Belinda Nash

Belinda Jacqueline Nash (October 27, 1946 – February 16, 2016) was an American historian, author and activist. She wrote a biography of Grace Sherwood, the last person "convicted" by ducking of being a witch in Virginia. As a result of Nash's work, Sherwood was given a pardon, 300 years after her trial by ordeal.

Belinda Nash
Nash at the Ferry Plantation House, Halloween 2010
BornOctober 27, 1946
Canada
DiedFebruary 16, 2016(2016-02-16) (aged 69)
Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation
  • Author
  • Historian
  • Activist
OrganizationFerry Plantation House

History

In the 1980s, Nash moved from Stratford Ontario, Canada to Virginia Beach. She became interested in the etymology of the name Witchduck Road which was close to her home. As a result, she researched Grace Sherwood for around 20 years[1] and with her daughter, Danielle Sheets, co-wrote a biography of her, A Place in Time: The Age of the Witch of Pungo.[2] Sherwood's life had been described before by Louisa Venable Kyle in The Witch of Pungo and Other Historical Stories of the Early Colonies, a fiction book written for children including biographical data, published in 1973.

Nash has been on the board of Directors of the Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach from 1996 and its director from 1999.[3] She has provided information on Sherwood to visitors, dressed in a period costume. The ducking has been re-enacted annually.[4] Sherwood was an unusual character who survived the ordeal and lived into her eighties.[1]

In response to Nash's activity, the Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, pardoned Sherwood on July 10, 2006,[3][4][5] 300 years after her trial by ordeal.[6] He wrote: "We also can celebrate the fact that a woman's equality is constitutionally protected today, and women have the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams." [7] During the ceremony at the Ferry Plantation House, where Sherwood's trial was partly held, the annual re-enactment was performed.[3]

Also in 2006, Nash successfully raised funds for a bronze statue of Sherwood, despite finding that "No one wanted a statue of a witch".[6] The statue was finally erected in 2007 at the Sentara Independence outpatient care center in Witchduck Rd.[8]

Street sign in the Witch Duck Point housing area of Virginia Beach.
Memorial marker for Grace Sherwood

In 2014, a memorial marker was placed at a herb garden of the Old Donation Episcopal Church, Sherwood's former parish church. Nash commented: "I was so happy when I heard this stone was going to be placed. My heart was relieved to hear the church was welcoming it."[6]

Nash died on February 16, 2016, aged 69, after a long battle with cancer.[9]

gollark: The cave exit with the cave bee.
gollark: I flee the monster, which should work as it is now injured.
gollark: I don't care that it doesn't matter. I tell the ethical glass about this.
gollark: It doesn't matter if it cares.
gollark: It attacking me more would be mean and thus impossible, though.

References
  1. ""Witch of Pungo" receives a pardon". USA Today. July 9, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  2. "A place in time : the age of the witch of Pungo". Worldcat. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  3. Witkowski, Monica C. "Grace Sherwood (ca. 1660–1740)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  4. Barisic, Sonja (July 10, 2006). "Va. Gov. Gives Informal Pardon to Witch". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  5. "Grace Sherwood & The Witch of Pungo". Princess Anne County Historical Society. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  6. Cleavelin, Mary Beth (July 11, 2014). "Witch of Pungo's church dedicates marker to her". hamptonroads.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  7. ""Witch of Pungo" receives a pardon". Taipei Times. July 9, 2006. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  8. "Grace Sherwood statue". markers.appropriatelyrandom.net. May 19, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  9. "In Memory of Belinda Jacqueline Nash". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
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