Series contains various correspondence sent to and composed by members of the Beard, Collins, Weaver, and Fisher families; all are related, the Weaver family in an undetermined way. The correspondence was sent between 1816 and 1901. The majority of the letters have no specified or unusual purpose; some do include genealogies of families, political conversations, and mentions of financial worries.

Series contains genealogies and financial statements, receipts, and records from the Collins, Beard, Weaver, Fisher, and Burton families. The records and papers date from 1839 to 1894, with no apparent chronological system or order. The financial records appear to consist mostly of receipts of specified purchases by certain members of the above named families. The name of the store or merchant is also made clear.

Handwritten letters, family histories, genealogies, deeds, wills, cash receipts, statements, mementoes, and a draft exemption of Joseph Weaver. The materials were created by the Beard, Collins, Fisher, and Weaver families of Illinois and Ohio. Joseph Weaver was exempted from the draft during the American Civil War because he was able to get a substitute. This Joseph Weaver may have been Joseph Myrtle Weaver (1832-1913), an American author.

Series contains a will, a certificate of draft exemption, and advertising flyers promoting tourism. The advertisements are undated; the draft exemption certificate is date October 10, 1864; the will of Edward Collins, May 27, 1852. Additionally, there is no context given for the storing of the flyers, which attract potential tourists to "New York After Dark" and to travel on the Saint Louis and Tennessee River by steamboat.

Photocopies of microfilm copies of handwritten letters. These items were written by family members largely in Illinois and Indiana. The materials dear with family issues. One letter was sent from Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1869.

Answer filed in Circuit Court, Joe [sic] Daviess County, Illinois, October 24, 1844, in response to a complaint filed in the case of Washburne, administrator for the estate of John C. Smith, et al., vs. James Duncan.

Two bonds and one letter of complaint for three cases in which Menard was one of the litigating parties.

Typed and signed letter addressed to H.M. Lamb at West Frankfort, Ill. and dated Jan. 5, 1932. Lewis communicates that he will bear the interests of the communities involved in the development of the Big Muddy River.

Series includes two warranty deeds; one is dated July 24, 1854, and the other October 25, 1856. They involve the Weaver, Collins, Chamberlain, and Weaver families, in no particular order.