Jonathan Williams, a nephew of Benjamin Franklin, was chief of the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, and first superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. The genealogical material was "compiled from family records and his own personal knowledge by his son," H.J. Williams.

This paper contains biographical accounts of Joseph Hiester, Frederick A. Muhlenberg, and Andrew Gregg, and includes genealogical tables.

Two volumes contain genealogical data on the Allen family. One volume is a scrapbook of miscellaneous material on Allen and his family, containing letters, newspaper clippings, etc. and much material pertaining to the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania. There are nine diplomas and certificates of membership in learned societies, military associations, etc.

This item was written by William Keen for his children and includes genealogy, glimpses of his boyhood in Philadelphia, and reflections on his education at Jefferson Medical College and his medical career. There are accounts of memorable events and surgical cases, including the operation on President Grover Cleveland's jaw. There are mentions of S. Weir Mitchell and other physicians, with historical recollections of such Philadelphia institutions as the College of Physicians.

These papers include letters, broadsides, and other documents pertaining to various branches of the Rittenhouse family, in particular, David Rittenhouse and his daughter Elizabeth "Betsey" Rittenhouse Sergeant. Included are references to Benjamin Smith Barton, and copies of documents concerning the Barton family, especially Thomas Barton, in Fanny Abbott's, "Family Records."

This collection of letters, diaries, and other types of documents (both original and copies) was assembled primarily by Mary Jane Peale, who copied, or had copied, many family documents. The bulk of the collection centers on Charles Willson Peale, James Burd Peale, and Mary Jane Peale.

Reel one contains account books, including Agness Minshall (1784-1810), Jacob Minshall (1773-1818), Enos Painter (1802-1863), Minshall Painter (1842-1873), and John J. Tyler (1890-1910). Reel two contains almanacs, receipts, and bank books of Jacob Minshall (1843-1877), Enos Painter (1852-1854), Minshall Painter (1840-1873), and John J. Tyler. Reel three contains day books for Minshall Painter and Jacob Minshall, Mathew Carey's "Account of the Yellow Fever Epidemic," Society of Friends burial records for the Middletown Friends' Meeting graveyard (1787-1859), and complaints against the Painter family (1699-1807), genealogies of the Dutton family, Painter family, Tyler family, Minshall family, and Gilpin family, and journals of travels of John J. Tyler (1841-1900). Reel four contains miscellaneous records on observations of the Liberal File (1853-1856) and a women's rights meeting (1851), an essay by Oran Hazard on slavery (1796), taxes for the Enos Painter estate (1864-1873), and travel guides of the United States and Canada (1844, 1874). Reels five and six contain the shelf list cards for the John J. Tyler Arboretum Library.

David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was one of the most prominent American men of science of the 18th Century. A skilled instrument maker, Rittenhouse was the an astronomer, playing a major role in recording the 1769 Transit of Venus, among many accomplishments. Rittenhouse also conducted important survey work for the state of Pennsylvania, establishing the state's western border, as well as overseeing the completion of the Mason-Dixon survey. In addition to his scientific endeavors, Rittenhouse's work for American independence places him among the important founding fathers. Subordinating his scientific interests for the greater good of Pennsylvania during the American Revolution, Rittenhouse served as a member of both the Pennsylvania Assembly and the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, and held powerful positions on the Pennsylvania Council of Safety and the subsequent Committee on Safety. Rittenhouse also served as the first director of the United States' Mint, at the behest of President George Washington. Rittenhouse was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1768 and played a major role in placing the Society on the scientific map. He held many positions in the Society, including serving as its President from 1791 until his death in 1796. The Rittenhouse papers span 1774 to 1932, and consist of 61 items, over 0.25 linear feet. The collection is comprised mainly of correspondence, but also includes receipts, genealogies and broadsides.