The John M. Benedict papers include listings of vessels offered for sale by the brokerage firms that he represented. Also included in this collection are some papers from other shipping and commission merchant firms: Cornelius Comstock and Company, Robert Simonson, and Thayer and Peabody. There are five series in this collection.

Series I. Typescript Vessel List contains a list of vessels, which includes the vessel name, year of launching, and place of construction; these are vessels that Benedict might possibly have represented.

Series II. John Benedict Offerings is divided into five subseries, one for each type of vessel offered by Benedict: Subseries A. Schooners; Subseries B. Brigs; Subseries C. Barks; Subseries D. Ships; and Subseries E. Steamships. These subseries contain listings which provide an outline of each vessel, including: rig, place and year built, dimensions, tonnage, carrying capacity, condition of vessel, condition of sails, condition of rigging, condition of ground tackle, registrar's rating, offering price, etc. In some instances, the repair history of the vessel is also included. In all, listings include six schooners, sixteen brigs, twenty-three barks, seventeen ships, and three steamers.

Series III. Cornelius Comstock and Company Offerings contain two offerings from the shipping and commission merchant firm, Cornelius Comstock and Company, located at 96 Wall Street, New York, which engaged in the California clipper ship trade and in commission merchandising. A partnership of Cornelius Comstock and Robert Simonson, under the firm name of Cornelius Comstock and Company, was created on January l, 1864 and dissolved on May 31, 1873; this was Comstock's California Line.

Series IV. Robert Simonson Offerings contain one offering from the shipping and commission merchant firm Robert Simonson, located at 96 Wall Street, New York.

Series V. Thayer and Peabody Offerings contain one offering from the shipping and commission merchant firm of Thayer and Peabody, located at 109 Wall Street, New York.