The John Turner Collection contains nine letters, five of which Turner wrote to his wife, Polly, and four of which concern business matters. Included also are bills of lading, insurance policies, cargo manifests, orders, personal accounts, convoy instructions, and customs documentation including enrollments, receipts, and clearance papers.

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.