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Hix Bridge - The Early Days
In 1710 George Cadman conveyed to Mary Hix land on the river front which she used as a ferry landing and a home. In 1735 she sold the land and house to her son, William, who immediately started to build a bridge that was completed in 1738. George Lawton, William Sisson and others from the village at the Head of Westport protested to the General Court that the bridge was a common nuisance because it obstructed passage of boats up and down the river. Mr. Hix, however, was a representative in the General Court from 1739 - 1740 and he succeeded in winning his case in the Court over the protests of the gentlemen from the Head. At his request, in 1739 the General court permitted him to establish the bridge that he had constructed as a toll bridge. In 1743 he was allowed to double the tolls because of costs of building and maintaining the bridge.
Rates of Toll over the bridge were:
In 1814 Dr. James H. Handy and Fredrick Brownell purchased this property. It was arranged that the doctor should record the deed in his own name, then convey the "bridge" and all the land east of the "Driftway" (Drift Road) to Brownell, who should pay the sum of $2800.00. Brownell repaired the bridge as his son collected toll, paid the taxes, erected a building on the north side where he conducted a store. Allegedly in cash and groceries Brownell paid the entire price of the property but the doctor neglected and refused to give him any deed. In 1871 the Town of Westport took the bridge, abolished the toll feature and made an award of $1800.00, to the "owner whoever he might be." This in turn led to legal proceedings between Brownell and Dr. Handy's heirs. Brownell won the case in 1876. Giles Brownell sold the remaining land at both ends of the bridge to Albert Allen and it was later acquired by Betsy Allen. In 1846 a U. S. post Office was established at South Westport and Fredrick Brownell was appointed Postmaster.
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As
early as 1686 there were indications that residents found means of crossing
the Westport river at the present location of Hix's bridge due to the
fact that roads ran from either side. At that point in time the section
was described as the "most picturesque spot in the Indian line of travel
between Acushnet and Sakonnet." 
The
property passed on to Joseph Gifford, son-in-law of Mr. Hix, and subsequently
to John A. Parker, Dr. J. H. Handy, and Fredrick Brownell. Mr. Brownell
was Town clerk for 27 years serving from 1818 to 1845. 
From
1842 until the establishment of the Post Office at Westport Point in 1845,
carriages had run from Westport Point to Hix's Bridge on Tuesdays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays to connect with the stage running from New Bedford to Adamsville,
Little Compton Commons, Tiverton Four Corners, and Howland's Ferry at
Stone Bridge. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, similar connections
were made when the stage made the return trips.