Historical collections of Virginia containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to its history and antiquities, together with geographical and statistical descriptions : to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia : illustrated by over 100 engravings, giving views of the principal towns, seats of eminent men, public buildings, relics of antiquity, historic localities, natural scenery, etc., etc. |
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PRINCESS ANNE. |
 | Historical collections of Virginia |  |
PRINCESS ANNE.
Princess Anne was formed in 1691, from Norfolk county. It is
30 miles long, with a mean breadth of 12 miles: it has the Atlantic
Ocean on the E., and Chesapeake Bay on the N. Cape Henry
forms its northeastern angle, and Back Bay, a branch of Currituck
sound, sets up in its south part. The county is drained by North
River and the east branch of the Elizabeth. Pop., whites 3,996,
slaves 3,087, free colored 202; total, 7,285.
Princess Anne C. H., situated near the centre of the county, 132
miles SE. of Richmond, contains about 20 dwellings. Kempsville,
10 miles southeasterly from Norfolk, on the eastern branch of
Elizabeth River, contains about 30 dwellings. Large quantities
of lumber, navy timber, staves, wood, &c., are sent from this place
by water to Norfolk.
The record here given of the trial of Grace Sherwood for witchcraft,
was presented by the late J. P. Cushing, president of Hampden
Sydney College, to the Virginia Historical and Philosophical
Society, and published in their collections. While it throws
some light on the state of society of that time, it evinces that persecution
for witchcraft was not alone in our country confined to
the Puritans of New England. There, it will be recollected, was
shown a noble example of the strength of moral principle on the
part of the accused, for they had only to declare themselves guilty
and their lives were spared. Rather than do this, many suffered
death. Grace Sherwood met a milder fate. The place where she
was ducked is a beautiful inlet making up from Lynnhaven Bay,
which to this day is called "Witch's Duck."
RECORD OF THE TRIAL OF GRACE SHERWOOD, IN 1705, PRINCES ANNE COUNTY, FOR
WITCHCRAFT.
Princess Anne ss.
At a Court held ye: 3d. of Janry: 170⅚ p. Gent: Mr. Beno: Burro: Collo:
Moseley, Mr. John Cornick Capt: Hancock, Capt: Chapman
Justices
Whereas Luke Hill & uxor somd Grace Sherwood to this Court in suspetion of witchcraft
& she fayling to apear it is therefore ordr. yt: attachmt. to ye: Sherr do Issue to
attach her body to ansr. ye. sd: som next Court.
Princess Anne ss.
At a Court held ye. 6th: ffebry: 170⅚ p: Esent. Colo. Moseley, Collo. Adam
Thorrowgood Capt: Chapman, Capt. Hancocke Mr. John Cornick, Mr. Richason,
Came late
Justices
Suite for suspition of Witchcraft brought by Luke Hill agt: Grace Sherwood is ordr:
to be referr till to morro:
Princess Ann ss.
At a Court held ye: 7th ffebry: 170⅚ p. Gent. Collo: Moseley Left: Collo:
Thorrowgood Mr. John Richason, Mr. John Cornick Capt. Chapman, Capt:
Hancock
Justices
Whereas a Complt: was brought agt: Grace Sherwood upon suspition of witchcraft by
Luke Hill &c. & ye: matter being after a long time debated & ordr. yt: ye: sd. Hill pay
all fees of this Complt: & yt: ye: sd. Grace be here next Court to be Searched according
to ye: Complt: by a Jury of women to decide ye: sd: Differr: and ye. Sherr: is Likewise
ordr. to som an able Jury accordingly.
Princess Ann ss.
At a Court held ye. 7th March 170⅚ Col: Edward Moseley, Lieut: Adam
Thorrowgood, Majr. Henry Sprat—Captn: Horatio Woodhouse, Mr. John
Cornick Capt: Henry Chapman, Mr. Wm. Smith, Mr. Jno Richason Captn.
