In memory of William F. Sherwin

William F. Sherwin Window

Located in the northwest corner, next to choir loft and organ, is the window given in memory of William F. Sherwin (1826-1888). This window was given by his children.

William Fisk Sherwin was born in Buckland on March 14, 1826, one of ten children of William Sherwin, a clock maker, and Marcia Carter.  At a very young age Sherwin began playing the bass violin.

His educational opportunities, so far as schools were concerned, were few but he made excellent use of his time and surroundings.  At fifteen he went to Boston and studied music under Dr. Lowell Mason.  In due course he became a teacher of vocal music under Dr. Lowell Mason.  In due course he became a teacher of vocal music, and held several important appointments in Massachusetts; in Hudson and Albany, New York County, and then in New York City.  He also spent time in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.  Over the years he maintained his connection to his Buckland roots.

          Sherwin had a special interest in Sunday Schools.  He composed carols and hymn-tunes largely for their use, and was associated with the Rev. R. Lowry and others in preparing Bright Jewel and other popular Sunday School hymn and tune books.

          Sherwin was the musical editor at the Century Company and Biglow and Main Publishers.  Founded in 1861, Biglow and Maine was one of the earliest sacred music publishing companies in America, publishing music for Sherwin and renowned hymn writers such as Fanny Crosby, William B. Bradbury, Robert Lowry, Ira D. Sankey, William Howard Doane, and Philip P. Bliss.  Sherwin is primarily known today for two tunes which were written for the long-lasting hymns with words by Mary Lathbury:  Break thou the bread of life and Day is dying in the west.

          Sherwin was the first music director of the Chautauqua Movement near Chautauqua, New York.  He was a friend of the Methodist Bishop, John Heyl Vincent, who founded the camp on Lake Chautauqua in 1874, gradually expanding its season length and program offerings in the arts, education, religion and music.  Sherwin eventually became a well-known president of the New England Chautauqua circle.

          For several years Sherwin was a professor at the New England Conservatory of Music located in Boston, Mass.  At the conservatory his special duty was the drilling of choruses, and in that work he displayed pre-eminent ability.  It was while employed at the Conservatory, that at the age of 62, on April 14, 1888, Sherwin died at his home in Dorcester, Mass.  A lengthy obituary and tribute was published in the St. Albans Daily Messenger, St Albans, Vermont, on June 16, 1888 that begins, “The church and the people have lost a great leader.  No musician working in the field just robbed of a shining light can have been more broadly or favorable known…”

          Although he is reported to have followed the Baptist faith, Sherwin’s connection with the Congregational church in Buckland remained strong both during his lifetime and long after his death.  The church records state he wrote a special song for the church’s centennial celebration in 1885 and that he “began his splendid career as a leader of chorus singing in the choir of this church.”  Two months after Sherwin’s death, in June of 1888, Sherwin’s family donated a sizable collection of his musical works to the church.  The following year a black walnut corner cabinet was hand-crafted by a church member specifically to hold the Sherwin collection. The cabinet is still there [in 2024], located in the choir loft next to the Sherwin window.

          The Sherwin window has a prominent harp depicted in the upper panel.  The harp is a Christian symbol which represents music, instruments, joy, and worship in praising God. Clearly these symbols are all of what William F. Sherwin did as his life’s work.