While it was left temporarily at Jacob Moore's tavern, near by, an emissary from Colonel Montresor went out through the "rebel camp" with a message to Cock to steal and bury the head. This was done (probably at Cock's tavern), and when the British arrived, in November, 1776, it was dug up and sent in care of Lady Gage to Lord Townsend, " to convince them at home of the infamous disposition of the ungrateful people of this distracted country."

KING'S BRID(;E

in the works erected by the American troops on the hills about King's Bridge.

In February, 1776, Augustus Van Cortlandt, clerk of New York City, rejjorted to the Committee of Safety that for their security he had removed the public records to Yonkers. They were deposited in Colonel Van Cortlandt's family burial vault' and were still there in December ; but it is probable the British were soon afterwards apprised of their place of concealment and had them returned to the city.

On the ISth of March the Yonkers militia held a new election and chose John Warner, captain ; Jacob Post, first lieutenant ; Samuel Lawrence, second lieutenant; and Isaac Post, ensign. In May the Provincial Congress had in service the armed schooner "General Putnam," commanded by Captain Thomas Cregier, of King's Bridge. After months of inactivity at the heads of inlets when he should have been at sea, Cregier was discharged for inefficiency and the vessel was sold.

Early in June Washington visited and inspected the grounds above King's Bridge. He found them to admit of seven places well calculated for defense. " Esteeming it a pass of the utmost importance in order to keep open communication with the coun. try," he set two Pennsylvania regiments at work on their fortification, and put bodies of militia to the same labor as fast as they arrived.