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.

There are various versions of the origin of the Jersey Devil, but they are all evolved around the name Leeds. Therefore, the original name for this creature is the Leeds Devil, which is still used in certain areas.

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.

Since then, numerous New Jersey residents have earnestly reported sightings of the demon for the last two hundred years.