Box 1 contains Correspondence, both personal and business, arranged chronologically between the years 1822-1909. Most letters are either to or from family members, including William Tillotson, Richard and Julia Tillotson, and Richard D. Tillotson and his son Henry R. Tillotson. Others represented include Alilah “Lillie” Tillotson (Mrs. Samuel H. Miller), her daughter Grace Miller, Deborah Tillotson (Mrs. Erastus Howell), and William James (called James) Tillotson. Several vessels are mentioned.

Box 2 begins with a continuation of the correspondence files from Box 1, arranged chronologically. There are more letters from Richard D. Tillotson and his sister Alilah Miller, plus correspondence from Henry R. Tillotson. Folder 2/8 begins a series of general shipping papers arranged chronologically from 1838 to 1873. Many vessels are represented, most of them belonging to Capt. Richard Tillotson.

These papers reveal that Tillotson did most of his shipping business with companies in Port Jefferson and New York, and to a lesser extent at numerous ports along Long Island Sound.

Box 3 continues this series for papers dated 1874-1911. The names of many vessels appear, especially between 1874 and 1891. Domestic or personal papers are found in the remaining folders.

Box 4 contains miscellaneous material, ca. 1830-1900. Of particular interest are property deeds for land purchased by William and Richard Tillotson around Brookhaven, NY, from 1830 to 1862. There is a collection of 11 bills of sale for vessels acquired by Capt. Richard Tillotson between 1845 and 1895, as well as a small hand colored drawing of the Sloop PEARL.

Boxes 5 and 6 contain 20 volumes, primarily vessel account books and business records.