Consists mainly of letters by Helen Ainslie Smith and Rev. F.A. Adams, written between 1881-1888. Adams was an advisor and friend of Smith and often alternated between addressing her as “pupil” and “Helen.” These letters describe writing processes, Smith’s current work, and the work of other authors. Many of the letters contain hand-copied lines of the poetry or prose of other famous authors. There is also an obituary for Adams and a note from his son, Frederic Adams, returning Smith’s letters. Also included are childhood writings and drawings of Paula Gerard, Smith’s daughter, starting from the time she was learning to write. There are several fragments of musical compositions and miscellaneous fragments of letters from unknown individuals, four notecards of pressed plants, calling cards and other miscellaneous signatures from Smith’s “birthday book,” as well as the last will and papers pertaining to the death of Walter E. Smith, Helen Ainslie Smith’s father. Genealogical materials include several letters from Smith to various individuals with inquiries about her genealogy and family records, several hand-drawn and incomplete family trees, a copy of a 1744 land deed, and other genealogical information.