John Bacon (Loyalist)

John Bacon (died April 3, 1783), known as "Bloody John", was one of the most notorious Tory sympathizing Pine Robbers, a leader of men who hid out in the Pine Barrens of south central New Jersey and preyed upon (robbed and murdered) Patriots largely toward the end of the American Revolutionary War.

John Bacon's origins are not fully known. He first appeared in documents in 1775 as a shingler in Monmouth County required to appear in court for unpaid debts.

John Bacon was married and had two sons, who resided in Pemberton, New Jersey.

John Bacon functioned essentially, as a Loyalist guerrilla resister. He and his band of marauders were involved in the Manahawkin Skirmish, the Long Beach Island Massacre, and the skirmish known as the Battle of Cedar Bridge in New Jersey, which was the last armed conflict of the war. Bacon's subsequent death after this engagement is often characterized as the last casualty of the American Revolutionary War.

John Bacon allegedly served, at one point, in the Patriot militia and not long after he switched sides back to the British Loyalist side. Bacon insisted upon being called "Captain".

John Bacon allegedly became a member of the Board of Associated Loyalists. Chartered by King George III and headed up by the British Royal Governor of the New Jersey Colony, William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin, the organization's purpose was to conduct raids to seize supplies, from the Patriots, and to allow its members to enjoy the spoils of their plunder. Regardless of his actual credentials with this group, Bacon fulfilled that organization's mission, by raiding Patriot homes, including members of the Monmouth Militia, ground transport, and ships.

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