In 1909, a slew of bizarre sightings, including inexplicable footprints, were reported in newspapers around New Jersey. This is when the trouble would begin. [5], Prior to the early 1900s, the Jersey Devil was referred to as the Leeds Devil or the Devil of Leeds, either in connection with the local Leeds family or the eponymous southern New Jersey town, Leeds Point.[6]. A headline from the Asbury Park Press of that year read, What mysterious tracks are these?. At 2:30 in the morning Nelson Evans and his wife spotted the Jersey Devil outside their window. The Jersey Devil: The Legendary Demon That Haunts New Jersey While the tale of Commodore Decaturs bravery was told for many years, questions as to the authenticity of the event began to arise in 2007 when work was done on his house in Washington DC. In a time when thoughts of independence were being born, these issues made the Leeds family political and religious monsters. This means that there was definitely some sort of connection between the two and that the creature certainly could have been created as a joke during the height of their rivalry. One by one Josephine's children fell to starvation, and as they died she fed their remains to herself and her . A few days after David Black supposedly captured the Jersey Devil with his cell phone's camera, Emily Martin shot a video of what appears to be the same creature after she spotted it on Old Port Republic Road near Leeds Point. Australian Wonder, Cross Between a Kangaroo and Bat, Strangely Disappears, the subhead noted. They claimed it was able to jump over fences and squeeze under small gaps about 8 inches in size. Though there was some panic, it was initially presumed to be an isolated event like all of the previous tales. "Mother Leeds" has been identified by some as the real-life Deborah Leeds,[7] on grounds that Deborah Leeds' husband, Japhet Leeds, named twelve children in the will he wrote during 1736,[8] which is compatible with the legend. Sightings included one in 1870 by a Long Beach fisherman who . In fact, it is entirely possible that the legend of the Jersey Devil started as a joke between rivals. Leeds continued to publish what was considered to be anti-Quaker material which continued to draw anger and disgust from the community. The origin of this name has a few different backstories. Armed guards were put on trolleys to ensure the safety of citizens in transit. It was 1735, deep in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, when Jane "Mother" Leeds discovered she was pregnant with her thirteenth child. There is also the fact that Mother Leeds was cursed because she fell in love with a British soldier. Before it was known as the Jersey Devil, the creature was more commonly called the Leeds Devil. Once this was done, the creature shot up the house's chimney, disappeared into the forest . On a stormy night in 1735, a Quaker woman gave birth to a child during a thunderstorm. accused Leeds of working for the devil. The area in which the Jersey Devil haunted was originally called Popuessing, which means "the place of the dragon." The community was outraged, seeing this as yet another offense by Leeds and went as far as to publish a tract that accused him of working for the devil. Though there are various accounts of the Jersey Devils origins, the physical description of the creature has remained pretty consistent through time, lending credence to its existence. Version 9.0. the Leeds Devil) is a legendary creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey. Some versions of the legend also state that there was a subsequent attempt by local clergymen to exorcise the creature from the Pine Barrens. During the 1700s and 1800s, residents of the isolated Pine Barrens were deemed the dregs or outcasts of society: poor farmers, fugitives, brigands, Native Americans, poachers, moonshiners, runaway slaves, and deserting soldiers. But then, before the midwives and Mother Leeds 12 other children, the infant transformed into a winged beast with a long tail and talons. This is the event that would cause the most panic in the Pine Barren area. [10], Regal notes that, by the late 1700s and early 1800s at the latest, the "Leeds Devil" had become an ubiquitous legendary monster or ghost story in the southern New Jersey area. According to Stein, a man later admitted he had faked some of these footprints.[38]. It is from these sightings that the popular image of the creaturebatlike wings, horse head, claws, and general air of a dragonbecame standardized.[10]. The offer prompted a variety of hoaxes, including a kangaroo equipped with artificial claws and bat wings. 