Subseries A. Letters to William Allen from his sons discuss their shipping ventures and experiences in foreign ports. Margaret Davis' letters reveal her life in Pernambuco, Brazil with her husband William Davis and their children. Correspondence from various relatives include letters from William's brother-in-laws, Samuel Edwards and Thomas Lee, grandson William Henry Allen, great-granddaughter Ellen Davis, and niece Lucy Story (Allen) Leach. Of note are William Henry Allen's letters which describe his early shipping career.