Is this true?
Yes, it's true ... Mostly. Waiting for Grace is a work of fiction, but Grace's story is largely based on
FACT!
1660 - Grace is born in what was then known as Princess Anne County, Virginia. This area is now
known as Virginia Beach, Virginia.
1674 - Grace's father, John White of the Virginia Colony, received a land patent for 195 acres in
the area now known as Pungo, Virginia Beach, VA.
1680 - Grace's father gives 50 acres to James Sherwood, his new son-in-law, as a wedding gift.
1681 - Graces' father dies and leaves the remaining acres to James Sherwood.
1696 - The first rumors of witchcraft are made against Grace.
1697 - James Sherwood sues Richard Capps for defamation of character on Grace's behalf.
1698 - James Sherwood sues John Ginsbourne for defamation of character on Grace's behalf. The
case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
1699 - Anthony and Elizabeth Barnes charge Grace with suspicion of witchcraft. They alleged she
broke into Elizabeth's bedroom, beat her,
leap on her back, and then turned herself into a cat to escape through a keyhole. All charges
were dismissed.
1699 - James Sherwood sues Anthony and Elizabeth Barnes with defamation of character on
Grace's behalf. The case was dismissed.
1701 - James Sherwood dies.
1705 - December - Grace Sherwood charges Luke and Elizabeth Hill with trespassing, assault and
battery. Grace prevailed and was awarded twenty pounds of silver plus court costs.
1706 - Luke Hill charged Grace Sherwood with suspicion of witchcraft. After many continuances,
Grace is subjected to a trial by water on 7/10/1706.
1714 - Governor Spotswood of Virginia signs Grace's release as her accusers cannot bear witness
against her.
1740 - Grace Sherwood dies and her estate goes into probate.
2006 - Exactly 300 years to the day and hour of Grace's conviction, Governor Timothy Kaine of
Virginia gives her a full pardon on July 10th.
FACT!
1660 - Grace is born in what was then known as Princess Anne County, Virginia. This area is now
known as Virginia Beach, Virginia.
1674 - Grace's father, John White of the Virginia Colony, received a land patent for 195 acres in
the area now known as Pungo, Virginia Beach, VA.
1680 - Grace's father gives 50 acres to James Sherwood, his new son-in-law, as a wedding gift.
1681 - Graces' father dies and leaves the remaining acres to James Sherwood.
1696 - The first rumors of witchcraft are made against Grace.
1697 - James Sherwood sues Richard Capps for defamation of character on Grace's behalf.
1698 - James Sherwood sues John Ginsbourne for defamation of character on Grace's behalf. The
case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
1699 - Anthony and Elizabeth Barnes charge Grace with suspicion of witchcraft. They alleged she
broke into Elizabeth's bedroom, beat her,
leap on her back, and then turned herself into a cat to escape through a keyhole. All charges
were dismissed.
1699 - James Sherwood sues Anthony and Elizabeth Barnes with defamation of character on
Grace's behalf. The case was dismissed.
1701 - James Sherwood dies.
1705 - December - Grace Sherwood charges Luke and Elizabeth Hill with trespassing, assault and
battery. Grace prevailed and was awarded twenty pounds of silver plus court costs.
1706 - Luke Hill charged Grace Sherwood with suspicion of witchcraft. After many continuances,
Grace is subjected to a trial by water on 7/10/1706.
1714 - Governor Spotswood of Virginia signs Grace's release as her accusers cannot bear witness
against her.
1740 - Grace Sherwood dies and her estate goes into probate.
2006 - Exactly 300 years to the day and hour of Grace's conviction, Governor Timothy Kaine of
Virginia gives her a full pardon on July 10th.