Grace Sherwood
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Grace Sherwood (1660 – 1740) is a local legend in the old Princess Anne County and Pungo, Virginia. She is known as the Witch of Pungo to historians and locals. She was accused of bewitching a neighbor's crop in 1698. Allegations grew over time until the Princess Anne County government and her accusers decided she would be tested by ducking. On July 10, 1706, Sherwood was dropped into the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River near what is now known as Witchduck Point. Sherwood floated, a sign of guilt to the accusers. She was imprisoned briefly but eventually released. Sherwood lived the rest of her life quietly in Pungo and died in 1740.
One of Virginia Beach's minor north-south thoroughfares on its western side is "Witchduck Road" which traverses Interstate 264 at exit number 16 [1].
The case was little known until Virginia Beach historian and author Louisa Venable Kyle wrote a children's book about her called The Witch of Pungo [2]. Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine officially pardoned Sherwood on July 10, 2006, the 300th anniversary of her conviction.
[edit] References
- ^ Hardy, Michael; Bill Geroux (July 11, 2006). "Ding dong, the stigma's gone". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved on 2006-07-24.
[edit] Further reading
- Kyle, Louisa Venable (November 1973). The Witch of Pungo, and Other Historical Stories of the Early Colonies. Virginia Beach, VA: Four O'Clock Farms. ISBN 0-927044-00-5. A children's book of Virginia Colony folktales.
[edit] External links
- "Grace Sherwood & The Witch of Pungo", Virginia Beach Historical Society
- "Grace Sherwood - The Witch of Pungo", CarolsHouse.com
