These papers contain seven letters to his wife (1808-1833), a fragment of autobiography on his painting and studies, a notebook containing copies of correspondence about his portrait of Washington, John Godman's Ode suggested by Rembrandt Peale's National Portrait of Washington (1824), and a commonplace book containing kitchen and medicinal recipes.

These papers include two pages by Rubens Peale concerning landscapes, a notebook by Rembrandt Peale relating to the portrait of Washington, and a commonplace and recipe book, with sketches of gas lights.