Series I. Attorney and Judge Papers is divided into three subseries. These papers reflect the wide scope of Joseph's legal activities which ranged from paternity suits to cases of mutiny. Subseries A. Correspondence consists primarily of letters received regarding clients, cases, estates, and general court business. Subseries B. Administrative and Court Papers include proceedings, witness examinations, and administrative accounts for the Salem Police Court and Joseph's work as an attorney. Account books for 1832-1849 and 1834-1854, as well as the 1822-1853 cash book, include accounts for rental properties belonging to Joseph or to his clients.

Subseries C. Case and Client Documents contains maritime case papers, legal, and financial records drawn up by Joseph, and documents collected as background material. The maritime case materials include protests, ships' papers, correspondence, and testimony relating to maritime claims, protests, pensions, cases of mutiny, theft, desertion, assault, debt, and stowaways. Of special interest is the case of the 1831 theft of the schooner Franklin (alias schooner Friendship) of Alexandria, Virginia, which ran aground near Beverly. Papers for the claim cases of the schooner Swallow and brig Osprey may be found in the Captain Joseph Waters Papers (MSS 92, MH 12) and the James Devereux Papers (MSS 100, MH 1) respectively. Client legal and financial papers contain a large number of wills and estate documents, including papers for the estates of Captain John Upton, Paul Upton, Sarah and John Clifton, Benjamin Dodge, David Foley, and Captain William Johnson. For Joseph's involvement in the following estates, see the collections listed: Moses Townsend (MSS 96), Captain Joseph Waters (MSS 92, MH 12), John Nichols Jr. (MSS 98), and Peter Miller (MSS 99).