The Witch of Pungo: Grace Sherwood in Virginia History and Legend

Come join in us to discuss what we hope will be a “spook-tacular” book, The Witch of Pungo: Grace Sherwood in Local History and Legend, by Scott O. Moore. We will meet back at Branches Tasting Room at 6:30pm the day before Halloween, Thursday October 30th.

The description from Goodreads:

“The authoritative cultural history of Virginia’s most famous accused witch

In 1706, Grace Sherwood was “ducked” after her neighbors in Princess Anne County accused her of witchcraft. Binding and throwing her into the Lynnhaven River, they waited to see whether she would float to the top (evidence of her guilt) or sink (proof of her innocence). Incredibly, she survived. This bizarre spectacle became an early piece of Virginia folklore as stories about Sherwood, the “Witch of Pungo,” spread. Her legend still looms large in Tidewater. In 2006, Governor Tim Kaine even issued an informal pardon of Sherwood, read aloud by the mayor of Virginia Beach before the annual reenactment of Sherwood’s ducking.

This is the first book to explore Grace Sherwood’s life and cultural impact in depth. Anyone interested in colonial Virginia, American folklore, and the history and legacy of witch trials will find much to enjoy in this spellbinding book.”

Coincidentally, Virginia Wesleyan University is hosting a talk by the author on Thursday, October 16, from noon until 1250 on campus. The event is free and open to the public if you aren’t working that day. Info about the talk from the school’s Robert Nusbaum Center newsletter:

“Thursday, October 16
12:00 – 12:50 p.m.
Brock Commons
Scott Moore

Why does the story of Virginia's most famous accused witch still haunt—and enchant—us? More than just a tale of colonial injustice, the legend of Grace Sherwood, the so-called "Witch of Pungo," has become a mirror we hold up to ourselves. This program invites us to explore how Sherwood's story has evolved over time: from persecution and spectacle to folklore, commemoration, and even civic pride.

What does our retelling—and re-teaching—of her tale say about who we are and who we aspire to be? How do schools, reenactments, and pop culture shape our understanding of justice, gender, and belonging? Moore traces the strange morphology of a story that refuses to sink — and highlights what that story's persistence reveals about our community and our conscience.

Scott O. Moore, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of History and Assistant Department Chair at Eastern Connecticut State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Modern European History from the University of Maryland, College Park. Moore's research examines the complexity of identity and how cultural, political, and social institutions shape people and their communities. His work also explores the intersections of historical memory, folklore, and identity.”