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In the last 200 years or so, there have been a number of sightings and the hearing of eerie noises/wails in the forests which have been attributed to the Jersey Devil, but since these accounts are, in the main, generic descriptions, one is somewhat drawn to the conclusion that any number of weird things in southern Jersey are attributed to the Jersey Devil as a matter of course. That very day, a hunting party captured the creature in Fairmount Park, the Inquirer reported Jan. 23. All Rights Reserved. Another version of the story says it was when Mrs. Leeds found out she was pregnant with her 13th, that she said that if she were to have one more child, may it be a devil. Desperate, Mother Leeds cried out, "Let this child be the devil!" The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations. In New Jersey and Philadelphia folklore, the Jersey Devil (a.k.a. [32] Apart from the Jersey Devil, many other legends are associated with the Pine Barrens; supernatural creatures and ghosts said to haunt the pine forests include the ghost of the pirate Captain Kidd, who supposedly buried treasure in the Pine Barrens and is sometimes allegedly seen in the company of the Jersey Devil; the ghost of the Black Doctor, the benevolent spirit of an African-American doctor who, after being forbidden from practicing medicine due to his race, entered the Pine Barrens to practice medicine in the isolated communities of the Barrens and is said to still come to the aid of lost or injured travelers; the ghost of the Black Dog, which, unlike many black dog legends, is usually portrayed as harmless; the ghost of the Golden-Haired Girl, the spirit of a girl who is said to be staring out into the sea, dressed in white, mourning the loss of her lover at sea; and the White Stag, a ghostly white deer said to rescue travelers in the Barrens from danger. Many over the year have believed and reported sightings of the creature. Historical records show that as of 1736, Japhet had 12 children in his will. The monster flew up the. The beast has been known to cause several small scares in modern day, though this was not originally the case. He owned land in Bordentown, New Jersey, which was known to be part of the Pine Barrens area. According to local lore, the Jersey Devil feasts on local children, pets, and farm animals. He reported that the backs of their heads were eaten and their bodies were scratched and torn. Watch Jersey Devil Clip | HISTORY Channel Leeds' second wife and first daughter had both died during childbirth. ""The baby looked normal but then it changed! The Jersey Devil's fame solidified itself in January of 1909 when nearly 1,000 reports came in from eyewitnesses throughout South Jersey. This became a lightning rod for controversy; many Quakers who read the text objected to its use of astrology and "heathen" Greco-Roman . [32][33][34][35] There are also folk tales concerning the Blue Hole, an unusually clear blue and rounded body of water located in the Pine Barrens between Monroe Township, Gloucester County and Winslow Township, Camden County and often associated with the Jersey Devil. The Legend of the Jersey Devil: The Predator of the Pine Barrens [10], During 1716, Daniel Leeds' son, Titan Leeds, inherited his father's almanac business, which continued to use astrological content and eventually competed with Benjamin Franklin's popular Poor Richard's Almanack. Dorson specifies that the qualifier must: exist in oral tradition, inspire belief and conviction, become personalized and institutionalized, be fanciful or mythical , and contain a "comical side," which endears it to the American public. Some believed her to be a sorceress. Governor Sheila Oliver, Public Service and Emergency Assistance Phone Numbers, Vehicles, Licensing, Registration and Regulations. The Jersey Devil fad died out for a while until 1927 when a taxi driver in Salem Cityallegedly encountered the Jersey Devil while changing a tire. In the 1690s, after his almanacs and writings were further censored as blasphemous or heretical by the Philadelphia Quaker Meeting, Leeds continued to dispute with the Quaker community, converting to Anglicanism and publishing anti-Quaker tracts criticizing Quaker theology and accusing Quakers of being anti-monarchists. Both Black and Martin swear neither the image nor the video were edited or set up. Twenty years later, Jeffries admitted to the hoax. "That thing," said the colonel, "is not a bird nor an animal, but it is the Leeds devil, according to the description, and it was born over in Evesham, Burlington County, a hundred years ago. Once born, the Jersey Devil gorily slaughtered its own mother, then tore apart the midwife/s, finishing its carnage by flying into the next