Geo. Hendcock
Justices
Whereas a Complaint have been to this Duq Court by Luke Hill & his wife yt. one
Grace Sherwood of ye. County was and have been a long time suspected of witchcraft
& have been as such represented wherefore ye. Sherr. at ye. last court was ordr: som a
Jury of women to ye. Court to serch her on ye. sd. suspicion she assenting to ye. same
—and after ye. Jury was impannelled and sworn & sent out to make due inquirery &
inspection into all cercumstances after a mature consideration they bring in yr. verditt;
were of ye. Jury have sercath: Grace Sherwood & have found two things like titts wth:
severall other spotts—Eliza. Barnes, forewoman, Sarah Norris, Margt. Watkins, Hannah
Dimis, Sarah Goodaerd, Mary Burgess, Sarah Sergeent, Winiford Davis, Ursula
Henly, Ann Bridgts, Exable Waplies—Mary Cotle.
At a court held ye. 2nd. May 1706 Present Mr. Jno. Richason, Maj. Henrey Spratt
Mr. John Cornick, Capt: Henry Chapman, Mr. Wm Smyth Justices.
Whereas a former Complt. was brought agt Grace Sherwood for suspicion of Witchcraft,
wth. by ye. attorny Genll: report to his Excly. in Councll was to Generall and not
charging her with any perticular act therefore represented to yem: yt. Princess Ann
Court might if they thought fitt have her examined de novo & ye. Court being of opinion
yt. there is great cause of suspicion doe therefore ordr. yt. ye. Sherr. take ye. said Grace
into his safe costody untill she shall give bond & security for her appearance to ye. next
Court to be examined De novo & yt. ye. Constable of yt. pr sinkt goe with ye. Sherr:
& serch ye. said Graces house & all suspicious places carefully for all Images & such
like things as may any way strengthen the suspicion & it is likewise ordered yt. ye.
Sherr: som an able Jury of women also all evidences as cann give in any thing agt: her in
evidence in behalf of our Sovereign Lady ye. Qeen to attend ye. next Court accordingly.
Princess Ann ss.
At a Court held ye. 6th. June 1706. Present Mr. Jno. Richason: Capt Horatio
Woodhouse Mr. John Cornick, Capt Henry Chapman, Capt: Wm Smith, Capt:
Geo: Hancock
Justices
Whereas Grace Sherwood, of ye. County have been Complained of as a person suspected
of witchcraft & now being brought before this Court in Crde: for examinacon ye.
have therefore requested Mr. Maxmt: Bonsh to present informacon agt her as Councill
in behalf of our sovereign lady ye. Qeen in order to her being brought to a regular triall.
Whereas an Information in behalf of her Mage. was presented by Luke Hill to ye.
Court in pursuance to Mr. Genell. Attey's Tomson report on his Excellcy: ordr. in
Councill ye. 16th Aprill last about Grace Sherwood being suspected of Witchcraft have
thereupon sworn severall evidences agt. her by wth. it doth very likely appear.
Princess Anne ss.
At a Court held the 7th: of June 1706. Mr. Jno. Richason, Majr. Henry
Spratt Mr. John Cornick, Captn: Chapman Captn. Wm Smyth, Capt: Geo:
Hancock
Justices
Whereas at the last Court an ordr. was past yt: ye. Sherr: should sommons an able
Jury of women to serch Grace Sherwood on suspicion of witchcraft wch: although ye.
same was performed by ye. Sherr: yet they refused, and did not appear it is therefore
Ordr. yt. ye. same persons be again somd. by ye. Sherr: for their contempt to be dealt
wth: according to ye. utmost severity of ye. law, & yt. a new Jury of women be by him
somd. to appear next Court to serch her on ye. aforesd. suspicion & yt. He likewise som
all evidences yt. he shall be informed of as materiall in ye. Complaint & yt. She continue
in ye. Sherr: Costody unless she give good bond and security for her appearance at
ye. next Court and yt. she be of good behaviour towards her Majesty & all her leidge
people in ye. meantime.
Princess Anne ss.
