The papers consist of 41 items of which the majority are letters received by Hiram Wilson. Five items appear to have been written by him and perhaps 8 others are by relatives of him. the papers deal mainly with efforts to aid blacks in Canada and elsewhere. The is information about the work and how it was supported, including financial aid and the obtaining of teachers. Examples of efforts elsewhere are Augustus Wattles (1842) telling of his school in Ohio and Charles Marryat writing from London (1842) of the possibilities of black emigration to Trinidad. Hiram Wilson describes to his wife (1842) his efforts in England to gain help for their work and Josiah and Isaac Henson write (1847) in support of Wilson's efforts. Other writers include Elizur Wright, Jr., Erastus Child, George Whipple, Hamilton Hill, and James C. Fuller.

Mr. George W. Williams of New York City sent these papers to Oberlin College in October 1977. While Mr. Williams was a student, 1925-1927, at Silver Bay School, Lake George, New York, the papers were given to him by an elderly lady, Miss Elizabeth E. Pope. (See folder for more information about the acquisition of the papers and about Wilson). The College Archives received the papers in November 1977.

See index to 7/1/5 for 39 other letters written by Hiram Wilson, 1837-1857.