room and murdering its father, and all 12 siblings. In South Jersey and Philadelphia folklore in the United States, the Jersey Devil (also known as the Leeds Devil) is a legendary creature said to inhabit the forests of the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. There were so many reports that sightings were published in newspapers across the country and precautions were taken that suggest local authorities really did believe their citizens were in danger. It grew a forked tail and sprouted disgusting leathery wings. There isn't a family in Burlington or any of the adjoining counties that does not know of the Leeds devil, and it was the bugaboo to frighten children with when I was a boy.[13]. Many contend that the Jersey Devil wreaks havoc on the New Jersey wetlands to this day. It had four legs and could walk on two. [30], Medical sociologist Robert E. Bartholomew and author Peter Hassall cite the infamous 1909 series of sightings of the Jersey Devil (and the subsequent public panic) as a classic example of mass hysteria begun by a regional urban legend. That is, if the newspapers of the period are to be believed. Some people claim that Joseph was hunting the Jersey Devil when he happened upon it and was startled to discover its existence. The man informed the visitor that he had most likely had an encounter with the Jersey Devil. However, there were no tracks surrounding the bodies and no blood on the ground. They point to the almost comedic writings of the newspapers who published the Jersey Devil sightings in 1909 as proof that the media didnt take the attacks as seriously as legend would have us believe. Gangs of highwaymen, such as the politically disdained Loyalist brigands, known as the Pine Robbers, were known to rob and attack travelers passing through the Barrens. Mother Leeds is said to have tried to confine the beast to her home, but it grew quickly and viciously and one day killed her before escaping into the woods. The Horrors Of The Jersey Devil | History Daily But in 1980,Wharton State ForestChief Ranger Alan MacFarlane saw something that both grossed him out and stumped his wild animal knowledge: a brutal scene on a South Jersey farm where a pack of pigs had been killed. It was set in New Jersey and focused on the story of the Jersey Devil. The story goes that Mrs. Leeds invoked the devil during a very difficult and painful labor and that when the baby was born, it either immediately, or very soon afterwards, (depending on the version of the story), grew into a full-grown devil and escaped from the house. According to the majority of accounts surrounding the Jersey Devil, it is a flying creature with bat-like wings. It sprouted a pair of leathery wings and finally unfurled its hideous transformation to the room. Years later, Jeffries, whose name also appears as Jefferies in newspaper clips, confessed to staging the stunt. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). You might notice the proximity on a map, and wonder if it's worth visiting this village after all. Consequently, when she gave birth to the soldiers child, it was a demonic beast that became known as the Leeds Devil. Reports of shadows falling across windows and men finding decomposed carcasses of unidentified creatures in the woods soon followed. In 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night while her friends gathered around her. In 1820, Napoleons older brother, Joseph Bonaparte, even claimed to have seen the Jersey Devil while hunting in Bordentown. The monster flew up the chimney and out into the night. With Halloween upon us, we decided to take a closer look at thirteenof the most convincing Jersey Devil sightings and stories. Another version is that the child was born a monster and that Mrs. Leeds cared for the child until her death. So far, no one has been able to claim the prize. While there are many versions of the Jersey Devils lore, the most popular is this: When Leeds' thirteenth child was born, it grewwings, horns, hooves, and a tail. They waited in the next room while the midwife helped Mother Leeds give birth. While many of the early believers remain nameless to history, there were some notable historical figures that were convinced in the cryptids existence. Some have said that he is responsible for crop failures, milkless cows, and droughts. The curse caused her to give birth to the Jersey Devil.Locals in the Pine Barrens call it the Leeds Devil. Still, the Jersey Devil marched onward on its attack on the Pine Barrens. To his surprise and dismay, the monster continued to fly overhead, unaffected by the attack. [2], Joseph Bonaparte, elder brother of Napoleon, is also claimed to have seen the Jersey Devil while hunting on his Bordentown estate about 1820. When the Americans and British went to war, local townsfolk cursed the girl for her affair with the soldier. