Golden Age of Piracy1690 - 1725

Captain Kidd (1701) Money Island

Blackbeard (1718)Great Bay

Revolution in the Pines

• Barnegat Roundup – January – 1778• Battle of Monmouth – June 28, 1778• Chestnut Neck - October 6, 1778• Affair at Egg Harbor – October 15, 1778• Skirmish at Manahawkin – Dec 3, 1781• Toms River Block House – March 24,1782• Death of Davenport – June 1, 1782• Incident on Long Beach – October 27, 1782• Skirmish at Cedar Bridge – December 27, 1782• Death of John Bacon – April 3, 1783

Ocean County Round Table of the American Revolution

• Cynthia Smith – Ocean County

• Developing road side signs

• Developing interpretive signs

• Sponsoring Symposium

• Facilitating Reenactments

• Recommended purchase of Cedar Bridge

Peace Timeline

• Yorktown – October 17, 1781

• Paris – Preliminary – November 1782

• NJ Armistice – April 14, 1783

• Final Treaty of Paris – September 1783

Petition to Gov Livingston

• Citizens of Stafford & Little Egg Harbor

• Request Help to defeat Loyalists

• November 12, 1781

• Tucker/Crane/Tilton/Bennet/Randolph

• “Unhamane & Savage Maner”

Captain John Bacon

• Quaker• Worked for Joseph Soper building boats• Worked for Crane in Manahawkin• In-laws lived in Barnegat• Killed Studson December 1, 1780• 50lb – December 25, 1782 (Postal Robbery)• Wife and Brother in Pemberton• Buried in Quaker Cemetery in Upper Freehold• Boats: Hero’s Revenge & Black Joke

Notorious Captain Bacon

• Joseph & Rueben Soper Family

Wilson – works for Soper with Boats

• Captain Randolph tied to a tree

• David Johnson and Seth Crane - unarmed

capture 3 of Bacon’s force on the marsh

• John Holmes of Forked River

• Silas Crane – shot while escaping home

John Bacon - Names

• Picarooning Tory

• Loyalist

• Pine Robber

• Banditti of Robbers

• Robin Hood

• Refugees

• Marauders

Ballad of John Bacon

• Valerie Vaughn – 8/15/04• Chorus • He had “the Heroe’s Revenge” he was no

Patriot’s Friend.• At a Tavern in West Creek is where he’d meet

his end• Striking fear in our hearts whenever his name

was spoke• ‘Cause no one ever laughed at “The Black Joke”

Skirmish at ManahawkinDecember 3, 1781

• Captain John Bacon and Loyalist

• Captain Reuben Fitz Randolph b. 1734 tied to tree and left in swamp by Bacon

• Company #5 – 2nd Monmouth Militia

• Linus Pangorn – killed

• Sylvester Tilton – injured – silk skarf

LINES PANGBORN

Private, Monmouth Militia

Company 5, Mannehawkin

What we know…

• Born about 1740 in Perth Amboy• Son of Stephen Pangborn, Jr. and Rebecca

Imlay• Married Anne Hazelton November 5, 1761• Private in Monmouth Militia• Died during Manahawkin skirmish, December 3,

1781• Widow awarded half pension March 23, 1787

What we don’t know..

• Where is he buried??

• No local records

• Web surfing of cemeteries in Perth Amboy, Woodbridge and Middlesex cemeteries comes up empty

• Where are you, Lines Pangborn??

Affair at Long Beach

• October 26, 1782

• Captain David Scull (Alligator)

• Captain John Conover (Covehoven)

• Lt. Andrew Steelman – Killed

• Reuben Soper, Joseph Soper, Hezekiah Soper

• William Wilson – traitor who brings Bacon

New StoryJohn Dennis

born November 5, 1760Gloucester County

Pension Claim November 5, 1832

Four Weeks – ran 9 miles

Whale Boat – Great Egg Harbor

Gloucester County Militia

Wounded Captain Scull in thigh

Lieutenant Steelman – killed

Two to Three Weeks

Ran about 9 miles - went home

Cedar Bridge, NJ

           

   

