[Robert Bolton, Jr. (1848)] >• J^m-HISTORY OF THE :vi to Spiting Devil, 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 revohition. Kings Bridge constituted the ^^ barrier" of the British hne, when they occupied New York Island, while as far north as the Croton extended, the " Neutral Ground." Like the pass of ancient Thermopylae, Kings bridge can boast of her faithful bands of Spartans, whofought for " liberty or death." As early as May 25, 1775, 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 commu-nication between the city of New York and the country from being interrupted by land.*' On the abandonment of Manhattan Island in 1776, by the American Army, Kingsbridge was occupied by the American General as head quarters.