We have 304 members of the NCBertie List -- many of you have been here for years and years! It is due to all of you who shared what you had in your files and research, that we are able to have so much on-line. http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbertie/index.htm and http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nc/bertie.htm Sometimes I almost forget what all we do have on-line --- but just remember we are always interested in adding to it. Thanks to all of you who have continued to stay with this list and to contribute whenever you can. Helping others is what our List is about, and Bertie County has some of the best folks there are! Virginia Crilley

Fw: Grace Sherwood trial, etc NEWS for some folks............FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake To: me Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:29 AM Subject: Grace Sherwood trial, etc Grace Sherwood, the witch of Virginia from Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, ed. George Lincoln Burr, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1914 pp. 435-442 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction To those who know what elements made up the earliest population of Virginia it is needless to point out why there we find no such abiding fear of the Devil and his minions as among the religious exiles of New England. There no Mosaic law was enacted into statute; and the well-known Cavalier sympathies of the colony suggest why the mid-century witch-panic of England's Presbyterian counties found there no echo. Fear of witches, indeed, Virginia did not wholly escape; but her witch-terrors found their source in folk-lore more than in theology, and, though her courts could not keep altogether clear of the matter, their influence seems to have been almost wholly a restraining one. The testimony of their records has, in part at least, been diligently ferreted out, [Notably by Mr. Edward W. James, who published his gleanings first in the William and Mary College Historical Quarterly (I-IV. 1892-1896), then in the Lower Norfolk County Virginia Antiquary (I-III).] and the historian of the social and economic life of the colony has summarized it in a lucid chapter [Philip Alexander Bruce, Institutional History of Viginia in the Seventeenth Century, I. 276-289.] which is the best introduction to the single episode here to be narrated. By the middle of the century the bnadying of the abusive name of "witch" was calling forth actions for slander and vigorous rulings by the courts; and in 1656 a clergyman from Scotland brought against one William Harding the only legl process which is known to have ended in conviction and a penalty -- ten stripes and banishment from the county. Suits enough from that time on there were; but they were brought by the accused for damages, or failed to convince the jury. Especially that souteastern region known a "Lower Norfolk County," and above all, its eastern strip, along the ATlantic, which in 1691 became Princess Anne County, seems to have been disturbed by these suspciions. There in 1675 and 1679 juries of women had been impanelled to search Jane Jenkins and Alice Cartwright, "according to the 18th chapter of Dalton," for the Devil's marks; [What is meant is of course that paragraph of Michael Dalton's many-editioned handbook of procedure, The Countrey Justice, which prescribing tests for the detection of witches, avers that the witch'es imp, or familiar, "hath some big or little teat upon their body, and in some secret place, where he sucketh them." "And besides their sucking, the Devil leaveth other marks upon their body," which "being pricked will not bleed, and be often in their secretest parts, and therefore require diligent and careful search."] and there in 1698 Anne Byrd appealed in vain to a court against wild charges of "riding" her neighbors as a witch. In that same year Grace Sherwood, wife of James Sherwood, planter, a woman in middle life whose father, John White, had long dwelt there as carpenter and planter, was accused by one John Gisburne of bewitching his hogs and cotton. She with her husband brought an acation for slander, but lost it, and was as unsccuessful against Anthony Barnes, who charged her with riding his wife and then ecaping through the keyhole int he shape of a black cat. It ws this Grace Sherwood against whom in 1706 was brought that culminating action for witchcraft to which belong the following papers. Her story ahs been often told -- and often with a generouos use of the imagination. More than once the records have been printed, as in President Cushing of Hampden-Sidney in the Coolections (I 67-68) of the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society and by Henry Howe in his Historical Collections of Virginia (Charleston, 1845) pp. 436-438; but most fully and carefully by Edward W. James, whose pages in the William and Mary College Quarterly (III. 190-192, 242-245; IV 18-20) ahve furnished our text. It has, however been collated afresh with the record at Princess Anne by the editor of the present volume -- and not without correction. It will be noticed that the court clerk uses a sort of short-hand, abbreviating sometimes by a lavish use of "superiors" (as "som'd," for "summoned" Ex'ly" for "Excellency"), sometimes by mere omission of letters. The peculiarities of the text are such that in this instance we have preserved forms which it is now more usual to expand into shapes more easily legible; but hte osbscurer signs (as "y" for "th", or "ff" for "F", or the stork above the final "con" to make it "cion") have not bee reproduced. [Though the old record book through which these entries are scattered is still in good condition, the passages relating to this interesting case are beginning to suffer from wear, and from the first four lines of the entry for July 5, which come at the bottom of a page, a few words have crumbled away, and are preserved only by the transscripts. In the margin of the entry for May 2 are the words "Ag't Grace Sherwood for witchraft," and in that of the ntry for June 6 the words "Bousch Att'r for Queen vs. Sherwood."] