About William Watts Sherman
Lived 1842 – 1912 (aged 69). William Watts Sherman was an American businessperson, known for Newport Casino.
William Watts Sherman (August 4, 1842 – January 22, 1912) was a New York City businessman and the treasurer of the Newport Casino. In 1875–1876 he had the William Watts Sherman House constructed in Newport, Rhode Island.
Career William Watts Sherman trained as a physician but followed his father into the banking firm Duncan, Sherman & Company. In 1875 to 1876 he built the William Watts Sherman House in Newport, Rhode Island, which is a National Historic Landmark due to its architectural significance.
He was a presidential elector from Rhode Island for President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.
Sherman belonged to several patriotic and hereditary societies. In 1905, he was admitted as an honorary member of the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati. He was also a charter member of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution in 1896 (membership number 1) as well as a charter member of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars in 1897. He was also a member of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York.
Sherman was a member of several social clubs including the Knickerbocker Club, Metropolitan Club, Century Club, City Club, and the National Arts Club. he married Annie Derby Rogers Wetmore (1848–1884), daughter of William Shepard Wetmore (1801–1862) and sister of Sen. George Peabody Wetmore (1846–1921). Before Annie's death of pneumonia in 1884, they had two daughters: Georgette Wetmore Sherman (1872–1960), who married Harold Brown (1863–1900), the son of John Carter Brown II (1797–1874) in 1892. Sybil Katherine Sherman (1875–1954), who married John Ellis Hoffman in 1896. They divorced in 1904 and in 1905, she married Norrie Sellar (1872–1932), a prominent cotton broker who was a grandson of Adam Norrie.
In 1885, he married Sophia Augusta Brown (1867–1947), daughter of John Carter Brown II (1797–1874) and granddaughter of Nicholas Brown, Jr., the namesake of Brown University. Sophia's brother later married Sherman's eldest daughter, Georgette. Their other brother was John Nicholas Brown I (1861–1900). Together, William and Sophia had two daughters: Irene Muriel Augusta Sherman (1887–1969), who married Lawrence Lewis Gillespie (1876–1946). Mildred Constance Sherman (1888–1961), who married Ralph Stonor, 5th Baron Camoys (1884–1968).
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in William Watts Sherman's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was William Watts Sherman?
American businessman
When was William Watts Sherman born?
William Watts Sherman was born on 4 August 1842 in Albany.
When did William Watts Sherman die?
William Watts Sherman died on 22 January 1912 in New York City.
What was William Watts Sherman's occupation?
William Watts Sherman was a businessperson.
What was William Watts Sherman known for?
William Watts Sherman was known for Newport Casino.
What nationality was William Watts Sherman?
William Watts Sherman was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William Watts Sherman
· DBpedia: William Watts Sherman
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Watts Sherman. https://biography.guide/william-watts-sherman/
MLA: "William Watts Sherman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-watts-sherman/.
Chicago: "William Watts Sherman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-watts-sherman/.
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