The Devil chicken, also known as the Jersey Devil, is a mythical creature said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey in the United States. Stories surrounding this cryptid have circulated for over 250 years, capturing the imaginations of people inside and outside of New Jersey.
Earliest Accounts
While the Jersey Devil is most frequently associated with the Pine Barrens area today, the earliest accounts of the creature place its origins further north in the state. One of the first printed references to the Jersey Devil dates back to 1735, when a clergyman named Cotton Mather described a creature known as the “Devil of Woodbury” in his book The Literatures of Colonial America.
Mather’s account tells of a vicious winged beast ravaging the town of Woodbury, New Jersey. The creature was said to have the head of a horse, the wings of a bat, and hooves like a wolf’s. It supposedly lurked near the town’s churches and caused mass hysteria among the residents.
Other early legends present different origins. In some Native American myths, the Jersey Devil was called Leeds Devil or Lunix. This nefarious spirit was said to haunt the forests of New Jersey long before European settlement.
The Leeds Family Legend
The most popular origin story dates back to the 18th century and involves a New Jersey woman named Deborah Leeds. As the legend goes, Deborah Leeds came from an impoverished family in the town of Estherford. She married a man named Mr. Leeds in 1735 and gave birth to 12 children over the next two decades.
By her 13th pregnancy in 1735, Mrs. Leeds had grown tired of bearing children and frustrated with the family’s deepening poverty. As she went into labor, it’s said that she wished aloud for the baby to be a devil. Her wish shocked those attending the birth, particularly when the child emerged with devilish features.
The newborn immediately transformed into a hideous winged creature and killed the midwife before escaping up the chimney. It then took refuge in the Pines Barrens where it terrorized local towns, emitting hair-raising screams and ominously flapping its wings as it flew over the treetops each night.
There are several variations on the Leeds family story. In some versions, Mrs. Leeds was a witch whose 13th child was cursed to become the Devil. In others, it was Mr. Leeds or the midwife who summoned the diabolical creature through occult rituals.
The Jersey Devil’s Infamous 1909 Terror
For nearly two centuries, the Jersey Devil remained a relatively regional legend. But a rash of sightings in 1909 brought the cryptid into the national spotlight. This flap began in January 1909, when Councilman E.P. Weeden of Trenton reported seeing the beast flying over his roof at daybreak. He described it as “winged, with lights like eyes.”
Within hours, Trenton police were flooded with calls from others claiming to see the creature. On January 18, tracks were found in the snow everywhere from Swedeboro to Camden. Footprints appeared overnight throughout southern New Jersey towns, suggesting the Jersey Devil was on the move.
By January 19, witnesses had reported the monster in Camden, Bristol, Gloucester, and Manchester. It was said to swoop toward onlookers, screeching and baring its fangs. A sample of sightings from January 19, 1909 includes:
- At 6:30 AM in Bristol, PA, Mr. and Mrs. Evans saw the Jersey Devil perching atop their shed, shrieking before flying away.
- Police in Gloucester found strange hoof prints in a vacant lot and reported seeing a black, winged creature circling above.
- In Manchester, Mrs. Sorbinski watched the Devil fly directly at her before veering away, howling loudly and flapping its wings.
- Mr. Flemming witnessed a peculiar animal, the size of a dog but with wings and horns, haunting the banks of the Delaware River in Delanco, NJ.
Newspapers like the New York Times and Philadelphia Public Ledger covered the widespread Devil sightings, speculating what could have caused such an event. Schools and businesses closed, and panic spread throughout the region.
By January 20, a $100,000 reward was offered for the capture of the Jersey Devil. Bounty hunters, businessmen, and thousands of locals combed the Pines with rifles and hounds but found no evidence of the creature. After a week of continual sightings, reports suddenly ceased. The beast disappeared back into the forest, leaving behind just mysterious tracks and frazzled nerves.
Theories on the Jersey Devil’s Origin
With no definitive proof or scientific explanation for the Jersey Devil’s existence, debate continues over what spawned the creature centuries ago. The main theories include:
Supernatural or Occult Forces
One idea is that the Jersey Devil was conjured up through witchcraft, curses, or satanic rituals. Mrs. Leeds may have been possessed by the devil or made a pact with Satan when wishing for her 13th child to be a demon. Occultists may have also intentionally summoned the creature when they settled in the remote Pine Barrens.
Mutated or Deformed Animal
Some speculate the Jersey Devil could be a freak mutation or a deformed animal rather than a supernatural monster. Mrs. Leeds may have unknowingly given birth to a severely misshapen infant that mutated further over time. The Pine Barrens isolation allowed this animal to escape into the wild, adapting to the habitat and surviving for centuries through inbreeding or crossbreeding.
Surviving Prehistoric Creature
Another possibility is that the Jersey Devil represents a prehistoric animal thought long extinct. The Pine Barrens remoteness may have allowed small populations to remain undiscovered. Candidates include surviving Pterosaurs, early bats, or carnivorous theropods with wings or wing-like arms.
Mythical Folklore
Skeptics believe the Jersey Devil is nothing more than regional folklore. Stories grew over generations as a way to explain phenomena people didn’t understand, or to frighten children into behaving properly. The Leeds family legend and 1909 flap could be fabrications that spiraled out of control and became ingrained local myth.
Recent Jersey Devil Encounters
While reports have certainly dwindled since 1909, some witnesses still claim to encounter the Jersey Devil right up to the present day. Here are some notable modern sightings:
| Year | Location | Sighting Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Manahawkin, NJ | Three teens reported seeing a large, winged creature with horns flying over their car. |
| 2009 | Millville, NJ | A woman stopped at a red light watched a 4-foot creature that resembled a gargoyle with wings spread 10 feet across land on nearby electrical wires. |
| 2014 | Chatsworth, NJ | A couple driving through the woods saw the silhouette of a large winged creature illuminated in their headlights during a late-night drive. |
| 2021 | Woodland Township, NJ | A man hiking in the woods heard a screech and saw the Jersey Devil flying between the trees above him. |
Tourism & Pop Culture
Today, the legend of the Jersey Devil remains an iconic piece of New Jersey folklore. It generates tourism dollars each year, with attractions like the Jersey Devil Hunt in the Pines attracting cryptid enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature.
The Jersey Devil has inspired books, TV shows, songs, festivals, and souvenirs sold throughout the state. It is frequently incorporated into local business names and has been used as a mascot for New Jersey’s own NHL team. Even if the Jersey Devil is pure fantasy, it continues to captivate imaginations within the Garden State and beyond.
Conclusion
The origins of the Jersey Devil may never be proven, with logical explanations competing against more sensational folktales. Yet centuries after its first alleged sightings, the winged beast remains an integral piece of New Jersey legend. This cryptid continues to thrill, terrify, and tantalize all those who hear its unearthly wails echoing over the dark Pine Barrens.