William McSherry

Name: William McSherry
Given Name: William
Family Name: McSherry
Alternate Name: Father McSherry; William McSherry, S.J.; Gulielmus McSherry
Birth Date: 1799-07-19
Death Date: 1839-12-18
Description: William McSherry was born on July 19, 1799, near Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. His father, Richard McSherry, was a Irish immigrant planter who made his fortune trading with Jamaica. After attending Georgetown College between 1813 and 1815, William McSherry entered the Society of Jesus in 1815.

Between 1820 and 1828, William McSherry studied in Rome and Turin, Italy, to prepare for leadership positions in the Society in the United States. He was ordained as a priest (approximately) in 1825. Upon his return in 1828, he taught the Humanities at Georgetown College. In 1833, he was named Provincial of the newly-formed Maryland Province and Rector of Georgetown College, a position he held until October 10, 1837. Between 1838 and 1839, he was the rector of Georgetown College. He became Provincial of the Maryland Province in 1839.

Father McSherry worked with Father Mulledy to secure permission from Superior General Jan Roothaan regarding the sale of enslaved people. Once granted by Roothan, Fathers McSherry and Mulledy executed the sale of 314 people with Henry Johnson and Jesse Batey in 1838. Father McSherry also served as Father Mulledy's power of attorney during his absences following the sale. Father McSherry passed away on December 18, 1839.
Place of Significance: Georgetown College (Washington, District of Columbia)
Same As: William McSherry (Wikipedia); William McSherry (Wikidata); McSherry, William, 1799-1839 (LCNAF)
Source Resource: http://onthesegrounds.georgetown.domains/omeka/api/items/7226
Source Site: http://onthesegrounds.georgetown.domains/omeka/s/otg-georgetown-test-site/page/about
Occupation: Religious