Pine Robbers
{{Short description|British Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War}}
{{Inline|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox Criminal organization
| name = Pine Robbers
| image = File:2014-08-29 11 51 25 View north-northeast from the fire tower on Apple Pie Hill in Wharton State Forest, Tabernacle Township, New Jersey.JPG
| image_size = 300px
| caption = The Pine Barrens of New Jersey, home to the outlaw "Pine Robbers"
| founding location =
| founded by =
| years active = 1776-1783
| territory = New Jersey Pine Barrens
| ethnic makeup = British-American
| membership est =
| criminal activities = horse theft, highway robbery, cattle raiding, burglary, murder
| rivals =
}}
The "Pine Robbers" were groups of loosely organized outlaw gangs who were Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War and used the New Jersey Pine Barrens 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.
Guerrilla and criminal activities
While the Loyalists, who had received their land from the Crown, were amiable neighbors during the day and enemies of the Patriots by night, the pine robbers were disgruntled sailors who had jumped ship. They banded with local outlaws to burn and plaunder throughout the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The pine robbers were commonly known to commit crimes against Patriots and, sometimes, Loyalists.
Fagan Gang
One of the most infamous pine robber gangs was the Fagan Gang led by Loyalist leader Jacob Fagan and his associate Lewis Fenton.{{cite book |title=Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey: Ser. 2, Volume 2 |date=1903 |publisher=J. L. Murphy publishing Company |location=New Jersey |page=466 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QpA-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA466 |accessdate=Sep 16, 2018}}
John Bacon and the "Refugees"
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. 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
References
{{Reflist}}
- Ward, Harry M; Between the Lines: Banditti of the American Revolution; Santa Barbara, California; Praeger; (2002).
External links
- [http://www.njpinebarrens.com/the-refugee-john-bacon/ The Refugee John Bacon (Loyalist leader of the Pine Robbers)]
- [http://www.njpinelandsanddownjersey.com/open/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentManager_op=viewDocument&JAS_Document_id=225 Egg Harbor City to Pleasant Mills]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pine Robbers}}
Category:Loyalist military units in the American Revolution
Category:Pine Barrens (New Jersey)
Category:New Jersey in the American Revolution
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