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. [39], He also planted nonfictional newspaper stories about new sightings of the Devil. For the NHL hockey team named after the creature, see, Mallowe, Mike, "The Enduring Reign Of The Jersey Devil". Some say the child was born deformed. One of the most famous occurrences happened during a chilly January week in 1909. Unmasking the True Identity of the Jersey Devil | Ancient Origins In a bid to infuriate his rival, Franklin published satirical astrological techniques that predicted Leeds would die in October of that year. The timeline of this story is known to vary (possibly because of confusion with an account told by Joseph Bonaparte). [46], Likewise, as a fixture of organizations, it is the namesake for two professional ice hockey teams. The room flickered with candlelight. The Jersey Devil, the tale of a viral story from 110 years ago [18] During 1960, tracks and noises heard near Mays Landing were claimed to be from the Jersey Devil. Though she did not know it at the time, this would create the monster that would go on to terrorize the entire state of New Jersey. "That night, the Jersey Devil was born.This is one of the most popular stories about how the Devil was born, but there are many others. The jersey devil is a mystery and its legendary is it true who knows out in the pine barrens lives this beast and mother . He also started referring to Titan as a ghost. At last, the child was born and all of the Leeds family and friends rushed into the room to see the new child. On Thursday, the 21st, things became even more tense for the residents in the Pine Barrens when the Jersey Devil attacked a trolley car in Haddon Heights. Additionally, modern day encounters with a strange creature that seemed to originate from the Pine Barrens would resurrect the credibility of the tale and lead to a new generation of Jersey Devil believers. legends are associated with the Pine Barrens, "The Jersey Devil & Pine Barrens Folklore New Jersey Pine Barrens", "Haddonfield talk explores Jersey Devil's 'real' roots", "Jersey Devil 'sighting' reignites excitement but experts pour cold water", "The Devil Hunters Official Researchers of the Jersey Devil", "CNBNEWS.NET: In 1909, the Jersey Devil was sighted in Gloucester", "THIS LAND; In the Wilds of New Jersey, a Legend Inspires a Hunt", "SCOUTING; 'Jersey Devils' Wins Name Poll", "New Vinyl Toy Line 'Cryptkins' Will Feature Blind Box Monsters of Myth", "Six Flags' Jersey Devil ride will be 'world's tallest, fastest, longest' single rail coaster", "Jersey Devil, world's tallest single-rail coaster, opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey", Pinelands Preservation Alliance Jersey Devil Hunt & Pinelands Folklore, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jersey_Devil&oldid=1154918721. Still, nothing caused more panic or belief about the existence of the creature than the sudden and strange events of January 1909 when it was spotted by thousands of New Jersey residents from January 16th to January 23rd. According to legend, while visiting the Hanover Mill Works to inspect his cannonballs being forged, Commodore Stephen Decatur sighted a flying creature and fired a cannonball directly upon it, to no effect. Getty ImagesAn illustration of the Jersey Devil. Christianson was driving from Blackwood to Glassboro when she says she saw a towering figure crossing the road about 25 feet behind her car. This means the creation of the beast was known to have occurred in the middle of tensions between the two families. The town where the Jersey Devil was born - Leeds Point - is just a short walk away from Smithville, a village in Galloway, New Jersey. There are many who speculate that the Jersey Devil legend could have been started by none other than founding father, Benjamin Franklin. [2][3], The Lenape people who originally inhabited the Pine Barrens believed the area was inhabited by a spirit called M'Sing, which sometimes took the form of a "deer-like creature with leathery wings. After the 1840s passed, the Jersey Devil wasnt seen or heard from until the 1870s when it was supposedly seen by several people during the winter months. As the years went on, Daniel was known to become more and more involved in the Quaker community he lived in. One legend maintains that in 1735, a destitute New Jersey woman referred to as Mother Leeds became pregnant with her 13th child. During 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night while her friends gathered around her. [22] Other reports initially