USA > New Jersey > Ocean County > Historical reminiscences of Ocean county, New Jersey > Part 9
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But it was evident, from some of his letters, that the brightest day to him, during his long, exciting labors, was the one towards the close, when he had the pleasure of welcoming his wife on board his ship, for with our brave men on land and sea there were times when thoughts of home and loved ones overpowered all other feelings, as when one time both armies lay encamped near each other, and the Rebel band to taunt the Union men struck up Dixie. It was at once re- sponded to by the Star Spangled Banner. Then the rebels replied with the Bonny Blue Flag, which aroused vindictive feel- ings among our troops, and their band responded with Rally 'Round the Flag. By this time, the rival tunes had stirred up warlike feelings on both sides, both parties felt the taunts intended, and both were stirred eager for strife; but sud- denly, in the evening air, another band struck up Home, Sweet Home, and it was wonderful how quick that tune soothed down angry passions on both sides, recalling loved ones at home, and tears trickled down many cheeks, and then soldiers on both sides felt like elasp- ing hands across the bloody chasm.
" The bravest are the tenderest, The loving are the daring."
Captain Edwards stood well in the es- timation of his different superior officers, and with one or two his relations were of
over my head, and I have strength enough to point a gun toward a traitor." He returned home on a furlough during the last Lincoln campaign, in which he was among the most active and effective supporters of the Union ticket in the county, and was the chief organizer and marshal of the largest political proces- sion then known in the county, which proceeded by carriages, farm wagons, etc., to Tuckerton, to aid a Lincoln dem- onstration there.
Captain Edwards died at his home in Barnegat on Sunday, February 25, 1866. Skilful and brave in his profession, en- terprising and honorable as a citizen, warm-hearted and faithful as a friend, his early decease was a severe loss to the community in which he lived. He was a worthy descendant of the first James Edwards, who, in two wars, risked his life for his country.
THE LAWRENCE FAMILY.
The following is a notice of the coming to America of the first members of this family :
"April 2, 1635. Barque Planter, Cap- tain Nich. Trarice. Among the passen- gers, who, it is said, were chiefly from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, are found the names of John Lawrence, aged 17 years ; William Lawrence, aged 12 years, and Marye Lawrence, aged ? years. In 1655, another brother, named Thomas, came over."
It will be noticed that some of these were quite young. The greater propor- tion of the Lawrences in America descend from the second brother, William.
The first Lawrence who settled withių
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the limits of old Monmouth, it is said, which descendants can trace their ances: was Elisha, a son of William. Elisha try. commenced business as a merchant, in the latter part of the seventeenth century, at Cheesequakes, on the south side of the Raritan river in Monmouth county ; but his store having been pillaged by the crew of a French privateer, he removed to Upper Freehold, which once included a part of what is now Ocean county. He represented the county in the provincial Assembly in 1707. His residence was
The Lawrence family claim to be de- scended from Sir Robert Laurence, of Ashton Hall, Lancastershire, England, who went to Palestine during the Cru- sades with Richard Cœur de Leon, and participated in the siege of St. Jean de Aere, in the year 1119, and was the first to plant the Banner of the Cross on the battlements of the town, for which he was knighted. A grandson of Sir Robert called Chestnut Grove. He was born in Laurence, named Sir James Laurence, married into the Washington family in the reign of Henry Third. General George Washington's half-brother, Law- renee, was so named on account of his ard Salter : Elizabeth, who married relationship to this family.
1666, and died May 24, 1724. He mar- ried Lucy Stout, and had children as fol- lows : Sons-Joseph, Elisha and John. Daughters-Hannah, who married Ricli- Joseph Salter; Sarah, who married John Ember, and Rebecca, who married a New Yorker named Watson. The sec- ond son, Elisha, had a son named John Bruen Lawrence, who was the father of Commodore Lawrence of "Don't give
DICK BIRD,
THE POTTER'S CREEK OUTLAW.
This scoundrel, who was probably one of Davenport's gang, was exceedingly up the ship " fame, and grandfather of obnoxious to the Americans on account Commodore Boggs, who distinguished himself on the Varuna iu passing the forts at New Orleans. of many daring outrages in which he was concerned. He was intimately ac- quainted with all the roads and bye-paths in the woods and swamps in old Dover
The first-named Elisha Lawrence's son John was born in 1708, and is noted as township, which then extended to Oyster having run the celebrated "Lawrence's line " between East and West Jersey.
