Street in that village and ran north, crossing the Bronx at the bridge by the Bleach, and thence through Bronxdale and along the present route of the East Chester road till the East Chester line was reached, at Black Dog Brook. It then extended north through East Chester on the present route as it passes the tavern of Stephen (Jdell.

^ comniisoionere of highways in Now York were authorized to lay out a convenient road from any (mrt of the main roiul Ivtuling from the city of New York to Harloni River at the bridge then authorized, and Doctor Joseph Brown, George Embreo and .loliii Bartow wei-c aulhciri/.ed, at the