The Jersey Devil

Lots of talk these days about "The Jersey Devil" Bruce Springsteen put out a new song and video (Springsteen makes for a very convincing - and creepy - backwoods preacher) for Halloween this year paying homage to the creature of New Jersey's Pine Barrens.

And this week, the Jersey Devil will be the topic of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society's November 19th meeting. In a talk illustrated by many photographs, drawings, and maps, Angus Kress Gillespie, Ph.D, Professor of American Studies, Rutgers University, brings together different reports of this legendary creature.

As the story goes, in a small community, Leeds Point, at the coastal edge of the Pine Barrens, lived the Leeds family. The year was 1735. Already having given birth 12 times, Mother Leeds was about to deliver for the 13th time. Feeling tired and weary of the burden, she cursed the unborn child, wishing she had never married Daniel Leeds. But she took revenge on Mr. Leeds that night when she gave birth to the devil's child, who now lurks in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey.

People still report seeing it - with cloven hooves, serpentine tail, horselike face and wide wing span.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, November 19th at 7:30 pm in the Senior Center at the foot of First Avenue at the Atlantic Highlands Marina. It is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be available. For more information, check the website www.atlantichighlandshistory.org or phone 732-291-1861.