The Testimony from Virginia Court records in 1681 During the seventeenth century, there was a mixture of sexual and racial expectations that existed throughout small communities of the southern colonies. Women, during this time period, were supposed to act a certain way: polite, pure, virtuous, and live to support their children and husband. But what happens if a woman doesn’t live up to those standards and expectations that are within the social norm? The testimonies from the Virginia Court in 1681, from Katherine Watkins’ trials, illustrate the vindication of these expectations. Katherine Watkins, in her testimony claims that, in August, she was eligibly raped by a mulatto, John Long, a slave who belongs to Thomas Cocke. The testimony states, “John threw the said Katherine down (he starting from behind a tree) and stopped her mouth with a handkerchief, and took up the said Katherine Coates and put his yard into her and ravished her; upon which she said that Katherine cried out afterwards (being rescued by another negro, Jack White).” Basically Katherine recalls the rape, but leaves out everything she did before the rape occurred. This in interesting because when witnesses leave out information, such as this, it is usually for their own benefit. As the testimony continues, Katherine Watkins’ true identity is…show more content… Furthermore they both are Quakers. On that account, Quakers don’t resort to court prosecution, making Katherine and Henry Watkins outsiders of the community. According to William Harding’s testimony, “ this deponent see the said Katherine Watkins turn up the tail of Negro Dirke’s shirt, and said that he would have a good pricke, whereupon this deponent said is that the trick of a Quaker, who made him answer, that was hast thou to say to Quakers…” Clearly William Harding had some prejudice feelings about Henry and Katherine Watkins already, based upon their religious