Pillory, Stocks and Whipping Post, Colonial Williamsburg, VA
N 37° 16.282 W 076° 41.993
18S E 349284 N 4126331
Stocks, Pillory and Whipping Post outside the Courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg.
Waymark Code: WM5KGA
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/18/2009
Views: 56
These instruments of corporal punishment are located just outside the courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg. According to the courthouse reenactor, the Pillory was used to punish lessor felony-type crimes, with the sentance usually being just a few hours. However, the criminal's earlobes were nailed to the Pillory, and upon release the torn earlobes would serve as a permanent record that the person had been convicted of a crime.
The Stocks were not used so much as punishment, but rather to hold prisoners while awaiting their trials in the courthouse. The Whipping Post shackles are attached to a post on one side of the Stocks. Also according to the reenactor, whipping was by far the most common punishment handed out by the courts. For most misdemeanor crimes the guilty had the choice of paying a fine or being whipped. The wealthy paid, the poor were whipped.
These devices are in good working order but have been safety pegged to keep from pinching.
Type of Device: Stocks, Pillory and Whipping Post
What is the approximate age?: 01/01/1770
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Associated Website: [Web Link]
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