Exiled in Bordentown, former Spanish king Joseph Bonaparte built a grand estate, entertained America’s luminaries, and hunted the woods. One snowy day he found eerie two-legged tracks, then faced a winged, horse-headed creature. Told it was the…
Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, was once the King of Spain. However, he failed to defend Spain against England during the Peninsular Wars and was compelled to abdicate in 1813. After Napoleon’s defeat, Joseph went into exile in America. He acquired eight hundred acres in Bordentown, New Jersey, strategically located between the major ports of New York and Philadelphia, allowing him to receive the latest news from France and Spain.
In keeping with his royal status, even as a dethroned king, Joseph constructed a charming mansion surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds and ample parkland. He hosted many prominent figures of his era, such as John Adams, the Marquis of Lafayette, and Daniel Webster. Joseph lived a glamorous social life, organizing splendid gatherings with an abundance of food and numerous guests, leaving a strong impression on the Americans.
One snowy afternoon, while hunting alone in the woods near his home, the former King of Spain came across some unusual tracks resembling those of a two-legged donkey, with one foot slightly larger than the other. The tracks ended suddenly, as if the creature had taken flight. Puzzled, Bonaparte studied the tracks, trying to deduce what kind of animal could have made them. At that moment, he heard a strange hissing sound and turned to see a large winged creature with a horse-like head and bird-like legs.
Astonished and scared, he stood frozen, forgetting about the rifle in his hands. Both remained still for a moment before the creature hissed at him, flapped its wings, and flew away. When he recounted the experience to a friend later that day, Bonaparte learned that he had encountered the infamous Jersey Devil, said to haunt the Pine Barrens since being born to Mother Leeds on a stormy night in 1735. Fascinated by the tale of the Jersey Devil, Bonaparte remained watchful for the mythical creature during his hunting trips. Once circumstances stabilized in Europe, Joseph Bonaparte returned there and was reunited with his wife in Italy. He never encountered the Jersey Devil again.
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