William Sherwood (burgess)
William Sherwood | |
|---|---|
| Member of the House of Burgesses for James City, Colony of Virginia | |
| In office 1688 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Hartwell |
| Succeeded by | Henry Hartwell |
| Member of the House of Burgesses for James City County, Colony of Virginia | |
| In office 1682-1684 | |
| Preceded by | William White |
| Succeeded by | position eliminated |
| Personal details | |
| Born | circa 1641 Whitechapel, London, England |
| Died | early 1688 Governor's Land Colony of Virginia |
| Resting place | Jamestown Churchyard, Virginia |
| Spouse | Rachel Codd James |
| Children | Richard James II (stepson) |
| Occupation | attorney, planter, politician |
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.