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [In my transcription from George Lincoln Burr's book, I have modernized the spelling and filled out the abbreviations for clarity and readability. Richard Seltzer] The Case of Grace Sherwood Princess Ann Sessions. At a Court held January 3, 1706. Whereas Luke Hill and uxor summoned Grace Sherwood to this court in suspicion of witchcraft and she failing to appear, it is therefore ordered that attachemnt to the sheriff do issue to attach her body and answer to the said summons next court. [Luke Hill and wife. Against them in December 1705, Grace Sherwood had brought action for assault and battery, claiming 50 pounds of damages and receiving 20 shillings. What this affray may have had to do with the charge of witchcraft does not appear. The court was the county court, its members a group of "gentlemen of the county, called justices of the peace." Their names appear just below in the entry for March 7. Such a panel of the court heads the record of each of the sessoins named, but its repetition has seemed unnecessary. Grace Sherwood's case was only one of many dealt with at each session. Usually only four or five justices were present.] Under February 6, 1706 Suit for suspicion of witchcraft brought by Luke Hill against Grace Sherwood is ordered ot refer till tomorrow. Under February 7, 1706 Whereas a complaint ws brought against Grace Sherwood on suspicion of witchcraft by Luke Hill, etc., and the matter being after a long time debated and oredered that the said Hill pay all fees of this compalint and that the said Grace be here next court to be searched according to the complaint by a jury of women to decide the difference, and the seriff is likewise ordered to summon an able jury accordingly. Under March 7, 1706 Present: Colonel Edward Moseley, Lieutenant [Colonel] Adam Thorrowgood, Major Henry Sprat, Captain Horatio Woodhouse, Mr. Jonathan Cornick, Captain Henry Champman, Mr. William Smith, Mr. Jonathan Richason, Captain George Handcock, Justicis. Whereas a compaint has been made to this court by Luke Hill and his wife that one Grace Sherwood of this county was and has been a long time suspected of witchcraft and ahs been as such represented wherefore the sheriff at the last court was ordered to cummon a jury of women to this court to search her on the said suspicion, she assenting to the same. And after the jury was impannelled and sworn out to make due inquiry and inspection into all circumstances, after a mature consideration, they bring in this verdict: We of the jury have serached Grace Sherwood and have found two things like titts with several other spots: Elizabeth Barnes, forewoman, Sarah Norris, Margaret Watkins, Hannah Dinnis, Sarah Goodacre, Mary Burgess, Sarah Sergeant, Winifred Davis, Ursula Henly, Ann Bridges, Ezable Waples, Mary Cotle. [At this point the court reached the limit of its powers, and Luke Hill, doubless at its instance, petitioned the highest tribunal of the colony, the General Court, i.e., the Governor and Council, informing them that "one Grace Sherwood of Princes Anne County being suspected of witchcraft upon his complaint to that county court that she had bewitched the petitioiner's wife, the court ordered a jury of women to search the said Grace Sherwood who upon search brought in a verdict against the said Grace, but the court not knowing how to proceed to judgment thereon, the petitioner prays that the Attorney General may be directed to prosecute the said Grace for the same". But the Attorney General, to whom on March 28 the matter was referred, reported on April 16 that he foudn the charge too general and that the county court ought to have made a fuller examination of the matters of fact, and that "pursuant to the directions and powers to County Courts given by a late act of Assembly" they ought, if they thought there was sufficient cause, to have committed the accused to the general prison of the colony, "whereby it would have come regularly before the General Court." Wehrefore he suggested "that the said County Court do make a further enquiry into the matter," and if they find cause for action, to follow the said law' and it wasordered that a copy of his report "be sent to the court of Princess Anne County for their direction in the premises." (Cf. Palmer's Calendar of Virginia STate Papers, I. 100: at some points this corrects Mr. James's readings, at others needs correction by them.] Under May 2, 1706 Whereas a formal complaint was brought against Grace Sherwood for suspiciion of witchcraft, which by the Attorney General Rport to his Excellency in Council was too general and not charging her with any particular act, therefore represented to them that Pricess Ann Court might if they thought fit have her examined De Novo, and the court geing of opinion that there is great cause of suspicion therefore order tha thte sheriff take the said Grace into his safe custody until she shall give bond and security for her appearance to the next court to be examined De Novo and that the constable of that precinct go with the sheriff and search the said Grace's house and all suspicious places carefully for all images and such like things as may any way strengthen the suspicion, and it is likewise ordered that hte seriff summon an able jury of women, also all evidences as can give in anything against her in evidence, in behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, to attend the next court accordingly. [Such "images" of course as withces were believed to make of those