The records of the First Congregational Church of Essex, Massachusetts, document the early history of the church and contain record books, warrants, tax lists, auditor's reports, pew deed and rentals, early papers of John Cleaveland, and land deeds. The collection also contains records of the Ladies Benevolent Circle, Sunday School records, relations of faith, applications for parish membership, a commonplace book of Samuel B. Shipman, and many miscellaneous papers. It has been organized into four series.

Series I. Church Records contains volumes in which various records were kept, including town meeting records of Chebacco Parish.

Series II. Ladies Benevolent Circle is comprised of five volumes of records of this related group.

Series III. Sunday School Records consists of three volumes and some loose papers relating to the Sunday School at the First Congregational Church.

Series IV. Other contains related material such as papers of John Cleaveland and John Wise, Universalist Separation letters, pew deeds and sales, correspondence, newspaper clippings, relations of faith, receipts, correspondence, tax lists, member certifications, and other papers. Of interest is a small account book in box 9, folder 1 entitled "Memo of the Experience of the Small Pox, May 18th, 1778."