This collection of 97 items, most collected by Mr. Harmon Boyd (AC 1917), consists chiefly of correspondence but also passports, contracts, tickets, official proclamations, and other documents relating to Samuel Goodrich's life and literary work, chiefly dating from 1820 to 1860 with some undated material. Most of the correspondence is addressed to Goodrich; correspondence to other individuals usually concerns Goodrich or his literary works or characters. The collection also includes several letters written by or to Goodrich's daughter, Emily Goodrich Smith, concerning her father's works; and one letter dated 1860to Goodrich's wife. Three items comprise 20th century material relating to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd's ownership of the collection.

The papers are arranged alphabetically by name of creator, with unidentified material placed at the end. Nine oversize items have been placed in a second box.