Introduction
Charles P. Stephenson was a Naval veteran of the Civil War, best remembered for his work as the janitor of the Free Public Library at Broadway and Clinton Streets in the 1920s and early 1930s.
The 1900 Census shows Charles P. Stephenson at 1504 Federal Street, where he lived with his wife Sarah and children Mary, David, Sarah, Charles, Alfred, William, and Cora. The 1906 City Directory shows Charles P. at 819 Market Street. Charles P. Stephenson lived with his wife Sarah at 706 Federal Street and son Charles P. Jr. when the 1914 City Directory was compiled. By 1924 he had moved to 908 South 6th Street, where he resided until his death in October of 1933.
C. P. Stephenson Dies; Janitor at Library
Camden Morning Post —
Charles P. Stephenson, for years a substitute and assistant janitor at the four buildings of the Camden Free Public Library, died yesterday at his home, 906 South Sixth Street. He was 84 and had been ill several months.
Known familiarly to library employes as “Captain,” Mr. Stephenson enlisted in the United States Navy at the outbreak of the Civil War, becoming a marine engineer. He remained in the Navy 11 years.
Born in Smyrna, Del., Mr. Stephenson came to Camden after the Civil War and had lived here since. Every year employes of the main library gave a party in his honor and presented him with small gifts.
Mr. Stephenson was known to many library patrons and did not talk with anybody very long before resorting to his pet phrase which he never tired of repeating: “The captain told the mate, and the mate told the crew, and so I know it must be true!”
The Camden Free Public Library
The Camden Free Public Library, also known as the Carnegie Library, Broadway & Line Street. The postmark on the card is April 28, 1906.
The Camden Free Public Library, also known as the Carnegie Library, Broadway & Line Street.
The Camden Free Public Library, also known as the Carnegie Library, Broadway & Line Street.