History professor explores cultural impact of the 'Witch of Pungo' Moore acknowledges impact of modern media on retelling of history

Students and faculty filled the Johnson Room in Eastern Connecticut State University's J. Eugene Smith Library to hear Scott Moore, associate professor of history, discuss his recent book, "The Witch of Pungo."

The book focuses on Grace Sherwood, a farmer's wife accused of witchcraft in the late 1600s in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach, VA.

Moore said that before beginning his research, little was confirmed about Sherwood other than the fact that in 1706, she was tried by ducking. "We know she was accused of being a witch, but we don't know much else about the trial other than the fact that she survived," he said.

Moore explained that Sherwood's case is a rare example of a formal witch trial in Virginia, where accusations were usually settled through slander suits. "We know that many of her accusations were based on some financial struggles and dramatic changes in fortune, which were usually grounds for suspicions of witchcraft," said Moore. "One very entertaining accusation involved her neighbor Elizabeth Barnes, who claimed Sherwood 'rode her like a horse and turned into a cat.'"

Moore explained how his research gradually shifted from the details of Sherwood's little-known life to how her story has been told over the past 300 years, exploring her impact on the culture in the surrounding towns. He said that he relied heavily on community groups, historic house archives and past authors who had conducted research on Sherwood's life. He also interviewed dozens of locals who "gave him a window into their cultural heritage."

"I'm much more interested in historical memory than I am in history, and I was very grateful for the willingness of people to share the information and the knowledge and the stories that they had," said Moore. "It's not only an interesting case of a major witch trial outside of New England, but also what drew me to the project is that cultural resonance and that cultural impact. In fact, two-thirds of the book are not about her trial."

Moore's talk also touched on the modern impact legacy of Sherwood's story, saying that her legends skyrocketed in popularity in the mid-20th century, highlighting the efforts of local historians, bookkeepers, authors and even small business owners who preserve her legacy through a variety of media and events.

"Thanks to the amount of advocacy for Sherwood, the way we tell her story has literally reshaped," said Moore, acknowledging the ever-shifting stigma around Sherwood's name. "I fully acknowledge the last third of the book is completely outdated because people keep doing stuff. There will be new festivals, books and ways of commemorating.

"Also, with things like podcasts and YouTube channels, the stories (will) spread to wider and wider audiences."

He continued: "I think this final stage shows the way communities preserve their own folklore, to the point where she's almost a local mascot, like the Jersey Devil is for New Jersey. It's important to acknowledge the way we now tell those stories for using modern media and things like that."