Thursday, October 17, 2013

Devil's Tree -- Somerset County, New Jersey

In an open field in Somerset County, New Jersey, stands a centuries old tree that is has built up an ominous reputation over the years.  It began it's notorious history back in colonial times.  Legend has it that when slaves became unruly for some locals, they made examples out of them by hanging them from this tree.  Thus began a history that would tarnish this unworldly looking oak for all time.

Some decades later, folks tell of a man who went insane.  One dark night, he went about murdering his entire family.  Realizing what he had done, he went to the hanging tree and proceeded to hang himself from it.  During the post Civil War era, the Klu Klux Klan members were s no stranger to the hanging tree.  Their favorite activity?  Lynching a number of African Americans from a very large branch that stuck out of the side of the tree at the same time.  After this horrible era, and the KKK was on the decline, the lynchings pretty much came to an end.  However, the reputation of what would become known as The Devil's Tree had just begun.


The Devil's Tree along Mountain Road in Somerset County, New Jersey is thought to be haunted by former slaves and others who were killed there over the years.
The Devil's Tree along Mountain Road in Somerset County, New Jersey is thought to be haunted by former slaves and others who were killed there over the years.
Read the full story>>