they wished to afflict. "They have often," says Dalton, whose book these justices doubtless had open before them, "pictures of clay or wax (like a man, etc., made of such as they would bewitch) found in their house, or which they roast, or bury in the earth, that as the picture consumes, so may the parties beweiched consume."] Under June 6, 1706 Whereas Grace Sherwood of this county ahve been complained of as a person suspected of witchcraft, and now being brought before this court in order for examination, this court has therefore requested Mr. Maximillia Boush to present inforamtion against her as counsel on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen in order for her to be brought to a regular trial. Whereas an information on behalf of her Majesty was presented by Luke Hill to the court in pursuance to Mr. Attorney General Thomson's rport on his Excellency's order in Council the 16th of April last about Grace Sherwood being suspected of witchcraft, have thereupon sworn several evidences against her by which it doth appear very likely. Under June 7, 1706 Whereas at the last court an order was passed that the sheriff should summon an able jury of women to search Grace Sherwood on suspciion of witchcraft, which although the same was perfomred by the sheriff yet they refused and did not appear, it is therefore ordered that the same persons be agaiin summoned by the sheriff for their contempt to be deal with according to the utmost severity of the law, and that a new jury of women be by him summoned to appear next court to search her on the aforesaid suspicion, and that he likewise summon all evidence that he shall be informed of as material in the complaint, and that she continue in the sheriff's custody unless she give good bond and security for her appearance at the next court, and that she be of good behavior towards her Majesty and all her leige people in the mean time. Under July 5, 1706 Present, Mr. Jonathan Richason, Captain Jonathan Moseley, Captain Henry Chapman, Captain William Smyth, Justices. Whereas for this several courts the business between Luke Hill and Grace Sherwood on suspicion of witchcraft have been for several things omitted, particularly for want of a jury to search her, and the court being doubtful that they should not get one this court, and being willing to have all means possible tried either to acquit her or to give more stength to the sucpicion that she might be dealt with as deserved, therefore it was ordered that this day by her own consent to be tried in the water by ducking, but the weather being very rainy and bad so that possibly it might endanger her health, it is therefore ordered that the sheriff request the justices prceisely to appear on Wednesday next by ten o'clock at hte court house, and that he secure the body of the said Grace until that time to be forth coming, then to be dealt with as aforesaid. Jonathan Richason, Henry Chapman. [As to this water ordel for witches see above. These genetlemen were doubtless a committee charged with the matter.] Under July 10, 1706 Whereas Grace Sherwood being suspected of witchcraft has a long time watied for a fit opportunity for a further examination, and by her consent and approbation of this court it is ordered that the sheriff take all such convenient assistance of boats and men as shall be by him thought fit, to meet at Jonathan Harper's plantation in order to take the said Grace forthwith and put her into the above man's depth and try her how she swims therein, always having care of her life to preserve her from drowning, and as soon as she comes out that he request as many ancient and knowing women as he possibly can to search her carefully for all teats, spots, and marks about her body not uusal on others, and that as they find the same to make report on oath to the truth thereof to the court, and further it is ordered that some women be requested to shift and search her before she go into the water that she carry nothing about her to cause any further suspicion. entry made later in the same day Whereas on comaplin of Luke Hill in behalf of her Majesty that now is against Grace Sherwood for a person suspected of witchcraft, and havaing had sundry evidences sworn against her, proving many circumstances to which she could not make any excuse of little or nothing to say in her own behalf, only seemed to rely on what the court should do, and thereupon consented to be tried in the water and likewise to be searched again, which experiments being tried and she swimming when therein and bound, contrary to custom and the judgement of all spectators and afterwards being serached by five ancient women who have all declared on oath that she is not like them nor no other woman that they knew of, having two things like titts on her private parts of a black color, being blacker than the rest of her body, all which circumstance the court weighin in their consideration do therefore order that the sheriff take th eaid Grace into his custody and to commit her body to the common jail of this county there to secure her by irons or otherwise there to remain until such time as he shall be otherwise directed in order for her coming to the common jail fo the country to be brought to a future tial there. Edward Moseley and Mr. Richason. [This entry is made later ont he same day: the court had merely taken a recess for the "ducking." The common jail of the country is the one at Williamburg. If , at the next session of the General Court, Grace Sherwood came up for trial, the records are missing, and probably perished in the burning of the State Courthouse in 1865. She at least survived the tiral; for in 1708 she was confessing judgement for 600 pounds of tobacco, and in 1733, willing her estate to her three sons. It was not until 1740 that the proving of that will shows her deceased.]

