This collection consists of papers belonging to three branches of the Jewett family of Ipswich, Rowley, and Salem, Massachusetts. It contains legal documents, business records, correspondence, maps, photographs, genealogy, and printed materials including obituaries. The collection is divided into three series.

Series I. Israel Kinsman Jewett Family Papers pertains to Israel Kinsman Jewett and his branch of the Jewett family. This series contains many legal documents, most of which are deeds of sale for land in Ipswich or Rowley, Massachusetts. The Jewett family is represented in these documents by members Jedidiah (1705-1774), Dummer (1732-1788), Richard Dummer (1755-1825), Mary (1734-1994) (wife and later widow of Dummer), Lucy Kinsman (1758-1837) (wife of Richard Dummer), and Israel Kinsman (1799-1886) Jewett. Members of related families including Lords, Stanifords, and Kinsmans, are also named in these deeds. Other legal documents include letters of indenture, wills, appointments, depositions, arbitration awards, and charters. Series I also contains business accounts, receipts, and tax records of Dummer, Richard Dummer, and Israel Kinsman Jewett. There are inventories of the estates of Dummer Jewett (1788) and Daniel Lord (1844). Also present is a memorial for Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, ninth pastor of the First Church in Ipswich, and school attendance records and accounts belonging to Lucy Kinsman Jewett, schoolteacher. Finally, there is a printed cover for the Jewett Quick Step, music played at a Jewett family gathering in 1855. The cover shows a view of the old Jewett homestead in Rowley, Massachusetts.

Series II. John Jewett Papers pertains to John Jewett (1795-1874). The collection contains legal documents, many of which pertain to land transactions in Ipswich, Rowley, or Salem, Massachusetts. Some pertain to Jewett's partnership in City Mills, a property consisting of a gristmill, sawmill, and veneering mills in Salem. Other documents pertain to pews in the Independent Congregational Church of Salem. Also present are papers, primarily receipts, regarding John Jewett's guardianship of Albert Babbidge Russell, a twelve year old minor in 1860; correspondence; printed materials, including Articles of the Enterprise Fire Club in Salem; and a photograph of Jewett's store on Essex Street in Salem.

Series III. Charles Coffin Jewett and George Baker Jewett Papers pertains to Charles Coffin Jewett (1816-1868) and his brother George Baker Jewett (1818-1886). Included are an oration given by their father Paul Jewett at the Brown University Commencement in 1812; notes of George Jewett's regarding an antique clock; Jewett family genealogy, much of which was collected by Charles and George Jewett; and finally obituaries of both brothers.