The collection consists of estate files from the Upper Canada Probate and Surrogate Courts, as well as assorted deeds, wills and registers for the counties of Frontenac, Dundas, Hastings, Prescott, Stormont, Leeds and Grenville and Lennow and Addington.
The fonds consists of letters to John and Alexander Anderson, merchants interested primarily in West Africa. Press clippings concerning Captain William Anderson of the artillery in the Afghan war, 1840.
Daybook lists many local United Empire Loyalist names such as John Canniff, Major Van Alsie, Peter Young, Sills, Trumpour and Roblin. Includes a record of sales to Reuben Bedell of Adolphustown, in November 1797, who appeared to be a travelling salesman.
The fonds consists of records of both Land Commissions including reports, indexes, minute books of Heir and Devisee Commission sittings, claims documentation (notices, affidavits, certificates) and Commission rulings. The records of the two commissions are arranged differently. The first Heir and Devisee Commission is arranged by geographical location, organized by the names of the old districts. Within the districts, the files are arranged alphabetically by surname. The files of the second Heir and Devisee Commission have been indexed and arranged alphabetically by surname, with date of claim. There are five reels of name indexes.
The fonds consists of legal papers belonging to George Baxter and family, Misses Baxter and Mrs. Isabel Innes, and John Bell and his heirs. Also included are medical documents belonging to John Maitland. Most of the material relates to the family farm in Pittsburgh Township and the family home at Cataraqui Grange. There is also correspondence to Lt. Col. L.D.M. Baxter, dominion president of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, from several leading world figures, as well as articles relating to John R. Day.