Individual Details

John Sherman matriculated at St. Catherine' Hall, Cambridge University, 1631 but declined to subscribe for his degree.
John Sherman came to New England in 1634, sailing from Ipswich in the ship "Elizabeth" and arriving in the month of June. He was assistant to Rev. George Phillips of Watertown for about a year, removing to Wethersfield, Conn., with the company who settled that town in 1635. At the latter place he had a house lot. He remained there until 1640, when he moved to Milford, Conn., being admitted to the church there on the 20th of November. In 1641, he was chosen magistrate , and Deputy in 1643. Although he was urged to remain in Milford, he preferred to accept a pastorate at Watertown and returned thwew in 1647.
The remainder of Mr. Sherman's life was spent in the service of the church at Watertown, where he was honored and respected. It is said of him, he was "one of the most learned men of his day and an able and eloquent preacher." He died August 8, 1685. His will, made two days before his death, names thirteen children.

John married first Mary, surname unknown, who died in Milford, CT on 8 Sep 1644. She was probably a sister of John Gibbs of New Haven. He married (2) Mary Launce who died at Watertown, 9 Mar 1710.
FindAGrave lists the first wife as Abigail "Mary" Gibbs, buried Milford Cemetery. I'm always a little skeptical of manufactured double names. There is a note "possibly buried here". It would seem her date of death might be questionable as well as her surname. Others claim there was a first wife Mary, Abigail being the second wife.

Cotton Mather wrote this about the death of John: "taken sick of an intermitting but malignant fever, which yet abated, that he found opportunity to return unto his own house at Water-town. But his fever then renewing upon him, it prevailed so far that he soon expired his holy soule..."

Buried Old Burying Place, Watertown, Middlesex, MA.
Inscription:
JOHANNIS SHERMANNI. Maximæ Pietatis, Gravitatis, & Candoris Viri
in Theologia plurimum versati;
in concionando vere Chrysostomi;
in Artibus Liberalibus præciepue Mathematics incomparabilis;
Aquiamensis Ecclesiæ in Nov Anglia fidelissimi Pastoris;
Collegii Harvardini Inspectoris & Socii;
Qui postquam annis plus minus XLV Christo fuit nphreths in Ecclesia
Fidus.
Morte matura transmigravit
& a Christo palma decoratus est,
A.D. MDCLXXXV Augusti. 8
Ætatis Suæ LXXXII.
Memoriæ.

Translation (sent to me by contributor Ruth I. Stude):
Sacred to the memory of John Sherman, a man distinguished for his piety, character and truth; a profound theologian; as a preacher a veritable Chrysostom; unsurpassed in his knowledge of the liberal arts, particularly mathematics; a faithful pastor of the church of Water Town in New England; an Overseer and Fellow of Harvard College. After a life of faithful service to Christ in the church for upwards of 45 years, in the fullness of time he passed away and received from Christ the palm of victory. In the 72nd year of his age, August 8, A.D. 1685.

John Sherman's Will, dated Aug. 6, proved Oct. 6, 1685, mentions wife Mary, her son Samuel Willard, for chil. of his first wife, Abigail; chil. of son Bezaleel, dec'd, daughter, Mary Allen , son Daniel, son Samuel, daughter, Mary Barron; other children, James, John, Abial, Elizabeth, Hester, Grace, Mercy; son James, to be exec'r.

From the Middlesex, Mass. Probate Records. Account James Sherman executor Dec. 25, 1712. Vol. 6: p. 387.
James Sherman, late of Sudbury (since of Salem( the surviving executor of the last will and testament of John Sherman , late of Watertown, clerk, deceased. Will also named as executrix, Mary Sherman. Accountant states that all debts and legacies have been paid and that all the remainder of his goods and chattels were used and spent by his mother and family and never came into his hands.
Legacies:
to Mercy Barnard, wife of Samuel Barnard 20 pounds
to Elizabeth Gaskill, wife of Samuel Gaskill 20 pounds
to Grace Prout, wife of Ebenezer Prout 20 pounds
to Samuel Willard, by Abigail Willard 12 pounds
to the children of Bezaliel Sherman 12 pounds
to Daniel Sherman 15 pounds
to Samuel Sherman 10 pounds
to Mary Allen 10 pounds
to Mary Barron 10 pounds

The executor and his mother sold land on "Kings Common" fo r 60 pounds. Paid of it to Samuel Gaskill for debts due, 2 5 pounds. Spent by mother for her support, 35 pounds.
A farm "near" 100 acres sold for 25 pounds to pay debts due to Mr. Willar, of Boston, from father. All the rest of land of father, several parcels, sold to support mother and pay debts and legacies.
Accountant's mother lived a widow for 25 years and accountant supported her, paying 50 pounds.
Witnessed my hand, James Sherman, surviving exec."
Dec. 24, 1712. This paper filed by James Sherman, who prays for a citation to Samuel Barnard of Watertown, and Mercy his wife, to appear and make objections, if any.

Dec. 26, 1712. Samuel Barnard of Watertown, who married Mercy, a dau. of the aforesaid John Sherman, deceased, appeared and objected that said James Sherman had not full powers to make sale of land and that his wife had not received her full legacy of 20 pounds.

Birth	26 Dec 1613	Dedham, Essex, England
Baptism	4 Jan 1613/14	Dedham, Essex, England
Death	8 Aug 1685	Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Father	EDMUND SHERMAN (1572 - 1641)
Mother	Grace ?Makin (1585 - )
Sibling	Edmund SHERMAN (1599 - 1673)
Sibling	Ann SHERMAN (1601 - )
Sibling	Joan SHERMAN (1603 - )
Sibling	HESTER SHERMAN (1606 - 1665)
Sibling	Richard SHERMAN (1608 - )
Sibling	Bezaleel SHERMAN (1611 - )
Sibling	Grace SHERMAN (1616 - 1691)
Sibling	Samuel SHERMAN (1618 - 1700)
Sibling	[Daughter] SHERMAN ( - )

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