Rather than being birthed by an overstressed mother, the devil legend more likely stems from a political characterization of Daniel Leeds (1651–1720), a prominent member of the Quaker community in the Pinelands area and printer of “almanacks.”

Leeds became embroiled in controversy due to his printing of almanacs that incorporated astrological elements deemed heretical by members of his devout Quaker community. This conflict escalated, eventually prompting Leeds to leave the Quaker community, convert to Anglicanism, and begin publishing anti-Quaker materials.

Combined with his known association with the despised British Royal Governor of New Jersey, Leeds became a target of political rhetoric and was accused of working on behalf of the devil.

Some years later, the Leeds’ business encountered competition from Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack. To drum up sales for his Almanack, Franklin began a semi-friendly feud with Leeds. Franklin floated predictions of Leeds’s impending death and encouraged readers to purchase future editions of the almanac to see if the predictions proved true. He later accused Leeds of being a “ghost” who had already died. These tactics played on the occultist reputation that had followed the Leeds family from the previous conflict with the Quaker community.

Regal says that by the 19th century, the “Leeds Devil” or “Devil of Leeds” had become a part of Pine Barrens lore. During the 20th century, supposed sightings of this mythical creature were widely reported in newspapers, and proud New Jerseyans came to adopt the creature as an unofficial symbol. In 1982, fans voted to name the state’s new NHL franchise after the fearsome beast.