This collection contains papers of four generations of the Peirson family of Salem, Massachusetts. It includes personal correspondence, business papers, legal documents, military correspondence and records from the United States Civil War, diaries and sketchbooks, medical notebooks, obituaries and memorials, news clippings, and many photographs of the Peirson family. The collection also contains papers from the Caron, Hill, Langmaid, Lawrence, Page, and White families, all of whom were related to the Peirsons.

Series I. First Generation contains the papers of Samuel Peirson, including personal correspondence with family members, military and family records, a pocket book with a notice of his wife Sally's death in 1802, and a lengthy memorial following Samuel's death in 1852.

Series II. Second Generation contains the papers of Samuel's sons, Samuel Page, John, and Abel Lawrence Peirson, the obituary of his youngest daughter Sarah P. White, and one medical notebook belonging to T. Perkins Shepard. Samuel Page Peirson's letters describe his adventures as a young seaman until shortly before his last voyage in 1805. John Page Peirson's letters span his life from 16 years of age until his death at sea in 1826. His obituary and a description of his accidental drowning off the coast of Florida are included. Abel Lawrence Peirson's papers include a long letter to his son Abel Lawrence Jr., a tribute to his late father Samuel, and the writings Temperance and On Life. Also present in the collection are five of his medical notebooks, including one written while in Europe in 1832, one physicians [sic] visiting list, and a small red leather purse. Finally, there are memorial tributes written upon his death in 1853.

Series III. Third Generation contains the papers of Abel Lawrence Peirson's sons, Edward Brooks, Abel Lawrence, and Charles Lawrence Peirson, and their wives, Ellen Perry Peirson, Elizabeth Sutton Peirson, and Emily Russell Peirson. Also present are letters to Abel Lawrence Peirson's daughter, Abigail, from Dr. James Jackson and a memorial to James Jackson Peirson. Edward Brooks Peirson is represented by personal correspondence and three physicians visiting lists. From his wife Ellen Elizabeth Perry Peirson there are family letters, a diary of a European trip with samples of dried flora, sketches, and a writing case, most if not all dating from before their marriage in 1857. Abel Lawrence Peirson's papers include personal correspondence, business, and legal papers. From his wife Elizabeth Treadwell Sutton Peirson there are personal correspondence and also guardianship papers for their son Abel Lawrence Peirson.

Series III. Third Generation also contains extensive papers of Charles Lawrence Peirson documenting his service in the Union Army from 1861 to 1865. Charles wrote in great detail of his years as an officer in the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, including preparation for battle, victory and defeat in battle, prison life, and the general state of the army. Included with the military correspondence are documents from his commanding officers, tributes to Col. Paul Revere of the 20th Regiment, who died from wounds received at Gettysburg, and maps of Petersburg, Virginia. Later papers from Charles Peirson document his activity in veteran groups and specifically his efforts to raise funds for a Twentieth Regiment Monument. Other papers describe the early days of the Clifton Baseball Club.

Series IV. Fourth Generation contains papers from three members of the fourth generation. From Ellen Peirson Benson, the daughter of Edward Brooks Peirson, there is an album and two diaries (one with dried flora) kept on a trip to Europe in 1884-1885, before her marriage to Frank Benson in 1888. From Harriet L. Peirson, daughter of Abel Lawrence Peirson, there is correspondence with her parents, and from Abel Lawrence Peirson, son of Abel Lawrence Peirson, there are business and legal papers, including settlement of a French spoliation claim regarding capture of the schooner Polly in 1798.

Series V. Related Families contains wills, deeds, obituaries and memorials, genealogical notes, personal correspondence, and other papers from six families related to the Peirsons including the Caron, Hill, Langmaid, Lawrence, Page, and White families.

Series VI. Photographs, Newspaper, and Ephemera contains tintypes of brothers Charles F. Williams and George W. Williams (also a lock of George William's hair) and about 100 photographs of the Peirsons and others. Also present is a copy of the Salem Gazette from January 12, 1847.