The Daniel A. Kilham Papers contains records created by Daniel A. Kilham, a Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts ship’s captain. Included in the collection are two handwritten drafts of his unpublished 1912 memoir: "Personal recollections of sea life aboard old time sailing ships" and a photocopy of a typed manuscript of the memoir.

The manuscript deals with Kilham's experience as a sailor on the Seaman’s Bride (Ship), a mate on theJames Briant (Bark), and a captain on the West Wind (Ship) throughout the 1850s and 1860s. The memoirs discusses: daily life aboard ships; sea shanties; the punishment of sailors; crimping; and the experiences of Northern sailors in Southern ports during the opening weeks of the U.S. Civil War. The memoir also discusses Kilham's father and grandfather, Edward Kilham and Abraham Kilham, who were sailors in the late 18th century and early 19th century.

Also included in the collection are notes related to the composition of the memoir, including earlier journals of voyages, and undated material related to genealogical research on the Kilham family.