Golden Age of Piracy 1690 1725 Captain Kidd

Golden Age of Piracy 1690 - 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 50 lb – 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 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 – 2 nd 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 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 • • • Barnegat Township – 1976 Union Township – 1846 Stafford Township – 1749 Shrewsbury Township • • • Ocean County – 1850 Monmouth County

Battle of Cedar Bridge Captain John Bacon • Brewer - shot Sylvester Tilton • Ickabod Johnson - 25 lb 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 Bridge December 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 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 27 th 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 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 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 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 20 th 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 24 th 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. 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

27 th September 1774 • • • Road Laid Out 29 th 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 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 (4 th) S. 43º E. 20 ch. bound all the way along the said oald Rode thence (5 th) S. 22º E. 60 ch. thence (6 th) S. 39º E. 30 ch. thence (7) S. 19º E. 20 ch. thence (8 th) S. 9º E. 10 ch. thence (9 th) S. 31º E. 20 ch. thence (10 th) S. 19º E. 16 ch. thence (11 th) S. 30º E. 50 ch. thence (12 th) S. 20º E. 15 ch. thence (13 th) S. 38º E. 10 ch. thence (14 th) S. 16º E. 50 ch. thence (15 th) S. 50º E. 10 ch. thence (16 th) S. 60º E. 20 ch. thence (17 th) 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 27 th day of Oct. 1774 – James Reed, Joseph ____, John Stout, John Grantt, Amos Pharo, Nathan Bartlett. • Recorded the 17 th 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