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The Shourds House–

This is the absolute ground zero point for Jersey Devil enthusiasts, where many “devil hunts” begin for several semi-established groups. That’s because this location is the most widely accepted birthplace of the Jersey Devil, according to the classic Legend.

The house stood outside the town of Leeds in Burlington County. Names changed and borders shifted; the town is now called Leeds Point in Atlantic County. To further complicate things, standing across the river was the Leeds house and the property which the Shourds house stood on was also owned by Leeds. The creature was initially coined “The Leeds Devil” (from the town of Leeds which it originated), but as years passed that changed too. To see some alternate names, go to the Other section.

In 1952, the house took fire damage from either a lightning strike or arsonry. There is only 1 existing photograph of the house while it was still standing; this was captured in the 1960’s (see below). Years later, the house collapsed upon itself and has been torn apart by visitors every since.

At this very moment, under the heavy brush exists only a foundation, a front porch with steps, collapsed walls, and various items such as pipes and so forth. Indoor plumbing wasn’t invented until the 1870’s, and common sense dictates that other families have lived in the house since the time of the supposed “devil’s birth” in the mid 1700’s. Since that time, icebergs have melted and continents have drifted. In back, there are traces of a backyard with an area cut away from the forest; but it’s still hard to imagine this house in its high time.

Considering the fact that so many of the towns in the Pine Barrens claim to be the birthplace of the Jersey Devil, it is peculiar that most residents of Leeds point scoff at the idea that the Shourds (or Leeds) house is the true location.

[Video has been added for this vicinity under Land of the Devil exclusive videos.]

Disclaimer: There are two seperate foundations, and different people claim that their respective location is the birthplace. The seperate places are in no regards to the seperate names of Shourds and Leeds. In fact, both go with the title of either name depending on who the information comes from. Established Jersey Devil groups normally head to the foundation with more to offer such as pipes, boards, and steps (as mentioned above). That particular foundation was once an actual house. However, the Leeds family (among others) will point you in the direction of a seperate foundation although claiming it to only be a outbuilding from a century back. Here you will find just mortar and bricks, this is the site where the Shourds House videos (mentioned above) were captured. Both are just as plausible, and the latter is the one in the photograph below which has been circling the internet for years.

Directions to the Shourds House(s):
From the Garden State Parkway, exit on route 9 and take that south. When you come to Smithville turn left onto E. Moss Mill road. Continue on this road until it bears a hard left. You are now quite close to either 'house foundation' and this is as far as these directions will take you. Neither area is located on public land and I have been asked to not host directions to either foundation.