Creek. Tradition says, that early in the war he had a cave near the head waters He married Mary, daughter of William of Cedar Creek, and that his sister, who Hartshorne, and had sons, John and was married to a patriot soldier, named Elisha, who became noted among the Royalists in the Revolution, but have no -
Cottrell, resided in a cabin a short dis- tanee from the village of Cedar Creek, descendants now living. His daughters | near where the late Benjamin H. Stout were Helena, who married James Holmes; Lucy, who married Rev. Henry Waddell ; Elizabeth, who married William Le- formerly lived. This sister, for fear of Bird's getting her into trouble, finally moved to the Burnt Tavern, near Free- Compte, and Mary and Sarah who died hold ; she was mother of Mercy Worth, single.
wife of Peter worth, from whom all of
It is impracticable in the present arti- this name in Berkeley township descend. cle to trace ont the genealogy of all the Bird for a long time managed to elude Lawrences in Monmouth and Ocean, but the vigilance of the Americans, but one the foregoing gives it so far as relates to day, he, with a companion, was seen the branch which was most noted in the along the road, a little south of Toms early history of old Monmouth. Two or River, by some one who at once notified three publications have been issued giv- the militia on duty at Toms River, and the genealogy of the Lawrences, by two or three at once started in pursuit.
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Bird's comrade escaped by hiding under CAPTAIN JOHN BACON. a bridge, over which his pursuers passed, AN OUTLAW'S CAREER, AND ITS TERRIBLE and Bird himself managed to elude them END. them until after dark. It is supposed This noted Refugee leader, whose name is so well remembered by old residents of Ocean, Monmouth, and Burlington, appears to have confined his operations chiefly between Cedar Creek and Tuck- erton. His efforts were mainly directed to plundering the dwellings of all active he had intended to make for his cave, near Cedar Creek, but the pursuit caused him to change his plan. Near Quail Run was a woman of low character, whom he often visited, and this time he called on her ; she told him as the militia were after him, they would find him members of the patriotic militia organi- there, and advised him to go to a less zations. Some old residents, generally of suspected place, and he then left and stopped at a house on the old Anderson place, near Dover Chapel. He was seen by some patriotic women, who sent in- formation to his pursuers, and some of them, one tradition says, went into the house and chatted with him until it was time for the Whigs to arrive, and that one of them was sitting on his lap when she saw his pursuers looking in the win-
Quaker proclivities, considered him one of the most honorable partisan leaders opposed to the Americans, because they asserted, excepting calling for a meal's victuals for himself and men in passing, he never molested the persons or proper- ty of any but Americans in militia ser- vice. Himself and men were well ac- quainted with the roads and paths through the forests of old Mommonth dow. Another version, which is most and Burlingtou, some in the lower part probable, is that it was the woman of of the county still being known as Refn- low character, before referred to, who was gee paths, and they had numerous hid- sitting on his lap, and she sprang off and ing places, eabins in the woods and eaves he jumped for his musket, which was in 'in the banks by the headwaters of Cedar the chimney corner, and just as he Creek, Forked River and other streams, reached it his pursners fired through which they used as temporary resting the window and killed him instantly. places as they passed up and down the It is said the girl was so little affected shore. A principal one of Bacon's was near Frank's crossway, above the upper
by his death that when the pursuers came in the door they found her search- mill on Forked River.
ing Bird's pockets.
Several events in which he was en-
Bird was a married man, but when he gaged have been described in notices of joined the Refugees his wife forsook him Forked River, Manahawken und Toms and went to Toms River, where she re- River. The following are the principal sided many years after his death. While additional affairs in which he was con- he was pursuing his infamous career she cerned :
bitterly denounced him, yet when she heard of his death she grieved so much PLUNDERING OF JOSEPH SOPER. that her neighbors expressed their sur- prise, knowing the disgrace he had been whom Baeon had a strong antipathy was to her. The simple-minded woman, as one story had it, replied that it was not the man she so much cared for, but he often sent her a quarter of venison, when he had more than he could use, and she would so much miss such presents swamps along Lochiel Brook, and some- now !
