The collection contains logbooks, cargo books, and disbursements records for the ships BESTSEY, MARY, TRUMBULL, AND CERES, which cover trading voyages from New York and other East Coast ports to various ports in Europe, the West Indies, and Asia.

Letters from Shelton to Moses Taylor, a New York merchant, including discussions of sales, purchases, and shipments of sugar, rice, flour, molasses, honey, Havana cigars, and tobacco; and the specie crisis of 1836 and its effect on the merchant community.

The Records of Lawrence & Co., 1822-1904, consists of eleven boxes containing approximately 5,800 pieces and 134 volumes which illustrate quite well the whaling, sealing, and commercial activities of the Company as well as its predecessors Miner, Lawrence & Co. and Joseph Lawrence.