This collection contains correspondence among members of the Lyman and Emery families of Springfield, Massachusetts. Much of the correspondence is personal in nature and deals with family affairs and current events. In addition, the collection contains a power of attorney and related documents concerning collection of a debt in Sierra Leone, Africa.

Folder 1 contains letters written by Samuel Lyman to his wife Mary and daughter Mary while he attended the sessions of the United States Congress in Philadelphia from 1795 to 1800. Also included is one letter to his son Samuel Jr. Folder 2 contains three letters written to Samuel Lyman while in Philadelphia by his wife Mary (1796).

Folder 3 contains correspondence of Samuel and Mary's daughter Mary. Most of the letters are from Mary to her cousin Mary Lyman (1787-1870) in Goshen, Connecticut. Folder 4 contains letters to Robert Emery from family members, including his brother, sister, nephew, aunts and also one letter from Calcutta, India.

Folder 5 contains two letters from Charles Lyman written to his father and sister. Folder 6 contains three letters from John Kelly of Exeter, New Hampshire: one to his brother Abner, one to his daughter Lavinia (Kelly) Cilley, and one to Charles Emery. The letter to Charles includes blessings for his imminent marriage to John Kelly's daughter Susan. Folder 7 contains one letter from Charles Emery to his wife Susan.

Box 2 Folder 3 includes a power of attorney and related documents granted by George Harris of London, master mariner, to Stodden Castle concerning collection of a debt owed to George Harris in Sierra Leone, Africa.