Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: THURSDAY, May 20, 1993 TAG: 9305200153 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: Associated Press DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short
The frame house was on land now part of the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The fire was early Monday.
Whether Grace Sherwood, who was tried for witchcraft in the 1700s, lived in the house is not known for sure. Some historians say that the house was built in 1820, 80 years after Sherwood's death in 1740.
Anthony D. Leger, refuge manager, said he suspects the blaze was set. He said refuge workers last week found signs that someone had pried loose boards nailed over the front windows.
Back Bay purchased the house in 1990. Workers had erected a fence around the property and cleaned out trash to prevent a fire, Leger said.
The house was listed on the State Register of Historic Places and in the Archaeological Restoration Protection Act.
by CNB