The Haunting of Witchduck Road

Virginia Beach has a very colorful past that is sure to spark the interest of history buffs and the imagination of children alike. From the origins of the Jamestown Settlers and Blackbeard the pirate, to the roots of the Old US Coast Guard Station and the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, our city is a wealth of rich history. The story of Grace Sherwood and the naming of Witchduck Road are no different.

The legend begins in the early 1700’s when it seems that farmers in the Virginia Beach area found themselves in the midst of a series of rather unfortunate events that laid waste to the cotton fields and the cows’ milk; not to mention an unexplained excess of unfaithful husbands.

Lacking substantial rhyme or reason for the cause of these ill-fated incidents blame was placed squarely on the shoulders of Grace Sherwood. According the local women, Mrs. Sherwood’s familiarity with herbs along with her pretty looks and penchant for tight clothing earned her an unwanted characterization: “witch”. To that end, the local judge sentenced Sherwood to be tried as a witch by ducking (the customary test of the times). And so, on July 10, 1706 Mrs. Sherwood – her thumbs tied to her big toes - was taken to the Lynnhaven River where she was ducked; she was the first person in Virginia to be tried for witchcraft by water. The road leading to her ducking spot commemorates the event with the name Witchduck Road.

Because Grace Sherwood saw fit to free herself and swim to safety – an innocent person would have sunk - she was confirmed to be a witch and spent several years in jail. Upon her release she returned home to her three sons and her farm in Pungo where she died in 1740 at the age of 80.

Three years ago Grace Sherwood was exonerated of her crimes by Governor Timothy Kaine, and a bronze statue created in her honor at Sentara Bayside Hospital. Additional tributes to Mrs. Sherwood include Witch Duck Point, Witch Duck Bay, Sherwood Lane and Witch Point Trail.

Grace Sherwood is said to visit her ducking point every July in the form of a mysterious dancing light that appears hovering above the waters of Witch Duck Bay.

For further reading on Virginia Beach’s ghostly history see “Haunted Virginia Beach”, “Ghosts, Witches and Weird Tales of Virginia Beach” and “GONE… But Not Forgotten, Virginia Beach”.