Between the LinesJohn Lawrence 1765 – West JerseyRoyal Colony (Queen Anne 1702)George Keith 1687 – East Jersey

Cedar Bridge - NJ• Barnegat Township – 1976• Union Township • Union Township – 1846• Stafford Township – 1749• Shrewsbury Township

• Ocean County

• Ocean County – 1850

• Monmouth County

• Monmouth County

• Monmouth County

Battle of Cedar BridgeCaptain John Bacon

• Brewer - shot Sylvester Tilton• Ickabod Johnson - 25lb Sterling bounty wounded at Cedar Bridge – dies at Woodmansee home

• William Wilson - employed by Soper• Regular British - Burgoyne from Saratoga• Townspeople take side of Bacon and Loyalists• 7 taken prisoner• 3 wounded including Bacon

Cedar BridgeDecember 27, 1782

• The Burlington Militia: with some Upper Monmouth• Captain Richard Shreve - Burlington Co light horse• Captain Edward Thomas - Mansfield Militia• Benjamin Shreve - uncle of Richard• Robert Reckless - wounded• Joel Cook - John Stewart of Arneytown• 20 Men - 7 on horse - plus officer• William Cook Jr. - killed by Bacon’s hands son of William Cook, Esquire “Refreshing at the Tavern near the place”

Battle, Skirmish, Affair?

Last Documented Land Engagement

of the American War of Independence

Sources of Information

• Israel Shreve Report - December 28, 1783 Mansfield• William Shreve Report - January 4, 1783 • New Jersey Journal (Chatham) January 8, 1783• The New York Gazette & Weekly Mercury January 13, 1783• Pension Records - Census - Deeds• Tax Records - September 12, 1782• Monmouth Road Permit - September 27, 1774• Maps - Clinton 1781 - Tavern Permits• Will of Joel Middletown “Sedar Bridge” September 16, 1790• Father Beck - More Forgotten Towns of New Jersey• Road Permit - September 27, 1774 (Manahawkin Road)

Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782

Dear SirThis Evening a party of horse & foot Returnedfrom the seashore after Several days searchafter Bacon & his party,- our party consisted of6 horsemen & 20 horse, - Not falling in withhim where they Expected, the party returned bythe way of Cedar Creek bridge in Monmoth Countywhile refreshing at a tavern near that place, Bacon& his party appeared at the bridge, Our peopleAttempted to fource the Bridge, None but LtBenjamin Shreve got over the Second horse beingkilled on the bridge After some time being

Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782

Spent under a severe fire, our people gaveway, Bacon’s party consisted of 20 or 30 menwho has joined him within a few days, - 2 of ourparty was left on the bridge supposed to be killedone of them Wm Cook grand Son of Wm Cook ….the other Robert Reckless Step Son to my BrotherWm, Lt Shreve rode through the thick ofthem and got of clear, - the horsemenbehaved with much Bravery with some of thefoot, - Others did not support several horses

Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782

Bacon threatens Destruction to the few whigsbut their Spirits are not flaged, -- I wish theMonmoth Militia would assist, they chieflyResort in that County – at one Whitelys tavernAt Hocken, - near Randles Mill,the Inhabitants or rather Militia Requestme to hint to your Exec..that If a part of the Militiaof Monmoth were ordered out to Scower theShore Soon after this affair, he might pres..be taken, people of the blackest Dye are daye…

Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782

Joyning the Infernal Gang, - - I expect nothingbut Disarming the torys along Shore will puta stop to such Mischief as Several Knownto Lt Shreve was with them, If they are notChecked soon the worst Consequences is to befeared, however I leave it to your Exec….better Judgment

I am with much Esteem yourEx… most Obedt

Servt Israel ShreveGovernor Levingston

William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783

Cedarcrick Bridg January 4, 1783In the County of monmothDear Sir on monday last I marched for the Shore withFifty men from my Ridgment and joined by twentySix men from the Upper End of monmoth withA Suffitient Number of oficers Got to the BridgEarly Next morning Left a guard with my waggonsand Set Out for Little Egharber Crossing Over forkedRiver I thought of it to Devide the men in three S…..tsto Confine Sertin persons the first ones Capturd wasThomas Bird After being handeld Rather Ruff underTook to ………… one to John Bacons Markey in

