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Our next, and final stop is the Pine Barrens by Leads Point in the lovely state of New Jersey. This is where the first sighting of the Jersey Devil was reported back in 1735. I've read a lot about this particular cryptid and am very interested to see what they've up to after all these years!
The Jersey Devil, also known as the Leeds Devil, is known for inhabiting the Pine Barrens of South Jersey. Some say the Jersey Devil is a deformed flying horse with red eyes. The most common description is that of a bipedal kangaroo or wyvern-like creature with a goat or horse-like head. They also have described the wings to be leathery and bat-like. The story of the Jersey Devil is a sad one. By the late 1700s to early 1800s the story of the Jersey Devil was extremely popular. The story all begins with a woman called Mother Leeds.
Jersey Devil Drawing from 1909
Leeds House c. 1937
Mother Leeds was a woman who had 12 children. She soon after found out she was pregant with a thirteenth. Shocked by the news and the misfortune as the number 13 was so unlucky, she cursed the child. Mother Leeds cried and cried saying that the child would be the devil. She already had 12 children and did not want anymore. On a cold brisk night in 1735, Mother Leeds felt her water break. Her family surrounded her to help with the birth, but immediately something was wrong. The child was seemingly normal when it finally arrived, but began to transform.
The thirteenth child transformed into a creature with hooves, a horses head and bat wings with a forked tail. It was angered by the reaction to the transformation, and wacked everyone with its tail before ascending up the chimney. Never to return.
People have looked into this legend, and in Japhet Leed's will there are indeed only 12 children mentioned. There have been few mentioned sightings of this creature throughout the years. According to sources, Commodore Stephen Decatur came across the Jersey Devil while inspecting his cannon balls. He fired one directly at the creature in fear, but the Jersey Devil fled. In 1924 a farmer shot and killed an unidentifiable animal with glowing red eyes. A corpse matching the Jersey Devil's apperance also resurfaced in 1957.
Photo by Cassie Tucker
Wow, alright, I know that was a bit of a spooky story but we really have to head out. A local lady in the area called me telling me that she saw the Jersey Devil at night once near the old Leed's house, the creature was holding her pet dog. She quickly smacked the creature with a rock and he flew away dropping the dog on the way out. I think she's our best bet, she met the cryptid face to face. Man these New Jersey people really dont mess around... let's go.
Alright, here we are! Leed's house, the birth place of the Jersey Devil! Don't be alarmed, I know this is considered one of the more haunted houses in the area but it is okay! We are here to meet a friend! Oh there you are! Hello, this is the president of the Devil Hunter's Club Tyler VanLeer and his assistant Stacy. She will be helping us navigate because he is and I quote "a very busy man."
This club is actually dedicated to finding the Jersey Devil and proving its existance! They devote all their time to collecting records, going on nocturnal hunts and visiting historic sights. They brought us here, and I think I am feeling lucky today!
Oh, when you said we were going to be camping out, I thought you meant outside of the house. Not.... um.... inside the haunted house. Okay, it's going to be fine, I've seen worse! I'll just grab Chupy from the car, can you clear some of the glass from the floor so we have somewhere to sleep. It's dark and I'll be honest I'm kind of scared.
Come here Chups! We've got a Jersey Devil to hunt! Don't bark at me, now is hardly the time! Oh okay I see he's trying to tell us something. What is it Chupa? Look over there! What is that! Quick someone move that curtain from the window. Quietly.
Hurry, take a picture! Oh my gosh! That's him that's the Jersey Devil. He came back to his home, aw, that's sweet. He stays here because it reminds him of his mother. Well, I mean, he's real. He's really real.
We did it! We found one. Wow this is incredible. I can't believe it! After our journey across the country together, we actually got one. Wow.
Well. What an incredible journey it's been. You and I. We made some great life-long memories. A great new friend, Chupy, the hairless dog. And you, thank you for coming along for the ride. I never would've been able to do this alone! I am a bit of an extrovert always looking for a companion to come along. If you ever want to come cryptid hunting with me again, my van is always open. Haha seriously, it doesn't lock. Don't tell anyone about that. Okay, well I'm headed out. I'll see you out there! The world is wide, but we'll meet again!
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