The Revolutionary War Collection includes ships' papers, regimental records, enlistment records, company rolls, pay rolls, orderly books, correspondence, bills, receipts, journals, notes, and sketches related to the Revolutionary War. The majority of the material documents the involvement of Massachusetts during the war. This collection has been arranged into three series.

Series I. Ships Papers includes correspondence, a power of attorney, articles of agreement, officers, crew and shares listings, along with bills and receipts created aboard ships during the time of the Revolutionary War. Subseries A. Tyrannicide (Brigantine) includes ships' papers along with secondary research material related to the Tyrannicide. Subseries B. Other Vessels includes ships' papers arranged alphabetically by ship name. These ships participated in some way in the American naval presence during the Revolutionary War or were impacted by the British Naval presence during the conflict.

Series II. Service Records includes regimental records, muster rolls, company rolls, pay rolls, provision returns, enlistment records, commissions, appointments, orderly books, correspondence, pension papers, journals, sketches, and lists of men in military service during the Revolutionary War. Subseries A. Regimental Records includes records for the 1st Massachusetts Regiment, 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, 3rd Massachusetts Regiment, 4th Massachusetts Regiment, 5th Massachusetts Regiment, 14th Massachusetts Regiment, and Colonel Nathaniel Wade's Regiment, along with muster rolls from Massachusetts towns, Lloyd's Neck, Byfield, Marblehead and Gloucester, enlistment records, and provision and clothing returns. Subseries B. Commissions and Appointments includes commission papers for Jeremiah Page, appointment papers for Brigadier General James Bricket and Quartermaster Caleb Cushing, along with a list of newly ranked Captains in the United States Navy upon establishment of the position. Subseries C. Orders and Receipts includes orders and court proceedings, an orderly book from the Connecticut 19th Regiment of Foot, a British orderly book and transcript, and a five volume transcript of Captain John Francis' orderly book. Subseries D. Correspondence includes various letters related to the Revolutionary War. This includes a letter from Dr. Church to Major Cane concerning the battle at Bunker Hill; multiple letters between Captain Hodgkins and Aaron Perkins; and a letter from Colonel John Brooks at White Plains. Of particular note is the correspondence to and from General George Washington. Finally, this subseries includes the completed Certification of Service papers reviewed in light of pension requests. Subseries E. Journals and Notes includes a memorandum book by Isaac Parson, journals by Abel Chandler, John Goodwin and additional unknown authors, along with notes, two fort plans designed by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Rochfontaine, chief engineer of the United States Army, a manual for drills and parades, newspaper clippings, and a sketch. Subseries F. Rolls of Men includes lists of men who served during the Revolutionary War including lists of deserted, wounded, discharged, or killed individuals, along with lists of medals awarded by Congress, lists of privateers and prizes taken, and lists of Americans in Old Will Prison. Finally, included are handwritten copies of military documents from Topsfield, Massachusetts recording service of soldiers and sailors from that town made by George Francis Dow in 1893. Subseries G. Financial Records include various bills and receipts along with currency from New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

Series III. Secondary Research Material includes handwritten notes, typescripts and manuscripts created by individuals while researching issues related to the Revolutionary War. Correspondence from Robert S. Rantoul discusses the British 64th Regiment. Manuscripts from Langton Haldane-Robertson relate to Philadelphia's involvement in the first year of the Revolutionary War.