From pirates to Pitney to shipwrecks to shoobies, the Jersey Shore has its fair share of stories brought to us by some early settlers. Here are a few of our favorites:
Beaches off the Jersey Coast are often the site of pieces of plates, glass and other treasures left behind from shipwrecks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
The First Shoobies: Lenni Lenape Native Americans
Who knew New Jerseyans have been vacationing the same way for hundreds of years? Many decades before European settlers set foot on Jersey sand, Lenni Lenape Native Americans spent their summers by the sea just like us. They’d travel on ancient trails instead of in cars, live in wigwam shelters rather than houses and motels, and search for shells to create beads for belts, sashes and scarves. Towns like Manasquan, Absecon, Tuckahoe and Manahawkin are even named after the tribes.
Jersey Shore Shipwrecks Make the Record Books
Some experts say the number of shipwrecks off the Jersey coast is as low as 4,000 and may be as high as 7,000. Beaches off the Jersey Coast are often the site of pieces of plates, glass and other treasures left behind from these shipwrecks, causing beachcombers to add the Jersey Shore to their list of destinations.
Whaling on the Delaware Bay was big business in the 1600s. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Whalers Get Rich in Town Bank
In the 1600s, many early settlers came to a small town named Town Bank outside of Cape May to make a living whaling on the Delaware Bay. Back then, a whaler would spot a whale from a watch tower, and crew members would man a rowboat to capture the animal, since its bones and oils were worth a fortune. Over the years, storms, erosion and tides washed Town Bank into the sea, and spotting a whale in the Delaware Bay is unfortunately rare these days.
It’s been reported that Wildwood got its name from the dense forests, but one must wonder if it might have also been named Wildwood because of the wild animals. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Oh, Those ‘Wild’wood … Animals?
Before fishermen took up permanent residence on this famous 5-mile island, farmers would leave their animals to graze and roam the island forest throughout the summer, using the ocean and bay as natural barriers. When fishermen finally began to take up residence, they were greeted by some leftover “wild” animals in overgrown woods. It’s been reported that Wildwood got its name from the dense forests, but one must wonder if it might have also been named Wildwood because of the wild animals.
Dr. Jonathan Pitney’s house still exists today, and anyone can stay at the Atlantic City Bed & Breakfast. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Pitney House
Pitney Proves that the Sea is Healthy
Back in the day, Atlantic City was mostly farmland until Dr. Jonathan Pitney rode his horse miles from home and moved his medical practice to the island during the early 19th century. Pitney felt the climate, sea and salt air provided numerous therapeutic health benefits. So much so that the “Father of Atlantic City” helped build a railroad and a resort so people could enjoy the enormous health benefits of the sea. This began a tourism rush, allowing thousands to escape the city during summer. Pitney’s house still exists today, and anyone can stay at the Atlantic City Bed and Breakfast.
Capt. Kidd, the infamous pirate hunter turned pirate. It has long been a legend that Kidd buried treasure somewhere along the Jersey Shore. Photo courtesy of Jerseyshorepirates.com
Is Capt. Kidd’s Treasure Buried in Barnegat?
There are many rumors when it comes to buried treasure. But none are as notorious as the ones about Capt. Kidd, the infamous pirate hunter turned pirate. It has long been a legend that Kidd buried treasure that would be worth around $10 million today somewhere along the Jersey Shore. Some stories report that Kidd was in love with a Barnegat farm girl and buried his treasure near Oyster Neck. Another tale claimed he sailed up Barnegat Inlet and buried his treasure on an island near Toms River, nicknamed Money Island. And yet another story said that Kidd buried the treasure in the dunes near Barnegat Inlet alongside someone he murdered. In 2015, archeologists claimed that they found Capt. Kidd’s treasure off the coast of Madagascar. But, still, after all these stories and excursions, Kidd’s buried treasure remains a mystery.
The Haunted Mansion of Health
Built in 1822, the Mansion of Health Hotel in Surf City was popular with fishermen and hunters. But, in April of 1854, one of the worst storms to batter the coast sunk a ship close to shore with German immigrants on board. The entire crew and passengers perished in the shipwreck, and rumors circulated that the bodies of the deceased who washed ashore were robbed of their fortunes. Soon after the event, sobs were heard, and shadowy figures were seen walking across the Mansion of Health’s balcony. The Mansion of Health eventually burnt down and was rebuilt as the Surf City Hotel, which still stands today.
Early Settlers Saw Seaside’s Resort Potential
When Seaside was first settled in 1874, it was named Park City with the idea that the city would someday become a fun seaside park. However, it took until 1916 for the town to commit to building the boardwalk. Built in stages, the boardwalk was finally completed in 1921, and after numerous hurricanes, storms and fires, it’s still going strong.
Is Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’ Based on the Jersey Shore?
In 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson famously penned “Treasure Island,” written most likely about the West Indies. However, Stevenson visited and stayed in central New Jersey a few years later. He was so captivated by the Manasquan River and Osborne Island and felt it resembled the island in his famous novel that he named it Treasure Island. Some say he even wrote the name on a bulkhead. And not surprisingly, there’s also a rumor that Captain Kidd buried another treasure there.
Watch Out for Mooncussers
Land-based pirates and bandits named Mooncussers would roam the beaches of Cape May and the Delaware Bay, forming a line of horses along the coast. They’d hang lanterns from the saddles to decoy and trick ships into thinking they were another boat instead of bandits ready to pounce. Once the ship ran close to shore, the Mooncussers would raid these stranded vessels for treasure. In August 2020, a bar named Mooncussers was erected in Cape May to pay homage to these infamous pirates.
Mary Todd Lincoln loved the time she spent in Long Branch so much that she recommended it to her friend, Ulysses Grant’s wife. In total, seven U.S. presidents have visited Long Branch.
Long Branch Welcomes First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln
Feeling stressed, Mary Todd Lincoln needed to get away during the Civil War and stayed at the Mansion House Hotel, a four-story luxury hotel that could accommodate 600 guests. Lincoln loved her time in Long Branch so much that she recommended it to her friend, Ulysses Grant’s wife. In total, seven U.S. presidents have visited Long Branch.
Blackbeard Buries His Treasure at Higbee Beach
Is another treasure buried in New Jersey? If legends are true, the pirate Blackbeard buried treasure on the remote Higbee Beach. But don’t get your hopes up or shovels out yet. Since the shoreline has suffered tremendous erosion, Higbee is federally protected, and digging is prohibited.
Early Jersey Shore history, like pirates, still live on today, and there are plenty of ways to experience these stories and more. You can spend time with some pirates and even spot rare whales on the Starlight Fleet in Wildwood Crest. Or maybe you want to ghost hunt at the Surf City Hotel. Grab a shovel and dig for treasure, just not at Higbee Beach. Read “Treasure Island” and decide if it reminds you of the Jersey Shore, beachcomb one of the beautiful beaches, stroll the Seaside Boardwalk, grab a drink at Mooncussers or stay at Pitney’s House in Atlantic City.
Looking for more Jersey Shore adventures? Check out the Coastal Heritage Trail.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.
