The Jersey Devil

This isn’t about the New Jersey Devils, the hockey team. This is about THE Jersey Devil. Mrs. Leeds’ 13th child and the scourge of the Pine Barrens. If you have never heard of the Jersey Devil, let me give you a brief lesson.

There are many possible origins of the Jersey Devil legend. The earliest legends date back to Native American folklore. The Lenni Lenape tribes called the area around Pine Barrens “Popuessing”, meaning “place of the dragon”. Swedish explorers later named it “Drake Kill”, “drake” being a word for dragon, and “kill” meaning channel or arm of the sea (river, stream, etc.) in Dutch. The common accepted origin of the story, as far as New Jerseyans are concerned, started with Mother Leeds and is as follows:

“It was said that Mother Leeds had 12 children and, after finding she was pregnant for the 13th time, stated that this one would be the Devil. In 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night. Gathered around her were her friends. Mother Leeds was supposedly a witch and the child’s father was the Devil himself. The child was born normal, but then changed form. It changed from a normal baby to a creature with hooves, a goat’s head, bat wings and a forked tail. It growled and screamed, then killed the midwife before flying up the chimney. It circled the villages and headed toward the pines. In 1740 a clergy exorcised the demon for 100 years and it wasn’t seen again until 1890.” “Mother Leeds” has been identified by some as Deborah Leeds. This identification may have gained credence from the fact that Deborah Leeds’ husband, Japhet Leeds, named twelve children in the will he wrote in 1736, which is compatible with the legend of the Jersey Devil being the thirteenth child born by Mother Leeds. Deborah and Japhet Leeds also lived in the Leeds Point section of what is now Atlantic County, New Jersey, which is the area commonly said to be the location of the Jersey Devil story.

Pretty wild, huh? What do you think? Is the Jersey Devil fact or fiction?

Let me tell you a personal story and then I will ask you again…. When I was a Boy Scout back in the 70’s we used to take an annual trip to Buck Town, a hunting cabin deep in the Pine Barrens. It was a trip we looked forward to each year and one that we allowed the Webloes to attend. The cabin had two (2) triple bunk beds in each room, a kitchen and living room with fireplace. Saturday night the adults would cook a spaghetti dinner while we sat in the living room playing cards or telling stories. One of the highlights of the trip was the annual Snipe Hunt. If you have never been on a Snipe Hunt I can only say that you don’t know what you are missing. You should call a friend who has participated in a hunt and ask him to organize one for you. We also took hikes in the woods that we quite fun; with one exception. It was my second or third trip to Buck Town and we went on a hike after it got dark. We were all together walking along one of the service roads. We weren’t making much noise, just listening to the sounds of the woods and taking in the fresh air. All of a sudden the quiet was broken by a blood curdling scream coming from the woods! We all looked around and noticed that someone was missing; the scoutmaster’s son was gone and so was one of our leaders! They were bringing up the rear of the group and now they were gone without a trace! The screaming was followed by the sound of something running through the woods and more screaming but this time it sounded like two people. After what seemed like an eternity the sounds faded and then were gone. We hadn’t moved an inch since we first heard the screams. When we were finally able to do something the scoutmaster said we should all go back to the cabin and wait for his son and the assistant leader to return. It was maybe 15 minutes later that they did return; but they looked awful. Their clothes were torn and they were covered in dirt. They had wandered off the trail just a bit to look at something that caught their eye. It just so happens that it was the Jersey Devil and they had caught his eye, too! The devil took a swipe and ripped someone’s pants and then they took off for their lives with him in hot pursuit. We don’t know how they got away but I never forgot what happened and I doubt anyone else has either.

So, what do you think now? Is the Jersey Devil fact or fiction?

You can read more about the Jersey Devil by following these links:

• Weird NJ: The Jersey Devil
• Pinelands Preservation Alliance: Jersey Devil & Folklore

Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part III; Molly Pitcher

Molly Hays trailhead

Welcome to the 3^rd "Hiking Through History" post covering Monmouth Battlefield. The Molly Hays Trail (1.07 miles) retraces the steps of Molly Hays during the Battle of Monmouth. The following is the description from the brochure:

Molly Hays Trail: The Molly Hays Trail begins at the Perrine-Conover House parking lot, joins the Washington trail, and then swings west to overlook the spring that provided water to Washington’s army. The first segment of this trail can be used to link the Conover-Perrine House parking lot to the other marked trails.

