New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-27
JERSEY" PINE ROBBERS"
CAVE OF REVOLUTIONARY
BANDITS IN MONMOUTH
COUNTY,
GRIMES OF PAGAN AND FENTON-HOW
THEY MET A DESERVED FATE.

y L Il.
There discovered near Colts Neck a little
village in Monmouth County, n. J.. not long ago
cave which undoubtedly one of the many hid
ing places of the Revolutionary banditti known
throughout the length and breadth of the State by
the sobriquet of Pine Robbers" They obtained
this appellation from the fact that they inhabited
the dense pine forests. making their rendezvous in
caves. The mention of the title sufficient in
the days of their depreda TO make the stoutest
adult quail toddling infants cling to their
mothers skirts for fancied safety. Safety? In
deed. within the circle Of operations the part
these inhuman and cruel brigands safety was a
1nisnomer. 1t is related that in their day there
was a reign of terror in Monmouth County, and
those who retired at night knew not whether they
would be murdered before morning"
So bold and strong in number were the Pine
Robbers and reckless of consequences that once
they took and held possession Of Monmouth Court
House now Freehold. the county seat for
period of days They finally dislodged
A number captured end hanged. no less than
thirteen Of them different times ornamenting the
old galows, which stood only a short distance from
she town. DR.. Samuel Forman, Washington's
guide across the State that memorable cam
laign whose elimination was the battle of Mon
mouth, assisted in erecting this gallows
The prince of the banditti'' Jacob
Fagan. AS a land pirate Pagan has had few
peers His atrocities in their number and variety
something appalling TO contemplate II is a
satisfaction that he finally run to
earth and shot down like dog, meeting the fate
his brutality u1erited-
These Pine Robbers were composed of de-
nationalized Americans who had lost their citizen
ship and rights under the Continental Government
through open adherence TO the British flag. They
cruel and bloodthirsty, and delighted in
dering defenceless women and children; and, for
the reason that many families without a male
protector in consequence of the war. their oppor-
tunities for INDUCING in their favorite pastime
many. At dead Of night these miscreants
would sally forth from their caves to plumber
burn and kill So numerous and audacious had
the robbers become that the State government at
length offered large rewards for their destruction
They were hunted and tracked and shot like wild
beasts until after the close Of the Revolution
they were extermnated.
Pagan had a worthy compatriot in one Fenton,
blacksmith by trade. His record was foul and
bloody with many murders. Perhaps the most
oiabolcal Of his crimes the killing OF
Thomas FarF in Upper Freehold Township. Fairs
family included his wife and daughter. In the
summer Of 1879 Fenton and his gang attacked
Fairs house al midnight. They fired a volley
through the front door, which had been barricaded
with logs. breaking Mr.. Fairs leg and wounding
the daughter. Forcing entrance at the back OF
the house, they trooped in. murdered Mrs Farr,
and beat her husband 10 death as he lay helpless
CT the floor The daughter. though badly wounded
managed TO escape. and fearing she would alarm
the minute the robbers. without waiting 10
satisfy their desire plumber retreated TO their
in the pines.
Several months later Fenton came 70 his end.
He and another OF the robbers named Burke, on
their way 10 their cave one day, came across
young farmer named Van Mater. homeward bound
from the old Longstreth mill. The robbers brutaly
rnaltreated Van Mater and took the meal he car
ried with him Information Of the affair was con-
yeyed TO Lees Legion, then stationed at Mon
snouth Court House. plan was arranged to en-
trap Fenton. large farm wagon with high side
boards was secured. In the straw on the wagon
bottom were concealed two OF Lees men, armed
with muskets On the drivers seat sat Van Mater
and third soldier. The latter WIS in citizens
dress Knowing Fenton's weakness a jug OF rum
accompanied the party
ARRIVING AZ Our House Tavern. fortune favored
them Pagan who had Just given the cook Cpre-
surnaby the landlords wifc) the choice OF hasuly
Preparing his dinner taking a beating, emerged
and, recognizing Van Mater demanded to know II
be had brought any liquor with him. The jug
@as handed Placing one foot on the wagon
moment one OF me Concealed soldiers. upon get
ting the prearranged signal -aised his musket and
ly: Burke. VINO was waiting for Fenton at the old
NH not far away took alarm rom M eh9 sT q nd
taken 10 Monmouth Court House 49,, -,
About year before this, Pagan, that 9ther arcn
lend FOR purposes Of plumber MADE descent on
ne house Of Captain BenJamR, Deh houf u" three
miles below Howell Mills, spot that mas silce
AlaiTe He was accompanied by Burke and a man
named Smith The latter was an honest man. b ~ -
cautioning Pagan and Burke 10 conceal them EN-
selves until he had aScertaineu II liS
Clear. Smith made his way 10 the mouse. ne aP-
pr1sed Mrs De mis- of her danger captain Den
ms In the Continental army. MIS-. Dehils
Promptly sent her daughter ana her younger son
70 place Of safety In a nearby swafnp oSai SeIs
had the children left before Pagan ana Bufke ap-
searee They searched the house DIt -. aa diSSe
md any valuables Mrs. Dennis refused 70 CIV i
le.r hiding place. Then the two notW
sIniths interference in the woman Deha az bopn
Mrs.. Dennis 10 small cedar tree near Tue pi a -
and hanged her with bed cord Ther woIk RI Wa
Performed 81 such a bungling manner thdt 5hoi ~
1Iter the Williams left the premises MITE Dei4iiN
managed 70 extrfcate herself ana escape -,
captain Dennis returning 10 his nome HsAt o@s
on furiough decided 10 move his famly 10 y, a
pace OF safety. Smith met the captain aitu =
nm the robbers. Pagan and Burke were piali' e
e second raid on his house 10 take PIaos .ed
11agnis later. An ambush was AZ once a. plsne of
saptain Dennis and his men lay IN "a PEE "
eohceslrnent which Smith selected: AZ sii I'M vas
Sutfilea time the robbers approached 7lilli
CRYING the wagon intended for the pundeh, VIII VIII
hers rescSed ,h Nailht o1hush they were met
WIN yoiley OF nusket balls. Pagan was killed.
burke escaped. 80, -.
i-nyeoped IN tarred bag and boend WIN ,a toi
nsnos. fasans body suspended roh a CsnTrt
sre free about mile east OF Mo aah ~ hing
..D1se On the Colts Neck Road Iisie ra,ras nb
I'D eo by every breeze and target TOT ia fhst
s.sll was reduced skeleton. IL ~ SCI 80
ossk LIS 2kuu dropped from the Dooy IL was