Oh man...As a native New Jersean, I have to go with the [http://weirdnj.com/stories/jersey-devil/](Jersey Devil.) The history behind the myth/folklore is awesome.

From that site, and the generally shared story:

Legend has it that in 1735, a Pines resident known as Mother Leeds found herself pregnant for the thirteenth time. (Leeds is the name of one of New Jersey’s earliest settlers, and many descendants of the Leeds family can still be found throughout NJ to this day.) Mother Leeds was not living a wealthy lifestyle by any means. Her husband was a drunkard who made few efforts to provide for his wife and twelve children. Reaching the point of absolute exasperation upon learning of her thirteenth child, she raised her hands to the heavens and proclaimed “Let this one be a devil!” ...By all accounts the birth went routinely, and the thirteenth Leeds child was a seemingly normal baby boy. Within minutes however, Mother Leeds’s unholy wish of months before began to come to fruition. The baby started to change, and metamorphosed right before her very eyes. Within moments it transformed from a beautiful newborn baby into a hideous creature unlike anything the world had ever seen...In 18th and 19th centuries the Jersey Devil was spotted sporadically throughout the Pine Barrens region, frightening local residents and any of those brave enough to traverse the vast undeveloped expanses of New Jersey’s southern reaches. Unearthly wails were often reported emanating from the dark forests and swampy bogs, and the slaughter of domesticated animals would invariably be attributed to the Phantom of the Pines.

I grew up with stories of the Jersey Devil, and of course it's the name of the state's hockey team! I just find it so fascinating the way that an urban legend morphed into straight up mythology and folklore!