Tag: Witchduck

Special Halloween Episode – Grace Sherwood: The Witch of Pungo

Published on by Robert Van Ness4 Comments

Virginia never succumbed to the hysteria that plagued Salem, Massachusetts, but she does have an infamous witch trial in her history.

Grace Sherwood’s story is one of a kind. She was the only woman to be tried and convicted for being a witch in Virginia.

In this special episode, I am joined by the historical re-enactors that form the group Shades of Our Past, who travel Virginia re-enacting various historical events and personages. We discussed the events surrounding Grace Sherwood and her life.

It’s a story that we only know in part, but what we do know has influenced the local landscape to this day. Take a moment, and learn about this fascinating woman who endured so much during her lifetime.

LINKS TO THE PODCAST:

Former Governor Tim Kaine’s Official pardon.
Plaque on the base of Sherwood’s Statue
Summary plaque on the base of Sherwood’s Statue.
The Testing of Grace Sherwood
The Old Donation Church, Virginia Beach
Grace Sherwood’s commemoration marker at Old Donation Church.
Grace Sherwood’s Commemoration Garden at Ferry Plantation House, Virginia Beach.
Ferry Plantation House, Virginia Beach.
Witchduck Bay, Virginia Beach, where Sherwood was believed to be “ducked.”
Witchduck Road, the lane leading to where Sherwood was ducked.
Sherwood Witchduck crossing, Virginia Beach.

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODES:

  1. Dalton, Michael. The Country Justice: Containing the Practice, Duty and Power of the Justices of the Peace, As Well in As Out of Their Sessions. 1618.
  2. Hudson, Carson O. These Detestable Slaves of the Devill: A Concise Guide to Witchcraft in Virgnia. Infinity Publishing, 2013.
  3. Ferry Plantation House
  4. Virginia Beach History Museums
  5. Shades of Our Past Facebook Page

 

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Grace Sherwood Statue, Virginia Beach

 

 

 

All photography used on this site is owned and copyrighted by the author. The Featured Image is the Grace Sherwood Statue in Virginia Beach.

Music used for this episode – Louis Armstrong and the Mills Brothers,”Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” available on iTunes, and Kevin MacLeod “Vanished” found on Soundcloud.