NEWS for some folks............FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake To: me Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:29 AM Subject: Grace Sherwood trial, etc Grace Sherwood, the witch of Virginia from Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, ed. George Lincoln Burr, published by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1914 pp. 435-442 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduction To those who know what elements made up the earliest population of Virginia it is needless to point out why there we find no such abiding fear of the Devil and his minions as among the religious exiles of New England. There no Mosaic law was enacted into statute; and the well-known Cavalier sympathies of the colony suggest why the mid-century witch-panic of England's Presbyterian counties found there no echo. Fear of witches, indeed, Virginia did not wholly escape; but her witch-terrors found their source in folk-lore more than in theology, and, though her courts could not keep altogether clear of the matter, their influence seems to have been almost wholly a restraining one. The testimony of their records has, in part at least, been diligently ferreted out, [Notably by Mr. Edward W. James, who published his gleanings first in the William and Mary College Historical Quarterly (I-IV. 1892-1896), then in the Lower Norfolk County Virginia Antiquary (I-III).] and the historian of the social and economic life of the colony has summarized it in a lucid chapter [Philip Alexander Bruce, Institutional History of Viginia in the Seventeenth Century, I. 276-289.] which is the best introduction to the single episode here to be narrated. By the middle of the century the bnadying of the abusive name of "witch" was calling forth actions for slander and vigorous rulings by the courts; and in 1656 a clergyman from Scotland brought against one William Harding the only legl process which is known to have ended in conviction and a penalty -- ten stripes and banishment from the county. Suits enough from that time on there were; but they were brought by the accused for damages, or failed to convince the jury. Especially that souteastern region known a "Lower Norfolk County," and above all, its eastern strip, along the ATlantic, which in 1691 became Princess Anne County, seems to have been disturbed by these suspciions. There in 1675 and 1679 juries of women had been impanelled to search Jane Jenkins and Alice Cartwright, "according to the 18th chapter of Dalton," for the Devil's marks; [What is meant is of course that paragraph of Michael Dalton's many-editioned handbook of procedure, The Countrey Justice, which prescribing tests for the detection of witches, avers that the witch'es imp, or familiar, "hath some big or little teat upon their body, and in some secret place, where he sucketh them." "And besides their sucking, the Devil leaveth other marks upon their body," which "being pricked will not bleed, and be often in their secretest parts, and therefore require diligent and careful search."] and there in 1698 Anne Byrd appealed in vain to a court against wild charges of "riding" her neighbors as a witch. In that same year Grace Sherwood, wife of James Sherwood, planter, a woman in middle life whose father, John White, had long dwelt there as carpenter and planter, was accused by one John Gisburne of bewitching his hogs and cotton. She with her husband brought an acation for slander, but lost it, and was as unsccuessful against Anthony Barnes, who charged her with riding his wife and then ecaping through the keyhole int he shape of a black cat. It ws this Grace Sherwood against whom in 1706 was brought that culminating action for witchcraft to which belong the following papers. Her story ahs been often told -- and often with a generouos use of the imagination. More than once the records have been printed, as in President Cushing of Hampden-Sidney in the Coolections (I 67-68) of the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society and by Henry Howe in his Historical Collections of Virginia (Charleston, 1845) pp. 436-438; but most fully and carefully by Edward W. James, whose pages in the William and Mary College Quarterly (III. 190-192, 242-245; IV 18-20) ahve furnished our text. It has, however been collated afresh with the record at Princess Anne by the editor of the present volume -- and not without correction. It will be noticed that the court clerk uses a sort of short-hand, abbreviating sometimes by a lavish use of "superiors" (as "som'd," for "summoned" Ex'ly" for "Excellency"), sometimes by mere omission of letters. The peculiarities of the text are such that in this instance we have preserved forms which it is now more usual to expand into shapes more easily legible; but hte osbscurer signs (as "y" for "th", or "ff" for "F", or the stork above the final "con" to make it "cion") have not bee reproduced. [Though the old record book through which these entries are scattered is still in good condition, the passages relating to this interesting case are beginning to suffer from wear, and from the first four lines of the entry for July 5, which come at the bottom of a page, a few words have crumbled away, and are preserved only by the transscripts. In the margin of the entry for May 2 are the words "Ag't Grace Sherwood for witchraft," and in that of the ntry for June 6 the words "Bousch Att'r for Queen vs. Sherwood."] