Witchcraft in Virginia; William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 2, No. 1. (Jul., 1893), pp. 58-60. Transcribed by Sonya Woosley for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collection Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** 58 Witchcraft in Virginia. The following, transcribed by Mr. Edward W. James from the records of Lower Norfolk Co., and Princess Anne Co., are in further evidence that the delusion of witchcraft never made much impression upon the Virginians. In most of the counties whose records are preserved, there is no mention made of the subject. Lower Norff: At at a private Cort held the 23rd of May, 1655, at the howse of Mr Edward Hall in Linhaven, Coll. John Sidney, Mr John Porter, Sen. Lt Col: Tho: Lambert, Mr, John Porter, Jun. Mr. Tho: Bridge, Comrs.(1) Whereas divrs dangerous & scandalous speeches have been raised by some psons concerning sevrall women in this Countie, termeing them to Witch- es, whereby theire reputacons have been much im- paired and theire lives brought in question (ffor avoydeing the like offence.) It is by this Cort or- dered that what pson soever shall hereafter raise any such like scandall, concerninge any partie whatsor, and shall not be able to pve the same, both upon oath, and by sufficient witness, such pson soe offend- ing shall in the first place paie a thousand pounds of tob: and likewise be lyable to further Censure of the Cort ________ (1) County Commissioners or Justices. Page 59 59 Lower Norff: att a Court held ye 15th Decemb. A, (1659,) psent. att Savill Gaskins, Coll:Jno Sidney, Mr John Porter, Jnr Lt. Colo. Tho:Lambart, Capt. Richard ffoster, Capt. ffran: Emperor, Lt Thomas Keelinge. Mr Edmund Bowman, Whereas Ann Godby, the Wife of Tho: Godby, hath contrary to an ordr of ye Court bearing date In May, 1655, Concerning Some Slangers & scandalls Cast upon Women under ye notion of witches hath contemptuously acted in abusing & taking ye good name & Creditt of nico Robinson's wife, terming hre a witche, as by severall deposicons appeares. It is therefore ordd that ye sd Tho: Godby shall pay three hundred pounds of tobo & Caske fine for her Con- tempt of ye menconed order, (being ye first time) & also pay & defray ye Cost of sute together wth y Witnesses' Charges at twenty pounds tobo p day als exec. Princess Anne: At a Court held the 8th Day of July, 1698 {Coll. Anthony Lawson, } prsent {Mr Beno Burrough, } Justices {Capt Jno Thorowgood, } {Mr Edward Moseley, } John Byrd and Anne, his wife, suing Charles Kinsey in an action of Defamation setting forth by their petition that the said Kinsey had falsely and Scandalously Defamed them saying that the said Anne did ride him from his house to Elizth Russells, and that by such his Discourse she was Reported and rendered to be a witch, or such like person, praying one hundred pnds Damage with cost; The Defendt for answer acknowledging that he had Spoke words saying that he either dreamed or had such appear ances, &c. The whole matter being put to a Jury who Page 60 60 bring in their Verdt as followeth: We of the Jury doe find for the Deft, Hugh Campbell, foreman, &c. upon the Defendts mocon It is Ordered that the Ju- ry's Verdict be Recorded, and Judgemt is granted upon the same, that the Suite be Dismist with Cost als Exo. Jno Byrd and Anne, his wife suing Jno Pitts in an action of Defamacon Setting forth by their peticon that the Defendt had falsely & Scandalously De- famed them, saying they had rid him along the Sea- side & home to his own house, by which kind of Dis- course they were Reported & rendered as if they were witches, or in league with the Devill, praying 100 L Sterl. Damage with Cost. The Deft. for an- swer acknowlegeth that to his thoughts, apprehen- sion or best knowledge, they did serve him Soe; The whole matter being put to a Jury who bring in their Verdt as followeth: We of the Jury do find for the Deft, Hugh Cambell foreman &c. upon the Defts Mocon It is Ordered that the Jury's Verdict be Re- corded, and Judgemt is granted upon the same, that the Suite be Dismist with Cost als Exn.