The papers consist almost entirely of Barrows' manuscript writings and notes. Among them are sermons (1832-80), and incomplete Hebrew grammar, outlines of lectures on the Kingdom of God, commentary on the Book of Proverbs, introductions to the Old and New Testaments and notes to a treatise on Proverbs. Also included is s typescript autobiography of 180 pages (1881).

This collection is not divided into series.

The bulk of these papers had been in the Oberlin College Library. The autobiography was as gift of a great granddaughter of Mr. Barrows.