Published: July 14, 2006 03:22 pm      

Witch hunts: Unfounded public hysteria can lead to murderous consequences

In an unusual “informal pardon” last week, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine restored the good name of Commonwealth resident Grace Sherwood — known 300 years ago as the Witch of Pungo.

Sherwood was Virginia’s only convicted witch tried by water — meaning she floated after being tied cross-bound, thumbs to toes, and dropped into the Lynnhaven River. Although floating may have saved Sherwood’s life, it was, at the time, considered proof of her nefarious crime — the belief being pure water cast out her evil spirit.

By today’s standards, Sherwood’s lifestyle would not be out of the mainstream. But in the early 1700s, she lived a hard life.

A widow and midwife, Sherwood would, at times, wear men’s clothes. And despite the inherent dangers of child-bearing and childbirth, it was a neighbor’s miscarry that led to accusations she used witchcraft to cause the tragedy.

Sherwood was 46 at the time of this final trial, but she has already been in court a dozen times before to fight previous charges of witchcraft or to sue accusers for slander.

Unlike many convicted of witchcraft centuries ago, Sherwood was not executed. However, she was imprisoned for several years.

Records indicate she paid back taxes in 1714 and was able to reclaim her property, the Associated Press reported, after which she lived quietly until her death at age 80.

lll

Sadly, Sherwood could be considered one of the lucky ones.

During the time of the witch trials, which ravaged lives across Europe and the American colonies from the mid-15th to the mid-18th centuries, 12,000 people are known to have been executed for witchcraft.

Estimates that take lost records into account increase that number to 40,000, with some estimating the number of executions could have numbered up to 100,000.

Yet no matter which total one holds most accurate, it is clearly a frightening and troubling time in our history: A time when too many lives were lost based on an accusation ...

Or by being afraid during an interrogation.

Or having a “witch” in the family.

Or a diabolical mark (which may be viewed today as an unfortunate birthmark).

Or by one of several other “proofs” that could establish that one practiced witchcraft.

And then there was the torture — the accepted method for discovering “the truth” after a person was arrested for this crime.

In our American history, the most famous of these trials occurred in Salem, Mass., when 20 people were executed and more were imprisoned in 1692 after being branded as practicing witchcraft.

During this time the witch trials in Europe were on the decline, but it did not stop the Puritan inquisition from devastating the town.

The event began in February of the year when three young girls, including the 9-year-old daughter of the village minister Rev. Samuel Parris, began having unexplained “fits,” which included convulsions, trance-like spells and strange shouts of gibberish. The girls were believed to be under the influence of evil, and under pressure soon named three women in town as responsible for their actions — an elderly woman, Sarah Osburn; a beggar, Sarah Good, and the Parris’ family slave, Tituba.

Osburn and Good denied the charges, but Tituba confessed and told of a conspiracy in the town. Soon more and more were named as witches.

Trials were convened throughout the ensuing months, and on June 10 the first execution became official when villager Bridget Bishop was hanged.

“I am no witch,” Bishop said. “I am innocent. I know nothing of it.”

lll

Gov. Kaine’s act to clear Sherwood’s name came last Monday, on the anniversary of her infamous conviction.

“With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice,” the governor wrote in a letter to Belinda Nash, a researcher of Sherwood who requested the exoneration. “We also can celebrate the fact that a woman’s equality is constitutionally protected today, and women have the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams.”

Kaine’s word ring true. But this belated pardon of Sherwood should serve as a reminder to us all of the dangers of rash judgments and a quickness to brand others.

We believe our society has evolved above the threat of mass hysteria and cries of “witchcraft” — yet still today we see fingers pointing quickly and labels painted in haste when one individual’s views, beliefs or lifestyle stray far from another’s.

Sherwood, Good, Osburn, Tituba, Bishop and the many others convicted in witch trials across the world left a legacy that bears a vivid message of the dangers of unfair and irrational justice.

We all would do well to remember it.

Samantha Perry is managing editor of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Contact her at sperry@bdtonline.com.