At a Court held ye. 5th. July Anno Dom: 1706. Present Mr Jno Richason,
Captn. Jno Moseley Captn. Henry Chapman, Captn Wm: Smyth
Justices
Whereas for this severall Courts ye. business between Luke Hill & Grace Sherwood
on suspicion of Witchcraft have been for severall things omitted particularly for want
of a Jury to serch her & ye. Court being doubtfull that they should not get one ys.
Court & being willing to have all means possible tryed either to acquit her or to give
more strength to ye. suspicion yt. she might be dealt with as deserved therefore It was
Ordr. yt. ys. day by her own consent to be tryed in ye. water by ducking, but ye.
weather being very rainy, & bad soe yt. possibly it might endanger her health it is
therefore ordr. yt. ye. Sherr. request ye. Justices p e. essvly to appear on Wednessday
next by tenn of ye. Clock at ye. Court-house & yt. he secure the body of ye. sd. Grace
till ye. time to be forthcoming yn. to be dealt wth. as aforesd.
Princess Ann ss.
At a Court held ye. 10th: July 1706. Present: Col: Moseley, Captn Mose.
ley Capt: Woodhouse, Mr John Cornick, Capt Chapman Capt: Wm Smyth—
Mr. Richason—came late—
Justices
Whereas Grace Sherrwood being suspected of Witchcraft have a long time waited
for a ffit upportunity ffor a ffurther examinacon & by her consent & approbacon of ye.
Court it is ordr. yt. ye. Sherr: take all such convenient assistance of boats and men as
shall be by him thought ffit to meet at Jno. Harpers plantacon in orde. to take ye. sd.
Grace forthwith & but her into above mans debth & try her how she swims therein,
alwayes having care of her life to peserve her from drowning & as soon as she comes
out yt. he request as many antient & knowing women as possible he cann to serch her
carefully for all teats, Spotts & marks about her body not usuall on others & yt. as they
find ye. same to make report on oath to ye. truth thereof to ye. Court & further it is
ordr. yt. som women be requested to shift & serch her before she goe into ye. water
yt. she carry nothing about her to cause any ffurther serspicion.
(Same Day & only one order between the above order & the following. I suppose
the Court which was then held at the Ferry "Jno. Harper's plantation" & about one
mile from witch duck, went to see this ceremony or trial made Clk:)
Whereas on complaint of Luke Hill in behalf of her Magesty yt. now is agt. Grace
Sherrwood for a peson suspected of withcraft & having had sundey: evidences sworne
agt: her proving many cercumstances & which she could not make any excuse or little
or nothing to say in her own behalf only seemed to rely on wt. ye. Court should doe
& thereupon consented to be tryed in ye. water & likewise to be serched againe wth.
experimts: being tryed & she swiming Wn. therein & bound contrary to custom & ye.
Judgts. of all the spectators & afterwards being serched by ffive antient weamen who
have all declared on oath yt. she is not like ym: nor noe other woman yt. they knew of
having two things like titts on her private parts of a Black coller being blacker yn: ye:
rest of her body all wth: cercumstance ye. Court weighing in their consideracon doe
therefore ordr. yt. ye. Sherr: take ye. sd. Grace into his costody & to comit her body to
ye. common Joal of this County their to secure her by irons or otherwise there to remain
till such time as he shall be otherwise directed in ordr. for her coming to ye. common
goal of ye: Countey to be brought to a ffuture tryall there.
[Copy][1]
The copy of the Record in the above case seems to have been made out with great care by the
clerk. The orthography, abbreviations, and other peculiarities of character, have been preserved in type
with as much accuracy as possible; still, in some few instances, it has been found difficult to decipher
the copy.
In the war of the revolution this county, in common with the
country around Norfolk, suffered from the enemy. On the 16th of
November, 1775, a skirmish took place between some militia of
the county and the enemy, an account of which is subjoined from
Girardin:
Hearing that about 200 men of the Princess Anne militia were on their march to join
the troops destined for the protection of the lower country, Dunmore had proceeded from
Norfolk at the head of a superior force, composed of regulars, fugitive slaves, and disaffected
inhabitants, with a view to intercept that patriotic band. The latter, aware of
no hostile design, advanced in incautious security to the place of their destination.
