World History
''Witch of Pungo'' pardoned by governor after 300 years. It only took three centuries but some justice has finally been served in the case of falsely convicted "witch" Grace Sherwood.
The Virginia Pilot online notes, "The Witch of Pungo might need a new nickname. On the 300th anniversary of her trial Monday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine exonerated Grace Sherwood, who had been convicted of witchcraft. Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf read the announcement to the 40 or so who clustered at Ferry Plantation House for a re-enactment of the trial, shortly before proclaiming Grace Sherwood Day. "
Grace Sherwood was accused of withcraft in 1706. She was tried by water. That is, they threw her bound into the river. The theory was that if she drowned she was innocent but if the water rejected her she would then be guilty. Fortunately for Sherwood, she survived.
In this case, justice delayed is indeed justice denied. Sherwood spent eight years in jail after her "trial." The pardon is nice but...
Her are some sites with more information on Grace Sherwood:
Grace Sherwood - Witch of Pungo
Grace Sherwood
Grace Sherwood, the witch of Virginia
1930 Newspaper Article: Witch Trial of Grace Sherwood
- Witchcraft
Witchcraft Since early medieval times there had been persecution of women deemed to be witches throughout Europe, but the period from 1450 until 1750 perhaps saw the greatest number of people identified as witches being killed. With the fear of witchcraft...
- A Royal Pardon For The British Witches?
Over 400 people (mostly women) were legally executed for witchcraft in Britain until 1735. In retrospect, most of these people were probably not witches. Further, even if they were, it is unfair that they were killed for their personal religious beliefs....
- Executed Australian Man Pardoned
It will not do Colin Campbell Ross much good. After being executed for rape and murder 86 years ago, he was pardoned by Victoria state Governor David de Kretser. Research had shown that he was convicted on shaky evidence. Details on the case can be found...
- Grace O'malley, The Pirate Queen Of Ireland
One of the most famous women in Irish history is Grace O'Malley. She is also known to history as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. She lived from around c. 1530 to c.1603. Grace was the daughter of the chief of the O'Malley clan. The O'Malleys...
- The Lindbergh Kidnapping: The Theft Of The Eaglet
The Lindbergh Kidnapping: The Theft of the Eaglet. The kidnap and murder of Charles A. Lindbergh's son: the crime, the evidence and the trial of Bruno Hauptmann. Includes photos and bibliography. Did Bruno Hauptmann kill the child? He paid with his...
World History
''Witch of Pungo'' pardoned by governor after 300 years
''Witch of Pungo'' pardoned by governor after 300 years. It only took three centuries but some justice has finally been served in the case of falsely convicted "witch" Grace Sherwood.
The Virginia Pilot online notes, "The Witch of Pungo might need a new nickname. On the 300th anniversary of her trial Monday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine exonerated Grace Sherwood, who had been convicted of witchcraft. Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf read the announcement to the 40 or so who clustered at Ferry Plantation House for a re-enactment of the trial, shortly before proclaiming Grace Sherwood Day. "
Grace Sherwood was accused of withcraft in 1706. She was tried by water. That is, they threw her bound into the river. The theory was that if she drowned she was innocent but if the water rejected her she would then be guilty. Fortunately for Sherwood, she survived.
In this case, justice delayed is indeed justice denied. Sherwood spent eight years in jail after her "trial." The pardon is nice but...
Her are some sites with more information on Grace Sherwood:
Grace Sherwood - Witch of Pungo
Grace Sherwood
Grace Sherwood, the witch of Virginia
1930 Newspaper Article: Witch Trial of Grace Sherwood
- Witchcraft
Witchcraft Since early medieval times there had been persecution of women deemed to be witches throughout Europe, but the period from 1450 until 1750 perhaps saw the greatest number of people identified as witches being killed. With the fear of witchcraft...
- A Royal Pardon For The British Witches?
Over 400 people (mostly women) were legally executed for witchcraft in Britain until 1735. In retrospect, most of these people were probably not witches. Further, even if they were, it is unfair that they were killed for their personal religious beliefs....
- Executed Australian Man Pardoned
It will not do Colin Campbell Ross much good. After being executed for rape and murder 86 years ago, he was pardoned by Victoria state Governor David de Kretser. Research had shown that he was convicted on shaky evidence. Details on the case can be found...
- Grace O'malley, The Pirate Queen Of Ireland
One of the most famous women in Irish history is Grace O'Malley. She is also known to history as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. She lived from around c. 1530 to c.1603. Grace was the daughter of the chief of the O'Malley clan. The O'Malleys...
- The Lindbergh Kidnapping: The Theft Of The Eaglet
The Lindbergh Kidnapping: The Theft of the Eaglet. The kidnap and murder of Charles A. Lindbergh's son: the crime, the evidence and the trial of Bruno Hauptmann. Includes photos and bibliography. Did Bruno Hauptmann kill the child? He paid with his...