Joseph Sheffield | |
|---|---|
| 27th Attorney General of Rhode Island | |
| In office 1704–1706 | |
| Governor | Samuel Cranston |
| Preceded by | Nathaniel Dyre |
| Succeeded by | Simon Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 August 1661 Portsmouth, Rhode Island |
| Died | February 1706 Portsmouth, Rhode Island |
| Spouse | Mary Sheriff |
| Children | Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Edmund, William, Elizabeth |
| Parent(s) | Ichabod Sheffield and Mary Parker |
| Education | considerable, based on his committee positions and selection as Attorney General |
| Occupation | Deputy, Assistant, Attorney General |
Joseph Sheffield (1661–1706) was an inhabitant of Portsmouth in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the last half of the 17th century. He held a number of important offices within the colony, including Deputy, Assistant and Attorney General. He is most noted for being selected as Rhode Island's agent to England on two occasions, but never appears to have served in that role due to the indecision of the General Assembly. He played a prominent role in the affairs of the colony during an extremely turbulent time, when Rhode Island was threatened with losing its charter due to "irregularities" perceived by the English Board of Trade. Sheffield died at the age of 44, leaving a widow and several minor children.