Many have heard the legend of the Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens, but what about his relative in Somerset County? The Great Swamp Devil was captured by an American Patriot, terrorized a Victorian family and was rediscovered by Depression-era adventurers. Clearly, Somerset County has a rich oral tradition filled with a folklore all its own. An encounter with the Dead River Witch of Liberty Corner is linked with the unsolved disappearance of a nine-year-old girl. Alleged Revolutionary War spy John Honeyman never stopped telling tall tales about himself, even after his death. The Pluckemin orbs--more than six thousand years old--frightened Native Americans, intrigued artists and still defy explanation. Discover these and other legends from Somerset County, New Jersey.

Many have heard the legend of the Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens, but what about his relative in Somerset County? The Great Swamp Devil was captured by an American Patriot, terrorized a Victorian family and was rediscovered by Depression-era adventurers. Clearly, Somerset County has a rich oral tradition filled with a folklore all its own. An encounter with the Dead River Witch of Liberty Corner is linked with the unsolved disappearance of a nine-year-old girl. Alleged Revolutionary War spy John Honeyman never stopped telling tall tales about himself, even after his death. The Pluckemin orbs--more than six thousand years old--frightened Native Americans, intrigued artists and still defy explanation. Discover these and other legends from Somerset County, New Jersey.

"Legends and folklore from Somerset County, NJ"--

Between the Watchung Mountains to the north and the Sourland Mountains to the west lies the fertile valley of the Raritan River. Stout Dutch, Huguenot, German, Scottish, and English settlers began to cultivate family farms here as early as the 1680s. For almost a hundred years, the tramp of soldiers' feet and sounds of cannons had been unknown, but that was about to change. With its location astride two major routes between New York and Philadelphia, it is little wonder that Somerset County became the "Crossroads of the Revolution." A friendly populace and the protection of the mountains made this a safe haven for General Washington's army. His soldiers camped for three winters, including the harshest winter of the Revolution, in Somerset and in the adjacent areas of central New Jersey. Washington spent more time here than any other place during the War for Independence. It was in this historically significant county that the first military academy in the nation was built, the 13-star flag was first flown over American troops after its adoption by Congress, and the "Regulations for the Infantry of the United States" was written by General von Steuben.

Kentucky is known primarily for horse racing, bourbon and fried chicken, but the "Dark and Bloody Ground" has a mysterious side as well. Kentuckians talk about their own "Hillbilly Beast," believed to have frightened campers at Mammoth Cave National Park. The gnarled and twisted Witches' Tree is a favorite on Louisville ghost tours. Kentucky's UFO incidents--like Thomas Mantell's mysterious plane crash, the Hopkinsville alien attack and the Paintsville train-UFO crash--are as puzzling and frightening now as they were when they happened. Folklore writer Alan Brown chronicles these strange stories and others that are very much a part of the unique culture of Kentucky.

The mysteries and lore of Delmarva in Maryland are revealed here. Between the waters of the Atlantic and the Chesapeake is Delmarva, a storied land that was once the hunting ground of Blackbeard, where ancient sea monsters lurk and wild ponies gallop along the beaches. Local author David Healey explores the lore of Delmarva, from the legends of St. Michaels--the town that escaped British cannons with a clever trick--to stories of Assateague's cannibalistic colonists and the all but forgotten history of Anna Carroll, President Lincoln's "Dear Lady," who is rumored to have brilliantly advised him on strategy during the Civil War. Join Healey as he reveals the secret history and remarkable legends of Delmarva.

For each book that is purchased online, we will donate one book to an educational program for either kids or the elderly! The Somerset Hills is a group of five beautiful towns in the northern section of Somerset County, New Jersey including Bedminster, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack & Gladstone. New Jersey is often referred to as the "Cockpit of the American Revolution" and many of these images tie back to the history of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the great American Experience. We give great thanks for this project to Linda Arnold, a great friend of our local history and a artist that focuses on the beauty of the area. Also, a big thanks goes out to the Somerset Hills chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) that shared their 1982 coloring book effort. It was with great pleasure and an honor to work on this collection of coloring images to allow our local young artists the opportunity to learn while they color. The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills (THSSH) will always welcome young artists to autograph and bring their artwork to the Brick Academy and show their creations.