How NJ Won the War For Independence
If it weren't for NJ, we'd be driving on the left side of the road, using the metric system and eating Royals with Cheese
If it weren’t for NJ we wouldn’t have won the War for Independence. There would be no United States of America.
New Jersey is always getting a bad rap from the rest of the nation, but this little state stands gigantic in the creation of the United States of America. If it weren’t for New Jersey we’d be driving on the left side of the road, using the metric system, singing God Save the King. Yes, we’d be eating Royals with Cheese. (Pardon the Pulp Fiction reference)
When outsiders think of NJ they immediately think of the Soprano NJ, the North Jersey hellhole where people live on top of each other, drive the NJ turnpike & Gardens State Parkway and breathe polluted air.
But that’s just a small part of NJ. It’s actually an extension of New York City. Parts of New Jersey itself can be categorized as being extensions of three states, New York, Pennsylvania & Delaware. The Southern part being mostly influenced by Philadelphia and is used to justify NJ as the Garden State. South Jersey is where everything grows and where protected forests & wetlands abound.
It wasn’t just the people that made NJ prosper, it was the topography of the State itself that was perfect environment to breed privateers and pirates with it’s inlets, estuaries and coastal water.. That’s right, those larger than life bandits that we see in movies were not fictitious people, they actually walked the sands of Cape May, moved their plunder through Chestnut Creek (Port Republic) and Sandy Hook and partied off the Delaware River in Gloucester County. They buried their treasures in the sands of our shores. Some of it still unfound.
In my new book, Scoundrels & Seafarers I cover the lives of the most important pirates that scourged the East Coast; tell about their life aboard ship, the ships they sailed and how most of them were executed
If it weren’t for pirate supplies from plunder that were trucked across the state through the Pine Barrens to supply Washington’s troops by the Swamp People it’s doubtful we would have won that war. The same Swamp People mined the iron that was used to make cannons, cannonballs and other military goods again for the Continental army, and their charcoal was used for gunpowder.
Some very prosperous NJ families and a signer of the Declaration of Independence built their wealth on smuggling and black marketing and whose profits were used to build the State’s economy.
Did you know more Revolutionary War were battles fought in NJ that any other State? Read all about it.
So that’s what my book Scoundrels & Seafarers is all about with a little bit thrown in about the history of the founding of the State by Hudson and some interesting facts about the original Lenne Lenape natives.
It’s an easy walk through our State’s history if you’re a New Jersey native or history buff, you most likely will enjoy my book. It’s not just for guys. Ladies read up.
I’ve been getting some early reviews on Amazon, and they look pretty good.
As a matter of fact, I just received an email from a college classmate, Captain Carl DeHart who was an actual seafarer and sailed the seven seas. I featured a post about him here earlier. Subscriber Adventures. Here’s what he had to say.
Dear Lou,
I have just finished reading your fantastic book, " Scoundrels and Seafarers: New Jersey's Privateering and Pirate Past". I have always known bits and pieces of the Jersey Shore's sordid past, but your book has brought it all together in a format that explains the history and reasons for the early settler's actions. For 12 years I captained a large ocean racing sailboat and traveled from Newport to Annapolis, down the New Jersey Coast. I always noted that the inlets along the Jersey Shore were very tricky and shallow. From Barnegat to the shoals off Brigantine, all the way to Cape May, the inlets are best approached with local knowledge. I can see how a local group of scoundrels could rob a cargo ship heading for New York and make a fast retreat into the tricky inlets off the Jersey Shore. Traveling down Rte 9, from New Gretna to Cape May, there are many locations that still conger up many a good story. Port Republic, Lower Bank, etc. I love the Jersey Shore and will be back for a visit next May. Please continue to investigate the History of this area for your next book.
Sincerely,
Capt. Carlton W. DeHart Jr.
Here are a couple of reviews from the Amazon listing. (They were hard to read as a screenshot so I am retyping them. Here’s the actual link. Just scroll to the reviews section .)
Amazon.com Reviews For Scoundrels & Seafarers
Wolinsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrrrh ye interested in pirates?
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
If you are interested in pirates and live on the east coast you probably grew up hearing stories of the pirates and privateers who used the New Jersey harbors, bays, and inlets in their sometimes legal, but oft-times illegal activities. Lou Mascolo certainly did and has written an easy read that shed new light on old tales.
For a good part of my life, I lived on the Jersey shore about 20 minutes from Egg Harbor, but it wasn't until I read this book that I found out it got its name when the Dutch landed there in the early 1600s and found the shore littered with thousands of eggs from terns, gulls, and other birds. They named it Eryn Haven's (Egg Harbor).
I'm sure you know that some of our founding fathers were slave owners, but did you know that some of them were very active in smuggling? You'll also read about the Swamp Angels of the pine barrens, and he clears up some common misconceptions, especially those created by Hollywood's romanticizing of pirate life, especially aboard ship.
It isn't an in-depth study of the pirate life, and therein lies some of its strength. A complete picture would not be an easy read and those who are not die-hard pirate lovers might shy away. As it stands, it provides a substantial digest of pirate life that can be enjoyed by many. At the same time it provides enough detail for anyone wanting to dig deeper into any of the topics covered.
5.0 out of 5 stars Pirates and privateers in New Jersey
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024
This was a fascinating read. I only wish it were longer so I could learn more. The author writes well and is easy to follow. I was born and raised in New Jersey and had no idea the role privateers and pirates played in our history. It makes sense of course as the author explains. The coast line is littered with inlets in which to hide and shipping traffic brought numerous maritime vessels toward ports in Philadelphia and New York. I look forward to reviewing additional titles by this writer.
So my relatives (yes you), my friends (yes you) and classmates (yes you), I ask for your support in getting my book off the ground. Get educated and entertained by buying this non-fiction journey through history. eBook is $2.99, Paperback: $5.99: Hardcover $14.95. These are pre-Christmas prices. They will be doubling after that. Hallmark cards go for $6.95 so this is pretty cheap by anyone estimation. Get it now before it’s discovered so you can say you found it first. Here’s the link. 😊
Don’t forget about my children’s book, The Pogo Stick Kid, Gold in the Sky, also getting great reviews. Your kids, grandkids, nephews, nieces will love it. Here some reviews for Pogo.
5.0 out of 5 stars My Grandkids Loved This.
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
I bought this book for my 3 granddaughters ages 8 & 6 year old twins, it was a HIT.
They all sat and listened while I read it, and loved the pictures, asked a lot of questions.
One of the twins asked if they could take it to school to share it for their reading circle.
I would definitely purchase from this author again.
Diane B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable story and beautiful graphics.
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
Loved this adorable story. The graphics are beautiful and eye catching! Best of all, the story promotes friendship, teamwork, and the power of good positive planning to accomplish a goal. Seems appropriate for children aged 3 to 7. Never to early to start learning the lessons in this story. Would look forward to future adventures of the Pogo Stick Kid and his Posse.
Order them now, before you forget and have them for stocking stuffers. You’re going to forget somebody. 🎄
Thanks for your support. It’s appreciated.