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Cape Mount

Superintendent’s office

In 1887, the legislature allocated $70 for a bridge in Tallah. 

The office of superintendent of Cape Mount under the immediate direction of the president was created in 1887.

The Presbyterian Mission of the territory was awarded 200 acres in 1888.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1887, p. 5; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1887, p. 7; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1888, p. 4.

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Cape Mount

Skirmishes between Vey and Zorroh

In 1890, the legislature approved $500 for an interior road between Gorranommah and Gouga, $100 for cleaning out Gorranommah Creek, and $150 for cleaning out Mi-ingga and Cabolia River.

In 1891, the legislature approved the arrest of certain turbulent kings and chiefs, namely King Darwarnar and his son of Cong-gar town, Goronammah section and Pondeh in the Ding Golah country.

In 1893, the legislature authorized the president to mount a sufficient armed force to quell the rebellion in the Vey and Zarroh sections of county, characterized by repeated raids on each other and refusal of executive authority commanding peace.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1890, p. 3; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1891, p. 10; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1893, pp. 19-20.

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Cape Mount

Methodist Church at Tallah

In 1895, $350 was allocated by the legislature for land surveys at Talla and Waterville.

In 1897, the Episcopal Mission of the territory was awarded 20 acres by the legislature. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Tallah was incorporated in 1916, with the following officers: Samuel B. Jackson, pastor; and trustees: John T. Moore, I. McIntosh and Stephen Moore.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1895, p. 5; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1897, pp. 8-9: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1916, pp. 3-4.

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Cape Mount

A. M. E. burial ground

In 1916, the African Methodist Episcopal Church received one acre of public land for a burying ground for their dead. 

Also that year, a ferry franchise was granted to F. V. Massali, to cross the Po and Little Cape Mount or Loffa Rivers from Manjamah to Bornaijah, with rates not to exceed ten cents per person. 

A territorial court was established in 1916, providing for its organization with five divisions: law, admiralty, equity, probate and native.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1916, p. 5; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1916, pp. 13-14; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1916, pp. 14-16.

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Cape Mount

Episcopal Church granted land

In 1917, a ferry franchise was granted to Bombo and David L. Rose to cross the little Cape Mount River.

Resident Robert C. Mason was restored to citizenship, suggesting he had previously been convicted of a crime. 

In 1921, the Protestant Episcopal Mission led by Bishop Momolu Gardiner was granted 500 acres of public land at Kobolia for agricultural purposes.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1917-18, pp. 36-37; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, p. 23; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1921-22, p. 31-32.

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Cape Mount

From territory to county

In 1923, Grand Cape Mount was elevated from territory to county

Following the death of resident C. W. Houston, his $200 annuity was transferred to his widow A. V. Houston in 1924.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit Court and a Monthly and Probate Court were both established in the county in 1924.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1924-25, pp. 8, 9-10, 36.

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Cape Mount

Ferries across the Poo and Lofa rivers

The legislature in 1927 increased the mileage allowances of the legislators of the counties of Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount to $36 each way.

In 1927, Saint John Parish (Irving Memorial) was awarded one half acre of public land.

Resident Richard S. Wiles received a ferry franchise to cross the Poo and Little Cape Mount or Loffa River from Majamah on the right bank to Bombojah on the left bank and from Damarah on the left bank to Barjah on the right bank, for a maximum charge of 12 cents.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1927-28, p. 33; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1927-28, p. 27; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1927-28, pp. 28-29; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 35-36.

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Cape Mount

Annuities for Varni Dandah and Jallah Konah

In 1931, resident Oscar J. K. Gray was awarded sole and exclusive right to run a ferry across the Lofa River on both sides from the town of Kparkarjah on the left bank to the town of Montserrado for 12 years, setting a maximum fee of 12 cents during the rainy season and six cents during the dry season.

In 1931, the Liberian Industrial Corporation of Liberia was incorporated by Joseph F. Lawrence, J. S. Dennis, A. J. George, T. E. Beysolow, A. J. Padmore, C. H. A. Scott and Albert Watson.

