THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408230130
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: MARY REID BARROW
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
When Anne Fowler was convicted of the very serious crime of slander on May 15, 1637, she was convicted in Adam Thoroughgood's living room.
Adam Thoroughgood is considered to be one of Virginia Beach's first settlers and is thought to have settled in what is now Baylake Pines. He was in the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg and a wealthy influential man in our area, which was known as Lower Norfolk County in 1637.
At the time there was no courthouse in Lower Norfolk County, and court was rotated among the burgesses' homes. As punishment, Fowler was ordered to make a public apology for her sins in church.
She also very well could have been doing her apologizing in Adam Thoroughgood's living room, because there was no church in Lower Norfolk County then either. Church, like court, was rotated among the burgesses' homes.
When Anne Fowler at first refused to apologize in public, she was ordered to report to a burgess's home to receive 10 lashings, and, for that matter, the home also could have been Adam Thoroughgood's. There was not even a jail in the county until 1646, said Stephanie Carcano, site manager of the historic Adam Thoroughgood House, which belonged to one of Adam's grandsons.
The court ordered Fowler's lashings to be increased by 10 each day until she apologized, Carcano went on. Needless to say, it didn't take the stubborn Fowler long to give in and do her ``penance'' in church.
Those very old days when religion, justice and punishment all were meted out from home and hearth will be re-created at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Thoroughgood House. Historic interpreters will re-enact court proceedings, public apologies and other court day activities. The continuous programming will last until 4 p.m.
Although the interpreters will re-create that day in 1637 when court was held at Adam Thoroughgood's house, they will be drawing on original Lower Norfolk County court records that span the years, 1637-91, for authenticity. Princess Anne County was created in 1691.
Since court days also were known as times when folks of the county could get together, there was a certain amount of frivolity associated with the proceedings. Interpreters also will be out on the Thoroughgood House lawn to re-enact some of the fun and games that occurred on court day. Historic Thoroughgood House, and its lovely 17th century gardens, will provide a perfect setting for court days, an event somewhat akin to a county fair.
In those days, men discussed business, bought and sold livestock and even played gambling games while awaiting their day in court. Women exchanged food ``receipts'' and health remedies. Some took the opportunity to sell cakes and also ribbons, a highly fashionable item, to the crowd.
On Saturday, visitors to Thoroughgood House can watch as burgesses in the north parlor discuss some of the court cases. Visitors also can gather in the garden where ``Ribbon Lady'' Marilyn Sinkez will be adorned with ribbons around her arms and waist. She also will be carrying a basket of Shrewsbury cakes, shortbread cookies rich with butter, to give to visitors.
They can meet ``Mrs. Burwell,'' a friend of the Thoroughgoods, who visits from Gloucester County to participate in the social aspects of court day. And they also will hear ``Grace Sherwood'' explain what led up to her trial as a witch.
Every so often a bell will ring and ``confessions'' will be heard. Those convicted of drunkenness will wear a pot about their neck and those convicted of adultery will be wrapped in a white sheet as was the 17th century custom. Although Anne Fowler's confession is not known, several original confessions for slander and also for adultery and drunkenness from that period in Old Norfolk County are known and they will be read by re-enactors.
One is the Oct. 8, 1644, confession of James Lapham who was convicted of slandering Sarah Thoroughgood, daughter of Adam who was deceased by then. Lapham confesses to behaving in a ``most bestial and uncivil manner,'' defaming Sarah with ``most scandalous and false suggestions.''
Go and hear more Saturday. The program is free with admission to the house, $2 for adults and $1 for students. Thoroughgood House, 1636 Parish Road, is in the Thoroughgood neighborhood. Call 664-6283 for more information.
P.S. BACK BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE will host a volunteer recruitment session from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the refuge. Interested folks can learn about volunteer opportunities at the refuge. Call 721-2412.
NATIVE AMERICAN LOTUS are blooming in the little freshwater pond that's part of the outdoor classroom at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The pretty yellow lotus that used to bloom so profusely and then died off in Tabernacle Creek off Sandbridge Road have evidently found good growing conditions in the refuge pond and have bloomed there for several years. MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know about
Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555. Enter
category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet address:
mbarrow(AT)infi.net. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY REID BARROW
``Ribbon Lady'' Marilyn Sinkez carries a basket of Shrewsbury cakes,
the kind to be offered to guests on court day at the Thoroughgood
House.
by CNB