The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-08-18


ally ceased TO a considerable extent
their punishment for alleged WITCH
craft before the eighteenth century.
but the Virginia records show the ar
rest and persecution of Grace Srar-
wood, of Princess Anee County, lor
witchcraft in 1906.
For six months this young woman
was imprisoned, being brought time
and again before the Court in an ef-
fort to convict her. Finding no evil
dence in her actions to Justify the
persecution the Attorney-G General
caused the sheriff of the county to
empanel jury of women to examine
Grace Sherwood physically and in
structed them to find something TO
indicate that she was a witch. This
the women failed to do, and they were
threatened with contempt of court
for their failure.
Everything else having failed, It
was decided to put Miss Sherwood to
the water test, which consisted in
|
ing her overheard in the nearest lake
or river. II she sank she was inno-
cent; but if by her struggles she man.
aged TO keep afoat for a few mo-
ments she was guilty Of witchcraft.
The full account of this trial is pre-
served by the Virginia Historical So
ciety, and the last two court orders
in the case are of interest as mark
ing the close of witchcraft persecution
in the colonies.
Whereas. Grace Sherwood, being
suspected of witchcraft, have a long
time waited for fit opportunity for
a further examination, and by her
consent and appreciation of We court
it is ordered that We sheriff take all
such convenient assistance of boats
and men as shall be by him thought
At to meet at Jno Harper's planta-
ton, in order to take We Grace Sher-
wood forthwith, and BUTT her into
the water above a mans depth and
try her how she swims therein, al
ways having care of her life to pre-
serve her from drowning, and as soon
as she comes out that he request as
many antient and knowing women as
possible he can to search her carefully
for all spottes and marks about her
body not usual on others, and that
as they find the same to make report
on oath to We truth thereof, to We
Court, and further it is ordered that
some women be requested to shift
and search her before she goes into
We water, that she carry nothing
about her to cause further suspic-
ion"
On the afternoon Of July 10, 1905,
the Court and county officers and
populace assembled on John Harper s
plantation and, the arrangements be-
ing completed Grace Sherwood was
carried out to a nearby inlet of Lynn
haven Bay. The official court re-
porter tells quantity the rest of the
story:
whereas, On complaint Of Luke
Hill in behalf of Her Majesty, that
now is against Grace Sherwood for
a person suspected of witchcraft, and
having had sundrey evidences sworn
against her, proving NANNY cercum-
stances, and which she could moi
make any excuse or little nothing to
say in her own behalf, only seeming
toe reply on what We Court should do
and thereupon consented to be tried
in ye water, and likewise to be
serched againe with experiments; be
ing tried, and she swimming wher
therein and bound contrary to custom
and We judgments of all We spectators
and afterwards being serched by fv'
antient women who have all declared
on oath that she is not like them
all OF which circumstances We Cour'
weighing in their consideration, dc
therefore order that We Sheriff take
We said Grace Sherwood into his Gus
tody and CONT her body to We com
mon goal of this county, there TO Sc
cure her by irons, or otherwise to re