This noted Refugee leader, whose name is so well remembered by old residents of Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington, appears to have confined his operations chiefly to the lower part of old Monmouth county, between Cedar Creek in what is now Ocean county and Tuckerton in Burlington County. His efforts were mainly directed to plundering the dwellings of all well known active members of the old Monmouth militia. Himself, and men were well acquainted with the roads and paths through the forests of Burlington and old Monmouth, and had numerous hiding places, cabins, caves, etc., in the woods and swamps, where they could remain until some trustworthy spy informed them of a safe chance to venture out on what was then termed a picarooning expedition.

About December 1st, 1780, Bacon killed Lieutenant Joshua Studson, the particulars of this affair are given in the chapter relating to Revolutionary events at Toms River during the Revolution.

Another affair in which Bacon was a prominent actor, was the skirmish at Mannahawkin, in Ocean county, December 30th, 1781. The militia of this place, under command of Captain Reuben F. Randolph, having heard that Bacon, with his band, was on a raiding expedition and would probably try to plunder some of the patriots in that village, assembled at the inn of Captain Randolph, prepared to give them a reception. After waiting until two or three o'clock in the morning, they concluded it was a false alarm, and so retired to rest, taking the precaution to put out sentinels. Just before daylight the Refugees came down the road from the north on their way to West Creek. The alarm was given and the militia hastily turned out, but were compelled to retreat, as the Refugees had a much larger force than they anticipated. As they were retreating, Bacon's party fired and killed one of the patriots named Lines Pangborn and wounded another named Sylvester Tilton.

After this affair Tilton removed to Colts Neck, near Freehold, where we believe his descendants yet live.

On one of his picarooning or raiding expeditions, Bacon, with fifteen or sixteen men, plundered the dwelling house of John Holmes at Forked River, who then lived at the mill known in late years as Francis Cornelius' mill. The party camped in the woods, near the house, until daylight, and then came and demanded money. Mr. Holmes was supposed to be somewhat forehanded, and they hoped to have made a good haul. In the expectation of such a visit he had buried many of his valuables in his garden. The Refugees pointed a bayonet to his breast and threatened to kill him if the money was not forthcoming. Mr. Holmes' wife happened to have some money about her, which she delivered up, and this seemed to satisfy them as far as money was concerned. They then ransacked the house and took provisions and such other things as they wanted.

An ancient paper says that about the last of April, 1780, "the Refugees attacked the house of John Holmes, Upper Freehold, and robbed him of a large amount of Continental money, a silver watch, gold ring, silver buckles, pistols, clothing, etc." It is possible that this refers to the same affair; if so, it occurred in old Dover township instead of Upper Freehold.

Bacon's party, at this time, entered the houses of the Prices and took whatever they could carry, though we believe these patriots, like others in those dark days, kept buried in gardens and fields many things they feared the Refugees might covet.

Among other zealous Americans for whom Bacon had strong antipathy were Joseph Soper and his son Reuben, both members of Captain Reuben F. Randolph's militia company. They lived about half way between Waretown and Barnegat, at a place known as "Soper's Landing." His attentions to the Sopers were so frequent that they often had to sleep in the adjacent swamps along Lochiel brook.

Mr. Soper's son Reuben was murdered by Bacon on Long Beach, about a mile south of Barnegat Inlet.

At one time Mr. Soper had received pay for building a small vessel. Wilson, a treacherous employee, accidentally was a witness to his receiving the money, but he did not know the amount. After Wilson had left, Mr. Soper suspected he would inform Bacon, and so he divided his money into two parcels; a small amount in one parcel and the larger part in another, and then buried both lots in separate places not far from the house.

Mr. Soper at this time had taken refuge in the swamp, and the house was occupied only by women and young children. Their threats compelled the women to lead them into the garden to the spot where the smaller amount of money was buried, after receiving which they seemed to be satisfied, thinking it was all they had. They then returned to the house and made a clean sweep. Among other things taken by Bacon at this time was one of Mr. Soper's shirts, which afterwards served as Bacon's winding sheet, as he was subsequently killed with it on.

This was the most atrocious affair in which Bacon was engaged. The inhuman massacre of sleeping men was in keeping with the memorable affair at Chestnut Neck, near Tuckerton, when Count Pulaski's guards were murdered by the British and Refugees.

The massacre at Long Beach took place about a mile south of Barnegat light-house, and there were, we think, more men killed and wounded then than in any other action in that part of Old Monmouth now comprised within the limits of Ocean county.

A tory paper gives the following version of the affair:

"A cutter from Ostend, bound to St. Thomas, ran aground on Barnegat Shoals, October 25, 1782. The American galley 'Alligator,' Captain Steelman, from Cape May, with twenty-five men, plundered her on Saturday night last of a quantity of Hyson tea and other valuable articles, but was attacked the same night by Captain 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 wounded."

In this account the number of Steelman's men is doubtless overestimated and Bacon's underestimated.

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From: "A History of Monmouth and Ocean Counties", Edwin Salter, 1890, E. Gardner & Son Publishers, Bayonne, N. J., pp. 207-210.