Ducking-stool

Ducking-stool

In the Past

An instrument used, in dipping women in the water, as a punishment, on conviction of being common scolds. It is sometimes confounded with tumbrel. (see this concept in the corresponding entry on this reference)

Developments

This barbarous punishment was never in use in Pennsylvania (see more about this State laws here). 12 Sergeant & Rawle's Pennsylvania Reports (Reports of Cases adjudged in the Supreme Court (see decisions, judges, etc) of Pennsylvania, by Thomas Sergeant and William Rawle), 220. [1]

Resources

Notes and References

1. Partialy, this information about ducking-stool is based on the Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1848 edition. There is a list of terms of the Bouvier's Law Dictionary, including ducking-stool.

See Also