Barnegat in Barnegat Township in Ocean County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Affair at Cedar Bridge

1776-1783

— December 27, 1782 —

Affair at Cedar Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

1. Affair at Cedar Bridge Marker

Inscription. After searching several days for the notorious Capt. John Bacon, Capt. Richard Shreve of the Burlington County light horse and Capt. Edward Thomas of the Mansfield militia stopped with their men to refresh themselves near here at the Cedar Bridge Tavern. Bacon and his band of loyalists surprised the militia and blocked their escape. As the militia gained the advantage, they were fired upon unexpectedly by a party of locals, who came to Bacon’s aid and provided a diversion that allowed Bacon to escape. Among the patriots, one was killed and four were wounded. Four loyalists were also wounded, including Capt. Bacon.

Erected by the Board of Chosen Freeholders to commemorate Ocean County’s role in the American Revolution on its 225th anniversary, 2001-2008

Erected by Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 39° 47.592′ N, 74° 22.081′ W. Marker is in Barnegat Township, New Jersey, in Ocean County. It is in Barnegat. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 72 and Old Halfway Rd S, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 72. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 560 Route 72, Barnegat NJ 08005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. One in a Mill-ion (approx. ¾ mile away); Fire: Nature’s Double Agent (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Haven in the Heat (approx. 0.8 miles away); Last Stand of the Revolution (approx. 0.8 miles away); Land Between the Lines (approx. 0.8 miles away); Historical Horticulture (approx. 0.8 miles away); Welcome to West Jersey (approx. 1.3 miles away); Welcome to East Jersey (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barnegat Township.

Regarding Affair at Cedar Bridge. To locate the tavern itself, traveling East on highway 72 turn right onto Old Halfway Road S. A wooden structure identified as “Cedar Bridge Tavern”, where the actual skirmish occurred, stands at 200 Old Halfway Road and is located 0.8 miles along Old Halfway Road S on the right side a few feet from a small bridge spanning a creek. It is now a privately owned residence but is clearly visible from the road and identified by a wooden sign nailed to a post on the front porch. The tavern's coordinates are
N39 47.010', W74 21.639' There are county signs prohibiting metal detecting on the property. Continuing along Old Halfway Road S, the road turns into Old Cedar Bridge Road which intersects with CR 532(Warren Grove Road.) A second, identical marker is located at the intersection

Sign at intersection of Rt 72 and Old Halfway Rd S image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

2. Sign at intersection of Rt 72 and Old Halfway Rd S

of Old Cedar Bridge Road and Warren Grove Road located at N39 46.764', W74 20.564'

Additional keywords. New Jersey Pine Barrens

Cedar Bridge Tavern as it appears today. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

3. Cedar Bridge Tavern as it appears today.

Wooden sign on tavern porch. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

4. Wooden sign on tavern porch.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

5. Mailbox

Cedar Bridge Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2019

6. Cedar Bridge Tavern

The Cedar Bridge Tavern was restored to its original appearance in 2018.

Inside the Cedar Bridge Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 7, 2019

7. Inside the Cedar Bridge Tavern

Patriot Captains Richard Shreve and Edward Thomas, along with their militia units, stopped here prior to their skirmish with John Bacon and his Loyalists.

Old Halfway Rd S (unpaved) where it comes off of Rt 72, facing South. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

8. Old Halfway Rd S (unpaved) where it comes off of Rt 72, facing South.

Old Halfway Rd S crossing the bridge leading to the tavern in the woods. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

9. Old Halfway Rd S crossing the bridge leading to the tavern in the woods.

Prohibition against metal detecting. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Intile, May 29, 2011

10. Prohibition against metal detecting.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,162 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 30, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on September 9, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on May 29, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. 9, 10. submitted on May 30, 2011, by John Intile of Toms River, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.