Maryann B. Clark of Antwerp, New York, created this volume in 1852, inserting nine samples of hair of herself, her father, mother, siblings, other relatives, and possibly friends. The samples are arranged in various styles of ornamental hairwork and affixed to the page with pieces of ribbon or fabric. One white lock of hair belonged to Clark's grandmother who died at the age of 90. Each hair sample is accompanied by the individual's name, birth and death date (if applicable), and a verse. Some of the verses relate directly to the individuals, such as those for her deceased brothers and sister whose hair samples are accompanied by poems about the death of siblings. Other poems relate to hair and remembrance. In the back of the volume, Clark copied the "Mourner's Lamentation," a poem written by her brother-in-law Joseph S. Foster upon the death of Persis Sabrina (Clark) Foster.
The volume is handmade. The cover is paper with fabric ribbon sewn along the edges.
Maryann Beals Clark was born on March 3, 1835, to Sabrina Hamlen Clark (1796-1870) and John Clark (1790-1854) in Antwerp, New York. She had at least eight siblings: John Dana (1818-1822), Persis Sabrina (b. 1821), Nathaniel Hamlin (1823-1824), Nathaniel Hamlin (b. 1825), Joseph Harvey (b. 1830), Sarah Eliza (1831-1866), Samuel Perez (1833-1849), and John M. (1838-1849).
