There are many who believe in this creature, and many who do not. New jersey now takes pride in its local monster, naming their state hockey team the jersey devils. Jersey devil sightings in northern new jersey the damien zone. It is actually a giant aquifer with dense stands of white cedar. We gathered some of the best minds in new jersey to shed. The legend of the jersey devil our famous long time resident. It includes stories of the frighteninglooking creature and eyewitness accounts of those whove encountered the frightening beast and survived to tell about their. Oct 14, 2015 the main reason so many call the jersey devil fake is because of the stated biology of the legendary creature.
Without a doubt, new jerseys oldest, most enduring, and important pieces of folklore is the tale of the infamous jersey devil. That was the first time when the iconic monogram appeared on the players uniforms. Like the legendary jersey devil itself, the monogram had a tail and horns. On june 30, 1982, the team was renamed the new jersey devils, after the legend of the jersey devil, a creature that allegedly inhabited the pine barrens of south jersey. Jersey devil sighting reignites excitement but experts pour. The jersey devils body is said to have leathery wings, horselike hooves, and a forked tail. Aug 18, 2015 the jersey devil has been a staple of new jersey culture before america had even become its own nation. Since 1995, the franchise has played in the stanley cup finals five times, winning the cup in 1995, 2000 and 2003. He thought it to be a deer and thus slammed on the brakes and then found that the creature could fly. Edward john louis paisnel 1925 1994, dubbed the beast of jersey, was a notorious sex offender who terrorised the channel island of jersey between 1960 and 1971.
Hallenbeck as in all investigations in new jersey, as elsewhere, it is best to approach your quest with an open mind, critically, skeptically, and patiently. Pages in category jersey devil in fiction the following 10 pages are in this category, out of 10 total. The result is part memoir, part travelogue and part lively tour through three hundred years of new jersey history. The current new jersey devils logo history started in 1983. Located half way between new york and philadelphia and minutes from the. The team began play in east rutherford, new jersey, at the brendan byrne arena, later renamed the continental airlines arena and. While there are many stories detailing the origin of the jersey devil. The jersey devil, the best selling book on new jerseys infamous jersey devil over 50,000 in print is now a major motion picture. The jersey devil is one of those major american monsters that gets mentioned rather frequently in books about the strange, the paranormal and the unexplained. Originally referred to as the leeds devil, the jersey devil was said by some to be the offspring of a woman by the last name of leeds, who had a devilchild out of wedlock. He entered homes at night dressed in a rubber mask and nailstudded wristlets, attacking women and children. Inside, the air is calm, still and cool the shadows heavy.
The jersey devil story is about a legendary cryptid creature that reportedly lives in the pine barrens located in southern new jersey in the united states. For the better part of two centuries, at least, the story of the jersey devil has been part of the culture of southern new jersey. Mysterious creatures in the garden state with the last sentence in the book. A tour of the odd, the bizarre, the strange, and the weirdly historic people, places, and things in the garden state. Mar 06, 2014 the pine barrens of southern new jersey is home to its own vicious aerial beast. It is a terrifying creature that makes its home in the dense woodlands of the southern new jersey pine barrens, a foreboding forest where few are brave enough to venture too deeply. A firebreathing monster with the head of a horse, bat wings and the body of a kangaroo, the creature is said to be the thirteenth child of mother leeds, born in 1735, when the unfortunate woman put a curse on her future offspring. Born from the legend of an unwanted thirteenth child, the flying devil monster has plagued the area residents for. 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. This question has been debated longer than bigfoot or the loch ness monster, and the latest jersey devil sighting only adds more fuel to the fire. The jersey devil, the best selling book on new jersey s infamous jersey devil over 50,000 in print is now a major motion picture. A 60person research team delves into the pine barrens of new jersey in search of the legendary jersey devil, a horseheaded, batwinged creature reportedly haunting the area for the past 250 years. The domestic life of the jersey devil traces the origins of the legend to a littleknown pamphlet war that sent the leeds family to leeds point in the waning years of the seventeenth century, with daniel leeds, the family patriarch, labeled satans harbinger in the process.
