Grace
White Sherwood |
| Born Parents John and Susan White. John White was a small planter and carpenter. In 1674 he received a land patent of 195 acres at Ashville Creek at the east end of Muddy Creek. 1680 John White gave 50 acres of land to James Sherwood, his son-in-law. 1681 John White died and gave the balance of his land to James and Grace. Feb 1697James Sherwood sued Richard Capps for calling his wife a witch, claiming she cast a spell on his bull causing it to die. 1698 James Sherwood sued John and James Gisbourne for calling his wife a witch. They said she had bewitched thier cotton and it nipped the cotton buds, causing them to have a bad crop. The Sherwoods lost. 1699 James sued Anthony and Elizabeth Barnes for defamation of his wife's name. Elizabeth Barnes claimed she came to her in the middle of the night and leaped on her back like a black cat and left through a crack in the door. They also lost this suit and had to pay for all their witnesses' time, room, and board for coming to court.
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Composite Drawing of Grace
Sherwood This drawing done by Rip Rylance , is a likeness of what Grace was believed to look like, One day there will be a bronze statue in memory of Grace to remind us of the very special person that she was. |
| Drawing of The House on
Muddy Creak Rd. Before Fire Just imagine living in the 1700's. Grace is forced to make her way on her own, her husband had died leaving her with three sons to raise, she had to work the land and tend the crops, then because of her independence was accused of witchcraft , she was jailed and years later had to buy her own property back when she was released. Grace had a very hard life. It is believed that she died in her house on her farm land,in 1740 at age 80. |
| Remains of The House on Muddy Creek Road, Pungo These chimneys were all that remain on the homestead land of the Sherwoods on Muddy Creek Rd., But the tales of the happenings that surround this property will live on forever in the hearts of the believers. The chimney's were taken down November 19th 1998, they were a hazzard to the public. A Historic Marker will be erected in it's place, The history of the Witch of Pungo WILL live on! |
Historic renderings by Rylance Studios, 526 13th St., Virginia Beach VA 23451.