William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783As thick A Swamp as I Ever Saw the Said Bird Rung andTwisted first one way and then Another often Saying heWas Sure he Could find the place and at Last Started and got ofthree muskits was fired after him two Balls Struck hisButtocks this Bird was Bacons Cheaf Runner he ondley wasKeeping me from Going on the Road to Clamtown after Spendingthe Day the men much tired I Returnig to the Bridge theNext Day Set out Again of Clamtown was Luckey Enough toHave the person under guard that went with his Waggonand Carried of Bacon and his Crew Except Ecabe Jonstonis Dead of his wound and Beauried at waretown the manis a certin Jo Cromweil Said he left them at Hawkinnear a Swamp he said they Swore him to Cecrecy I hear ofthere of the gard they Staid at Showses tavern in ClamtownSo Drunk they Could Not help one another at Day B……..They Set out and Robd M……………………………………..

William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783Then made Down the River and Robd onemusherrons Brigg of beef pork and bread & Sailsthen Stood on my hearing this next morningI Returnd with Jo his waggones Back to have himfound the Beds where the men Lay Scala went up theBay to hawkin and took in the wounded and went ofwe tracked the men my there Cruchis to the Boat I wasDown the Crick to the Bay and then Returned Backthrough hawkin waretown and to Cedar Crick the nextDay we had a number of the inhabitants under guard and the notedBird among the Rest of them A teadious Examination WilliamHolms Descoverd A Gang of theaves and traders Birds woundBeing drest by the Doctor I Discovered A Shot in his back thathe got at the Bridg in the Scermish then the Next morning

William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783Bird Confest to himself and five more that was in the Scermishhad Agread to Assist Bacon’s G and at a minits warning wehad the Six men underguard and one Other I had Agreed to betren to Bacon Sunday morning I Sent Capt Thomas of the footand Capt Shreve of the hors up with the prisoners toBurlington I Remain at the Bridg with a Small GuardI make no Dout but there will be Great offers for Bailin my Oppinion None should be taken under no Conditionthere is more Behing that frequently Bought Bacon sStolen Goods Supplide him with provitions both men andwomen and if it is Agreabel to you we will Send asmany up as we Can Roberd Rechless Remains at the Bridgthe Doctor thinks Cannot be moved with Safety and we………not Safe without A Guard I Should be Glad to have a few horsfrom you by Capt Shreve they will be Down this weekin a hurry Excuse my writingfrom your most obedient……………William………..

New Jersey Journal (Chatham) Jan 8, 1783

TRENTON – January 8

On Friday the 27th of December, Capt. RichardShreve, of the Burlington county light horse, and Capt. Edward Thomas, of Mansfield militia, having received information that John Bacon with his banditti of robbers, was in the neighborhood of Cedar Creek, collected a party of men and went immediately in pursuit of them; they met them at the Cedar Creek Bridge.  The Refugees [Loyalists] on the south side hadgreatly the advantage of Capts. Shreve and Thomas‘s party in point of situation; it was nevertheless determined to charge them: the onset on the part of the militia was furious, and opposed by the Refugees with great () for a considerable time; several of them having been guilty of such enormous crimes as to have no expectation of mercy should they surrender, they were

New Jersey Journal (Chatham) Jan 8, 1783

nevertheless on the point of giving way when the militia were unexpectedly fired on by a party of the inhabitants near that place, who had suddenly come to Bacon's assistance.  This put the militia into some confusion, and gave the Refugees time to get off – Mr. William Cooke, Jr., son of William Cook, Esq. was unfortunately killed in the attack, and Robert Reckless wounded, but is likely to recover – on the part of the refugees Icabod Johnson (for whom government offered a reward of 25 lbs) was killed on the spot, Bacon and 3 more of the party wounded. The Militia are full in pursuit of the refugees, and have taken seven inhabitants prisoners who were with Bacon in the action at the Bridge, and are now in the Burlington Gaol, some of whom have confessed the fact – They have also taken a considerable quantity of contraband and stolen goods in searching some suspected houses and cabins on the shore.

