This collection contains papers, photographs, jewelry, and ephemera associated with Captain Edward Bowen Thompson of Marblehead, Massachusetts, and his descendants. Captain Thompson was a lifelong member of the Marblehead fishing fleet. The papers include correspondence, business and legal papers, accounts and receipts, account books, insurance policies, shipping papers, photographs, and news clippings. Other items include photographs, a mourning brooch and bracelet, and a tin passport holder belonging to Captain Thompson.

Series I. Edward B. Thompson contains items directly associated with Captain Thompson. Included is correspondence from Thompson to his wife, business and legal papers, accounts and receipts, tax receipts, and shipping papers pertaining to the schooners Emeline M. Russell, Frank, Oceana, Lizzie B. Knight, Amy Knight, and Whip. Also present are account books, a daguerreotype of Thompson, and news clippings from the Salem Evening News describing Captain Thompson's life. Of particular interest is a tin passport holder which originally held Thompson's seaman's passport, now located in Box 1 Folder 2.

Series II. Thompson Family contains items pertaining to Edward Thompson's wife Elizabeth, daughter Elizabeth, son Edward, and granddaughter Dora. The papers include accounts and receipts, funeral and estate papers, and insurance policies. Also present are many photographs, a tintype, memorabilia from the First Church of Christ in Marblehead, and a news clipping about the Thompson-Knight house. Of particular interest are the mourning brooch and bracelet belonging to Thompson's wife Elizabeth.