The Jersey Devil

Tweet

The 'official demon' of New Jersey since the 1930s, there has been over thirty variations of this legend that has developed over time. It's description ranges from a feathered animal with the head of a ram to a flying lion to a green upright monster. The Jersey Devil is blamed for all unexplained animal deaths in the Jersey Pine Barrens and surrounding areas, mysterious footprints, and strange cries in the night. There are several new sightings of the beast reported every year. The most popular tale took place in 1735 where the 13th pregnancy of a Mrs. Leeds was said to have led to the birth of a devil child who flew away up her chimney. Local records vaguely supports the idea that a thirteenth child in a family named Leeds disappeared. Some believed that Mother Leeds was a witch and the child's father was the devil. The child was described to have hooves, the head of a horse, bat wings, and a forked tail. Another version tells of a Mrs. Shrouds of Leeds Point who wished her next child to be a devil, and gave birth to a misshapen and deformed child who also escaped up a chimney. Other stories that took place at Leeds Point includes the one which tells of a young girl who was cursed by the townspeople for falling in love with a British soldier during the Revolutionary War and as a result, gave birth to a devil child. What do you think...is it real? Have you ever seen the Jersey Devil? Do you know anyone that has? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil