Deep in the heart of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, a dark legend has persisted for over 250 years. It's a tale whispered around campfires and passed down through generations — the legend of the Jersey Devil.

A Curse Born in the Pines

The most popular origin story dates back to 1735. A woman known as Mother Leeds, already burdened with twelve children, discovered she was pregnant with her thirteenth. Frustrated and overwhelmed, she supposedly cursed the unborn child in anger, exclaiming, “Let this one be the devil!” When the baby was born, it transformed before her eyes — sprouting wings, hooves, claws, and a forked tail. It then killed the midwife, shrieked, and flew up the chimney, vanishing into the Pine Barrens forever.

Description of the Beast

Witnesses describe the Jersey Devil as a winged creature, standing about 3 to 4 feet tall, with a goat- or horse-like head, bat-like wings, cloven hooves, and a piercing, blood-curdling scream. It is said to move with unnatural speed and has even been blamed for killing livestock, creating eerie footprints, and frightening travelers.

Sightings and Panic

The most famous wave of sightings occurred in 1909, when newspapers reported hundreds of encounters across South Jersey and Philadelphia. Schools closed, workers stayed home, and mobs even attempted to hunt the creature. Since then, sightings have continued sporadically, with locals and visitors alike claiming to glimpse the mysterious beast lurking in the

In October 2015, Dave Black, a resident of Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, reported a startling encounter while driving along Route 9 in Galloway Township. Initially mistaking a creature for a llama darting through the trees, he was taken aback when it suddenly spread leathery wings and soared over a nearby golf course. Black managed to capture a photograph of the creature, which he shared with local media, asserting that the image was neither staged nor digitally altered. ​NBC New York+1The Guardian+1The Guardian+1Snopes+1

The photograph ignited widespread debate, with skeptics suggesting it resembled a taxidermied goat with bat wings. Despite the controversy, Black stood by his account, expressing a desire for an explanation of what he witnessed. ​The Guardian

📸 The Legend Lives On

The Jersey Devil, a creature of New Jersey folklore, has been the subject of numerous sightings over the years. Notably, in January 1909, a series of reported encounters led to widespread panic across the region, with schools and businesses closing in response to the hysteria. ​94.5 PST+2NBC New York+2Jersey History+2Creative History+1Jersey iHistory+1

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