Witchcraft in Early North America - Alison Games [87]
James Sherwood and Grace his wife suing Anthony Barnes and Elizabeth his wife in an action of Slander setting forth by their petition that the said Elizabeth had wronged and abused the said Grace in her good name & reputation saying the said Grace came to her one night and rid her and went out of the key hole or crack of the door like a black Catt &c prayes Judgment for 100£ sterling damage with Cost: to which the Defendent pleadeth not guilty. The whole matter being put to a Jury who bring in their Verdict as followeth Wee of the Jury find for the Defendent. . . .
[The Sherwoods had to pay costs for their nine witnesses in the case]
[James Sherwood died intestate in 1701, leaving an estate worth 3000 pounds tobacco]
At a Court the 7th Xber [December] 1705
Grace Sherwood Suing Luke Hill & Uxor [wife] In an action of Trespass of Assault & Battery Setting forth how the Defendents Wife had Assaulted Brused Maimed & Barbarously Beaten the plaintiff to her great damage fifty Pounds Sterr: Damage to which the Defendents by Richard Corbitt their Attorney pleaded not Guilty & of this put themselves on the Country with the plaintiff in Like manner whereupon a Jury was Impanelled and Sworne to try the Case who Bring in their verdict wee of the Jury doe in a Difference depending Between Grace Sherrwood plaintiff & Luke Hill & Elizbth his wife defendent find for the plaintiff twenty Shill: Sterr: Damages with Cost. . . .
At a Court held the 3d of January 1705–6
Whereas Luke Hill & uxor Summoned Grace Sherwood to this Court in Suspition of witchcraft & she fayling to appear it is therefore ordered that attachment to the Sherr do Issue to attach her body to answer the said Summons next Court
ffebry 6th 1705–6
Suite for Suspition of witchcraft brought by Luke Hill against Grace Sherwood is ordered to be referr till to morro
ffebry 7th 1705–6
Whereas a Complaint was brought against Grace Sherrwood on Suspition of witchcraft by Luke Hill &c: & the matter being after a long time debated & ordr that the said Hill pay all fees of this Complaint & that the said Grace be here next Court to be Searched according to the complaint by a Jury of women to decide the said Differr: & the Sherr is Likewise ordr to Summon an able Jury accordingly
At a Court held the 7th March 1705/6
Whereas a Complaint have been to this Court by Luke Hill & his wife that one grace Sherrwood of the County was & Have been a long time Suspected of witchcraft & have been as Such Represented wherefore the Sherr at the last Court was ordered to Som a Jury of women to the Court to Serch her on the said Suspicion She assenting to the Same and after the Jury was impannelled and Sworn & Sent out to make Due inquirery & Inspection into all Circumstances After a Mature Consideracon They bring in the verditt wee of the Jury have Serchtt Grace Sherwood & have found Two things like titts with Severall other Spotts Elizr Barnes forewoman Sarah Norris Margrit Watkins Hannah Dinnis Sarah Goodacre Mary Burgess Sarah Sergeent Winifred Davis Ursula Henley ann Bridgs Ezabh waples Mary Cotle
[The action surrounding this case moved in late March to the Council of Virginia]
At a council held at her Majesties Royall Capitol the 28th day of March, 1706:
Luke Hill by his petition informing this Board that one Grace Sherwood of Princess Anne County being suspected of witchcraft upon his complaint to that county court that she had bewitched the petitioners wife, the court ordered a jury of women to serch the said Grace Sherwood who upon search brought in a verdict against the said Grace, but the court not knowing how to proceed to judgment thereon, the petitioner prays that the attorney Generall may be directed to prosecute the said Grace for the same.
Ordered that the said peticon be referred to Mr Attorney Generall to consider & report his opinion to his Excellcy & the council on the first day of the next Genl court
April the 16th 1706
Mr Attorney Generall haveing in pursuance of an order of this Board reported