The Affair at Cedar Bridge, History Comes to Life in Barnegat, NJ!
The Affair at Cedar Bridge or the Battle of Cedar Bridge will be reenacted this Sunday, December 27th at 200 Old Half Way Road in Barnegat, New Jersey from 2pm to 4pm.
Get the kids away from the new video games, bundle up and watch history come to life!
Whether you call it the Affair at Cedar Bridge or the Battle of Cedar Bridge it is said to be one of the last land conflicts of the American Revolution and the final one in New Jersey.
It happened on December 27, 1782 when the Burlington Militia came to Manahawkin after hearing Loyalist John Bacon might be lurking about.
Bacon had been a wanted man for quite some time. Not only was he a Loyalist, but two months earlier he was known to have participated in the killings of several American privateers who were plundering the cargo of a British ship that ran aground near Barnegat Light.
After searching Manahawkin, the Burlington Militia decided to stop at the Cedar Bridge Tavern for some refreshments and to rest their horses. Bacon’s bunch had the same idea! And so the Affair at Cedar Bridge began.
Turning the tables on his pursuers, Bacon's crew barricaded the old cedar bridge by the Tavern and traded heavy gunfire with the militia before escaping into the Pine Barrens.
Bacon was not able to cheat death for much longer. The following April, he was killed by militiamen and his body dragged through the streets of Manahawkin.
In 1782, Cedar Bridge was located in Manahawkin (Stafford Township), but is now part of Barnegat.
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
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609.384.6121
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Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com
Ahh...not the lusty love affair of the sopas....but an affair none the less ! A little history nugget the folks in your area can re-live.....they'll appreciate your shout out...blog on and happiest of holidays !
This is good information for people in your area. Have happy holidays.
Interesting post, Laura. I love history, and even more so when I can tie it to my local area as you did. I continue to enjoy reading your blogs. Kim
Dear Laura,
Thanks for the interesting history lesson. You always post the most interesting information.
Betina
Great piece of history Laura. Wish I could be there.
Steve
I have never heard a battle called an affair before. I guess what ever it takes to be recognized! Sounds interesting though.
It's called an affair, becasue it was really a 'civil war' within the Revolution,.
...his body dragged through the streets.... When will it ever end?
We have many reenactments around here and I have always wanted to go to one and I yet to make it. Merry Christmas Laura!
Laura, Thanks for the history lesson. What a great chance for the kids to see a reenactment.