The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL"

THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL IS A CREATURE BORN OF A WITCH IN THE
MID-1800'S. IT WAS BORN WITH THE BODY OF A NORMAL BABY,
EXCEPT THAT IT HAD WINGS, A FORKED TONGUE, HORNS, AND A TAIL.
IT HISSED AT THE MID-WIFE, WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD A HEART ATTACK
AND DIED. THE DEVIL THEN FLEW UP THE CHIMNEY. IT GREW TO
ADULTHOOD, AND NOW HAS THE FACE OF LUCIFER. TODAY, IT LIVES IN
THE PINE BARRENS OF WEST CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. IT IS STILL
SEEN TODAY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO WOULD
SCARE HIM BY THREATENING TO TAKE HIM TO THE PINE BARRENS.
EVERY SO OFTEN, ARTICLES APPEAR IN NEW JERSEY NEWSPAPERS
ABOUT SIGHTINGS OF THE DEVIL. THIS IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF THE
NAME OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS HOCKEY TEAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1985