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| Illustration of Jersey Devil, drawn from description by Nelson Evans, Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, 1909 |
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The most famous legend from the state of New Jersey is the Jersey Devil, a strange creature alleged to inhabit the Pine Barrens area of south Jersey.
The Devil is most often described as a bipedal, flying creature with hooves, though reports vary. Others have reported a hairy, ape-like animal, a dog-like monster, or a conventional demon. However, more frequent are descriptions which resemble a winged kangaroo or a creature similar to Tenniel's illustration of the Jabberwock from Through the Looking Glass, with some devilish characteristics such as horns or a pointy tail mixed in.
The legend inspired the name of New Jersey's NHL hockey team, the New Jersey Devils.
The chupacabra is sometimes cited as being Jersey Devil-like. However, the Devil has never been described as being spiny or fanged. There have been a few cases where the Devil was blamed for animal deaths, but no unusual incisions or organ loss was noted. Interestingly, sightings of the animal supposedly responsible for these attacks describe a shaggy, cat-like creature closer in appearance to some descriptions of the chupacabra than to the traditionally bipedal Devil. The Devil also lacks the chupacabra's sulphurous smell.
However, it is perhaps notable that both creatures are said to be winged, possess a hopping gait, and range along the Atlantic coast and outlying islands of North America.
In certain parts of South Jersey, the Devil is rumored to live in an Agent Orange plant near ChatsworthChatsworth may mean: Chatsworth House Chatsworth, Georgia Chatsworth, California Chatsworth, Illinois Chatsworth, Iowa Chatsworth, New Jersey., a very small town surrownded by forest and sand.
Local legend has it that the Devil was the 13th child born to Mrs. Leeds, a resident of the Pine Barrens during the mid 18th century. Mrs. Leeds was upset at her latest pregnancy, and upon discovering that she was to bear yet another child, she exclaimed "I am tired of children! Let it be a devil!"
While she was in prolonged labor, this is exactly what happened. What was once a human child immediately transformed into a winged monstrosity, which flew up through the chimney. There are many variations on this legend, ranging from the date of the birth to the degree of the Devil's disfigurement. In some stories, the Devil is merely a human child which Mrs. Leeds confined to her cellar or attic, only to have it escape into the woods (see feral children for more on similar legends and real life examples).
The Shourds House, a log cabin within the Pine Barrens, was reputed to be the birthplace of the Devil. It no longer exists, but was standing up until, at latest, 1952.
Another legend, apart from the Leeds story, attributes the Devil's birth to a GypsyThe Roma people (singular Rom along with the closely related Sinti people are commonly known as Gypsies''. They are a traditionally nomadic people who originated in northern India but currently live worldwide, chiefly in Europe. Most Roma speak some form curse placed upon a selfish young woman who refused to give the Gypsy food and shelter.
The Devil has been said to be companion to a headless pirateThis article is about sea pirates. For other uses see Pirate (disambiguation A pirate is one who robs or plunders at sea without a commission from a recognised sovereign nation. Pirates usually target other ships, but have also attacked targets on shore., a golden-haired, ghostly woman, and a mermaidA mermaid is a legendary creature with a female human head and torso (if it's male, it's called a merman) and the tail of a fish, which inhabits the water. Some sailors claim to have seen mermaids; what they actually saw are probably manatees. A freshwate.