The Witch of Pungo and Haunted Places to Visit in Virginia Beach

As Halloween approaches, Virginia Beach’s rich history comes alive. If you’re in search of haunted spots to visit, you’ll find plenty—from eerie hotels to haunted locations. But among these tales, the story of Grace Sherwood, "Witch of Pungo," stands out. The legend of Grace Sherwood haunts many local imaginations and is rooted deeply in the history of Virginia Beach. Keep reading to discover the story of the Witch of Pungo and a list of haunted sites to visit in Virginia Beach.

Who Was the Witch of Pungo?

Grace Sherwood was a midwife, a healer, and the widowed mother of three children. She lived in Pungo and was accused of being a witch in the early 1700s. Because she was a single mother, running her own farm, Sherwood was often the subject of suspicion in her community. Neighbors, uncomfortable with an unmarried woman making her own money, accused Sherwood of causing strange occurrences and misfortunes. Accusations included ruining her neighbors’ crops, killing their livestock, and conjuring storms. She ended up in court a dozen times, either to fight witchcraft charges or to sue her accusers for slander. Despite her innocence, the accusations culminated in her infamous trial, branding her with the name "Witch of Pungo."

Sherwood was the only person in Virginia to be convicted of witchcraft and tried by water. Sherwood was accused of witchcraft at age 46 and subjected to a "ducking" test. (Ducking involved binding and dunking a suspected witch in water to determine if they were guilty of witchcraft.) On July 10, 1706, Grace Sherwood was bound and thrown into the western branch of the Lynnhaven River near what is now known as Witchduck Point. If she sank and drowned, she was innocent, if she survived, she was a witch.

Grace refused to be drowned. She survived, sealing her fate as a witch in the eyes of her accusers. As punishment for her crime, Grace Sherwood spent seven years in jail. Grace eventually regained her freedom and lived peacefully on her farm until the age of 80. Her story lives on in local lore, and every July, people report seeing a moving light, believed to be her spirit, over the water in Witchduck Point where she was “ducked”. 

The Barton Family Connection

The story of Grace Sherwood has personal ties to Sandbridge Life’s own Barton family. Pat’s father’s wife is a descendant of Grace Sherwood, making this legend even more meaningful for our community. This family connection adds a special layer to the local history and folklore that we in Sandbridge hold dear.

How to Visit Grace Sherwood

On July 10, 2006, 300 years after her trial and conviction, Grace Sherwood was pardoned by Virginia’s Gov. Kaine. A statue commemorating her was placed on Independence Blvd near the courthouse where she was originally convicted. It has become a popular site to visit near Halloween with guests bringing flowers to put in the statue’s basket. 

The Witch of Pungo has become a legend in Virginia Beach, and her legacy endures in many ways—through local memorials, ghost stories, and the haunted sites associated with her. Her legend gives claim to the name Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. 

Haunted Places to Visit in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is brimming with paranormal hotspots perfect for Halloween explorations. Some of the top haunted places include:

• Ferry Plantation House: Dating back to 1642, the Ferry Plantation House is no stranger to visits from colonial- and civil war-era ghosts. After burning down in 1830, the home was rebuilt and is currently on the Virginia Landmark Register. One of Virginia’s most notable haunted locations is the Ferry Plantation House where Grace Sherwood is believed to be buried beneath a tree still standing on the property. It’s here that some visitors claim to feel her spirit, along with other colonial ghosts, making it a popular destination for those seeking a spooky experience.
• The Cavalier Hotel: This historic hotel is home to many ghost sightings, including a piano that plays with no one seated at it, a bellman who when taking the stairs from the fifth to the sixth floor warns of ghosts ahead, and the spirit of Adolph Coors. Coors mysteriously fell to his death in 1929 and is said to be seen walking the hotel corridors in the middle of the night.
• Elbow Road: Drivers report eerie encounters with the ghost of a murdered woman named Mrs. Woble, who wanders along the road searching for her home. Legend also has it that there is a second spirit of a little girl who drowned in a nearby lake. If you stop your car at night and sit on the hood, the little girl’s wet footprints will begin to appear moving toward you. 
• Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum: Built in 1903, this museum has its own share of ghost stories, with tales of phantom footsteps leading up to the guard tower,  maniacal laughter that has been attributed to Grace Sherwood herself, and spirits of shipwreck victims who were often laid in the attic until the bodies were claimed.
• First Landing State Park: The ghost of ​​Captain Edward J. Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard, is said to roam the shores here, still searching for his lost treasure. As the story goes, after ransacking a bountiful merchant ship, a Navy ship spotted the pirate captain and his crew who quickly buried their treasure in the sand and fled to their hideout in North Carolina. Intending to return and reclaim the gold, it was not meant to be. The Navy ship caught up with the pirate and his crew. A bloody battle ensued and ended when the Blackbeard was caught and beheaded. The lost treasure of Blackbeard remains a mystery to this day.
• Thoroughgood House: Built in 1719, this historic house is now a national landmark. It was home to Adam Thoroughgood, one of Virginia’s first colonists. Employees and visitors regularly report seeing playful spirits and paranormal activity. Once, staff witnessed four glass domes covering Christmas candles mysteriously lift up and crash to the ground!

This Halloween, explore Virginia Beach’s haunted stories and sites. From the mysterious tale of the Witch of Pungo to the eerie halls and ghostly encounters at The Cavalier Hotel, there’s no shortage of spooky stories and spots to explore. Each location holds a piece of local legend. Whether you’re a history buff or looking for a good fright, these haunted spots offer unforgettable ghostly adventures.

So, gather your courage and uncover these haunted places—if you dare! Let the mysteries of Virginia Beach leave you with a haunting tale to remember. Happy haunting!