Joseph Sheffield

Joseph Sheffield
27th Attorney General of Rhode Island
In office
1704–1706
GovernorSamuel Cranston
Preceded byNathaniel Dyre
Succeeded bySimon Smith
Personal details
Born22 August 1661
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
DiedFebruary 1706
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
SpouseMary Sheriff
ChildrenJoseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Edmund, William, Elizabeth
Parent(s)Ichabod Sheffield and Mary Parker
Educationconsiderable, based on his committee positions and selection as Attorney General
OccupationDeputy, 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.