Contains letters sent or received by members of the Chester Cook family. Topics include sin and temptation, a request for a loan, a cabin, information about the village of Orleans (N.Y.), a lyceum meeting, a baptism, views on marriage and recipes, a wedding and local and family news. Correspondents include Sally Wicks, J.W. Sheriff, Samuel Sheriff, William Cook, Sarah Cook, Chester Cook, Caroline Cook, M.J. Edgerton and Elisabeth Paris.

Two volumes containing a list of charter members and a list of members with ages, date of receiving the 1st to 4th degrees (1874-1916), signature and occupation; and articles of organization.

Letters, bills, receipts, insurance policies, resolutions, notes, articles of co-partnership, a foreclosure; also personal correspondence of Dr. Charles Elmendorf; also included are broadsides and circulars. Collection pertains to Masonic rites, and programs for the various lodges; also material relating to the Odd Fellows, Knights Templar, and the Philosophers of the Living Fire, in New York State Counties Yates and Ontario, and in Illinois, Kentucky, and Ireland.

Eight volumes of approximately 25 pages each covering years 1858-1863 in daily entries. Ogden recorded weather, farm chores, helping other farmers, making tiles, visitors, travel, family events and helath and deaths. Also noted are prayer meetings, services, monthly, quarterly and class meetings attended, cash accounts by month and bills payable by month with names, items and amounts.

Records farming activities according to season; social meetings attended, including anti-slavery and temperance lectures, town meetings, library meetings and railroad meetings; church services attended at the First Congregational Church of East Bloomfield (of which he and his family were members and he a trustee); revival meetings; and family events.

Speeches, clippings, and sketches made by Dorman relating to the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry, and to the grange movement in Ontario County (N.Y.) and neighboring counties, and to the formation of the Pomona Grange, including an installation speech, membership lists, an account of Union Grange #171, a speech on oleomargarine, and a speech on the farmer's position within the party strife in the movement.