On the first of June, 1782, Davenport with eighty men, half of whom were black and half white, in two long barges landed at Forked River, first on the north side where they demanded provisions of Samuel and James Woodmansee, brothers who then lived on the James Jones and Joseph Holmes places. They then proceeded to the south branch of Forked River, to the house of Samuel Brown, an active member of the militia, who then lived on the place owned some twenty odd years ago by John Wright, still known as the Wright place. They plundered his house, burnt his salt works, and came near capturing Mr. Brown himself, who just had time to escape to the woods. Mr. Brown often had to sleep in the woods for fear of Refugee raids at night.

After completing their work of destruction, the two barges proceeded down Forked River to its mouth, when one went up the bay, while the other with Davenport himself proceeded down the bay with the intention of destroying the salt works of the Americans at Waretown and vicinity. Davenport expected to meet with no opposition, as he supposed no militia were near enough to check him. But before he reached Oyster Creek he perceived a boat heading for him. His crew advised him to turn back, as they said the other boat must have some advantage or they would not venture to approach.

Davenport told them they could see the other boat had fewer men, and ridiculed their fears. He soon found, however, why it was that the American boat ventured to attack them. Davenport's men had only muskets with which to defend themselves; the Americans had a cannon or swivel, and when within proper distance they discharged it with so effective an aim that Davenport, who was standing up in the boat, was killed at the first discharge, and his barge damaged and upset by his frightened crew. It happened that the water was only about four feet deep and his crew waded ashore and landed near Oyster Creek, not far from the place lately owned by James Anderson, deceased, and thus escaped, scattering themselves in various directions in the woods and swamps. The late John Collins of Barnegat remembered some of them calling on his father and other Quakers begging for provisions.

Back of Toms River is a stream called Davenport's Branch, which some suppose to have derived its name from his having places of concealment on its banks, but this is an error, as the stream was known before the war as "Davenport's Tavern Branch."

Samuel Brown, above named, after the war removed to Mannahawkin and has many descendants now living there and elsewhere.