Among other zealous Americans for Joseph Soper, who lived at Soper's Landing, between Waretown and Barne- gat. His attentions to Soper were so frequent and threatening that he had often to seek refnge, and sleep in the times at the place in that vicinity in late
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years owned by James Letts, deceased. | At this time there lived at Waretown an Englishman, known as Bill Wilson, who pretended neutrality but who really acted as a spy for Bacon. Mr. Soper was a vessel builder, and at one time he
Bacon's. It was alleged that he was with the Refugees in their raid on the Holmes and Prices at Goodluck. After the war closed he remained for some years in the vicinity of Waretown : but he found it a very uncomfortable place for him to live, had occasion to hate the Refugees, would take him in hand on very slight pretexts and administer off-hand justice. At one time, at Lochiel Brook, Hezekiah Soper, son of Joseph, gave Wilson a severe thrashing and then nearly drowned him in the brook for alleged participation in the murder of Reuben Soper, a brother of Hezekiah's. Wilson, finding Ware- town did not agree with him, at lengthi moved over to the North Beach, above the Inlet, where he lived a lonely life until his death, which occurred between sixty and seventy years ago. Two or three old residents are still living who remember seeing him when he came off to Forked River to procure supplies.
had received pay for building a small ; for occasionally some zealous Whig, who vessel. Wilson accidentally witnessed his receiving the money, but did not know the amount. After he left, Mr. Soper suspected that he would inform Bacon, and so he divided his money into two parcels, a small amount in one and a large amount in the other, and then buried both in separate places, not far from the house. Sure enough, in a very short time, Bacon and his men visited the house, piloted by a man with a black silk handkerchief over his face that he might not be recognized. This man was be- lieved to be Wilson, though efforts were made subsequently to induce the Sopers to think it was another man, then living near Waretown. Mr. Soper at this time had taken refuge in the swamp, and the house was occupied only MURDER OF REUBEN SOPER. MASSACRE OF SLEEPING MEN ON LONG BEACH. by women and children. When the Ref- ngees entered they at once began be- This was the most important affair in which Bacon was engaged. The inhuman massacre of sleeping men was in keeping with the memorable affair at Chesnut Neck, below Tuckerton, when Count Pulaski's guards were murdered by British and Refugees. This massacro took place on Long Beach, about a mile south of the light-house, at a spot once known as " the lower end of the cedars." At this place we think more men were killed than in any other action during the war in our county-one account stating that twenty were killed or wounded, most of them belonging to Capt. Steelman's company, from Atlantic county, who were doing coast guard duty. A Tory paper, published at the time, gives the subsequently killed and buried with it following version of the affair : having rudely and boisterously, flourish- ing their weapons in a menacing manner, pushing their bayonets in the ceiling, and doing other things to frighten the wo- men. Their threats compelled the wo- men to lead them into the garden, to tlio spot where the smallest sum of money was buried ; when they received it they seemed to be satisfied, thinking it was all they had ; they then returned to the house and made a clean sweep, as they had several times before, of provisions, clothing and such other articles as they could carry. Among other articles taken hy Bacon at this time, was one of Mr. Soper's shirts, which afterwards served for a winding sheet for Bacon, as he was on. Bill Wilson could never be fairly " A cutter from Ostend, bound to St. convicted of actual complicity with the Thomas, ran aground on Barnegat shoals, Refugees, in overt acts, yet all who knew October 25, 1782. The American galley Alligator, Captain Steelman, from Cape him were convinced that he was a spy of
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May, with twenty-five men, phindered her on Saturday night last, of a quantity of Hyson tea and other valuable articles, but was attacked the same night by Cap- tain John Bacon with nine men, in a small boat called the Hero's Revenge, who killed Steelman and wounded the first lieutenant, and all the party except four or five were either killed or wound- ed."
entter was stranded on the shoals, word was sent across the bay to the main land
Bacon's chief object appears to have been the surprise and destruction of Captain Steelman's command. He knew it would not have been safe for him to remain many hours on the beach, as the militia from the main were on the look- ont for him.
Reuben Soper, who was killed, was a married man with two or three children ; his widow removed to the vicinity of Bass River, in Burlington, where his de- scendants now live. At the time of his
In this account the unmber of Steel- man's men is doubtless overestimated, and Bacon's underestimated. When the death he was a member of Captain Ran-
dolph's Stafford militia company.
