MASSACHUSETTS RAILROAD STOCK CERTIFICATES

Stock and bond certificates and shares are more than mere representations of wealth or financial gain. More than that, they are reflections of human endeavor, industrial expansion and the growth of this nation. Each has its own unique and fascinating story to tell. With those important points in mind, it is both interesting and useful for collectors and investors to be aware of historical background of companies that have issued stocks or bonds to finance their development and growth. This first issue of the "Stock and Bond Investment Quarterly" will discuss a perennial favorite of many types of collectors; railroad companies.

Taunton Branch Railroad Company, Massachusetts

 

This company was incorporated in April 1835, to construct a railroad from Taunton to Mansfield on the Boston and Providence line. Construction began that year, and was completed in August 1836. On July 2, 1840, the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad was completed, and connected with the Taunton Branch. Both railroads operated under the same management.

The original issue of capital stock amounted to $250,000 for the Taunton Branch. Actual construction costs overran that amount slightly at about $256,000. The line was short, running just over eleven miles. The railroad began paying dividends three years after completion, and within six years was paying a tidy six percent return on investment, a rate it was able to maintain for a number of years.

Fall River Railroad Company, Massachusetts

 

This particular railroad was formed by the consolidation of three separate lines: the Fall River Branch, the Middleboro, and the Randolph and Bridgewater Companies. The Fall River Branch was incorporated in March 1844, to construct a line from Fall River to Myrick's Station. Both the Middleboro and the Randolph and Bridgewater Companies were formed in March 1845, the former to construct a railroad from Bridgewater to the Fall River Branch at Myrick's Station, and the latter to build a line from Bridgewater to the Old Colony Railroad in Braintree. The three merged in August 1845, following the successful completion of their respective segments of the entire line. In April of the following year, the merger was granted official sanction by an act passed by the state legislature.

Share capital of the three companies totaled slightly over $1,000,000, a significant investment for that era. Construction of the entire line to its junction with the Old Colony was completed in December 1846. The entire line covered forty-two miles. Nearly a decade later in 1854, the Fall River and Old Colony Lines were consolidated, thus forming the Old Colony and Fall River Railroad.

To read the complete article, see:
Historical Notes (https://scripotime.com/historical-notes-2/)

To visit the LaBarre website, see:
https://www.glabarre.com/

To visit the ScripoTime website, see:
https://scripotime.com/

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
FEATURED WEBSITE: SCRIPOTIME (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n38a33.html)

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