William Sherwood (1641-1688) was a British attorney who also became a planter, attorney general and politician in the Colony of Virginia. During Bacon's Rebellion, Sherwood alienated both sides, and later served as the colony's Attorney General until disbarred for a previous felony. He represented Jamestown and surrounding James City County in the House of Burgesses (and also leased land and meeting space in Jamestown to the legislature), but also had considerable landholdings in Surry County across the James River. A shareholder in the Royal African Company until his death, Sherwood became its official representative in the colony. He also held local offices in James City County, Jamestown and Surry County.^[1][2][3]

Early life

He was born in modest circumstances in London's Whitechapel district.

Career

Following Sherwood's emigration to Virginia, by 1674 he had become a sub-sheriff for Surry County, across the James River, and later also held local offices in James City County and Jamestown.^[1][2] By his death, Sherwood owned most of Jamestown Island, which went to his heirs, including 28.5 acres known as Block House Hill specifically bequeathed to his nephew John Jarrett, who had died by 1710.^[4]

In 1676, Sherwood wrote an account of Bacon's Rebellion, published by the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1872.^[5] During his lifetime, Sherwood also petitioned the king for reimbursement for over 11,000 pounds of tobacco destroyed when Jamestown burned, and another 1000 pounds sterling on behalf of his ward, the orphaned Richard James, because of a house destroyed in the fire set by Richard Lawrence and other Baconites.^[6]

Sherwood invested and speculated in real estate, including in James City County, as well as New Kent County and Stafford County to the north and west. In 1696, Sherwood sold two parcels totalling 2770 acres of land in Stafford County Virginia to George Mason. The property included Dogue's Island, and a further recording was required in 1699 because he had not obtained release of his wife's dower interest.^[7]

Death and legacy

Presumably ill in February 1687, Sherwood wrote in his last will and testament (admitted to probate on February 7, 1688) that he wanted a gravestone from London inscribed mentioning his birth in White Chapel there, as well as described himself as "a great sinner waiting for a joyful resurrection". He bequeathed 10 pounds sterling to a poor person or persons in White Chapel (their identity to be determined by certain named persons). He also bequeathed 10 pounds sterling to Mary Abotrobus, who was also to be given her freedom as well as corn and clothes by his executor (and main beneficiary after his wife's death) Sir Jeffrey Jeffries, and kept (working) either by his widow Rachel, or by his friend William Edwards and his wife. Sherwood's widow, Rachel (who had previously survived Richard James before marrying Sherwood in 1675) remarried again after his death, to Edward Jacquelin, but had no children.^[8] Sherwood named his executors in Virginia as Capt. George Marable, William Edwards and

References