William Sherwood

No children.

Biography

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"Sir William Sherwood, of the parish of White Chappell, London, came to Virginia before Bacon's Rebellion; was sub-sheriff of Surry County in 1674; practiced law; became attorney-general in 1677, and was a burgess and Clerk of Assembly in 1684.

In 1675, he married the widow of Richard James, who had patented a part of the western portion of Jamestown Island (Land Register). In the Northern Neck land books, there is a grant, dated September 14, 1696, to William Sherwood, for Doeg's Island in Stafford County, Va., and 670 acres adjoining, originally granted to Col. John Mottrown, and by his son, John, sold to Richard James, Sen., of James City (by deed recorded in Stafford County, June 27, 1666), who died intestate, leaving one son, Richard, who died under twenty-one.

In the Stafford County records, there is a bond bearing date November 8, 1704, signed by Edward Jaquelin, of James City, 'who married the widow of William Sherwood,' to save harmless George Mason, who had purchased Doeg's Island from said Sherwood in 1696.

From an entry in the Calendar of State Papers (Vol. I, p. 56) Sherwood's widow was named Rachel, and she was perhaps a second wife. In 1690 William Sherwood received a grant from Sir Edmund Andros, for 308 acres of land lying at the west end of Jamestown Island, between 'Pitch and Tar Swamp,' and the Black River, confirming various purchases of small tracts made by him and including 150 acres patented by Richard James in 1657, and lately escheated."

From a deed in Middlesex County, dated October 24, 1698, it appears that William Sherwood made his will August 11, 1697, and left his lands and other property after the death of his wife, Rachel Sherwood, to Jeffrey Jeffreys, of London, England Edward Jaquelin succeeded to the land on the island, first by marrying the widow, and next by purchase.

There is a volume of the University History, presented recently by the Clerk of Surry County to the College Library, lettered, "Ex dono, William Sherwood 1691." It was doubtless originally given by him to the court for its laudatory resolutions in 1674, on his conduct as sub-Sheriff of Surry County, Va. He had been guilty as a youth of some offense in England, but his after life seems to have been highly honourable. In his letters to Sir Joseph Williamson, the Secretary of State, he expresses the deepest gratitude for the latter's indulgence of his trangressions, by which alone he had been able to wipe away the sad blot from his name and win an honourable reputation among men. (See Virginia Magazine of History and Biology, Vol. I, pp. 168, 456, Sainsbury Papers.) Upon his tombstone at Jamestown, he confesses himself "a great sinner," but in hopes of a joyous resurrection."

References

• “Cradle of the Republic” “William Sherwood, having no children, left his land to his widow Rachel ....”