Discover the witch of pungo statue in virginia beach, virginia. Red more to separate fact from fiction and folklore. A brief history of witchcraft and separating fact from fiction in the witchcraft trial of grace sherwood, the witch of pungo. After her release the socalled witch of pungo returned to her home and lived peacefully until her death around the age of eighty. The witch of pungo, and other historical stories of the early colonies. Main page a 1 page a 2 page a 3 page a 4 page a 5 section a.
The plantation house is also very close to the site of the ducking of grace sherwood, the last woman tried for being a witch in the state of virginia. The witch of pungo 1973 by louisa venable kyle book condition. Also well known is the story of grace sherwood, the socalled witch of pungo. Grace sherwood was the wife of james sherwood and the mother to three sons. And other historical stories of the early colonies louisa venable kyle on. The unfortunate tale of the pungo witch in a time when hardship and suffering were all too common, people in search of an explanation delved beyond the realm of reality to. Or were her mystic powers just lies spread by jealous neighbours. The witch of pungo and other historical stories of the early colonies by louisa venable kyle, illust by jan. The life and times of grace sherwood, virginias only convicted witch, tried by water on the majestic lynnhaven.
Book overview the life and times of grace sherwood, virginias only convicted witch, tried by water on the majestic lynnhaven. Pungo is known for its pungo strawberry festival, which is held there every spring, and the military aviation museum, which has a large collection of vintage warbirds. Four oclock farms publishing company, 1973 united states 87 pages. Grace sherwood was the only woman in the history of virginia to be convicted of the crime of witchcraft. Sherwood lived in what today is the rural pungo neighborhood and she is known as the witch of pungo, the name of a childrens book by louisa venable kyle. I have gone down the road where she was dunked in the river many times. Grace sherwood, the witch of pungo, accused of witchcraft and the only person. Sherwood is often portrayed as a healer, familiar with herbs and friendly to animals. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
In 1597 james wrote daemonologie, a book like malleus malficarium that. A memorial remembering grace sherwood, aka the witch of pungo, on the property of sentara hospital at n. The witch of pungo and other historical stories of the early colonies. The case passed from the county court to the attorney general of virginia without any. Sherwoods life had been described before by louisa venable kyle in the witch of pungo and other historical stories of the early colonies, a fiction book written for children including biographical data, published in 1973. Her short story of the same name revives grace sherwoods popularity in southeastern virginia. In 1706, at 10am the townspeople that found her guilty tied grace s. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. The witch of pungo is a wonderful childrens book of seven folk tales from princess anne county, including christmas at adam thoroughgoods house and. The witch of pungo 1973 by louisa venable kyle 1973. My friend and i are also researching information on grace white sherwood the witch of pungo. Her story came to public light with the publication of a childrens book called the witch of pungo in 1973.
Grace sherwoods case was little known until virginia beach historian and author louisa venable kyle wrote a childrens book about her in 1973. July 10, 2006 three hundred years after grace sherwood was found guilty of witchcraft by water trial, governor timothy kaine pardons her. This statue is dedicated to grace sherwood, the last person in virginia to be convicted of being a witch. This friendly halloween witch is taking a nighttime ride through the city. Nash in 20, after releasing her book about sherwood called a place in time. Tim kaine restored grace sherwoods good name, three hundred years to the day since the ducking ordeal that condemned her for witchcraft. The witch of pungo, and other historical stories of the early colonies louisa venable kyle.
The witch of pungo a vintage childrens by lizandjaybooksnmore. Grace sherwood, who is often referred to as the witch of pungo, was a planter and midwife in the pungo area of virginia beach. Grace sherwood, the witch of pungo truth and fiction. It told the story of grace along with other local history. The unfortunate tale of the pungo witch virginia beach. The witch of pungo and other historical stories of the early colonies louisa venable kyle four oclock farms publishing company, 1973 the introduction by the author. A sympathetic bronze statue of her, along with her raccoon sidekick, stands on the grounds of the local hospital. Grace sherwood, the witch of pungo, accused of witchcraft and the only person in virginia history to be ducked. Grace sherwood, the witch of pungo truth and fiction history arch. Grace sherwood was the defendant in colonial virginias most notorious. Sherwoods ghost has been said to appear each july in the form of a mysterious dancing light that hovers over the waters of witch duck bay.
Melvin was the son of james sherwood and ola sherwood. Called the witch of pungo, it is a collection of seven local folk tales written as fiction, although based on historical events. Witch lore in the united states is often eclipsed by the infamous salem witch trials. But perhaps the most famous ghost is that of grace sherwood, the witch of pungo. This collection of stories was written at the request of the late miss louise luxford of the virginia beach school system. The age of the witch of pungo, by belinda nash and danielle sheets, from 10 a. In 1973, louisa venable kyle increased popular interest in the sherwoods story when she published the childrens book the witch of pungo.
See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. The witch of pungo statue virginia beach, virginia. Today we look at a witch who was trialled in a somewhat unconventional manner. Virginia beach some know her as nothing more than the infamous witch of pungo while others may say grace sherwood was a mother and farmer who persevered as a woman before her time. Nash has been on the board of directors of the ferry plantation house in virginia beach from 1996 and its director from 1999. Her life has been adapted into a 1973 childrens book, the witch of pungo, by louisa venable kyle. Witch of pungo statue grace sherwood was tried for witchcraft, failed the test, yet somehow survived. Can your child brighten up her evening with some color. Kyle and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Explore free books, like the victory garden, and more browse now. Grace sherwood, the litigious witch strange company. When my oldest was young i bought a book entitled the witch of pungo. The witch of pungo by louisa venable kyle goodreads. I be not a witch, i be a healer 14 things about grace.
The witch of pungo, and other historical stories of the. Graces trial has been adapted into a live production at colonial williamsburg called cry witch. Grace sherwood the witch of pungo virginia a haunting we. Topics include the witch of pungo, adam thoroughgood family, grace sherwood, blackbeard, chesapeake indians, the moseley family, dam neck, cape henry lighthouse, princess anne county, etc. The witch of pungo and other historical stories of the early colonies is a fiction book written for children. A place in time the age of the witch of pungo history comes to life in this true story of virginias only convicted witch, tried by water. The witch of pungo is a wonderful childrens book of seven folk tales from princess anne county, including christmas at adam thoroughgoods house and blackbeards treasure. Her story gained notoriety with the publication of a childrens book called the witch of pungo in 1973, and in 2006, she was exonerated by then governor tim kaine on the 300 th anniversary of her trial. As a child, my family frequently vacationed in virginia beach and. One of the most surprising trials took place in virginia. Then in january of 1706 luke hill formally accused sherwood of witchcraft. My friend is patricia sherwood young of currituck north carolina, born and raised in back bay she is the daughter of melvin randolph sherwood and jean juliette sherwood. The witch of pungo, and other historical stories of the early colonies kyle, louisa venable on. Though written as fiction, these stories are based on historical backgrounds which are outlined at the end of each story.
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