Madam Knight on her journey from New York to Xev,- Haven in the year 1704, speaks thus of this place: "About 5 o'clock came to Spiting De%il, else Kings Bridge, where they pay three pence for passing over with a horse, which the man, that keeps the gate set up at the end of the bridge, receives."

During the war of the revolution. Kings Bridge constituted the " hara Datcti Truns. Kec. G. O. p. 360.

i Minutes of Common Council N. Y. Vol. 11. TO.

c JlinutfS of CoiKi.ioa Council, Vol. il. TO.

d Cnarterof Phiiinst.ur^'h.

e Journal iUn.Uiu Kniglit, 56.

6l2 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

rier " of the British hue, when they occupied New York Island, while as far north as the Croton extended, the '• Neutral Ground." Like the pass of ancient Thermopyte, Kings Bridge can boast of her faithful bands of Spartans, who fought for •' liberty or death." As early as May 25> i775> Congress ordered: --

" That a post be immediately taken and fortified, at or near Kings Bridge, and that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communicati^^n between the cit_v of New York and the country from being interrupted by laud."

Ou the abandonment of Manhattan Island in, tyyG, by the American Army, Kings Bridge was occupied by the x\merican General as headquarters.

This bridge was the scene of a bloody conflict between a portion of the Continental army under the command of Major General Heath, and a large body of Hessians under Knyphausen.