The Jersey Devil is a legendary creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. The Devil is often described as a bipedal flying creature with hooves, but there are many variations. The legend inspired the name of New Jersey's NHL ice hockey team, the New Jersey Devils, and many other pop culture tributes.

Legends

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According to one version of the tale, the Jersey Devil was the thirteenth child born to a Mrs. Leeds, a resident of the Pine Barrens during the mid-17th century. Mrs. Leeds was so upset at yet another pregnancy that after giving birth she exclaimed, "I am tired of children! Let the devil take this one!" What was once a human child immediately transformed into a winged monstrosity; he ate all the other children and flew out through the chimney. There are many versions of this legend, differing in date of the birth and the degree of the Devil's disfigurement. In some stories, the Devil is merely a human child which Mrs. Leeds confined to her cellar or attic, only to have it escape into the woods (see feral children for more on similar legends and real life examples). A fork on this theory may explain how the legend ties in with an actual monster; some people believe that around the time that the hidden deformed child was discovered people began sightings of a beast and put the stories together. Another legend attributes the Devil's birth to a Gypsy curse placed upon a selfish young woman who refused to give the Gypsy food and shelter. There are other tales that suggest Leeds herself was a witch or that she was cursed by locals for having an affair with a British soldier. The Shourds House, a log cabin within the Pine Barrens, was reputed to be the birthplace of the Devil. Only ruins of the foundation of the house and a few other parts still exist today.

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@joshuagates Do an investigation on the Jersey Devil! I gew up in NJ and there was always talks of people seeing it!
JillMRodriguez (Jill M. Rodriguez ) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:08:40 -0000
@joshuagates Do an investigation on the Jersey Devil! I gew up in NJ and there was always talks of people seeing it!
@njGuinness i been out lost in the Pine Barrens lookin for the Jersey Devil
LameArkansas (Grey Bread) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:20:40 -0000
@njGuinness i been out lost in the Pine Barrens lookin for the Jersey Devil
"Scarified" new word I made up describes how mr and Corinne feel about the jersey devil
HOOFPUNCH (tom feliciano) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:15:03 -0000
"Scarified" new word I made up describes how mr and Corinne feel about the jersey devil
Just watched: The X-Files - S1E5 - The Jersey Devil
bnoir (silvia clemente) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:31:10 -0000
Just watched: The X-Files - S1E5 - The Jersey Devil
UFO FYI: Creature Files- The Jersey Devil http://bit.ly/2wKabZ
drsivana99 (drsivana99) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:27:07 -0000
UFO FYI: Creature Files- The Jersey Devil http://bit.ly/2wKabZ
Montreal 7-0 in extra time: ---Quote (Originally by The Jersey Devil)--- Where was Krejci duri.. http://tinyurl.com/ya7uk2e #nhl #hockey #hf
HFBoards (HF Boards) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:23:01 -0000
Montreal 7-0 in extra time: ---Quote (Originally by The Jersey Devil)--- Where was Krejci duri.. http://tinyurl.com/ya7uk2e #nhl #hockey #hf

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