Fonds consists of the diaries (2 volumes) of William Smith, containing a detailed narrative of his activities in England and his first seven months in Quebec dated January 1784 to May 1787. The entries cover events, institutions, political affairs and descriptions of persons encountered by W. Smith. The first volume includes one of the only accounts of Canadian affairs from a London vantage point given that the papers of Sir Guy Carleton were destroyed. The second volume deals predominantly with Quebec.
The fonds consists of personal and business correspondence, will and probate, and a collection of James Dougall letters. Most of the correspondence is arranged chronologically, and is concerned with Stevenson's business affairs and banking transactions. One letter from J. P. Downes, a fellow townsman and militia officer, deals with alarums and excursions on the troubled Niagara frontier in the autumn of 1839. Stevenson's activities on behalf of his constituents are reflected in letters concerning Picton harbour improvement, a pension for a veteran of 1837 and the appointment of a postmaster at Bloomfield. Also included are photocopies of general and business correspondence that are held privately, but were copied and included in this fonds.
The fonds consists of the immediate and related business and legal venture of the Scovil family in the regards to their general store business. The bulk of the fonds consists of ledgers, daybooks and record books of the Scovil General Store through three successive owners. The related legal documents pertain to wills and testaments, mortgages, quit claims, indentures and land transfers. Of particular interest is volume 41 which includes eight pages of medicinal recipes.
The fonds predominantly consists of hand written letters, telegrams and postcards from Symonds to Henry D. Davray. Points of origin include Rome(1897), Madrid (1899), Leipzig (1899) and Cardoba (1898). Also included are two typed copies of letters, 1890, to Bliss Carman and a hand written note to Mr. Symons from Elodie Dolmetsch (Desiree), sister-in-law and later 2nd wife of Arnold Dolmetsch French born musician and intrument maker.