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.