Witch trials in the Southern states are not a new phenomenon. Several places experienced these trials in the late 1700s and early 1800s, but only a few are still told to this day. One person who was also thought to be a “witch” was Grace White Sherwood, also known as the “Witch of Pungo.” Sherwood was born in 1660 in Virginia.
Her story is similar to several others I have covered over the years. She is the only one ever to be convicted using the method known as “ducking,” which is tying a rope around the waist of the accused and throwing them into a body of water. If she floated, it was believed during that time that the person was in league with or in the company of the devil, thereby rejecting the baptismal water. If she sank, she was cleared but also dead. Another says the woman would be tied up, placed in a sack, and tossed in the water.
Sherwood was accused of all kinds of things, including cursing livestock and even changing into a black cat to wreak havoc.
The initial claims began in 1697 when a local man accused Sherwood of witchcraft after his bull died. In 1698, Sherwood was taken to court by another, claiming she had turned into a black cat.
Some claim the accusations were a hoax in hopes of securing her house and land after Mr. Sherwood’s death in 1701.
In July of 1706, Sherwood was ducked in Lynnhaven Bay during her trial in front of a large crowd of people from all over the colony. Some even claim a 13-pound Bible was tied around her neck at the time to help her sink, but legend says that she got out and swam to the surface and was deemed a witch.
She allegedly spent 7 years in jail for her witchcraft conviction and was allowed later to return to her home, where she died in 1740.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image Credit: Virginia Beach.gov