Jersey Devil
Myths and legends are associated with many areas. For New Jersey there’s the Jersey Devil. While it seems like it might be something pretty scary, it’s become something of a pop-culture icon. The local hockey team is even named for this cryptic creature.
Also known as the Leeds Devil, it dates back all the way to the time of the Native Americans. Indians called the area Place of the Dragon while the Swedish named it Drake Kill. But the creature’s origins are best expressed in a story from 1735. Mother Leeds gave birth to 12 children, claiming her husband was the devil. She claimed that if she had another it would be a devil. That 13th child was born a normal baby, but quickly changed form. It grew hooves and wings and flew out of the house. After an exorcism by a priest it disappeared for 100 years.
History shows that Mother Leeds may be Deborah Leeds. Her husband listed 12 children in his will. That’s consistent with the story. But many people believe that the story is just made up by some of the settlers. The creature supposedly fled to the Pine Barrens, where many fugitives ran. Groups of these people were referred to as pineys. Many of these became bandits known as pine robbers. This could be the origin of stories about demons. All to scare people away from the bandit filled area.
The Jersey Devil even gets humorous. Tom Brown Jr. often spent time in the wilderness. More than once people he met would become terrified thinking he was the Jersey Devil. He used a complete body mud covering to keep mosquitoes off himself. Who knows if the mud actually worked.
Some people believe there’s a more scientific explanation to the Jersey Devil. It could be a creature with wings and hooves. Others hold that it is the sand hill crane, a native bird with a 7 foot wingspan.
The Jersey Devil remains popular. It might be fun to take a trip to find it.
Filed under: Fun Stuff on February 21st, 2009
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