Two residents were awarded annuities of $50 each in 1934: Varni Dandah of Jami, Garwolah district, having been wounded while serving in the military, and Jallah Konah (known as Jundopu) of Robertsport, who served the county in various capacities for 50 years.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1931, pp. 53-54: Acts of the Liberian Legislature Acts 1931, p. 61; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1934, pp. 23-24.

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Cape Mount

Voting at Jenny Wonday and Jenny Varkii

n 1935, a voting poll was transferred from Liberia Jenny Taylor section to Jenny Wonday, Taywoh section instead, and another opened at Jenny Varkii, in the Upper Kouneh section (Gola), being “more central and accessible.” That same year, L. Hoff and Company, a local business, was awarded a ferry franchise to cross the Benson Lake from Tawaly to Sulima, for 10 years.

The Missionary and Educational Church School Convention of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties was incorporated in 1935. Named as officers were  J. I. A. Weeks, president; vice presidents: J. H. Ricks, Oscar S. Norman and J. T. Milton; T. J. R. Faulkner, treasurer; J. F. Dennis, recording secretary; P. C. Simpson, corresponding secretary; W. N. Ross, business manager; and directors: D. E. Howard, Monroe Phelps, G. L. Dennis, J. J. Minor, T. E. Ward, David Brent, Victoria Henry.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, p. 5; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, p. 42; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, p. 44.

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Cape Mount

Road to Royesville

In 1935, the legislature approved an additional $12,000 to cover expenses of the quadrennial election from Maryland, Sinoe, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount counties.

That year, the legislature also appropriated $200 from the township funds of Royesville for the construction of a substantial bridge across the Fall Creek on the central and commercial road from Royesville through Little Cape Mount to Grand Cape Mount.

In 1937, the legislature approved the iron ore mining agreement entered into between the national government and the Noord Europeesche Erts en Pyriet Maatschappy of the Netherlands, with an amendment requiring the construction of a harbor at Monrovia or Cape Mount.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1937, pp. 42-45; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, p. 21; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1935, p. 9.

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Cape Mount

Wakolo Ferry company

Travel expenses for legislators were approved at the following rate in 1938: Montserrado County and Marshall Territory $10; Maryland, $72; Sinoe, 49.68; Grand Bassa, $43.92; and Grand Cape Mount, $43.92. One year later, resident A. R. Chinoweth, Sr., was granted an annuity of $120 for his service as commissary for 15 years and military duty from 1890 to 1910, including the Gbesseh expedition, under R. A. Sherman, and the Gleemah battle.

The Wakolo Ferry Transport Company, Incorporated, was granted a ferry franchise in 1938 for ten years with a maximum charge of 48 cents between Robertsport and Deah, 24 cents between Robertsport and Sawilor and 12 cents between Robertsport and Mecca Point and between Towele and Sulima.  Named as officers were N. B. Baxton, I. L. Hoff, E. O. K. Freeman, Mambu Kia Howo, A. H. Butler and J. J. Greene, to operate along the Maffar River, from Sawilor to Deah, and along Lake Piso, from Robertsport, Mecca Point, Sulima and Towele. In the same bill, the legislature repealed ferry franchises previously awarded to J. C. Johns Company and I. L. Hoff and Company.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, pp. 1-2; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, p. 65; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, pp. 72-73.

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Cape Mount

Ferries across two rivers

Boima Kartumu and Sons of Kolobolia, Dewo, were granted sole right in 1938 to operate a ferry franchise for 20 years across the Marfa River from Kolobolia to the opposite side. Also in 1838, resident Daniel Jackson of Tallah was restored to citizenship, suggesting that he was previously convicted of a serious crime.

In 1938, the legislature granted to Zuke Kandakai, Njola Karmoh, Sengbe Kojowah and Siafa Jalla-Kei, the right to run a ferry across the Little Cape Mount at the points commonly known as Gbaa, to and from the opposite bank and Segana, to and from the opposite bank for a maximum charge of 12 cents.

Footnote: Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, pp. 58-59; Acts of the Liberian Legislature, 1938, p. 64; Acts of the Liberian Legislature,  1938, pp. 13-14.