The collection contains files of correspondence and other papers. In addition there are three volumes, which are diary/account books kept by James D. Fish and Herman E. Street. The collection is largely comprised of domestic correspondence between James Deane Fish, his brother and sister, his children, and other relatives and friends.

Letters to family members and diaries (1862-1870) describing Lyon's experiences during the Civil War and his later life in Vermont; together with a typewritten account (1903) of Hatsell's Civil War service written by his son, Arthur H. Hatsell. There are no papers dated 1871-1902.