"Pine Robbers" were loosely organized criminal gangs and marauders who were British sympathizers and Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War and used the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to wreak havoc in the area. The pine barrens created densely forested terrain where concealment of guerrilla and criminal activities could easily be carried out.
While the Tories, who had received their land from King George III, were amiable neighbors during the day and enemies of the Patriots by night, the pine robbers were disgruntled British sailors who had jumped ship. They banded together with local outlaws to burn and loot throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The pine robbers were commonly known to commit crimes against Patriots and, sometimes, Loyalists.
Fagan Gangedit
One of the most infamous pine robber gangs was the Fagan Gang led by Loyalist leader Jacob Fagan and his associate Lewis Fenton.[1]
John Bacon and the "Refugees"edit
John Bacon was one of the more notorious Loyalist leaders of the pine robbers. In December 1782, Bacon and his gang, the "Refugees" were involved in the Battle of Cedar Bridge, where a surprise attack by Captain Edward Thomas of the Mansfield Militia and Captain Richard Shreeve of the Burlington County Light Horse forced Bacon to quickly build a makeshift barricade at Cedar Bridge. The Patriot forces charged the Refugees, but Bacon and three gang members escaped.
On April 3, 1783, John Bacon was surrounded by the Patriot militia from Burlington, New Jersey, while drinking in a local tavern. With no chance of escape, he was bayoneted and shot to death.
^Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey: Ser. 2, Volume 2. New Jersey: J. L. Murphy publishing Company. 1903. p. 466. Retrieved Sep 16, 2018.
Ward, Harry M; Between the Lines: Banditti of the American Revolution; Santa Barbara, California; Praeger; (2002).
External linksedit
The Refugee John Bacon (Loyalist leader of the Pine Robbers)
Egg Harbor City to Pleasant Mills
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pine, robbers, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, august, 2017, learn, when, re. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations August 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message Pine Robbers were loosely organized criminal gangs and marauders who were British sympathizers and Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War and used the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to wreak havoc in the area The pine barrens created densely forested terrain where concealment of guerrilla and criminal activities could easily be carried out Pine RobbersThe Pine Barrens of New Jersey home to the outlaw Pine Robbers Years active1776 1783TerritoryNew Jersey Pine BarrensEthnicityBritish AmericanCriminal activitieshorse theft highway robbery cattle raiding burglary murder Contents 1 Guerrilla and criminal activities 2 Fagan Gang 3 John Bacon and the Refugees 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksGuerrilla and criminal activities editWhile the Tories who had received their land from King George III were amiable neighbors during the day and enemies of the Patriots by night the pine robbers were disgruntled British sailors who had jumped ship They banded together with local outlaws to burn and loot throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens The pine robbers were commonly known to commit crimes against Patriots and sometimes Loyalists Fagan Gang editOne of the most infamous pine robber gangs was the Fagan Gang led by Loyalist leader Jacob Fagan and his associate Lewis Fenton 1 John Bacon and the Refugees editJohn Bacon was one of the more notorious Loyalist leaders of the pine robbers In December 1782 Bacon and his gang the Refugees were involved in the Battle of Cedar Bridge where a surprise attack by Captain Edward Thomas of the Mansfield Militia and Captain Richard Shreeve of the Burlington County Light Horse forced Bacon to quickly build a makeshift barricade at Cedar Bridge The Patriot forces charged the Refugees but Bacon and three gang members escaped On April 3 1783 John Bacon was surrounded by the Patriot militia from Burlington New Jersey while drinking in a local tavern With no chance of escape he was bayoneted and shot to death See also editDe Lancey s Brigade Doan Gang Harpe brothers New Jersey VolunteersReferences edit Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey Ser 2 Volume 2 New Jersey J L Murphy publishing Company 1903 p 466 Retrieved Sep 16 2018 Ward Harry M Between the Lines Banditti of the American Revolution Santa Barbara California Praeger 2002 External links editThe Refugee John Bacon Loyalist leader of the Pine Robbers Egg Harbor City to Pleasant Mills nbsp This article about the American Revolutionary War is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pine Robbers amp oldid 1193099586, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