New Jersey Journal (Chatham) Jan 8, 1783

nevertheless on the point of giving way when the militia were unexpectedly fired on by a party of the inhabitants near that place, who had suddenly come to Bacon's assistance.  This put the militia into some confusion, and gave the Refugees time to get off – Mr. William Cooke, Jr., son of William Cook, Esq. was unfortunately killed in the attack, and Robert Reckless wounded, but is likely to recover – on the part of the refugees Icabod Johnson (for whom government offered a reward of 25 lbs) was killed on the spot, Bacon and 3 more of the party wounded. The Militia are full in pursuit of the refugees, and have taken seven inhabitants prisoners who were with Bacon in the action at the Bridge, and are now in the Burlington Gaol, some of whom have confessed the fact – They have also taken a considerable quantity of contraband and stolen goods in searching some suspected houses and cabins on the shore.

New Jersey Journal (Chatham) Jan 8, 1783

nevertheless on the point of giving way when the militia were unexpectedly fired on by a party of the inhabitants near that place, who had suddenly come to Bacon's assistance.  This put the militia into some confusion, and gave the Refugees time to get off – Mr. William Cooke, Jr., son of William Cook, Esq. was unfortunately killed in the attack, and Robert Reckless wounded, but is likely to recover – on the part of the refugees Icabod Johnson (for whom government offered a reward of 25 lbs) was killed on the spot, Bacon and 3 more of the party wounded. The Militia are full in pursuit of the refugees, and have taken seven inhabitants prisoners who were with Bacon in the action at the Bridge, and are now in the Burlington Gaol, some of whom have confessed the fact – They have also taken a considerable quantity of contraband and stolen goods in searching some suspected houses and cabins on the shore.

The New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury – Jan 13, 1783

Loyalist Account of Cedar BridgeCaptain BACON, of the Black-Joke whale-boat, with six men,

who left this place about the 20th of November last, retook, in little Egg-harbour Bay, the sloop -——, then in the possession of Capt. Badcock, and one from Philadelphia said to have been bound for Halifax; but the ice stopping him in the mouth of the inlet from bringing her off, was obliged to abandon her (having lost his Boat) and taken to the shore.

Col. Shreeves being informed of this circumstance, dispatched a party of 20 men, seven on horses, and an officer, in quest of Captain BACON and his party, who were by that time reinforced by six of General BURGOYNE's soldiers, and being apprized of the enemy's design, did not much fear the number On the 24th ult. both parties met at Cedar-Creek-Bridge; the enemy, in three different attempts to charge Captain BACON's party, killed Mr. JOHNSON, (a refugee) wounded the Captain and two of the soldiers slightly.

The New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury – Jan 13, 1783

The other eight, not expecting any great civilities from their enemies, were determined not to be taken prisoners, and instantly charged both horse and foot, who seeing them desperate and determined, retreated, but not without loss, three horsemen and their horses, and four footmen, killed; three horsemen and six footmen badly wounded. The other eight, not expecting any great civilities from their enemies, were determined not to be taken prisoners, and instantly charged both horse and foot, who seeing them desperate and determined, retreated, but not without loss, three horsemen and their horses, and four footmen, killed; three horsemen and six footmen badly wounded. William Cook, who commanded the horse, was among the dead. Capt. BACON's party arrived in this city on Saturday last, with several trophies of their victory.

