These papers include wills and probates, accounts and receipts, certificates of marriage, birth and christening, a share-certificate, character references, an apprentice's indenture and other papers of the Severn, Lawrence, Goodman and Newman families.

These papers came to New Zealand in a deed box. Most are late 18th and early 19th century, and all are English, (mostly Plymouth and Southwark), with the exception of the most recent. Includes a Christchurch lawyer's account to Mr. J.J. Severn, regarding the purchase of Town Reserve 72 in 1866 and a seaman's certificates of character and discharge for Charles Newman.