A panoramic view of the battlefield from where Molly fought

Molly Hays (aka: Molly Pitcher) was born Mary Ludwig; born in 1754, near Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, at the Battle of Monmouth, Mary, wife of artilleryman William Hays, carried water to cool both the cannon and the soldiers in her husband’s battery—hence the nickname “Molly Pitcher.” Molly was a common nickname for Mary during this time. Legend also asserts that when William Hays collapsed or was wounded, she took her husband’s place in the gun crew for the rest of the battle. There are other accounts that claim it was not her husband who collapsed but another soldier and that she fought side-by-side with her husband. An eyewitness account of Molly's fighting is on record in the National Archives:

"While in the act of reaching a cartridge ... a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat. ... She observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher... and continued her occupation."

The entrance to the woods where Molly retrieved the water

The trail cuts across a large field heading towards a wooded area where the Perrine Hill Spring runs; this is where Molly retrieved the water to bring to the men on the battlefield. There are two information stations on the wooden platform overlooking the spring which is somewhere at the bottom of a tall, steep hill. One of the placards states that the temperature on the battlefield was 100°F that day. I cannot image what it was like hauling water in that heat, it was only about 62°F when I was there and the sun made it feel quite a bit warmer when I was in the middle of the field.

Panoramic view of the woods - Perrine Hill Spring is below.

Molly stayed with the Continental Army and her husband through the end of the war. In 1783 she and William moved back to Carlisle where they had both met and were married. After William's death she married John M^cCauley, working in Carlisle for the State House. In 1822 the Pennsylvania Legislature honored Molly for her services during the war presenting her with a $40 award; continuing to award her $40 each year until she died in January 1832. There is a monument commemorating her heroic performance on the battlefield. Pitcher remained with the Continental Army until the war ended, then moved back to Carlisle with Hays in April 1783. Following her husband's death, she married a war veteran named John McCauley and worked in the State House in Carlisle. She was honored by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1822 for her wartime services, receiving an award of $40 and an annual commission of the same amount for the rest of her life. She died on January 22, 1832, in Carlisle, where a monument commemorates her heroic acts in battle.

For more information about Monmouth Battlefield State Park, check out the links below:

• New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry - Monmouth Battlefield State Park
• Park brochure and map (downloadable PDF)
• Friends of Monmouth Battlefield

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Hiking Through History: Monmouth Battlefield - Part II; George Washington

This is the second installment of Hiking Through History and I am still at Monmouth Battlefield. The first post was about the Visitor Center and Combs Hill, today I will take you to the battlefield and the .86 mile Washington Trail. The following trail description is taken from the park brochure:

"Washington Trail: This trail leads to the main Continental Army position. Back-and-forth along this hill, Washington rode, encouraging his men and organizing a counter-attack as the British began withdrawing."

Now, I think it is important to say that I am not a history buff and that history was always one of my worst subjects when I was in school. That is what makes this hike even more special than just some time in the great outdoors. As I was walking along the trail taking in the beauty of the autumn day I couldn’t help but think back to June 1778 and imagine what was happening in the exact place where I was walking. The wooden fence shown here couldn’t possibly be a relic from the battle but I could almost see men kneeling behind it and taking aim. I often found myself stopping and looking towards the east trying to envision the British soldiers in the field and what it must have felt like to be there during the battle. I stood in the very spot that Molly Hays, aka Molly Pitcher, stood and fired upon the British when one of the soldiers fell – watch for a post about that trail coming soon.

The black & white image above was taken while kneeling behind the battlefield fence, looking towards the Sutfin House. This is a view that the soldiers would have had during the battle. The house is very interesting in on it's own and I will write about it at a later date.

It took longer than usual for me to hike this trail because I stopped at each of the information stations along the way and took pictures from that perspective. I have been to a number of places that claim “George Washington Slept Here” but I was on the ground where he commanded troops and that was somehow magical. If you stand still and are real quiet you can almost hear the roar of the cannons; or maybe it is the roar of the cars speeding by, I can’t be too sure.

