The Richard Ward Papers contain business papers and personal correspondence for Richard Ward and his family. It is comprised of three series.

Series I. Business Papers contains receipts, invoices, shipping papers, notes, and price lists. There are a few papers relating to governance of foreign trade and trade during the War of 1812. There is a partial log for the ship Minerva, which Richard Ward mastered. The correspondence is between Ward and various other ships' captains, members of the Crowninshield family, and his partner, Joshua Goodale, and Goodale's son, Nathan Goodale. There is also correspondence regarding the diplomatic necessities of trade, including Ward's letter to John Quincy Adams (then ambassador to Russia) requesting a passport. There are also papers relating to the sloop Happy Sall and her master, William Cordwell.

Series II. Personal Correspondence contains correspondence chiefly between Richard Ward and his wife, Lydia, with other letters from various family members. Once husband and wife relocated to New Orleans, there is increased correspondence between the two and several of their siblings and children still in New England.

Series III. Richard Melville Ward and Lydia Ward Papers is comprised of personal correspondence and business papers of Lydia (Robinson) Ward and her children, Richard Melville Ward and Lydia Robinson Ward, after Richard Ward's death. The business papers include receipts for services and purchases by Lydia Ward and some business papers of Richard Melville Ward. Richard Melville Ward and his sister, Lydia Robinson Ward, maintained a regular correspondence, reflected in the personal papers.