by Kathleen "Katie" O'Donnell
of Punkin' Doodle Boo Folk Art

In many a quiet town's history, there lurks a tale of strangeness or legend that is passed down from one generation to another. Frightening tales of happenings that leave lasting impressions on us as children, these stories prompt us to sleep with the hall light on, or the closet door shut tight. Spooky tales that make us walk briskly past a dilapidated landmark or old cemetery. Later, when we recall those stories as adults, we find we still get goose bumps on our flesh. Recalling those tales as perfectly rational grownups, we still find ourselves questioning our belief in supernatural occurrences, witchcraft, and mythological beings.

November 2007

When I thought about a topic for my first column, I recalled my very first experience with American folklore and a real life, spooky story. I was a fourth grader in Bayville, New Jersey. Like most fourth grade classes, we were studying civics, our State and its long history. Our teacher thought it would be interesting to see a documentary entitled "Mother Leeds' 13th Child", a documentary detailing the birth and legend of the Jersey Devil. As you can imagine, midnight wind or pounding rain forced a late night visit to my parent's bedroom for many years to come.

The legend begins in the Pinelands, deep in the Pine Barren wood, at a place called Leeds Point. Early on in Jersey history, the Pine Barrens were considered frightening and desolate. Fearful tales arose and many early settlers did not venture near. Those individuals who settled in the wood were considered outsiders. "Pineys" as they were called, were believed to be criminal, insane, or practitioners of witchcraft.

Sometime in the 1700's (the date varies), a young woman named Deborah Smith, traveled from England to marry Mr. Leeds of Leeds Point. Over time, being a dutiful wife, Mrs. Leeds had given birth to twelve children without event. The legend delves from this point, but is it said that the birth of her thirteenth child was during a frightening storm. This birth was very different from her others, and extremely difficult. Purveyors of the legend tell us that Mrs. Leeds cursed and made promises to the devil during a very difficult labor. Others held the belief that "Mother Leeds" was a witch who cursed her thirteenth child during her pregnancy. The cursed child was born a devil with hooves and wings., which flew from the womb, circling Mrs. Leeds birthing bed, and out the chimney into the stormy, bewitched night. For more than 250 years afterward, sightings have been told and retold, rewards have been offered, and many have run from the Barren's sinister wails.

Is the existence of the Jersey Devil fact or fiction or a combination of the two? Most likely, Mother Leeds thirteenth child was born with a disability or malformation. In the eighteenth century, such events were believed to be the result of Satan worship or witchcraft. In the Pineland National Reserve, remains of a cottage on Leeds Point is believed to be the Leeds family home. For those who have further interest, pictures of the cottage and directions to the home can be obtained on the World Wide Web. Coincidently, a New York Times article, written in April of 1998, reports that descendents of Mother Leeds still reside in what is now known as Atlantic County, New Jersey.

HalloweenArtists.com is a group of talented, artistic individuals who love "Spooky Stories and Frightful Folklore" and all things associated with All Hallows Eve. Each month I will feature a spooky tale that is based on truth and regional folklore. I welcome you to send in your own "Spooky Stories and Frightful Folklore" or make suggestions for an upcoming column. Most of all, we encourage you to bookmark our site, so that you may retell these stories to you and yours.

Till next time,
Katie

About the Author:
Kathleen "Katie" O'Donnell is a Colorado artist, wife and mother of two children whose nicknames inspired the title of her business. Her work has been featured in online artisan magazines, and shops and galleries across the country. Visit Katie here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at PunkinDoodleBooFolkArt.com.