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Grace Sherwood
The beautiful lady at the head of Witchduck Road continues to draw significant attention. Robert Cunningham, the world-renowned sculptor from California, who created the statue, paid us a visit recently. The magnificent location and the fabulous overall presentation of the "Grace Sherwood Statue" overwhelmed him. He was particularly entranced with the pedestal and site work. Apparently he took enough pictures to fill a book.
Previous orders for new recognition and memorial bricks have been placed. The process takes about six weeks. The bricks come from Colorado, so shipping time is significant. The installation process should be completed in late October or early November. Brick purchasers will be notified when the bricks are in place. Funds are still being raised for this historic achievement. You can still purchase a memorial or recognition brick in the walkway for $100 each or you may be added to a donor plaque to be located on the statue pedestal. The minimum donation for recognition on the pedestal is $1,000. A donation in any amount will be welcomed and sincerely appreciated. A final dedication booklet will be reprinted once the fund raising program ends, recognizing each and every contributor. The booklet will undoubtedly be a historical document in itself! As you know, the history is in our community; the statue and everything about this wonderful project is now a part of our everyday life. You still have an opportunity to become a part of our history! Call Belinda Nash at 473-5182 for more information. GRACE WHITE SHERWOOD
BORN 1660 DIED 1740
MARRIED APRIL 1680 TO JAMES SHERWOOD
JAMES DIED 1701
SURVIVED BY SONS,
JOHN, JAMES AND RICHARD
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SENTARA HEATHCARE
HAS GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED THIS SITE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR COMMMUNITY AND THE HISTORY THAT SURROUNDS US.
THIS 21ST DAY OF APRIL 2007
SCULPTOR
ROBERT CUNNINGHAM
THE TRIAL OF 1706
AT WITCHDUCK POINT, 10AM JULY 10TH 1706 GRACE SHERWOOD, THE DAUGHTER OF A CARPENTER AND THE WIFE OF A PLANTER IN THE COUNTY OF PRINCESS ANNE, WAS ACCUSED BY NEIGHBORS OF WITCHCRAFT . GRACE WAS TRIED IN THE SECOND PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, FOUND GUILTY, AND CONSENTED TO THE TRADITIONAL TRIAL BY WATER, GRACE WAS TIED CROSSBOUND AND DROPPED INTO WATER ABOVE MAN’S DEPTH. IF SHE WERE TO SINK AND DROWN SHE WAS INNOCENT AND COULD BE BURIED ON HOLY GROUND, GRACE DID FLOAT, THUS WAS GUILTY AS THE PURE WATER WAS CASTING OUT HER EVIL SPIRIT.
SHE WAS INCARCERATED IN THE LOCAL JAIL JUST BEYOND THIS STATUE. AFTER HER RELEASE, GRACE PAID THE BACK TAXES ON HER PROPERTY IN 1714, RETURNED TO HER FARM AND WORKED THE LAND UNTIL HER DEATH AT AGE 80 IN THE AUTUNM OF 1740. GRACE SHERWOOD WAS THE ONLY CONVICTED WITCH TRIED BY WATER, SHE LAYS CLAIM TO WITCHDUCK ROAD. HER LEDGEND LIVES ON AS
“THE INFAMOUS WITCH OF PUNGO”
A WOMAN OF GOOD STANDING WITH THE LYNNHAVEN PARISH CHURCH
MARRIED IN THE PARISH CHURCH IN 1680
WAS TRIED FOR WITCHCRAFT AND FOUND GUILTY, EXONERATED BY GOVERNOR TIMOTHY KAINE JULY 10TH, 2006 AT 10AM To have your name put on a plaque or brick at the statue, please call Belinda Nash at 473-5182 |
The Annual Caroling Hayride is on December 10th, $2.00 per person.The first hayride leaves the Food Lion located at the Pembroke Meadows Shopping Center at the Corner of Pembroke Blvd. and Independance Blvd. at 11:30 am and will continue to pick up passengers every 20 minutes until 3pm.