Markers of History

State Historical Marker
Virginia K 276
The Testing of Grace Sherwood

The Testing of Grace Sherwood

Location: In front of Sentara Bayside Hospital at the inter­sec­tion of Independence Blvd & Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Visited: May 19, 2009, 7:05pm

Transcription of plaque:

The witch­craft case of Grace Sherwood is one of the best known in Virginia. 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, since water was con­sid­ered pure and would not per­mit a witch to sink into its depths. Sherwood’s accusers on 10 July 1706 tied her hands to her feet and dropped her into the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River near what is now known as Witch Duck Point. Sherwood floated, a sign of guilt. She was impris­oned, but was even­tu­ally released. Sherwood lived the rest of her life qui­etly and died by 1740.

My impres­sions: I must con­fess that there is a cer­tain detach­ment in the text of this marker that strikes me. It seems to stick to such a bare bones recita­tion of facts that it leaves out a whole lot of the impact of the story. I do won­der if part of that is because of the (newer) statue which stands nearby (and which I’ll dis­cuss in my next post here), which appears focused on the no-win sit­u­a­tion of a choice between death or guilt and how unjust that was to Sherwood.

Notes for future snar­fers: The Bayside hos­pi­tal park­ing lot is con­ve­nient for view­ing this marker (and it is at the far end of the lot from the build­ing, right near the inter­sec­tion itself, along­side Independence Blvd).  Also acces­si­ble from this park­ing lot is the statue of Sherwood, which I’ll dis­cuss in my next post.