Transcript Slide 1

Golden Age of Piracy
1690 - 1725
Captain Kidd (1701)
Money Island
Blackbeard (1718)
Great Bay
Revolution in the Pines
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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
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Cynthia Smith – Ocean County
Developing road side signs
Developing interpretive signs
Sponsoring Symposium
Facilitating Reenactments
Recommended purchase of Cedar Bridge
Peace Timeline
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Yorktown – October 17, 1781
Paris – Preliminary – November 1782
NJ Armistice – April 14, 1783
Final Treaty of Paris – September 1783
Petition to Gov Livingston
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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
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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
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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 Manahawkin
December 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
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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 Story
John Dennis
born November 5, 1760
Gloucester 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 Lines
John Lawrence 1765 – West Jersey
Royal Colony (Queen Anne 1702)
George Keith 1687 – East Jersey
Cedar Bridge - NJ
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Barnegat Township – 1976
Union Township
Union Township – 1846
Stafford Township – 1749
Shrewsbury Township
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Ocean County
Ocean County – 1850
Monmouth County
Monmouth County
Monmouth County
Battle of Cedar Bridge
Captain John Bacon
• Brewer - shot Sylvester Tilton
• Ickabod Johnson - 25lb Sterling bounty
wounded at Cedar Bridge – dies at Woodmansee home
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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 Bridge
December 27, 1782
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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
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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 Sir
This Evening a party of horse & foot Returned
from the seashore after Several days search
after Bacon & his party,- our party consisted of
6 horsemen & 20 horse, - Not falling in with
him where they Expected, the party returned by
the way of Cedar Creek bridge in Monmoth County
while refreshing at a tavern near that place, Bacon
& his party appeared at the bridge, Our people
Attempted to fource the Bridge, None but Lt
Benjamin Shreve got over the Second horse being
killed on the bridge After some time being
Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782
Spent under a severe fire, our people gave
way, Bacon’s party consisted of 20 or 30 men
who has joined him within a few days, - 2 of our
party was left on the bridge supposed to be killed
one of them Wm Cook grand Son of Wm Cook ….
the other Robert Reckless Step Son to my Brother
Wm, Lt Shreve rode through the thick of
them and got of clear, - the horsemen
behaved with much Bravery with some of the
foot, - Others did not support several horses
Israel Shreve 28 Dec 1782
Bacon threatens Destruction to the few whigs
but their Spirits are not flaged, -- I wish the
Monmoth Militia would assist, they chiefly
Resort in that County – at one Whitelys tavern
At Hocken, - near Randles Mill,
the Inhabitants or rather Militia Request
me to hint to your Exec..that If a part of the Militia
of Monmoth were ordered out to Scower the
Shore 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 nothing
but Disarming the torys along Shore will put
a stop to such Mischief as Several Known
to Lt Shreve was with them, If they are not
Checked soon the worst Consequences is to be
feared, however I leave it to your Exec….
better Judgment
I am with much Esteem your
Ex… most Obedt
Servt Israel Shreve
Governor Levingston
William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783
Cedarcrick Bridg January 4, 1783
In the County of monmoth
Dear Sir on monday last I marched for the Shore with
Fifty men from my Ridgment and joined by twenty
Six men from the Upper End of monmoth with
A Suffitient Number of oficers Got to the Bridg
Early Next morning Left a guard with my waggons
and Set Out for Little Egharber Crossing Over forked
River I thought of it to Devide the men in three S…..ts
to Confine Sertin persons the first ones Capturd was
Thomas Bird After being handeld Rather Ruff under
Took to ………… one to John Bacons Markey in
William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783
As thick A Swamp as I Ever Saw the Said Bird Rung and
Twisted first one way and then Another often Saying he
Was Sure he Could find the place and at Last Started and got of
three muskits was fired after him two Balls Struck his
Buttocks this Bird was Bacons Cheaf Runner he ondley was
Keeping me from Going on the Road to Clamtown after Spending
the Day the men much tired I Returnig to the Bridge the
Next Day Set out Again of Clamtown was Luckey Enough to
Have the person under guard that went with his Waggon
and Carried of Bacon and his Crew Except Ecabe Jonston
is Dead of his wound and Beauried at waretown the man
is a certin Jo Cromweil Said he left them at Hawkin
near a Swamp he said they Swore him to Cecrecy I hear of
there of the gard they Staid at Showses tavern in Clamtown
So Drunk they Could Not help one another at Day B……..
They Set out and Robd M……………………………………..
William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783
Then made Down the River and Robd one
musherrons Brigg of beef pork and bread & Sails
then Stood on my hearing this next morning
I Returnd with Jo his waggones Back to have him
found the Beds where the men Lay Scala went up the
Bay to hawkin and took in the wounded and went of
we tracked the men my there Cruchis to the Boat I was
Down the Crick to the Bay and then Returned Back
through hawkin waretown and to Cedar Crick the next
Day we had a number of the inhabitants under guard and the noted
Bird among the Rest of them A teadious Examination William
Holms Descoverd A Gang of theaves and traders Birds wound
Being drest by the Doctor I Discovered A Shot in his back that
he got at the Bridg in the Scermish then the Next morning
William Shreve – Jan 4, 1783
Bird Confest to himself and five more that was in the Scermish
had Agread to Assist Bacon’s G and at a minits warning we
had the Six men underguard and one Other I had Agreed to be
tren to Bacon Sunday morning I Sent Capt Thomas of the foot
and Capt Shreve of the hors up with the prisoners to
Burlington I Remain at the Bridg with a Small Guard
I make no Dout but there will be Great offers for Bail
in my Oppinion None should be taken under no Condition
there is more Behing that frequently Bought Bacon s
Stolen Goods Supplide him with provitions both men and
women and if it is Agreabel to you we will Send as
many up as we Can Roberd Rechless Remains at the Bridg
the Doctor thinks Cannot be moved with Safety and we………
not Safe without A Guard I Should be Glad to have a few hors
from you by Capt Shreve they will be Down this week
in a hurry Excuse my writing
from your most obedient……………William………..
New Jersey Journal (Chatham) Jan 8, 1783
TRENTON – January 8
On Friday the 27th of December, Capt. Richard
Shreve, 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 had
greatly 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 Bridge
Captain 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-CreekBridge; 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
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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
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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