The materials in the collection are organized in chronological order.
| Account book, 1783-1787 | Box 1, F1 |
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Unidentified author. Includes details of payments made for wood, brandy, tobacco, shoes, and other goods, as well as incoming credits for weaving, spinning, cutting wood, and other work. Includes many transactions with "negroes." |
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| Receipt for Robert Young/Yong's Delaware taxes, 1816 April 24 | Box 1, F2 |
| Bond between John Coon and Samuel Verden, 1818 | Box 1, F2 |
| Account of Samuel Virden against estate of William Virden, 1821 January 23 | Box 1, F2 |
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William Virden was probably Samuel's uncle, William Virden, Jr. (1773-1820), who was brother of Peter Lowber Virden. |
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| Sale agreement between Samuel Virden and Samuel Warren, 1823 March 5 | Box 1, F2 |
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Samuel Warren, Jr. may have been the brother of Samuel Virden's future wife, Eliza Anne Warren. |
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| Document naming Samuel Virden as the administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Virden, 1824 May 20 | Box 1, F2 |
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This is most likely Samuel's young daughter, Eliza Lowber Virden, who died in September 1823. Shelved in SPEC MSS oversize boxes (32 inches) |
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| Deed between Caleb Barratt and Sarah Harrington, 1825 December 29 | Box 1, F2 |
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Caleb Barratt was the surviving executor of Andrew Barratt. |
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| Receipt to Samuel Virden from Job Townsend, 1826 February 4 | Box 1, F3 |
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Regarding the estate of Robert Young and the purchase of white oak planks. |
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| Letter from William Jackson to Samuel Virden, 1826 September 24 | Box 1, F3 |
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Regarding the estate of Peter Smock. |
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| Receipt to Samuel Virden from Solomon Townsend, 1827 February 13 | Box 1, F3 |
| Receipt to Samuel Virden from Solomon Townsend, 1831 March 16 | Box 1, F3 |
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Administrator of the estate of Job Townsend. |
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| Receipt to Samuel Virden from Solomon Townsend, 1832 November 16 | Box 1, F3 |
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For Job Townsend. |
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| Receipt to Samuel Virden, 1832 December 1 | Box 1, F3 |
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For a subscription to the Delaware State Journal . |
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| Scrap of an order between John Scott, William Saulsbury, and Samuel [Virden], 1833 | Box 1, F3 |
| Letter to the Virden family from Anna Smock Virden and Ruth Anna Virden, 1840 August 16 | Box 1, F3 |
| Letter to Ruth Anna Virden from her schoolmate Mary S. Paster, 1841 June 10 | Box 1, F3 |
| Receipt to Samuel Virden from A. Whiteley, 1843 December 20 | Box 1, F3 |
| Deed to Thomas Brown from Sarah Brown, Samuel A. Short and wife, William C. Brown and wife, 1845 December 13 | Box 1, F3 |
| Receipt to Samuel Virden and Nathaniel Young from Jonathan Carrow, 1849 January 24 | Box 1, F4 |
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Jonathan Carrow served as auctioneer for the estate sale of Elizabeth Young. |
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| Letter to Sarah Elizabeth ("Lizzie") Virden from Philena [Peterson], 1862 February 22 | Box 1, F4 |
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Regarding Washington's birthday, the marriage of the Swedish opera star Jenny Lind, and other lighthearted news. |
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| Fictional "Log of Yacht Nettle on an excursion down Delaware Bay commencing on Tuesday Nov. 19th 1862", 1862 | Box 1, F4 |
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Fictional ship's log. |
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| Account of sales to John W. Hall from Jas. L. Benley Co, 1863 September 7 | Box 1, F4 |
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Regarding the sloop Golden Gale . |
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| Letter to Samuel Virden R. Y. Townsend, 1864 March 16 | Box 1, F4 |
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Although the exact relation between R. Y. Townsend and Samuel Virden is unclear, the Townsend family connection may come from Samuel Virden's second wife, Eliza, whose mother was Miriam Townsend Warren. Regarding business opportunities. |
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| Letter to Mr. Hall from N. W. Lawson, 1864 August 17 | Box 1, F4 |
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Regarding hostile encounters with Confederate soldiers during a mercantile expedition near City Point, Virginia. |
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| Bill to John W. Hall from Henry Frederick's Building, House Keeping, and Agricultural Hardware Warehouse, 1864 September 30 | Box 1, F4 |
| Letter from Edwin Virden to Father [ ], a Methodist priest in Frederica, Delaware, 1865 September 24 | Box 1, F4 |
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Edwin is living on a plantation in Jackson, Mississippi with his brother, Samuel Virden, Jr. and his sisters Anna and Ruth. He offers commentary on the post-Civil War South and broad condemnation of the "indolent," "stealing" former slaves. |
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| Deed to Thomas Brown from Edward and Hester Anderson, 1860 April 28 | Box 1, F4 |
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Signed April 20, 1860; recorded September 4, 1866. |
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| Letter to [Sarah H. Hall Lester] from John W. Hall, Jr, 1887 June 15 | Box 1, F5 |
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Sarah H. Hall Lester was sister of John W. Hall, Jr. He only had one sister live into adulthood, so it is presumed the recipient of this letter is Sarah H. Hall Lester. Regarding the death of Rachel Whiteley. See also letters dated February 29, 1892, and May 1, 1901. |
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| Deed to Thomas A. Brown from Joseph and Catharine Brown, 1890 March 11 | Box 1, F5 |
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Signed March 11, 1890; recorded April 15, 1890. |
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| Typescript of legal judgement, 1892 February 1 | Box 1, F5 |
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Regarding the breach of charter lawsuit between John W. Hall and Hugh Kelly, written by J. Brown. |
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| Letter to [Sarah H. Hall Lester] from John W. Hall, Jr, 1892 February 29 | Box 1, F5 |
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Regarding finding men to work on their vessels. |
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| Deed to Sarah E. Brown from Joseph and Catharine Brown, James and Susan A. Quillin, Thomas A. and Mary B. Brown, and Mary L. Brown, 1881 April 20 | Box 1, F5 |
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Signed April 20, 1881; recorded September 23, 1895. Recorded by James Virden. Shelved in SPEC MSS oversize boxes (32 inches) |
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| Letter to Peter Lowber Smock Virden from Dr. D. W. Mott, 1896 August 17 | Box 1, F5 |
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Regarding Democratic politics during the free silver controversy. |
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| Letter to [Sarah H. Hall Lester] from John W. Hall, Jr, 1901 May 1 | Box 1, F5 |
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Regarding the health of his wife, business matters, and other news. |
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| Scrap of a legal document involving J. Brown and Major Townsend, undated | Box 1, F5 |
| Recipes, undated | Box 1, F5 |
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One sheet containing recipes for peach cream, orange cream, bisque, and stewed prunes. |