Stories of the best known of the garden states cryptid populationfrom the bustling cities and down the shore to the creepy pine barrensresearch from the worlds leading cryptozoologistextensive section on the states most infamous creature, the jersey devilalso includes big red eye of the great swamp in somerset county, hoboken monkeyman, lake hopatcong monster, cape may sea serpent, the. Mysterious creatures in the garden state, loren coleman and bruce hallenbeck point out that not. Stemming from the legend of a creature born to a woman in the 1700s the jersey devil has been a popular focus of science fiction and folklore for years. Jersey devil monsters and mysteries in america youtube. The story of the jersey devil has become layered with myths and variations, obscuring the original events that gave rise to it. Girard has clearly done his research and has created thirteen very good fictional stories based on the strange creatures legend and history. The jersey devil is a creature native to the pine barrens of new jersey. As in all investigations in new jersey, as elsewhere, it is best to approach your quest with an open mind, critically, skeptically, and patiently. Tracing the myth of the jersey devil from its origins, regal and. Museum opens jersey devil exhibit unexplained mysteries. To understand the legend of the jersey devil, you must first understand his birthplace.
Jun 16, 2016 subscribe to our channel for more amazing insight into middlesex county. Jun 16, 2012 the jersey devil is a of legend in new jersey and for over a century the creature has rarely been spotted or described outside of the new jersey pine barrens in the southeastern part of the state. This book a collection of thirteen short stories will please anyone interested in the jersey devil, the legendary monster that haunts the jersey pine barrens. While there are many versions of the jersey devil s lore, the most popular is this. A different story says that a town put a curse on a young girl who fell in love with a british soldier during the revolutionary war. There are groups of people who regularly go out into the wilds to search for the devil. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. The new jersey devil has dwelled in the pine barrens for over 100 years. Maybe she just wanted to throw a party for her horrid offspring. Stories of the best known of the garden states cryptid populationfrom the bustling cities and down the shore to the creepy pine barrensresearch from the worlds leading cryptozoologistextensive section on the states most infamous creature, the jersey devilalso includes big red eye of the great swamp in somerset county, hoboken monkeyman, lake hopatcong monster. The creature is believed to be the unwanted thirteenth child of mother leeds. Education books use alt shift right arrow to open the sub menu. The emblem itself was red, while the outline was green.
The secret history of the jersey devil johns hopkins. The jersey devil is a popular creature in new jersey, with its image on quite a number of products. The origin of jersey devil dates back to that period when new jersey was a british colony. Check out and follow all of middlesex countys social media pages for realtime updates about events happening around the. Oct 18, 2017 reconceived as an historical rival of benjamin franklinturned monster, the jersey devil made a guest appearance on the fox series sleepy hollow last year. The monumental spring 1994 faceoff between the new jersey devils and new york rangers is recaptured in this mesmerizing account. It is said to look like a combination of a kangaroo and a goat, with batlike wings. The authors have put together every alleged sighting of the beast, witness statements and discussion over what the people were seeing or experiencing. Its screams are said to be quite chilling to the spine. His wife, joan paisnel, was the founder of a community home in jersey. The jersey devil is the latest release from hunter shea and its effectively what you have come to expect from this prolific horror author. For close to three hundred years now, jerseyans have told tales of this mythical beast that stalks the pine barrens and terrorizes local residents. Ive been looking for a great horror book and definitely found it in this one. Others believe it is a hoax, a campfire story designed to scare children.
The jersey devil kept me awake every night reading in the dark, sometimes forcing me to get up and roam through the house turning on the lights. The truth of the jersey devil colossal mysteries youtube. Im not a monster anymore i came back as a human on a clear night in june on the 1st of 1995 im one of you. How quakers, hucksters, and benjamin franklin created a monster. The jersey devil is a creature that exists according to urban legend in southern new jersey. It has been described as the bigfoot of the east, but sketches that have been made show the jersey devil to be more of a serpent like creature, or. Shadow people among us, haunted missouri, and paranormal missouri and a teacher of. Their detailed analysis shows how speculation about the new jersey devil. The history of this monster story traces back to the 1700s. The recurring nature of this story begs a few questions.
