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.