Sarah White Norman (ca. 1623-1654) and Mary Vincent Hammon (1633-1705) were prosecuted in 1648 for "lewd behavior with each other upon a bed"; their trial documents are the only known record of sex between female English colonists in North America in the 17th century. Mary was admonished, while Sarah was convicted. This may be the only conviction for lesbianism in American history. Biographies Sarah White Norman Sarah White was born c. 1623. On October 8, 1639, she married Hugh Norman, the son of Hugh Norman (d. 1623) and Agnes Wolcott (b. c. 1579). Their daughter Elizabeth, born in 1642, drowned in a well on May 28, 1648, at the age of seven. They had at least two other children, Phillis and Ann. Mary Vincent Hammon Mary Vincent married Benjamin Hammon on November 8, 1648, in Sandwich. Benjamin Hammon had emigrated from London in 1634. Prosecution and trial Richard Berry (1626-1681), a neighbor, accused the two women, and one man, Teage Joanes, of "sodomy and other unclean practices". Later Berry said he had borne false witness against Joanes, but he did not withdraw what he said against Sarah White Norman. Three years later, the same Berry and other men, including Joanes, were prosecuted for homosexuality, and ordered to "part their uncivil living together". The two women were prosecuted for "lewd behavior with each other upon a bed" in 1648. Hammon was only admonished, possibly because she was only 15 years old at the time of the charges. Sarah, who was probably 10 years older, stood trial. She was convicted in 1650 and required to acknowledge publicly her "unchaste behavior" with Mary, as well as warned against future offenses. At the General Court of Our Sovereign Lord the King, Holden at Plymouth Aforesaid, the Sixth of March (1648) We present the wife of Hugh Norman, and Mary Hammon, both of Yarmouth, for lewd behavior each with other upon a bed. Mary Hammon cleared with admonition. At the General Court Holden at New Plymouth, the Sixth of March (1649) Whereas, at the General Court, holden at Plymouth aforesaid, the 29th of October, 1649, Richard Berry accused Teage Joanes of sodomy and other unclean practises also with Sara, the wife of Hugh Norman, and for that cause the said parties were both bound over to answer at this Court, and accordingly appeared. The said Richard Berry acknowledged before the Court that he did wrong