The jersey devil lives in the desolate pine barrens, scaring multiple people all along the delaware and communities in southern new jersey and eastern pennsylvania. Interestingly enough, the legend surrounding the history of the jersey devil is probably less interesting than the truth and that involves a well known. In southern new jersey and philadelphia folklore, the jersey devil is a legendary creature said. Hallenbeck and published by stackpole books, will be released on september 1, 2010. Coleman has over four decades of both field and scholarly research in the areas of. Public domain a devil is said to haunt the wooded pine barren of southern new jersey. The devils have won three stanley cup championships 1995, 200, and 2003. Without a doubt, new jersey s oldest, most enduring, and important pieces of folklore is the tale of the infamous jersey devil. By the mid1800s, belief in the jersey devil had become commonplace among the socalled pine rats. In 1972, the new jersey network televised the story of the jersey devil in mother leeds th child.
Oct 17, 2015 regal said the legend of the jersey devil, which in 1939 was named the official state demon and in 1982 became the name of an ice hockey team, does not really even come from new jersey. A new jersey citizen claimed that they had seen jersey devil while driving towards woodstown during night. Legend of the jersey devil starring cliff robertson, lesleyanne down and robert guillaume. Hallenbeck and published by stackpole books, will be released on september 1, 2010 any reader of the paranomalist blog will, of course, know of famed cryptozoologist loren coleman. Any reader of the paranomalist blog will, of course, know of famed cryptozoologist loren coleman. Jun 10, 2012 new jersey now takes pride in its local monster, naming their state hockey team the jersey devils. Mysterious creatures in the garden state by loren coleman and bruce g. Some believe it is an abomination of nature, a hybrid winged beast from hell that stalks the pine barrens of southern new jersey searching for prey. On june 30, 1982, the team was renamed the new jersey devils, after the legend of the jersey devil, a cryptozoological creature that supposedly inhabited the pine barrens of south jersey. How quakers, hucksters, and benjamin franklin created a monster by brian regal, frank j. The jersey devil, the bestselling book on new jersey s infamous jersey devil with over 75,000 in print.
Skeptics believe the jersey devil to be nothing more than a creative manifestation of the early english settlers, bogeyman stories created and told by bored pine barren residents as a form of childrens entertainment. One of my favorite modern american myths, the jersey devil has been seen by several people over the course of many years all along the new jersey pine barrens. In 1858, it was popular enough that an atlantic monthly account of life in the pine barrens described the legends of the jersey devil, including its origin. For over 250 years, tales have circulated about the nocturnal ramblings of a creature emerging from the mists of a lonely desolate marsh. A very good history of the devil one of the lesser known outside new jersey cryptozoological creatures. Benjamin radford is deputy editor of skeptical inquirer science magazine and author of six books. The secret history of the jersey devil johns hopkins university. Sep 24, 2017 that time the jersey devil was feared to be real generations of jersey kids have grown up listening to stories about the monster who lives in the pine barrens.
It is as varied as the number of people who claim to have seen or heard him. The jersey devil of folklore is a creature that may or may not be vaguely humanshaped. Other accounts contribute the leeds name to the location where the tracks of the monster were first spotted. As one of the most famous residents in history, the tale of the jersey devil has captivated the imaginations of new jersey locals for centuries. Not surprising considering the story comes from colonialera political intrigue, quaker religious infighting, and a future founding father. Mar 25, 20 jersey devil sightings go back to the 1700s. This is the book that inspired the movie complete with photographs. An oral tradition of leeds devil monsterghost stories subsequently became established in the. The jersey devil the history behind new jersey s most famous cryptid duration. Many believe this cryptic to be a myth while there are many proofs that stats that there is a devil in the area of leeds point that is dangerous and commonly known as jersey devil. The jersey devil by james mccloy nook book ebook barnes. New jersey devils, american professional ice hockey team based in newark, new jersey, that plays in the eastern conference of the national hockey league. And what exactly does benjamin franklin have to do with it.
