Jacob Sherman

Jacob left his mark on Westminster

as the owner of a lucrative tavern business and the builder of a handsome brick

residence on East Main Street which became the home of the Historical Society of

Carroll County in 1939. It is now known as the Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House.

Jacob was born in Pennsylvania to German immigrants and spoke German as well as

English – typical of many early residents of Westminster with Pennsylvania German

heritage. His father Georg Jacob set him up in the tavern business in Westminster in

1775, and young Jacob invested wisely in property around the growing town. When he

retired about 1806-07, he could count on income from ground and other rents to

maintain his well-to-do lifestyle in his lovely home.

Unlike his neighbor Dr. William Willis, Sherman avoided politics, military commitments, and religious ones as well. Although he owned a number of slaves, he granted many their freedom in his will. Historians and curators associated with the Historical Society of Carroll County are fortunate to have access to the inventory of Jacob’s household goods compiled when he died in 1822. They have used it in decorating the house to the period 1807-1842 when the Shermans lived there. It is open to the public by appointment, for school tours, or for special occasions.

Jacob’s tavern stood opposite his house at the corner of Court and Main streets, a prime location on the well-traveled route between Reisterstown and points west in the early days. Westminster’s Main

Street was called King Street when laid out by William Winchester in 1764. The tavern operated under many names including the Main Court Inn until it was demolished about 1940.