Subseries A. Correspondence is almost entirely devoted to shipping and business affairs between John, his father, and his brothers. This section contains the largest body of correspondence from George Crowninshield, Sr. Letters from Jacob (November 1794, January 1796) describe his efforts to bring the first elephant to America. Letters from John's wife, Maria, provide more personal information after 1813. Correspondence from George, Jr.'s illegitimate daughter Sophia is also found in this section (1818-1821, 1829, 1842). The correspondence transcripts are mostly duplicates of the original John Crowninshield letters in previous folders. Miscellaneous transcripts are excerpts from the logbooks of ships Belisarius (1797-1798) and America (1801), and a letter of instructions for sloop Polly and Sally (1791).