They were unexpectedly attacked, and compelled to engage under the double disadvantage
of an unfavorable ground and inferior numbers. Supported, however, by inherent
courage, and warmed by the justice of a noble cause, they for some time fought with
great bravery and execution. At last the combined disadvantages just mentioned compelled
them to retreat, which they did in perfect order. John Ackiss, one of the minutemen,
was killed on the spot. Col. Hutchings and a Mr. Williams, with seven others,
were wounded and taken prisoners.[2]
In the summer of 1777, the counties of Princess Anne and Norfolk
became a prey to the depredations of Josiah Philips and his
tory-banditti. When pursued, they sought shelter among the disaffected,
or fled into their secret haunts in the Dismal Swamp.
annexed are from Girardin:
A certain Josiah Philips, laborer, of the parish of Lynnhaven, in the county of Princess
Anne, a man of daring and ferocious disposition, associating with other individuals of a
similar cast, spread terror and desolation through the lower country, committing murders,
burning houses, wasting farms, and perpetrating other enormities, at the bare mention
of which humanity shudders. Every effort to apprehend him had proved abortive.
Strong in the number of his ruffian confederates, or, where force would probably fail,
resorting to stratagem and ambush, striking the deadly blow, or applying the fatal torch
at the midnight hour, and in those places which their insulated situation left almost
unprotected, he retired with impunity to his secret haunts, reeking with blood, and loaded
with plunder. The inhabitants of the counties which were the theatre of his crimes,
never secure a moment by day or by night, in their fields or their beds, sent representations
of their distresses to the governor, claiming the public protection. He consulted
with some members of the legislature then sitting, on the best method of proceeding
against this atrocious offender. Too powerful to be arrested by the sheriff and his posse
comitatus, it was not doubted that an armed force might be sent to hunt and destroy
him and his accomplices, in their morasses and fastnesses, wherever found; but the
proceeding concluded to be most consonant with the forms and principles of our government
was, to pass, during the present session, an act giving him a reasonable, but limited
day to surrender himself to justice, and to submit to a trial by his peers according to the
laws of the land; to consider a refusal as a confession of guilt, and divesting him, as an
outlaw, of the character of citizen, to pass on him the sentence prescribed by these laws;
and the public officer being defied, to make every one his deputy, especially those whose
safety hourly depended on the destruction of the daring ruffian. The case was laid
before the legislature. The proofs were ample: his outrages no less notorious than those
of the public enemy, and well known to the members of both houses from the lower
countries. No one pretended then that the perpetrator of crimes, who could successfully
resist the officers of justice, should be protected in the continuance of them by the privileges
of his citizenship; and that, when he baffled ordinary process, nothing extraordinary
could be rightfully adopted to protect the citizens against him. No one doubted
that society has a right to erase from the roll of its members any one who renders his
own existence inconsistent with theirs—to withdraw from him the protection of their
laws, and to remove him from among them by exile, or even by death, if necessary. An
enemy in lawful war putting to death in cold blood the prisoner he has taken, authorizes
retaliation, which would be inflicted with peculiar justice on the individual guilty of the
deed were it to happen that he should be taken. And could the murders and robbery of
a pirate or outlaw entitle him to more tenderness? The legislature passed the law,
therefore, and without opposition. Philips did not come in before the day prescribed,
continued his lawless outrages, was afterwards taken in arms, but delivered over to the
ordinary justice of the country. The attorney-general for the commonwealth, the immediate
agent of the government, waiving all appeal to the act of attainder, indicted
him at the common law as a murderer and robber. He was arraigned on that indictment
in the usual forms, before a jury of his vicinage, and no use whatever made of the
act of attainder in any part of the proceedings. He pleaded that he was a British subject,
authorized to bear arms by a commission from Lord Dunmore; that he was, therefore,
a mere prisoner of war, and under the protection of the law of nations. The court
being of opinion that a commission from an enemy could not protect a citizen in deeds
of murder and robbery, overruled his plea. He was found guilty by his jury, sentenced
by the court, and executed by the ordinary officer of justice; and all "according to the
forms and rules of the common law."
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