The Salem witch trials, also known as the Cry Witch Williamberg, were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the execution of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and imprisonment of many others. The events of the Salem witch trials began in January 1692 when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women in the community of bewitching them. The accusations quickly spread, and soon more individuals were accused of witchcraft. The trials were conducted in a highly controversial manner, with spectral evidence often accepted as proof of guilt. The town of Salem, particularly the village of Williamberg, became engulfed in a frenzy of fear and suspicion.
The last known case of witchcraft in Virginia occurred in 1730. Accusations began when people suspected a woman named Mary of using witchcraft to find lost items and treasure. As a punishment for the accusation, she was reportedly whipped thirty-nine times.
Historical records show that Sherwood was born in Pungo, Virginia located in the Southern part of Virginia, Beach in 1660 to carpenter John White and his wife, Susan White. Eventually, a jury of women were assigned the task of searching Sherwood for incriminating marks spots where a witch might feed an animal-like demon given to her by the devil.
The town of Salem, particularly the village of Williamberg, became engulfed in a frenzy of fear and suspicion. People accused each other, and paranoia grew. The legal system was overwhelmed, and a special court, known as the Court of Oyer and Terminer, was established to handle the witch trials.
Cry Witch at Colonial Williamsburg
The polished wood gleams in the glow of flickering candles. It’s nighttime, and little moonlight breaks through the circular window panes in their cream-colored frames.
Several dozen visitors have gathered in the courtroom of Colonial Williamsburg‘s red-brick Capitol building to serve as the jury in a recreated trial of Grace Sherwood, the “Virginia witch”. In the dimness, their 21st-century garb is slightly shrouded, and the atmosphere seems at least a little like 1706.
A midwife who sometimes sported pants, Mrs. Sherwood did not remarry after her husband’s death in 1701. She was tried several times on charges like bewitching her neighbors’ crops. Then in 1706, a local farmer named Luke Hill accused the 46-year-old of practicing witchcraft and thus causing his wife to miscarry. On July 10 of that year, Mrs. Sherwood’s hands were tied, and she was thrown from a boat into the Lynnhaven River. Able to swim, Mrs. Sherwood untied her hands and rose to the surface — thus proving that she was a witch. (Drowning would have established her innocence.) Court records indicate that she spent seven or eight years in gaol as punishment.
Colonial Williamsburg’s mock trial takes place after this water test. Because she’s charged with a capital crime, the trial takes place in the Capitol, presided over by the Royal Governor. Her water test failure is presented as evidence of her guilt, as is the statement that her devil’s marks (birthmarks) did not bleed when punctured and testimony that she never takes Communion. Mr. Hill testifies that, after Mrs. Sherwood visited his farm, his “pigs began to act peculiar-like and die”.
Unfortunately for Mrs. Sherwood, defendants cannot be sworn, and anything she says in her own defense cannot be counted as evidence. On the other hand, there is no protection from self-incrimination. There is neither the presumption of innocence nor the recognition of the (derived) right to face one’s accuser. When the prosecutor declares that Mrs. Hill, appearing as a witness, is “afraid to be in the same room as the witch”, the Governor-judge directs Mrs. Sherwood not to look at Mrs. Hill and assures the witness that God will protect her.
Despite the fact that this trial mocked fundamental principles of Western justice, natural science, and common sense, Mrs. Sherwood was convicted 44-13 by the jury and sentenced to hang. (Your humble blogger was among the 13.) According to a CW guide, juries convict Mrs. Sherwood in about 80 percent of the mock trials. She is, however, entitled to appeal to the Governor.
In real life, history suggests that Mrs. Sherwood returned to her farm after serving her time in gaol and lived there until her death c. 1740. England’s last law against witchcraft was repealed in 1951.
On July 10, 2006, Governor Tim Kaine informally pardoned Mrs. Sherwood.
I fell in love with travel on a trip to Mexico when I was nine years old. Since then, I’ve travelled the globe from Israel to El Salvador. I’ve skied the Swiss Alps and hiked national parks like Acadia, Zion, Shenandoah, and Virgin Islands. I’ve marvelled at masterpieces in the Prado, the Uffizi, the Huntington, and the National Gallery of Art. I’ve stayed in a cabin on a mountaintop in Norway and on a kibbutz along the Sea of Galilee, and been kicked out of the Ritz at the Place Vendôme. I’ve taken cooking classes from New England to the Caribbean, and watched a chef prepare traditional shakshuka in the kitchen of his restaurant in Tel Aviv. I weave historical research and my personal experiences together in writing this blog. I hope you find it helpful. Read more …
Grace Sherwood’s story is known and celebrated throughout Virginia annually. InPungo, Sherwood is an honorary official of the town’s annual strawberry festival. Also, in Williamsburg, there is a yearly reenactment of her trial. She is known throughout Virginia Beach, which also holds a yearly reenactment, held at the Ferry Plantation House. In 2006, during this reenactment, Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf read the pardon for Grace Sherwood aloud. He also declared that July 10th (300 years after her trial to the day), be known as Grace Sherwood Day.
The court conducted hurried trials, often lacking proper legal procedures, resulting in the conviction and execution of many innocent people. The hysteria eventually subsided, and the trials came to an end in May 1693. The aftermath of the Salem witch trials left a lasting impact on the community. The families of those accused and executed faced social stigma and hardship. The trials also revealed deep-seated divisions within the community and raised questions about the authority and fairness of the legal system. In the centuries that followed, the Salem witch trials have been studied and analyzed by historians, sociologists, and researchers to understand the underlying causes and consequences of the events. They have been seen as a reflection of the dangers of mass hysteria, the influence of Puritan beliefs, the power dynamics within society, and the role of gender in witchcraft accusations. The Cry Witch Williamberg remains a significant event in American history, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of unfounded accusations, fear, and intolerance. It stands as a cautionary tale for the importance of upholding justice and maintaining a fair legal system..
Reviews for "Witchcraft in Williamsburg: A Cultural Perspective"
- Mary - 1 star - Unfortunately, I found "Cry Witch Williamberg" to be quite disappointing. The plot was lackluster and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect or empathize with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was clumsy and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, I couldn't wait for the book to end and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers who are seeking a gripping and engrossing witch-themed story.
- John - 2 stars - While "Cry Witch Williamberg" had an intriguing premise, it fell short in execution. The pacing was incredibly slow, with unnecessary detail and overly descriptive passages that dragged the story down. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions and a sense of disconnectedness from the setting. Furthermore, the main character's motivations and actions often seemed irrational and inconsistent, making it difficult for me to fully invest in the story. I was left underwhelmed and wouldn't consider reading any sequels to this book.
- Emily - 2 stars - "Cry Witch Williamberg" had the potential to be an exciting adventure, but it failed to deliver. The writing lacked finesse, with awkward sentence construction and repetitive phrases that became distracting. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult for me to follow along with the story. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic, with no real chemistry between the characters. Overall, I found this book to be a mediocre read that didn't live up to its promising concept.