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

The Testing of Grace Sherwood

Photographed by Laura Troy, September 16, 2007

1. The Testing of Grace Sherwood Marker

Inscription.
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 know 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.

Erected 2002. (Marker Number K-276.)

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 Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1706.

Location. 36° 51.974′ N, 76° 7.938′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Northwest. It is on Independence Boulevard (Virginia Route 225) north of North Witchduck Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia Beach VA 23455, 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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Trial of 1706 (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Donation Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Donation Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Founders and Veterans of Lynnhaven Parish Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grace White Sherwood (approx. 0.2 miles away); “The Brick Church” (approx. ¼ mile away); Lynnhaven House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ferry Plantation House (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.

Also see . . .
1. Grace Sherwood, The Witch of Pungo. Virginia Museum of History and Culture website entry (Submitted on March 14, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Grace "White" Sherwood. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on April 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Testing of Grace Sherwood image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 29, 2019

2. The Testing of Grace Sherwood

"When Virginia Ducked Milady Witch"
DAPC blog entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,698 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 16, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.