Damn! I am SO glad that I voted for Tim Kaine. I'll admit that Kaine's xian shtick didn't exactly wow me, although I certainly preferred him to his Republican challenger. But this news makes me very happy that I voted for him.
ABC News reports that:
It took 300 years, but Virginia's only convicted witch has finally been pardoned.
State Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was asked to exonerate Grace Sherwood, who was tried by water and accused of using her powers to cause a woman to miscarry. On Monday, the 300th anniversary of Sherwood's "ducking" trial, Kaine obliged.
"I am pleased to officially restore the good name of Grace Sherwood," Kaine said in a letter that was read aloud by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf before a local re-enactment of the ducking.
"With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice," Kaine wrote. [Yeah, Tim. And any kind of trial to find someone guilty of practicing a non-xian religion is, with 300 years of hindsight, an injustice. Just sayin'.]
On July 10, 1706, Sherwood's thumbs were tied to her toes and she was dropped into a river. She floated, proof that she was guilty because the pure water cast out her evil spirit, according to the belief system of the time.
Each year, a small group remembers Sherwood with a re-enactment. Monday's re-enactment took place on land in front of the Ferry Plantation House, a historic home.
Sherwood lived in what today is the rural Pungo neighborhood and she is known as "The Witch of Pungo." She went to court a dozen times, either to fight witchcraft charges or to sue her accusers for slander. In her final case, she was tried for using witchcraft to cause a woman to miscarry.
What happened to Sherwood after she was convicted is unclear. Some court records may have been lost to fire.
She may have been jailed until 1714, when records show she paid back taxes on her property, Ferry Plantation House director Belinda Nash said. She then lived quietly until her death at 80.
It may be difficult for people who are not witches to understand why things like this matter so much to modern witches. It's likely that Ms. Sherwood wasn't even a witch. But what a perverted way to "try" someone. Anyway, thanks, Mr. Kaine. You didn't have to do this, but I'm grateful that you did. I live in Virginia and I vote.
1 comment:
Since when do we have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?
Lillian Hellman
Just as any injustice diminishes us all so does justice, whenever given, improve the world and its people.
Peace and light to Grace Sherwood.
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