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [In my transcription from George Lincoln Burr's book, I have modernized the spelling and filled out the abbreviations for clarity and readability. Richard Seltzer] The Case of Grace Sherwood Princess Ann Sessions. At a Court held January 3, 1706. Whereas Luke Hill and uxor summoned Grace Sherwood to this court in suspicion of witchcraft and she failing to appear, it is therefore ordered that attachemnt to the sheriff do issue to attach her body and answer to the said summons next court. [Luke Hill and wife. Against them in December 1705, Grace Sherwood had brought action for assault and battery, claiming 50 pounds of damages and receiving 20 shillings. What this affray may have had to do with the charge of witchcraft does not appear. The court was the county court, its members a group of "gentlemen of the county, called justices of the peace." Their names appear just below in the entry for March 7. Such a panel of the court heads the record of each of the sessoins named, but its repetition has seemed unnecessary. Grace Sherwood's case was only one of many dealt with at each session. Usually only four or five justices were present.] Under February 6, 1706 Suit for suspicion of witchcraft brought by Luke Hill against Grace Sherwood is ordered ot refer till tomorrow. Under February 7, 1706 Whereas a complaint ws brought against Grace Sherwood on suspicion of witchcraft by Luke Hill, etc., and the matter being after a long time debated and oredered that the said Hill pay all fees of this compalint and that the said Grace be here next court to be searched according to the complaint by a jury of women to decide the difference, and the seriff is likewise ordered to summon an able jury accordingly. Under March 7, 1706 Present: Colonel Edward Moseley, Lieutenant [Colonel] Adam Thorrowgood, Major Henry Sprat, Captain Horatio Woodhouse, Mr. Jonathan Cornick, Captain Henry Champman, Mr. William Smith, Mr. Jonathan Richason, Captain George Handcock, Justicis. Whereas a compaint has been made to this court by Luke Hill and his wife that one Grace Sherwood of this county was and has been a long time suspected of witchcraft and ahs been as such represented wherefore the sheriff at the last court was ordered to cummon a jury of women to this court to search her on the said suspicion, she assenting to the same. And after the jury was impannelled and sworn out to make due inquiry and inspection into all circumstances, after a mature consideration, they bring in this verdict: We of the jury have serached Grace Sherwood and have found two things like titts with several other spots: Elizabeth Barnes, forewoman, Sarah Norris, Margaret Watkins, Hannah Dinnis, Sarah Goodacre, Mary Burgess, Sarah Sergeant, Winifred Davis, Ursula Henly, Ann Bridges, Ezable Waples, Mary Cotle. [At this point the court reached the limit of its powers, and Luke Hill, doubless at its instance, petitioned the highest tribunal of the colony, the General Court, i.e., the Governor and Council, informing them that "one Grace Sherwood of Princes Anne County being suspected of witchcraft upon his complaint to that county court that she had bewitched the petitioiner's wife, the court ordered a jury of women to search the said Grace Sherwood who upon search brought in a verdict against the said Grace, but the court not knowing how to proceed to judgment thereon, the petitioner prays that the Attorney General may be directed to prosecute the said Grace for the same". But the Attorney General, to whom on March 28 the matter was referred, reported on April 16 that he foudn the charge too general and that the county court ought to have made a fuller examination of the matters of fact, and that "pursuant to the directions and powers to County Courts given by a late act of Assembly" they ought, if they thought there was sufficient cause, to have committed the accused to the general prison of the colony, "whereby it would have come regularly before the General Court." Wehrefore he suggested "that the said County Court do make a further enquiry into the matter," and if they find cause for action, to follow the said law' and it wasordered that a copy of his report "be sent to the court of Princess Anne County for their direction in the premises." (Cf. Palmer's Calendar of Virginia STate Papers, I. 100: at some points this corrects Mr. James's readings, at others needs correction by them.] Under May 2, 1706 Whereas a formal complaint was brought against Grace Sherwood for suspiciion of witchcraft, which by the Attorney General Rport to his Excellency in Council was too general and not charging her with any particular act, therefore represented to them that Pricess Ann Court might if they thought fit have her examined De Novo, and the court geing of opinion that there is great cause of suspicion therefore order tha thte sheriff take the said Grace into his safe custody until she shall give bond and security for her appearance to the next court to be examined De Novo and that the constable of that precinct go with the sheriff and search the said Grace's house and all suspicious places carefully for all images and such like things as may any way strengthen the suspicion, and it is likewise ordered that hte seriff summon an able jury of women, also all evidences as can give in anything against her in evidence, in behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, to attend the next court accordingly. [Such "images" of course as withces were believed to make of those they wished to afflict. "They have often," says Dalton, whose book these justices doubtless had open before them, "pictures of clay or wax (like a man, etc., made of such as they would bewitch) found in their house, or which they roast, or bury in the earth, that as the picture consumes, so may the parties beweiched consume."] Under June 6, 1706 Whereas Grace Sherwood of this county ahve been complained of as a person suspected of witchcraft, and now being brought before this court in order for examination, this court has therefore requested Mr. Maximillia Boush to present inforamtion against her as counsel on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen in order for her to be brought to a regular trial. Whereas an information on behalf of her Majesty was presented by Luke Hill to the court in pursuance to Mr. Attorney General Thomson's rport on his Excellency's order in Council the 16th of April last about Grace Sherwood being suspected of witchcraft, have thereupon sworn several evidences against her by which it doth appear very likely. Under June 7, 1706 Whereas at the last court an order was passed that the sheriff should summon an able jury of women to search Grace Sherwood on suspciion of witchcraft, which although the same was perfomred by the sheriff yet they refused and did not appear, it is therefore ordered