Lucy Pernam was brought before the grand jury for Ipswich in November 1781, accused of setting fire to a house and barn belonging to her neighbor George Todd. She was charged with arson and brought to trial at the June 1782 session of the Supreme Judicial Court in Ipswich. Several neighbors testified that she had, in fact, burned the barn and several other structures but also testified to her mental instability. The jury found Pernam not guilty.