Seafarers & Scoundrels

If it weren't for the privateers, pirates, swamp people and Colonialist New Jersey private citizen's profit from plunder on the high seas and their expertise at smuggling, the Continental Army would have collapsed and Britain would have won the Revolutionary War for Independence. Furthermore, George Washington and all the signers of the Declaration of Independence...John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams...all of them... many of them privateer and smugglers themselves would have been hung or shot. It would be a different continent if not for the shady end of Colonial economics.

The legacy of maritime marauders is intricately woven into the fabric of New Jersey's coastal communities. While the romanticized image of swashbuckling pirates continues to captivate the public's imagination, the true story of their impact on the region is far richer, more complex, and endlessly fascinating. From audacious raids and elusive treasure to their strategic role in the Revolutionary War, the pirates and privateers who prowled the New Jersey shoreline left an indelible mark on the course of American history.

This book takes you on a deep dive into New Jersey's history, stretching from the Golden Age of Piracy through to the Revolutionary War. It reveals how both the people and pirates of the era provided critical resources, motivation, and funding that ultimately fueled the fight for independence in the Colonies. We explore the lives and exploits of these colorful figures, uncovering the truth behind long-standing legends and examining how their activities-both legal and illicit-shaped the economic and social landscape of New Jersey's coast. We take a look at the lives and impact of brigands such as Blackbeard, Black Bart, Black Sam, Captain Kidd and more.

Particularly significant was the topography of New Jersey itself. Its labyrinthine inlets, sprawling marshlands, and hidden coves made it a natural hub for smuggling, black market trading, and covert operations. These illicit profits, funneled from piracy and privateering, were reinvested into the fledgling American economy, supporting critical industries like shipbuilding and agriculture, and even helping to fund the Continental Army's war efforts.

But beyond the economic impact, the presence of these seafaring outlaws instilled a spirit of resilience and resourcefulness in the coastal communities. Their daring exploits not only disrupted British control but also fostered a local culture of independence and survival.

There's a treasure chest of historical nuggets of New Jersey in Seafarers and Scoundrels, a non-fiction work by Louis Mascolo. So are you ready? Just click the buy button, and we're on our way.