that the same persons be agaiin summoned by the sheriff for their contempt to be deal with according to the utmost severity of the law, and that a new jury of women be by him summoned to appear next court to search her on the aforesaid suspicion, and that he likewise summon all evidence that he shall be informed of as material in the complaint, and that she continue in the sheriff's custody unless she give good bond and security for her appearance at the next court, and that she be of good behavior towards her Majesty and all her leige people in the mean time. Under July 5, 1706 Present, Mr. Jonathan Richason, Captain Jonathan Moseley, Captain Henry Chapman, Captain William Smyth, Justices. Whereas for this several courts the business between Luke Hill and Grace Sherwood on suspicion of witchcraft have been for several things omitted, particularly for want of a jury to search her, and the court being doubtful that they should not get one this court, and being willing to have all means possible tried either to acquit her or to give more stength to the sucpicion that she might be dealt with as deserved, therefore it was ordered that this day by her own consent to be tried in the water by ducking, but the weather being very rainy and bad so that possibly it might endanger her health, it is therefore ordered that the sheriff request the justices prceisely to appear on Wednesday next by ten o'clock at hte court house, and that he secure the body of the said Grace until that time to be forth coming, then to be dealt with as aforesaid. Jonathan Richason, Henry Chapman. [As to this water ordel for witches see above. These genetlemen were doubtless a committee charged with the matter.] Under July 10, 1706 Whereas Grace Sherwood being suspected of witchcraft has a long time watied for a fit opportunity for a further examination, and by her consent and approbation of this court it is ordered that the sheriff take all such convenient assistance of boats and men as shall be by him thought fit, to meet at Jonathan Harper's plantation in order to take the said Grace forthwith and put her into the above man's depth and try her how she swims therein, always having care of her life to preserve her from drowning, and as soon as she comes out that he request as many ancient and knowing women as he possibly can to search her carefully for all teats, spots, and marks about her body not uusal on others, and that as they find the same to make report on oath to the truth thereof to the court, and further it is ordered that some women be requested to shift and search her before she go into the water that she carry nothing about her to cause any further suspicion. entry made later in the same day Whereas on comaplin of Luke Hill in behalf of her Majesty that now is against Grace Sherwood for a person suspected of witchcraft, and havaing had sundry evidences sworn against her, proving many circumstances to which she could not make any excuse of little or nothing to say in her own behalf, only seemed to rely on what the court should do, and thereupon consented to be tried in the water and likewise to be searched again, which experiments being tried and she swimming when therein and bound, contrary to custom and the judgement of all spectators and afterwards being serached by five ancient women who have all declared on oath that she is not like them nor no other woman that they knew of, having two things like titts on her private parts of a black color, being blacker than the rest of her body, all which circumstance the court weighin in their consideration do therefore order that the sheriff take th eaid Grace into his custody and to commit her body to the common jail of this county there to secure her by irons or otherwise there to remain until such time as he shall be otherwise directed in order for her coming to the common jail fo the country to be brought to a future tial there. Edward Moseley and Mr. Richason. [This entry is made later ont he same day: the court had merely taken a recess for the "ducking." The common jail of the country is the one at Williamburg. If , at the next session of the General Court, Grace Sherwood came up for trial, the records are missing, and probably perished in the burning of the State Courthouse in 1865. She at least survived the tiral; for in 1708 she was confessing judgement for 600 pounds of tobacco, and in 1733, willing her estate to her three sons. It was not until 1740 that the proving of that will shows her deceased.]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.bertie/1814.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Yes, they are both alive today and the ages given should be current. I cant seem to obtain a birth certificate for my great grandmother Sarah Smallwood (born 1921-1924) and I do not know my grandfather George Ruffin. They both currently live in Bertie now.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.bertie/1814.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thanks for the repy. Yes, Sarah had several siblings (they are her half-sisters & brothers). Her stepmother's name is Glossie Smallwood. The childrens names were Freddie Smallwood, "Shortchain" Smallwood, James Smallwood among a host of others too. I can't think of other names right now. I think Sarah's father (don't have a legal name) had children by Glossie's sister too! Please feel free to email me directly at [email protected] or reply. Thanks

Possible that she does not have one... My father was born Jan. 28, 1921 and he never had one either nor did one of his sisters.. She may need to apply for a delayed birth certificate... Bonnie "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.bertie/1814.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Yes, they are both alive today and the ages given should be current. I cant seem to obtain a birth certificate for my great grandmother Sarah Smallwood (born 1921-1924) and I do not know my grandfather George Ruffin. They both currently live in Bertie now. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message --------------------------------- It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar.