concerned unidentified footprints in the snow, but soon sightings of creatures resembling the Jersey Devil were being reported throughout South Jersey and as far away as Delaware[23] and western Maryland. Angry at her misfortune, she cursed the child in her womb, saying that it would be the devil. What do you think? Leeds' husband was reportedly a drunkard who was unable to properly provide for his large family. There were others who claimed to have seen the creature crash into electrical lines and continue flying as if nothing had happened. Though a few of the posses were able to spot the creature flying towards Moorestown, they werent able to catch it. Vigilante groups and groups of hunters roamed the pines and countrysides in search of the devil. The majority of the stories that tell of Decaturs sighting claim the event occurred in 1778. [14], During 1840, the Jersey Devil was blamed for several livestock killings. While the image had to be frightening, Coppalo said she felt calm as if the Jersey Devil was watching over her. [21] Police in Camden and Bristol, Pennsylvania supposedly fired on the creature to no effect. Deborah and Japhet Leeds also lived in the Leeds Point section of what is now Atlantic County, New Jersey,[9] which is commonly the location of the Jersey Devil story. The Jersey Devil | Wiki | BRAINSMASHER Amino Though Franklin's prediction was intended as a joke at his competitor's expense and a means to boost almanac sales, Titan Leeds was apparently offended at the death prediction, publishing a public admonition of Franklin as a "fool" and a "liar". There was relatively little direct confrontation between the two until the 1733 edition was published, in which Benjamin Franklin predicted the day that Titan Leeds would die. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Whats more, is that the creature didnt just make its last appearance with the trolley car attack. "Let this one be the devil," she allegedly cursed. The latter was the adopted home of Daniel Leeds (1651-1720). They said they would build a private zoo to display the creature if anyone could capture it. Among these alleged encounters were claims the creature "attacked" a trolley car in Haddon Heights and a social club in Camden. The Jersey Devil has been a frequent documentary film subject, such as in New Jersey Network's 1972 documentary, . Maybe the beast had just gotten a devil of a deal at his favorite boutique. Town Tradition: No Escaping The Jersey Devil Legend In Galloway No one knows how tall it is. The Jersey Devil is known to be both terrifying and disgusting largely due to its horrendous appearance. It is named for Joseph Galloway, born in 1731, a political leader in the Colonial era and a onetime member of the First Continental Congress. However, to poor Mother Leeds dismay, she had become pregnant again with her 13th child. The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey | New Jersey Devil During the day the Devil lives in the wetlands. When the Devil transformed, it is said that it sprouted horns from the top of its head first. The next day, however, there were more sightings in Bristol this time with strange tracks that matched the description of the creature. So when the museum proprietor, T. F. Hopkins, admitted that it was in danger of closure unless Jeffries came up with something to boost attendances, the publicist decided that a captive Jersey Devil would be the ideal crowd-puller. Research care of Carol Johnson and David Munn, Atlantic County Library. Unfortunately, none of these encounters yield enough evidence or detail to suggest that the Jersey Devil actually exists. The kids were fine with it all, though, because schools in the Pine Barrens were closed. Jersey Devil The Legend of the Jersey Devil The "Jersey Devil" is said to roam the New Jersey Pinelands and many people have told others of scary encounters on dark nights in the wilderness of the Pines. Most tellers of the legend of the Jersey Devil trace the devil back to Deborah Smith who emigrated from England in the 1700s to marry a Mr. Leeds. Although highly insensitive, there was little sympathy on the part of the community because of the Leeds familys loyalty to the British. 13 times the Jersey Devil has been spotted in the Garden State The Franklin vs Leeds rivalry officially began in 1733. One legend maintains that in 1735, a destitute New Jersey woman referred to as Mother Leeds became pregnant with her 13th child. November / December 2013 The story of the Jersey Devil has become layered with myths and variations, obscuring the original events that gave rise to it. (c) 2023 The New Jersey Historical Society.
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