Some material was received from the Martha G. Wheatland Bequest on April 21, 1924. Additional material was removed from MM 2 and incorporated into this series.

The 8th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia served in many military conflicts throughout the history of the state. During the Revolutionary War, the 8th Regiment, also known as Michael Jackson's Regiment, was formed by reconstituting the remnant of the 16th Continental Regiment. During the Civil War, the regiment was organized in Boston on April 16, 1861 for three months service. Company A, also known as the Cushing Guards, was commanded by Captain Albert W. Bartlett of Newburyport. After completing duties in Philadelphia, Annapolis, Perryville, and Washington, D.C., the regiment returned to Boston and was officially mustered out of service on August 1, 1861. The regiment volunteered again in 1862 for nine months' of service, and for a final time in 1864 for 100 days' of service.

This series includes orderly books and quartermaster accounts of the 8th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia from service during the 18th century, along with records of service during the Civil War, including enlistment records, company rosters, muster papers, orderly books, clothing accounts, clippings, and personal effects.