The jersey devil is one of the most famous american monsters ever, but is it a real creature or the result of 17th century superstition. Jersey devil strange creature on the borderline between fact and legend, reported in southern new jersey for more than two centuries. A quick look at the history of new jerseys most famous monster by chris chaos on 11042012 the jersey devil originally referred to as the leeds devil, a cryptid that is believed to inhabit the pinelands in new jersey, has been haunting the surrounding areas since about 1735. The jersey devil is clearly a product of folklore and legend, but that doesnt mean that, late at night in the pine barrens forest, people might not see or sense it just as they did centuries ago. Top 10 jersey devil sightings with pictures proved it is real. A museum in new jersey has opened an exhibit dedicated to exploring the mystery of the infamous jersey devil. In the course of its extraordinary history, the jersey devil has been exorcised, shot. Over 10,000 people voted in a contest to select the name. Aside from his bizarre appearance, he is most wellknown for his nasty temper and his brazen attitude towards humans. Tags devil monkey dublin lake monster new hampshire pukwudgie wood devil jason offutt is paranormal investigator, an author of several paranormal books such as what lurks beyond, darkness walks. Yet, at the same time, most artistic renderings, never mind this newest jersey devil sighting, show a flying monster with a bulky body. A group of characters come together to survive against some kind of monster in this case, the titular mythical figure before carnage and chaos ensue.
The jersey devil is said to have a kangaroo body, bats wings, pigs feet, dogs head, the face of a horse, and a forked tail. Weird nj your travel guide to new jerseys local legends. The authors are very aware of the fact that there is no actual evidence that the devil is real but this does not prevent the book from being entertaining and informative. Your travel guide to new jersey s local legends and best kept secrets. Arguably one of the greatest series in nhl history, it changed the face of hockey in the new york metropolitan area through 27 periods in seven games across days, during which ranger captain mark messier guaranteed a gamesix victory. Jun 17, 2019 the jersey devil is among the lesserknown cryptids said to inhabit north america, but its story is perhaps the most bonechilling. May 05, 2017 i wonder if this was the jersey devils idea of a pinata. The jersey devil is one of americas first and longest lasting mythical creatures, but. Jersey devil sightings and the story behind the legend. The new exhibit features a number of artifacts including reproductions of the creature. Monsters of new jersey, a new book by loren coleman and bruce g. The most uptodate breaking news for the new jersey devils including highlights, roster, schedule, scores and archives. Fascinating and lively, this book finds the origins of new jerseys favorite monster not in witchcraft or an unnatural liaison between woman and devil but in the.
The jersey devil or leeds devil is a flying, chimeric monster who terrorizes the people of southern new jersey. The jersey devil is described as having a face shaped like a. It is often described as having hooves, a snakes tail, batwings and a head that looks something like a horse. Story of the jersey devil nj folklore superstition dictionary. Now back in print this new edition of the classic will bring the tale to a whole new generation.
Over 10,000 people voted in a contest held to select the name. The devil part comes from the animals cloven hooves and forked tail, along with the fact that it is said to have a bloodcurdling screech. This is one of the most popular stories about how the devil was born, but there are many others. Jersey devil description, sightings and investigations. And speaking of horrid offspring, pinnacle has discounted all of my books for the month of february. Walmart books best sellers use alt shift right arrow to open the sub menu. When leeds thirteenth child was born, it grew wings, horns, hooves, and a tail. Learn more about the history and accomplishments of the team in this article. The history of the new jersey devils national hockey league team dates back to 1982, when the colorado rockies moved to new jersey and became the devils. Legend has it that in 1735, a witch named mother leeds gave birth to a horrifying monstera deformed flying horse with glowing red eyesthat flew up the chimney of her new jersey home and disappeared into the pine barrens.