Thank you Paul. Great reminders of our past families, rich or poor and the changes they had to make. Regards, Amelia

Thank you, Aimee. Rest well :-) ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] Fw: [DRAKE] important maybe Thank you Paul. Great reminders of our past families, rich or poor and the changes they had to make. Regards, Amelia ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I will try to answer tomorrow, J. ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 3:49 PM Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] Fw: [DRAKE] important maybe Thank you for the information on immigration. I have a question. My ancestors that settled in Bertie apparently were Scotch-Irish and perhaps came from Ulster. Would they have likely come through a port from England? J Bryant ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Thank you for the information on immigration. I have a question. My ancestors that settled in Bertie apparently were Scotch-Irish and perhaps came from Ulster. Would they have likely come through a port from England? J Bryant

Glad you enjoyed it; some typos, but I doubt that I will ever hire out as a typist, anyhow. :-) ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathryn Douglas To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 6:50 AM Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] Fw: [DRAKE] important maybe Paul, thank you so much for your insight. Kathryn Paul Drake wrote: > So many folks researching VA and other colonies have asked about headrights, servants, indentured servants and others who wanted to make their way to these colonies, that I have abstracted an article I wrote for Heritage Quest sometime back. > > Tom Fiske asked : > > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Paul, thank you so much for your insight. Kathryn Paul Drake wrote: > So many folks researching VA and other colonies have asked about headrights, servants, indentured servants and others who wanted to make their way to these colonies, that I have abstracted an article I wrote for Heritage Quest sometime back. > > Tom Fiske asked : > >

So many folks researching VA and other colonies have asked about headrights, servants, indentured servants and others who wanted to make their way to these colonies, that I have abstracted an article I wrote for Heritage Quest sometime back. Tom Fiske asked : Dear_____, I seem to recall that the London Company needed to establish a colony or two and paid a bounty for each person sent from England to America. So indentured and free both came to this country for financial reasons. Add in those who wanted to escape form something in England. There were other companies in the same business, too. ************** There was virtually NO charity in the land policy through the 17th and 18th Centuries. The Crown, through Parliament, set about inducing businessmen to encourage emigration in order to populate the colonies, be rid of some criminals (really, a small percentage of those who made the trip), hundreds of those who wanted to better themselves or even one day own land (they had not been able to do so for 1000 years in the British Isles), be rid of some urchins and some extra daughters and 2nd, 3rd, etc., sons of those with means, and a few who had scrimped and managed to save enough to send one member of the family over. By so doing, the colonies thereby gained people, industry, business and crops, all of which increased the tax base here, very much to the joy of the Crown by reason of its ever increasing annual income. In order to bring that about and as incentives, land was offered in VA on a "headrights" basis, each headright bringing to the owner of that right a warrant for 50 acres (usually 50 in NC, as much as 180 in GA, and as little as 1/4 or 1/2 acre in New England). In order to gain that 50 acres, the person was required to pay for the transportation across the ocean for one headright, that is, one person. The coast to ship one person varied, of course, but it is written that the usual cost to the buyer was about 9-10 British Pounds, no matter the realtionship of the servant to anyone else involved in the deal. Moreover, it was a good business for ships' owners or masters, as well as for brokers here who, in their turn, sold those headrights to whatever buyer he had contacted. It cost those owners/masters about 6 Pounds to keep a person in the lowest form of lodging and food in Britain till he had a full load and was ready to make the trip. Upon arrival here, he could sell the people to anyone - usually a broker - but often planters and businessmen who came down to the docks to buy such folks in order that the needs for labor on their farms or in their businesses be met. All in all, it was a very profitable business resulting in passengers who were less desirable, thus bringing a lower sale price, but some who had trades or talents allowing the owners to sell those for a premium price. It was, equally, an opportunity by Britains poor, destitute or who needed to "get away", to "hire out" in the colonies for no cost except for enduring the terrible transoceanic trip. As said, the jails in England were crowded with neer-do-wells who could be sent here by the courts, all with the approval of the Crown and the Parliament. Not a few were stolen from the streets and placed aboard ship with no chance to do other than come here, and with NO means by which to return home. It was but a short period of time before the system was shot through with stretches of the law and a very broad interpretation of that law. There were myriad of those who were sent under such wide open rules, even to the extent that one seamen who, while working aboard ship, made many round trips to the colonies for his employers. For that work, he claimed 16 headrights for his own travel on the basis that, though paid for his work aboard ship, he still had taken himself over that number of times by his labor. My own ancestor appears as having been transported three times, one time was 3 years after his death !!! Nevertheless, that practice and the unintended results were overlooked or viewed as acceptable because there was here so very much land that was producing no money for Britain and so few people to settle it. Paul

