This collection contains the papers of William Phips Symonds of Salem, Massachusetts, and his family, in particular, his wife Margaret and sons, Joseph and James Monroe. The collection includes business papers, personal correspondence, legal documents, shipping correspondence, and business and domestic accounts and receipts. Also included are legal documents and correspondence concerning the disposition of the Symonds estate on North Street in Salem, genealogical materials on the Symonds and Ewing families, and newspaper clippings.

Folder 1 contains legal documents, business papers, and correspondence of William Phips Symonds, and Folder 2 contains his accounts and receipts. Many of the accounts pertain to the purchase of trade goods and the construction or alteration of the Symonds home on North Street, Salem. Also included are promissory notes, bank notices, and shipping papers, some of which pertain to the brig Martha or schooner Minerva.

Folders 3 and 4 contain family correspondence, particularly between Margaret Symonds and her sons, James Monroe and Joseph, who then lived in Lancaster, Ohio. Margaret's daughter Margaret, following her mother's death, continued this correspondence. Folders 5 and 6 contain the papers, diary, and notebook of James Monroe Symonds, minister. Included are school notes, legal documents and reminiscences of his childhood, education, and religious inspirations.

Folder 7 contains legal documents and correspondence concerning the disposition of the Symonds estate on North Street following the death of Margaret Symonds in 1848. Folder 8 contains genealogical information about the Symonds and Ewing families.Folder 9 contains a few miscellaneous papers, including receipts, accounts, and religious writings. Folder 10 contains printed materials including several wedding invitations and announcements. Folder 11 contains newspaper clippings, many reporting obituaries or other family news.