The New-York Gazette and the Weekly Mercury, January 13,1783

27th September 1774• Road Laid Out• 29th Septem.1774• Whereas, Richard Brown, Tanton Earl, Freeholders of the Township of

Stafford and the major part of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of said township have partision’d for a four rod rode to be laid from the Province line to Sedar Bridge and from thence to the Shore Rode in said Town. Therefore, we the Undersubscribers Surveyors of the Highways of said Town of Stafford, Dover and Freehold have met the 27 day of September 1774 and laid out a road four rods broad. Beginning in the Roads that leads from Springfield down towards Egg-Harbour in the Province line about twenty four chairs westard from Zebulon Webbs and from thence it runs (1) S. 67º E. 10 ch. along the oald Rode thence (2) S. 75º E. 14 ch. to said Webbs thence (3) S. 55º E. 32 ch. along said oald Rode thence (4th) S. 43º E. 20 ch. bound all the way along the said oald Rode thence (5th) S. 22º E. 60 ch. thence (6th) S. 39º E. 30 ch. thence (7) S. 19º E. 20 ch. thence (8th) S. 9º E. 10 ch. thence (9th) S. 31º E. 20 ch. thence (10th) S. 19º E. 16 ch. thence (11th) S. 30º E. 50 ch. thence (12th) S. 20º E. 15 ch. thence (13th) S. 38º E. 10 ch. thence (14th) S. 16º E. 50 ch. thence (15th) S. 50º E. 10 ch. thence (16th) S. 60º E. 20 ch. thence (17th) S. 41º E. 20 ch. thence (18) S. 50º E. 20 ch. thence (19) S. 30º E. 20 ch. thence (20) S. 33º 40 ch. thence (21) S. 5º E. 10 ch. thence (22) S. 30º E. 10 ch. thence (23) S. 42º E. 19 ch. thence (24) S. 20º E. 13 ch. thence (25) S. 5 ch. thence (26) S. ________ 11 ch. to

• the first bridge and over it, thence (27) S. ____________ ch. leaving room for a two rod Rode below the ____________________________ Sedar Bridge to a apple tree standing about 1 ch. from _______________ Bridge near Isaac Warrens house thence (28) S. 2º W. __________ thence (29) S. 47º E. 6 ch. thence (30) S. 63º E. 10 ch. thence (31) S. 82º E. 40 ch. thence (32) S. 67º E. 13 ch. thence (33) S. ______ E. 6 ch. thence (34) S. 31º E. 20 ch. thence (35) S. 44º E. 20 ch. thence (36) S. 39º E. 40 ch. thence (37) S. 45º E. 30 ch. thence (38) S. 37º E. 20 ch. thence (39) S. 45º E. 30 ch.thence (40) S. 50º E. _________ thence (41) S. 72º E. 50 ch. to the eight mile branch , so cal’d, thence (42) S. 40º E. 80 ch. thence (43) S. 55º E. 50 ch. thence (44) S. 20º E. 30 ch. thence (45) S. 25º E. 20 ch. thence (46) S. 50º E. 30 ch. thence (47) S. 75º E. 10 ch. thence (48) S. 85º E. 8 ch. over the Canaway threw the four mile _____ thence (49) S. 33º E. 93 ch. into the shore Rode about 67 ch. Northard from Reuben Randolphs the above said Rode is bound along the oald road all the way and the above said Rode is laid, two rods wide each way from the oald rode or line except 11 ch. at Sedar Bridg from the firste Bridg where the Rode croses the ____________________________ rods wide and the above said Rode is to be _________ and clear’d the 27th day of Oct. 1774 – James Reed, Joseph ________, John Stout, John Grantt, Amos Pharo, Nathan Bartlett.

• Recorded the 17th day of Oct. Anno Domi 1774• Common Pleas Minutes• Bk. 1769/1775 Page 7

Death of Bacon April 3, 1783

• Young girl recognizes Bacon at Ship Wreck• William Rose Tavern• Captain John Stewart – shot Bacon in chest wrestled to the floor• Joel Cook – brother killed at Cedar Bridge thrust bayonet – wounded by fatal shot thru Bacon from

Stewart• John Brown - Thomas Smith - John Jones – Unnamed• Bacon Feigns death – leaps up to escape• MANY bayonet wounds

Death of John Bacon 2

• Body put in back of wagon• Paraded through Stafford to Burlington• Stop in Manahawkin• Dead Man filled with Demon Rum• Jacobs Town – Attempt to bury • Crossroads – Treason without rest• Brother and Widow beg for the body• Buried at Upper Freehold Quaker Church• Did the Road rise to cover him?• NJ Armistice – April 14, 1783