Sam Stewart : Commonplace Book Research

From looking over several commonplace books from this fifty year time span, I found some common patterns that deal with religion, poetry, and political literature. For example, within William R. Williams commonplace book (pictured above), his book is comprised of almost solely religious texts. One example that particulary stood out to me is his section, "Increase of Faith Necessary to the Success for Christian Missions" which is particulary important to the idea of colonialism and Europe's purposes for initiating worldwide travel. There are also some prayers written within the book that I would guess that the author found meaningful. He then closes out his commonplace book with a prayer detailing the church against those who delight in war.

Citation:

• Williams, William R., 1804-1885. Miscellanies. New York: E. H. Fletcher, 1850.