There once was ferry service from Taylors Island to Meekins Neck as early as the 1840's. Meekins Neck is located just to the south of the island - below Punch Island Creek. Punch Island Creek must then have been known as a part of Slaughter Creek. Further research will be needed to determine when that part of the creek came to be known as Punch Island Creek. In his book "The Disappearing Islands of the Chesapeake" William Cronin wrote that the creek got its name in the prohibition era because it was a landing for bootlegers. However, before that time there existed Punch Island at the creek's mouth.
Here is proof of such a ferry existing in the 1850s. from the Archives of Maryland:
State of Maryland Be it remembered and it is hereby Certified that the following Bond (Stamp)
from xd √ was received and recorded on the 13th day of May 1853 to wit ( 15 )
Washington A. Smith & others Know all men by these presents; That we Washington (Cents )
A Smith William K. Traverse & W.m K. Mills of Dorchester County,
are held and firmly bound unto the state of Maryland in the full and Just sum of Three hundred
dollars, Current money of the united states, to be paid to the said state or its Certain attorney to
the which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs Executors
and administrators in the whole and for the whole jointly and severally firmly by these presents:
sealed with our seals and dated this 9.th day of May 1853 whereas the County Commissioners for
Dorchester County, by virtue of a supplement to the act Entitled an additional supplement
to the act to regulate ferries have Contracted with the said Washington A. Smith & Thomas C
Simmons to keep the ferry over Slaughter Creek from Taylors Island to Meekins Neck and
agree to allow the said Washington A Smith and Thomas C Simmons the sum of one hundred
& Seventy five dollars Current money for the same
Now the Condition of the above obligation is such, That if the above bounden
Washington A Smith Thomas C Simmons shall faithfully and diligently keep the said ferry
over Slaughter Creek from Taylors Island to Meekins Neck from day light to day light
from the first of November to the first of March and from an hour before to an hour after day
light for the residue of the year Commencing the tenth of May 1853 and ending Twelve months
thereafter and shall keep Constantly and in good order a scow that will safely Carry three
passangers and their horses at one trip with an able bodied and skillful hand to attend the
said ferry and shall not Charge or receive any greater price for services than wat is allowed
by law, then the above obligation to be void otherwise of force and virtue in law
Singed sealed and delivered Washington A Smith (seal)
in the presence of W. K. Travers (seal)
W.m Rea William K. Mills (seal)
By the County Commissioners for Dorchester County
This Bond approved By order
W.m Rea Clerk C. D. C.
http://aomol.msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000774/html/am774--102.html (ferry to Meekins Neck 1843)
https://msa.maryland.gov/…/000001/000805/html/am805--53.html (1853)
Here is proof of such a ferry existing in the 1850s. from the Archives of Maryland:
State of Maryland Be it remembered and it is hereby Certified that the following Bond (Stamp)
from xd √ was received and recorded on the 13th day of May 1853 to wit ( 15 )
Washington A. Smith & others Know all men by these presents; That we Washington (Cents )
A Smith William K. Traverse & W.m K. Mills of Dorchester County,
are held and firmly bound unto the state of Maryland in the full and Just sum of Three hundred
dollars, Current money of the united states, to be paid to the said state or its Certain attorney to
the which payment well and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs Executors
and administrators in the whole and for the whole jointly and severally firmly by these presents:
sealed with our seals and dated this 9.th day of May 1853 whereas the County Commissioners for
Dorchester County, by virtue of a supplement to the act Entitled an additional supplement
to the act to regulate ferries have Contracted with the said Washington A. Smith & Thomas C
Simmons to keep the ferry over Slaughter Creek from Taylors Island to Meekins Neck and
agree to allow the said Washington A Smith and Thomas C Simmons the sum of one hundred
& Seventy five dollars Current money for the same
Now the Condition of the above obligation is such, That if the above bounden
Washington A Smith Thomas C Simmons shall faithfully and diligently keep the said ferry
over Slaughter Creek from Taylors Island to Meekins Neck from day light to day light
from the first of November to the first of March and from an hour before to an hour after day
light for the residue of the year Commencing the tenth of May 1853 and ending Twelve months
thereafter and shall keep Constantly and in good order a scow that will safely Carry three
passangers and their horses at one trip with an able bodied and skillful hand to attend the
said ferry and shall not Charge or receive any greater price for services than wat is allowed
by law, then the above obligation to be void otherwise of force and virtue in law
Singed sealed and delivered Washington A Smith (seal)
in the presence of W. K. Travers (seal)
W.m Rea William K. Mills (seal)
By the County Commissioners for Dorchester County
This Bond approved By order
W.m Rea Clerk C. D. C.
http://aomol.msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000774/html/am774--102.html (ferry to Meekins Neck 1843)
https://msa.maryland.gov/…/000001/000805/html/am805--53.html (1853)
