The Jacob Hiler papers contain materials relating to Hiler's work as a shipwright in Boston, his involvement in the Second Baptist Church in Boston, papers relating to his estate, and other Hiler family papers. Many of the papers were bound together with titles given to them; these items have been kept together and the original titles kept as the folder titles. This collection has been divided into three series.

Series I. Business Papers contains materials related to Hiler's work as a shipwright in Boston. This series has been divided into three subseries. Subseries A. Bills and Receipts Unbound contains bills, receipts, invoices, and related business papers that were found loose in the original boxes. These loose materials have been filed chronologically. Subseries B. Bills and Receipts Found Bound Together contains bills, receipts, invoices, and related business papers that were found bound together. Subseries C. Account Books contains account books and day books that Hiler used in his business.

Series II. Personal Papers contains materials related to or from Hiler, not related to his work as a shipwright. This series contains three subseries. Subseries A. Second Baptist Church contains papers about Hiler's work to establish a Sabbath School at the Second Baptist Church, including lists of contributors to the school. Subseries B. Other contains a certificate certifying Hiler as an engine man for engine number three, and a poem, written by an unknown person. There are also accounts of [P.] Smith's estate with Hiler. Subseries C. Estate of Jacob Hiler contains papers and account books related to the management of Hiler's estate, including newspaper articles about the disposition of Hiler's estate.

Series III. Other Hiler Family Papers contains materials from Hiler's family members, including Hiler's son, Thomas, his wife Grace, and other family members. Included in this series is a letter book and account book belonging to Thomas G. Hiler and an account book from other Hiler family members. Also included in this series are bills paid by Grace Hiler for A. P. Young, and Grace's own bills that were paid by other family members after her death. There are legal documents and accounts related to Benjamin and Mehitable Hathorne and bills on the family house in William's Court.