The James Taylor papers include correspondence, receipts, and other materials dealing with his business and personal activities. Throughout the correspondence there are numerous letters concerning education, particularly at the college level. One letter, dated February 26, 1865 gives a good account of academic life at the University of Michigan. The collection also contains personal correspondence about life in general. Most of the receipts pertain to Taylor's agricultural implement business and his dealings with other companies. Of particular interest in the miscellaneous materials is an excellent genealogy of the Taylor family which was written in 1942.