This volume contains autographs and notes that Clement Stewart collected from fellow students at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in March 1864. The front cover bears a gold-tooled illustration of a book of "Autographs," lying on a table beside a quill pen and inkwell; both covers have additional decorative tooling.
Stewart wrote the names of those he wished to contribute on blank pages of the volume before approaching his friends for their remarks, and many commented on the number of sheets he had assigned for them. Most wrote in letter format and gave their campus addresses with their signatures. They reminisced about college, referring to Stewart's "Moral Show"; "class politics" (related to the college); social activities; the first time they met Stewart; and aspects of Stewart's character. Some offered advice. Auxenicus Mari Piña Venezuela Hildreth Dickeson's note is a pun about the military draft ("Well, may you prosper in life & also in getting out of the draft for you might catch a cold."). The majority of these friends graduated with Stewart in 1864, though some underclassmen also contributed to the album.
Clement Stewart was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, on November 25, 1842, the son of John Stewart and Elizabeth Green. He studied at private schools until 1862, when he entered the sophomore class at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). In the summer of 1863, Stewart served in the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, Company D. He earned his bachelor's degree from the College of New Jersey in 1864, and joined his father's wire manufacturing firm, Stewart & Company, where he worked until 1892. He was assistant postmaster at Easton from 1889-1906. On June 27, 1867, he married Harriet Heist Drinkhouse, and they had four children: Marie (b. 1868), Ralph Tindall (b. 1870), Clarence Dudley (1873-1914), and Rodney Long (b. 1881). Clement Stewart died on July 4, 1921.
