This series contains genealogical and biographical notes, printed material about Clara Barton (1910-79), teaching certificates (1849-53), her funeral service and will, and memorials and tributes (1869-1917). There are also records of the Clara Barton Literary Committee, a committee of literary executors in charge of the disposition of Barton's papers (1915, 1918). In addition there is Percy Epler's correspondence and notes (1907-19) for his biography, The Life Of Clara Barton; and notes and correspondence (1910-28) of William E. Barton for his biography, The Life of Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross. Epler's notes contain recollections of Stephen Barton, Herman Riccius, Saidie Riccius, and William Barton.

This series is divided into three subseries: From Clara Barton, To Clara Barton and Miscellaneous.

The bulk of the correspondence is personal in nature. Of particular interest in the first two sections (both arranged alphabetically) are letters and manuscript notes (1863, n.d.) from John J. Elwell with whom Barton had a romantic relationship in 1863. There are additional Ellwell letters in Barton's papers at the Library of Congress. In 1874-75 Barton corresponded with doctors and clairvoyants in search of medical advice. Of interest are letters from Dr. Edward B. Foote (1875), Dr. S.W. Hewett (1875), Dr. Charles Main (1874-75), Mrs. C.W. Morrison (1874-75), and Dr. H.B. Storer (1875) which, along with notes located in SERIES III which Barton made during her illnesses, not only provide information on Barton's health, but also interesting insights into late nineteenth century medicine and spiritualism. Correspondence with her family, William E. Barton (1895-1919), Esther P. Barton (1900-02), Julia Porter Barton (1854), David Barton (1853-57), and the Vassall family (1853-56), provide a look at her close relationship with her brothers and sisters and their families. There are letters (1887-89) also from Louise, Grand Duchess of Baden, who befriended Barton when she was in Europe; statesman Elihu Benjamin Washburne; and General J.C.Breckinridge (1898).

The Miscellaneous subseries contains correspondence of William E. Barton and Stephen Barton (1906-24) with others. Of particular interest are letters from Julian G. Hubbell (1920-24) which concern Clara Barton and spiritualism and the settling of her estate; and from Saidee

Riccius (1916-28), Clara Barton's great niece, who helped William Barton with his biography. Three letters from Francis Atwater to William Barton contain personal reminiscences. Finally, there is one letter (1882) from Hannah McLaren Shepard to Joseph Christie relating to the Women's National Relief Association.

This series contains speeches and writings mostly in Barton's hand. They are arranged chronologically with the exception of four volumes boxed separately. Of interest are notes Barton made to Dr. Foote about her health and miscellaneous notes she made during illness. Some of these relate to correspondence in SERIES II. Box 4 contains four volumes: "The Old-old-book" is a collection of handwritten verse; "Work and incidents of army life" and a volume of Civil War experiences, probably used as speeches, provide an eloquent and poignant view of life on the battlefields of the Civil War. The former is authored by Barton but written in the hand of Dorence Atwater. The final volume, "International and National Relief in War," was given as a paper to the Social Science Association in Saratoga, N.Y. in 1882. Other versions can be found in box 3.

This series contains memorabilia, printed material, correspondence, and reports. It is divided into four subseries: Civil War, American National Red Cross, National White Cross of America, and the Woman's National Relief Association.

Civil War contains originals and copies of army passes and authorizations issued to Barton for passage onto the battlefields (1861-65); two reports to Congress, a financial report (1868) and a request for appropriations (1866); and material related to Dorance Atwater and Barton's activities related to soldiers who died at Andersonville Prison. This includes A List of the Union Soldiers Buried At Andersonville written by Atwater and published in 1868.

American National Red Cross contains memorabilia and pamphlets and printed material about the activities, history and origins of the Red Cross (1863-1918), many authored by Clara Barton. This subseries includes correspondence, printed material, congressional documents, and lawyers reports relating to the controversy between Clara Barton and Mabel T. Boardman over control of the organization (1903-16); conference and annual reports (1900-02); and relief in Cuba (1898), Asia Minor (1896), and Galveston, Texas (1900-01).

The last two subseries include a Senate Bill to incorporate the National White Cross of America (1899) and an annual report and printed material related to the Woman's National Relief Association of New York (1880-81).

This series is divided into two two subseries: Memorabilia and Photographs.

The Memorabilia consists of postcards, calling cards, and miscellaneous items.

Photographs includes seven photographs of Clara Barton. Although most are undated, there is one of Barton as young woman and one dated 1903, otherwise they are of Barton in her prime, probably between 1860 and 1890. Family photos include William Barton, Sarah Stone Barton, and Capt. Stephen Barton (all undated). There are also photographs and postcards of various places: Barton's birth place and summer home in Oxford, MA; her homes in Dansville, NY and Glen Echo, NJ; Converse House, where she boarded while teaching in Charlton, MA; and the stone school in Charlton, MA, where she first taught school. There are miscellaneous photographs which include her cemetery plot and the Universalist Church in Oxford, Andersonville memorabilia, Grand Duchess Louise (1889), and a drawing of Kaiser Wilhelm, 1888.

This series is divided into five subseries: Personal material, National First Aid Association of America, Red Cross, Clara Barton, and Oversize material

The first subseries contains correspondence, memorabilia, writings, and photographs. The bulk of the correspondence, which is arranged chronologically, consists of letters from Mary Kensel to Roscoe Wells (1904-12). There are also a few miscellaneous letters: from Mary to her father (1912); to Mary from George (1919), and to Roscoe Wells from his father (1890). Memorabilia includes items such as a souvenir program from the 24th National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic (1890), an anonymous poem about Mt. Washington, military certificates of Albert S. Wells and G.A. Kensel (1865), and a scrapbook containing clippings and recipes. Mary Kensel was a poet as well as an amateur photographer. The writings include photographs with poetry attached, miscellaneous poems, and a copy of Challenging The Road of New England (1931). The photographs include pictures of Roscoe Wells, Mary Kensel Wells, their home and pet dog, and several Kensel and Wells ancestors.

The National First Aid Association of America subseries contains Annual reports (1906-09), publications (1906-20), memorabilia, and photographs. Roscoe Wells was treasurer, vice president and assistant to the president and his involvement is evident in much of this material. He authored or edited a number of the publications, which include three issues of the Barton First Aid Text Book; Boys Drill Regulations; a committee report; and First Aid, the organization's newsletter (1912-21). Wells appears in many of the photographs and most likely was recipient of most of the medals and pins found in the oversized section.

The Red Cross subseries contains an undated handwritten history of the Red Cross, The American National Red Cross, Its' Origin and History (1898), and Drill Regulations for the Ambulance Corps, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (1895)

The Clara Barton subseries contains correspondence, clippings, miscellaneous printed material, memorabilia, and photographs. The correspondence consists of letters from Clara Barton to Mary Kensel and Roscoe Wells (1906-10), and a letter from HRH Grand Duchess Louise of Baden, evidently sent to Mary Wells on the death of Clara Barton. Most of the clippings are contemporary to Barton. The later printed material was apparently added by Sally Hooper and consists primarily of material about the Clara Barton Camp for Girls With Diabetes and a sesquicentennial celebration of Barton's life sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation in 1971. Memorabilia consists of several ribbons, a list of her decorations, and other miscellaneous items. Most of the memorabilia is in the Oversize material. There are fourteen photographs. They include snapshots of Barton with Mary and Roscoe Wells and some portraits.

The Oversize material consists of two flags; Women's Relief Corps medals; Civil War relics including items from Civil War battlefields and Andersonville Prison; Clara Barton memorabilia; and assorted buttons, medals and pins. In addition there are two certificates and two photographs in the flat file.