When I was approaching the end of the trail I looked ahead and saw a couple of people walking dogs. I looked to my left to take a photo and when I turned back they were gone. The trail had a slight curve to it between where I was and where I had seen them and the grass was high so I thought I would meet up with them as I walked. I didn’t! I got to where the trail turned to go back to the parking lot (this is the spot that I saw the other walkers) and they were nowhere to be seen. The first thought I had was that they were soldiers who never left the battlefield and I was a little spooked. I then noticed that there was a trail to my right (this is the Lafayette Trail, watch for an upcoming post) and they were about 40 yards up that trail. They saw me and we exchanged waves. I actually stopped about 20 feet away and turned, just to make sure they were still there. I felt a bit foolish when I got back to the parking lot; their new, full-size pickup truck was parked next to my car….

Hiking Through History: Historic Allaire Village

In the coming weeks and months I will be writing a series called "Hiking Through History". I will be visiting sites of historic significance around New Jersey and beyond, taking photographs and presenting them here along with a narrative. The first stop on the tour is Historic Village at Allaire in Wall Township, New Jersey. The village dates back to the early 19th Century when James P. Allaire established Howell Iron Works, a bog iron furnace and a self-sufficient village around it. The village operates today as a "living history museum" demonstrating how life was when the village and iron works were operational.

I decided to try to re-create the era with a black & white image of the Chapel. If you are looking for a special place to hold your wedding ceremony, check out the Chapel at Allaire Village.

The long building above housed the Carpenter Shop.

We move on the the Bakery, shown in the image above. There are large brick ovens where they still bake. I was fortunate to be at the village one day when they were doing demonstrations and watched the bakers - it gets quite hot in the bakery.

The last two images are the Blast Furnace. This is quite an impressive structure and the only non-operational part of the village.

This is just a taste of what is waiting for you at Allaire Village and I encourage you to explore it for yourself. For more information, check out The History Village at Allaire where you can learn more about the village and get a list of upcoming events. You can also visit the Allaire State Park website for information about the entire park, including the trails and Pine Creek Railroad.

You can follow Allaire Village on Twitter - @AllaireVillage. The account is owned by The Historic Village at Allaire and is separate from the other websites.

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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Hiking Through History: Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook

I love Gateway National Recreation Area, better known as Sandy Hook, in New Jersey. At the end of The Hook is Fort Hancock and that is the subject of this installment of Hiking Through History. Most of the buildings are long deserted and many areas are closed to the public due to hazardous conditions but there is plenty to see. (Note: The images used to illustrate this post may not necessarily be from the same hike.)

The first image was shot at Horseshoe Cove. This is on the bay side of Sandy Hook and is just before you start to see the sign welcoming you to Fort Hancock and the buildings. This is a popular spot for fisherman and hikers alike. This shot was actually taken on the first day of Spring in 2011. The day before had been absolutely gorgeous but I like to shoot on the first day of each season and had already planned to be at The Hook to shoot spring. I am actually glad for the foggy day, I think it gave the image a mysterious look and it has become one of my favorites.

The Sandy Hook lighthouse is the oldest functional lighthouse in the United States being designed and built in 1764. You can read about the history of the light at the New Jersey Lighthouse Society. I love lighthouses, particularly this one. This was taken from the south side of the lighthouse and I decided to try to do a bit of "playing around" in Photoshop to give it an "old-time" look. If you go during the week you can take a tour of the light but, unfortunately, I have never been there when it was open. If I ever do, I will certainly do a lot of shooting and write about the experience.

If you walk south of the lighthouse you will come to the entrance of Batteries M^cCook and Reynolds. Built in 1898, Battery Reynolds was an Endicott Period 12 inch coastal mortar battery built constructed of reinforced concrete. I was named after Colonel John F. Reynolds who was killed in 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. In 1906, half of the mortar battery was named for U.S. Army Major General Alexander M^cCook who served during the U.S. Civil War and died in 1903. The battery cost $138,371.50 to build and was deactivated in 1920.

The image shown here is looking into Fort Hancock Battery M^cCook B Pit Entrance.

I found this little flower growing out of the rock wall that surrounds the Mortar Battery.

Finally, I leave you with a shot of the Visitor Center as taken from the beach. If you will learn anything about me through my images, you will learn that I love clouds in my landscapes; the more dramatic the better.

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I had some help in writing this blog post - I would like to thank Andrea Mehlhorn-Marshall and Brian Barker for their assistance. I was having trouble finding information about the batteries and they stepped up and provided information and guidance. Thank you!

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All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

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