This collection spans four generations of the Wellman family of Lynn, Massachusetts, beginning with Thomas Wellman (ca. 1620-1672). The collection consists largely of legal papers and includes deeds, depositions, indentures, quit claims, bonds, obligations, and other legal documents. Also present are personal correspondence and religious writings of the Wellmans.

The earliest deeds and indentures, copied from documents dated from 1653 to 1663, pertain to Thomas Wellman, who died intestate in 1672. Most documents from 1720 to 1739 pertain to Abraham Wellman, Jr. (1673-1745), husbandman, while many of those after 1740 pertain to his son, Abraham Wellman (1718-1781), cordwainer. The documents include land transfers, indentures, contracts, depositions, bonds, court summons and settlements, memoranda, conditions of obligation, powers of attorney, accounts, and also one small map.

The personal correspondence (1787-1799) includes letters to Mehitable, Sarah, Mercy, and Martha Wellman, as well as a letter from Jenne Wellman to her daughter Anne. The correspondence to Mehitable is from her brother James Gowing. The folder also contains one small sketch. The religious writings include small notebooks and long tracts expressing religious devotion.