Some interesting relics of the Soper for help to aid in saving the cargo, in family are still preserved by descendants, as will be seen by the following extract
consequence of which, a party of men, among whom were Joseph Soper and two of a letter from Wm. P. Haywood, Esq., of his sons, Reuben and Hezekiah, pro- of West Creek, dated Oct. 1866 :
ceeded to the beach to render what as-
" The wife of Geo. W. Lippencott, of sistance they could. The party worked Thekerton, N. J., is a grand-daughter of hard while there to get the goods through the surf on the beach. At night they were tired and wet, and built fires, around which they meant to sleep. It is sup- posed that as soon as they were all asleep that Bill Wilson, who was there, arose np
Reuben Soper, who was murdered by the Refugees on Long Beach. While at her residence I was shown a quaint look- ing pocketbook, full of ohl writings that belonged to her grandfather, which has sacredly been kept until the present slyly, got a boat and rowed off to the time. Among other writings of interest mainland to inform Bacon how matters was a marriage certificate which I give stood.
verbatim et literalim :
Bacon and bis party hurried over to " NEW JERSEY, 1 Monmouth Co.
the beach, and arrived just before day- break at the spot where the men were sleeping, and immediately commenced firing on them as they lay on the ground. Of course the Americans were taken by Witness present, surprise, and had no opportunity of de- Richard Brown, Letishe Brown."
These lines sertby that Benbin Soper was Maryed to Mary Mathis on the 22ud day of May, 1779, By inc.
JESS :: HALSEY, justice.
fending themselves. Among those shot,
Mrs. Lippencott's father, Reuben was Reuben Soper, one of the sons of Soper, (2d) had seven children ; five are still living. A son, Renben, was wound- ed in the late Rebellion, and died three weeks after in Saterlee hospital.
Joseph Soper. He was mortally wound- ed, and died during the day, in the boat, on his passage towards home in care of his father and brother. Fortunately for Among other writings in the pocket- his father and others of the party from book was an order from Renben's son the mainland, they had risen before Joseph, requesting the return of five Baeon's arrival and gone some distance erowns in money, deposited with some down the beach in search of water, and one for safe keeping. while his fath- they remained at a safe distance, being er was on board the cutter. This unarmed, until Bacon's departure, which order was written shortly after his must have been very early in the day. father's murder. One of the papers was
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personally interesting to me, as it had, nished to the New Jersey Historical So- ciety, in 1846, by ex-Governor George I'. Fort, of New Egypt, the substance of which we give below. Gov. Fort de- among other names, that of my father, Joel Haywood, as a pupi! to Renben Soper, Jr. This paper was dated Mana- hawken, 1808. Most of the scholars, as rived his information from a son of Capt. well as the teacher, have passed to a Stewart. higher school." This letter of Mr. Hay- wood's gives another instance of heredi- DEATH OF BACON. tary patriotism-a descendant of Reuben .. John Bacon was a rotorious Refu- Soper, and named for him, having also gee who had committed many depreda- lost his life in his country's service.
BACON'S LAST RETREAT.
The next affair in which Bacon was concerned, was the skirmish at Cedar Creek, Dec. 27, 1782, which has been described in speaking of the Refugees at Forked River and Cedar Creek. This affair seemed to have caused the Refu- gees to scatter, most of them probably getting to New York and from thence to Nova Scotia or Bermuda ; but with un- accountable foolhardiness, Bacon re- mained behind until the following spring. About the last of March, 1783, a vessel was wrecked on Long Beach, opposite West Creek, and to the surprise of those on the beach, Bacon made his appear- ance among them, and endeavored to make himself conspicuous by giving or- ders to the wreckers, some of whom, knowing him, determined to take him prisoner that night. Their plan was heard by a girl (subsequently the mother of the late Sylvester Birdsall, of Barne- gat) who informed Bacon, and he quietly slipped away, got over to the mainland, and proceeded to the house of Wm. Rose, situated just over the Ocean county line in Burlington, about a half mile below West Creek. Rose's wife, generally called "Mother " Rose, was known to be friendly to Bacon, and the very night he arrived there he was surprised and killed by a party under Captain John Stewart, guided by a man namedl Thomas Smith, who had worked in the neighborhood, and was intimately acquainted with the locality. The most reliable account of Bacon's death is found in a paper fur-
