I am curious about two things described in this write-up:

  http://www.getchwood.com/punishments/curious/chapter-11.html

  Pouring cold water down someone's sleeve doesn't sound like much of a punishment when compared to branding, whipping, lopping and chopping.  Is anyone familiar with this type of punishment in early Virginia?

  What's with the hogs?  I've seen many early Virginia court records which involved hog stealing and the consequences.  Why was the punishment so severe and was hog theft more of an offense than cow theft?  If so, was it because pork could be cured and kept longer than beef?

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html