Deep in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey lives a creature that has brought fear and mystery to the region since the 1700s. This creature is known simply as the Jersey Devil.
It is described in most accounts as having a horse's head, a long tail, bat-like wings and long hind legs with cloven hooves. Some people have also claimed to witness it breathing fire. Nearly all reported encounters with the Jersey Devil mention its bloodcurdling scream.
Origins of the Jersey Devil
There are many versions of how and where the Jersey Devil was born.
The most predominant and widely accepted involve a Mrs. Leeds (aka Mother Leeds) who was pregnant with her 13th child around 1735. Depending on which version of the tale you follow, Mother Leeds either cursed the child before it was born because she didn't want another; or she cursed it after birth because it was deformed.
It's not clear what happened next. One variation is that the creature escaped right away (after possibly eating some of its siblings). Another is that Mother Leeds locked it in the cellar for a time before it eventually escaped into the wild.
Other versions of the story claim it was a Mrs. Shrouds who gave birth to the child or that Mother Leeds was possibly involved in witchcraft.
The most predominant and widely accepted involve a Mrs. Leeds (aka Mother Leeds) who was pregnant with her 13th child around 1735. Depending on which version of the tale you follow, Mother Leeds either cursed the child before it was born because she didn't want another; or she cursed it after birth because it was deformed.
It's not clear what happened next. One variation is that the creature escaped right away (after possibly eating some of its siblings). Another is that Mother Leeds locked it in the cellar for a time before it eventually escaped into the wild.
Other versions of the story claim it was a Mrs. Shrouds who gave birth to the child or that Mother Leeds was possibly involved in witchcraft.
The Jersey Devil on the Web
- The Devil Hunters
- A group of researchers committed to discovering the truth about the Jersey Devil and its legend.
- Channel 6 Special Report
- The ABC affiliate in Philadelphia did a special report on investigations of Jersey Devil sightings.
- The Jersey Devil on Wikipedia
- Along with a list of well known sightings, Wikipedia has a listing of JD's appearances in books, movies, TV shows and even video games.
- Legend or Truth?
- Ghosts of the Prairie has a good synopsis of the story and Jersey Devil sightings that is a little more readable than some other sites.
- Ed Sheetz - Jersey Devil Artist
- Ed Sheetz is an artist who created one of the most popular drawings of the Jersey Devil.
Things Named After The Jersey Devil
In addition to various local bars, drinks, shops and organizations, the Jersey Devil has lent his name to some nationally known groups.
- The New Jersey Devils
- Yes, JD has his own NHL hockey team. Where did you think they got the name?
- New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing
- The Jersey Devil even has his own fighter wing equipped with F-16s. Don't mess with JD.
Recommended Reading
Books about the Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil
The authoritative and best selling guide to The Jersey Devil. It's a quick and very informative read.
Amazon Price: $10.16 (as of 02/09/2010) 
Phantom of the Pines: More Tales of the Jersey Devil
New research and interviews fill this sequel to the original "The Jersey Devil" by McCloy and Miller.
Amazon Price: $11.01 (as of 02/09/2010)
The Jersey Devil's Birthplace
Jersey Devil Based Fiction
Several authors have incorporated the Jersey Devil and other Pine Barrens folklore into their fictional works.
Tales Of The Jersey Devil
Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 02/09/2010)
Jersey Devil
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 02/09/2010)
More About The Pine Barrens
The Pine Barrens is a vast track of woodlands covering large parts of southern and central New Jersey. The area is rich in history and environmental diversity.
The Pine Barrens
Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 02/09/2010)
Iron in the Pines: The Story of New Jersey's Ghost Towns and Bog Iron
Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)
Pine Barrens Legends, Lore and Lies
Amazon Price: $9.31 (as of 02/09/2010)
Do you believe?
What do you think of the Jersey Devil? Have you or someone you know had a run in with JD?
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Reply
- EagleScoutMom EagleScoutMom Apr 23, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
- Ha! I live in South Jersey and love to tell the scary story to my nieces, nephews and foster kids who've never heard about it. It's a great story. Just a few days ago my husband was walking the dog in the woods after dark and he came back with a tale about a huge winged creature - he said it was too big to be an owl - he couldn't make it out. He and the dog were spooked so I said it must have been the Jersey Devil - what else could it be ! LOL ! Nice lens !
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Reply
- Twmarsh Twmarsh Oct 17, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
- The Jersey Devil is a great topic for a lens. Five stars, well done!
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Reply
- Sandy Sandy Sandy Sandy May 8, 2008 @ 8:30 am
- Hey I like your lens on the JD! YES He is real! Check out my story and print of him on my web site. You can add the link to your lens if you want! http://sandysandy.com/jerseydevil.html
Take care and remember don't venture out into the pines alone at night!
Blog Posts About The Jersey Devil
- The Debris Field: The Jersey Devil on A&E
- The Jersey Devil on A&E. 11 hours ago. Paranormalknowledge.com · Do you believe in reincarnation? 12 hours ago. Frame 352 · Miami UFO Center: What Is The Chupacabras? - Ten Year Study Results. 14 hours ago ...
- The Chess Playing New Jersey Devil | Paranominal
- The Jersey Devil scares the shit out of me?nicely done though. OFFON12 says: February 8, 2010 at 4:01 pm. i thought that was amazing i always wanted to learn how to draw like that i just never had the patients or materials ...
- Dave White's Writing Block: New Jersey: The Promised Land--The ...
- The Jersey Devil is a myth, a legend, and one of the coolest things about New Jersey. When the Leeds woman was about two have her 12th child in 1735, someone decreed it would be the Devil. When that child was born it transformed from ...
- Watch Paranormal State Season 4 Episode 13 Online Paranormal State ...
- PRS and a cryptozoologist go to New Jersey to investigate the 'Jersey Devil'. Watch Paranormal State Season 4 Episode 13 Online Paranormal State Devil in Jersey. watch. Watch it live in satellite tv quality, download the software from ...
Sources & Bibliography
Much of the above information on the Jersey Devil legend and the area is from my own personal experience growing up in South Jersey. I also used the references below to research variations of the legend, dates and information on specific sightings.
- McCloy, James F. & Ray Miller, Jr. - The Jersey Devil (1976)
- "Jersey Devil". Wikipedia. July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil.
- Taylor, Troy. "The Jersey Devil - Legend or Truth?". Ghosts of the Prairie. 2002. July 2007. http://www.prairieghosts.com/jerseydevil.html.
by Mac33
I grew up in the Pine Barrens and frequently heard tales of the Jersey Devil. We even watched a documentary on the Jersey Devil in grade school....
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