The Jersey Devil
Born as the 13th child of a cursed woman, this winged demon has terrorized New Jersey for nearly 300 years. The 1909 flap saw thousands of witnesses.
The Jersey Devil
For nearly 300 years, a winged creature has haunted New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. Part folklore, part genuine mystery—the Jersey Devil refuses to die.
The Origin Legend
In 1735, Mother Leeds (Jane Leeds) was pregnant with her 13th child. She was rumored to be a witch. The father was allegedly the Devil himself. During a stormy birth, she cursed the child. The baby transformed into a monster, killed the midwife, flew up the chimney, and has haunted the Pine Barrens ever since.
The Description
Witnesses consistently describe a kangaroo-like body (4-5 feet tall), bat-like wings (span of 6+ feet), a forked tail, cloven hooves, a horse or goat-like head, a piercing scream, and glowing red eyes.
The 1909 Flap
The most intense sighting wave occurred January 16-23, 1909.
The incidents included thousands of witnesses across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Schools and factories closed. Police fired on the creature. Trolley cars were attacked. Hoofprints were found on rooftops. A social club offered $10,000 reward that was never claimed.
Notable encounters included Bristol, PA where a police officer saw the winged creature scream and fly away. In Camden, NJ, the creature attacked a trolley car. Gloucester, NJ firefighters turned hoses on it. In West Collingswood, it attacked a dog and left claw marks.
Continued Sightings
The Jersey Devil continues to be reported. In 1951, a Gibbstown boy was attacked. In 1960, hoofprints and screams were reported in Mays Landing. In 1993, a park ranger spotted a winged creature. In 2015, multiple sightings and photographs were disputed.
Theories
Natural explanations suggest a sandhill crane (large bird with red crown), great horned owl, feral animals, or mass hysteria.
Supernatural theories propose an actual demon, cursed child that never died, interdimensional being, or prehistoric survivor.
Cultural Impact
The Jersey Devil has become New Jersey’s official state demon, the name of New Jersey’s NHL team, the subject of countless books and films, and a tourism draw for the Pine Barrens.
Something lurks in the Pine Barrens. Whether demon or beast, the Jersey Devil endures.