"Bragging Rights"
Stu said:
For the longest time I was told the Toms River Blockhouse battle was the unofficial last battle, but it can't be since it happened in spring of 1782.
Stu,
South Jersey has always been used as a "cheap" source of money (taxes, for the most part) to support the projects and infrastructure of the northern part of the State. However, attempts by persons/groups in the southern part of the State to gain recognition of/attract tourists to historic sites that might jeopardize "the draw" of tourist attractions in North Jersey are usually ignored/"quashed" by our State's lawmakers.
There is a newspaper account of the capture/death of John Bacon, and the "Battle at Cedar Bridge." However, at the time, there were at least a couple of "Cedar Bridges" in the State. Some historians, recognizing that this was, indeed, probably the last battle in our War For Independance would, however, for their own reasons, like to place the battle farther to the north, near Cedar Creek in Monmouth County.
That placement of the battle seems "curious," to say the least, since John Bacon's "basis of operations" was located near what, today, is known as "Warren Grove." Furthermore, the Battle was fought by the Burlington County Militia, out of New Lisbon; and they captured John Bacon at a house, sometimes used as a tavern, between West Creek and Clam Town (today: Tuckerton). Cedar Creek in Monmouth County is quite a distance removed from these areas.
I
hypothesize, as do some others, that said "Cedar Bridge" (where the battle was fought) was on the stage road from New Lisbon to Manahawkin. Said "Cedar Bridge," although in Monmouth County at the time, lies close to the border of Burlington County, and John Bacon's "lair," which was supposedly "near Warren Grove,"
could, in actuality, have been in Burlington County --- thus, not only raising the ire of those in charge of the Burlington County Militia, but also making them, at least, in part, responsible for bringing him to justice...
Curiously, said "Cedar Bridge" lies between the Keith and Lawrence survey lines. The Lawrence line was, I believe (without looking), not even 50 years old at the time of Bacon's capture/death. I
hypothesize, in addition, that it was "convenient" for those in charge of Monmouth County, which was, officially, in "East Jersey," to "look the other way," in enforcing the law in that "corner" of the State that some considered as rightfully belong to "West Jersey"...
If the Lawrence Line had been officially accepted, Trenton, today, I believe, would be the capital of South Jersey. As it is, "Trentonians," I have heard, like to think of themselves as being part of North Jersey. Thus, it is of no wonder for some, like myself, that Acting Governor Codey's effort(s) to preserve (and promote) "New Jersey Historic Places" largely neglects or excludes those sites in the southern part of the State...
ebsi