The Jersey Devil

The Jersey Devil is one of America’s oldest cryptid legends, reported in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey since the colonial era. The creature, allegedly the cursed thirteenth child of a woman named Mother Leeds, has been seen by thousands of witnesses over nearly three centuries.

The Legend

According to the most common version, in 1735 a woman named Jane Leeds gave birth to her thirteenth child. Frustrated, she cursed the child, saying “let it be the devil.” The baby transformed into a winged creature with hooves, a forked tail, and a horse-like head, then fled up the chimney into the Pine Barrens.

Description

Witnesses describe a creature between three and six feet tall with leathery wings, cloven hooves, a horse or goat-like head, and a forked tail. It can fly and produces a blood-curdling scream. Hoofprints found in snow or mud are often attributed to the creature.

The 1909 Flap

In January 1909, the Jersey Devil was reported throughout the Delaware Valley. Schools closed, workers stayed home, and armed posses hunted for the creature. Witnesses included police officers, a councilman, and dozens of ordinary citizens. Tracks were found on rooftops and in places no ordinary animal could reach.

Modern Sightings

Reports have continued through the 20th and 21st centuries. The creature is seen in the Pine Barrens and surrounding areas, typically at night. Some sightings may be misidentified cranes or other large birds, but others defy easy explanation.

Assessment

The Jersey Devil represents a unique American legend with an unusually long history of sightings. Whether a genuine cryptid, mass hysteria, or regional folklore made manifest, it remains New Jersey’s most enduring mystery.