North Virginia Beach , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Grace Sherwood

(1660 - 1730)

— Virginia Beach, 2007 —

Grace Sherwood Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., July 20, 2010

1. Grace Sherwood Marker

Inscription. Sherwood lived in Princess Anne County from the latter 1600’s until the 1730’s, an era when many American colonists believed in witchcraft as a way to explain unusual events. Sherwood submitted to a trial by water, a "witch ducking," in 1706, because of charges that her behavior disrupted the lives of her neighbors. Although found guilty of witchcraft, her life was spared, and she was pardoned formally by the governor of Virginia 300 years later in 2006. She was Virginia’s only convicted witch tried by water. Witchduck Road and Witchduck Point contribute to preserving her story.

Erected 2007 by the Fifth Grade Classes of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools in recognition of the 400th Anniversary of Virginia Beach.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Legends Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1706.

Location. 36° 50.499′ N, 75° 58.413′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in North Virginia Beach. It is on Atlantic Avenue just south of 14th Street,

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on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1304 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Washington (a few steps from this marker); Douglas MacArthur (a few steps from this marker); Booker T. Washington (a few steps from this marker); George S. Patton (a few steps from this marker); Cyrus Hall McCormick (a few steps from this marker); James Madison (a few steps from this marker); John Marshall

Virginia Legends Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., July 20, 2010

2. Virginia Legends Walk

The marker can be seen on the inside of the entrance gateway to the Virginia Legends Walk. An identical marker is on the other entrance as well.

(a few steps from this marker); Patsy Cline (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.

More about this marker. An identical marker can be found on the west end of the Virginia Legends Walk.

Additional keywords. torture, witch trials

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 651 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.