It has been so named since her ducking 3+ years ago ----- Original Message ----- From: Sue Jones Overton To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 3:36 PM Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] Fw: Sherwood I always wondered why that road was named Witch Duck Rd. I am from that area. Thank you, I will read that article. D. Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:20 PM Subject: [NCBERTIE] Fw: Sherwood > > In response to a discussion last evening on the Drake website having to do with differences in the conduct proper now, yet quite different in the centuries past. As a result, several have asked me this morning about the "ducking" of Grace Sherwood resulting from the finding that she was a witch. > > Here is a fine and interesting read and URL. Some of the beliefs of that day are astonishing to us, yet that was their view and belief, and I should make NO judgments. > http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Witch-Grace-Sherwood.html > > Notice too that the dirt road mentioned as the path down which she was taken to Lynhaven Bay yet today is called "Witch Duck Road" and is in mid-"VA Beach"(very near the intersection of VA190 (VA44)and VA225. One of her judges was a son of Adam Thorogood, whose magnificent brick 17th Century home is on the Natl. Register and is open to the public. That fine structure is immediately south of Lynhaven Bay. Though the Thorogoods were very rich, the mass of their contemporaries surely were not. That house is a must for anyone who knows of VA ancestors from the 17th and 18th Centuries. > > Paul > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.bertie/1814.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Can you give us some estimations of the years they lived? Did you mean they are alive today? We do have Census on-line for olden times in Bertie County http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nc/bertie.htm The Smallwood and Ruffin families did intermarry -- both white and black families. The original families lived in the Woodville area. On the Bertie page that I mentioned above we have some diaries belonging to Mr. Smallwood -- look under History. (But these are way back time!) We have a few obits which might be more current.

I always wondered why that road was named Witch Duck Rd. I am from that area. Thank you, I will read that article. D. Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:20 PM Subject: [NCBERTIE] Fw: Sherwood > > In response to a discussion last evening on the Drake website having to do with differences in the conduct proper now, yet quite different in the centuries past. As a result, several have asked me this morning about the "ducking" of Grace Sherwood resulting from the finding that she was a witch. > > Here is a fine and interesting read and URL. Some of the beliefs of that day are astonishing to us, yet that was their view and belief, and I should make NO judgments. > http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Witch-Grace-Sherwood.html > > Notice too that the dirt road mentioned as the path down which she was taken to Lynhaven Bay yet today is called "Witch Duck Road" and is in mid-"VA Beach"(very near the intersection of VA190 (VA44)and VA225. One of her judges was a son of Adam Thorogood, whose magnificent brick 17th Century home is on the Natl. Register and is open to the public. That fine structure is immediately south of Lynhaven Bay. Though the Thorogoods were very rich, the mass of their contemporaries surely were not. That house is a must for anyone who knows of VA ancestors from the 17th and 18th Centuries. > > Paul > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.bertie/1814.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Do you know Sarah's siblings? I a Sarah in my file.

In response to a discussion last evening on the Drake website having to do with differences in the conduct proper now, yet quite different in the centuries past. As a result, several have asked me this morning about the "ducking" of Grace Sherwood resulting from the finding that she was a witch. Here is a fine and interesting read and URL. Some of the beliefs of that day are astonishing to us, yet that was their view and belief, and I should make NO judgments. http://richmondthenandnow.com/Newspaper-Articles/Witch-Grace-Sherwood.html Notice too that the dirt road mentioned as the path down which she was taken to Lynhaven Bay yet today is called "Witch Duck Road" and is in mid-"VA Beach"(very near the intersection of VA190 (VA44)and VA225. One of her judges was a son of Adam Thorogood, whose magnificent brick 17th Century home is on the Natl. Register and is open to the public. That fine structure is immediately south of Lynhaven Bay. Though the Thorogoods were very rich, the mass of their contemporaries surely were not. That house is a must for anyone who knows of VA ancestors from the 17th and 18th Centuries. Paul

A BIG Congrats on a wonderful project, Paul. When I visit in Kentucky, I will see this wonderful Library. Amelia

Thanks, please do so. ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [NCBERTIE] [GenealogyGems] Genealogy Gems: News from theFortWayne Librar... A BIG Congrats on a wonderful project, Paul. When I visit in Kentucky, I will see this wonderful Library. Amelia ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message