Dear NJHM:
Have you ever heard of the Devil's Den located in Waretown in South Jersey? There are stories of lynchings, hauntings, etc. What's the truth?
Pat
Dear Pat:
Sorry, we are not familiar with that particular "Devil's Den." We know of the one in the Great Swamp in Morris County (that concerned a Headless Hessian), and of course the one at Gettysburg, but nothing in Waretown. We did a little research but could find no information about any lynchings in the area. However, perhaps the story relates to some of the original settlers of Waretown, a group of Quaker Baptists.
This odd religious sect (also called Rogerines) moved to the area in 1737 from North Jersey. They were originally from New England, but were persecuted and driven out for their non-traditional beliefs. They celebrated Mass each evening in their own homes at dinnertime, and considered each day a holy day. Therefore, they did not observe Sundays any differently than other days. They also believed that all formal rites and public displays were "idolatry" and should be avoided. These included Sunday Mass, infant baptism, marriage, and public prayer. Not contend to worship among themselves, they would often try to force their beliefs on their neighbors by very publicly working on Sundays, disrupting other religious Sunday services, etc. Although these actions often led to violence in New England, they appeared to have been at least tolerated in Waretown. The group even managed to convert a few residents including Abraham Waeir, the town's namesake (It was originally spelled Waeirtown.). After about a dozen years, the sect resettled in North Jersey, and by 1790 there was reportedly only two remaining Quaker Baptists left in Waretown.
Perhaps the Quaker Baptists non-traditional practices led to the name "Devil's Den," or maybe a legend grew in the area that they were chased away by lynching or other violence. Then again, perhaps not. If you have any more details, we would love to hear them.