Jersey Devil: The 13th Child

I felt it was only right to write about the Jersey Devil in this blog. I remember, as a kid, being scared to death by him in Poptropica.

But who, or what is the Jersey Devil? Pinelands Preservation Alliance says "Designated in 1938 as the country’s only state demon, the Jersey Devil is described as a kangaroo-like creature with the face of a horse, the head of a dog, bat-like wings, horns and a tail."

So, it's an official state demon, which is very funny to me, that lives in the Pinelands.

The origin stories I have heard are about the same. The basic story goes that Mrs. Leeds, a lady living in Estellville, was having her thirteenth child, which is understandably a bit overwhelming. In distraught she cried out "Let it be the devil!" And well, when she gave birth it turned out to be the devil.

Some people say it gave a screech, sprouted wings, and flew out the window. Others say the baby began to change into a devil and flew out of their chimney. Basically the same ending, the baby creature flies away.

The Jersey Devil was said to raid chicken coops and farms, destroy crops, terrorize residents, and kill animals in around fifty different towns. No one can prove whether this creature really exists or not. Some government officials say they have seen it before. But then again, they are government officials, you know?

People even put a $100,000 reward to capture the Jersey Devil. But nothing was ever turned in. Some people believe the Jersey Devil is dead, while others claim it will continue to terrorize the region for many more generations.