tions along the shores of Monmouth (which then included Ocean) and Bur- lington counties. After having been a terror to the people of this section for some time. John Stewart (afterwards Capt. Stewart) of Arneytown, resolved, if possible, to take him. There had been a reward of £50 sterling offered by the Governor and Council for his capture, dead or alive. A short time previous to this, in an engagement at Cedar Creek, Bacon and his company had discomfited a considerable body of State troops, killing William Cook, Jr., a brother of Joel Cook, of Cook's Mills, now Cooks- town in Burlington county, which ex- cited much alarm and exasperated the whole country. On the occasion of his arrest, Captain Stewart took with him Joel Cook, John Brown, Thomas Smith, John Jones, and another person whose name is not recollected, and started in pursuit, well armed. They traversed the shore, and found Bacon separated from his men at the public house or cab- in of William Rose, between West Creek and Clamtown (now Tuckerton), in Bur- lington county. The night was very dark, and Smith being in advance of the party, approached the house, aud dis- covered through the window a man sitting with a gun between his knees. He im- mediately informed his companions. Ou arriving at the honse, Captain Stewart opened the door, and presenting his musket demanded a surrender. The fellow sprang to his feet, and cocking his gun was in the act of bringing it round to the breast of Stewart, when the lat- ter, instead of discharging his piece,
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closed in with him and succeeded after a ly opened the door and pointed a musket scuffle in bringing him to the floor. He at Bacon, who instantly rose up and held then avowed himself to be John Bacon, a table before him and begged for quar- and asked for quarter, which was at once ter, but the musket was fired, and the readily granted to him by Stewart. They ball went through the table and killed arose from the floor, and Stewart (still him. But after much patient investiga- retaining his hold on Bacon) called to tion and inquiry we believe this story is Cook, who, when he discovered the sup- untrue, and that the correct version is about as Governor Fort has given it. We are sorry to add, however, that the party treated the body with unjustifia- ble indignity. As soon as Bacon was killed his body was thrown into a wagon with his head over the tail-board, and the party drove for home that same night. Young Cook seemed quite " car- ried away " to think he had avenged his brother's death, and at the inns at Man- ahawken and Mount Misery, insisted on treating Bacon with liquor, fastening open his mouth while he poured liquor into it. The descendants of British sympathisers have charged the party with much ernelty, but the only founda- tions are the indignities offered to his body ; and even there we can find some palliation for it, when we consider the excitement, bordering on frenzy, of young Cook. posed murderer of his brother, became exasperated, and stepping back gave Bacon a bayonet thrust unknown to Stewart or his companions. Bacon ap- peared faint and fell. After a short time he recovered, and attempted to escape by the back door. Stewart pushed a table against it. Bacon hurled it away, struck Stewart to the floor, opened the door, and again attempted to pass out ; but was shot by Stewart (who had re- gained his feet) while in the act. The ball passed through his body, through a part of the building, and struck the breast of Cook, who had taken a position at the back door to prevent egress. Cook's companions were ignorant of the fact that he had given Bacon the bayonet wound, and would scarcely credit him when he so informed them on their way home. They examined Bacon's body at Mount Misery, and the wounds made by both bayonet and ball were obvious. They brought his dead body to Jacobs-
In addition to what has been quoted from Governor Fort regarding Bacon's burial, we have heard it stated that in town, Burlington county, and were in accordance with an ancient custom with the act of burying it in the public high-
great criminals, the intention was to bury way, near the village, in the presence of Bacon at the forks of some public roads, many citizens who had collected on the with a stake driven through the body ; occasion, when Bacon's brother appeared ; but his brother's arrival changed their among them and after much entreaty plan. This brother of Bacon's was gen- succeeded in obtaining his body for pri- erally respected where he was known. vate burial."
This affair took place on Thursday evening, April 3d, 1783.
As there have been some disputes in traditionary accounts as to the exact manner of Bacon's death, we have been at much trouble to get at the truth. Some old residents of the vicinity where he was killed are positive that he was shot down after asking for quarter. They say that Captain Stewart's party sudden-
The writer of this has been informed that before the war Bacon's home was in Burlington county, though he occasion- ally worked in Stafford township, in Ocean county, and that Bacon left a wife and two sons, named Jesse and Edward, at Pemberton ; that his widow married a man named Morris, and the two sons emigrated West, and became respectable and useful citizens.
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