The collection documents the lives of the Thomas and Prescott families of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The collection contains biographical papers, genealogy/lineage records, and correspondence of family members. The bulk of the collection is the correspondence of Benjamin H. Thomas Jr., spanning the period from 1879 to 1927.

The biographical papers consist of obituary notices and correspondence which discuss eligibility to join the D.A.R. and the moral character of family members. The correspondence of the family members discuss religion, health, and daily activities.

The papers of Benjamin H. Thomas Jr. includes correspondence sermon notes, diaries, a notebook, travel summaries, and various church histories and documents. One travel diary describes his trip to the Orient. The notebook gives an account of daily activities, expenses, and information about family members.

Other correspondence includes letters related to the illness and subsequent death (13 May 1863) of Amos W. Thomas, a soldier in the Civil War (11th Pennsylvania Cavalry). During his illness he was cared for in the Small Pox Hospital, close to Camp Suffolk in Virginia. Friends, the nurse, and chaplain wrote letters home for him. Included are a map of his burial site in Virginia and a letter discussing the possible removal of the remains from Virginia to Michigan. These letters have been transcribed, scanned and placed online at http://civilwar.archives.msu.edu/collection/7-1C-42/thomas/.

The death of Charles B. Thomas in a plane collision is another large part of the collection. There are files containing his correspondence and documents, his aviation book, information concerning his death, including obituary notices, articles about the accident and correspondence to the family about his death.

Included among the church documents are the minutes from the annual Clairon Baptist Association meetings (1838-1888). Pennsylvania churches documented in the church histories include, Union Baptist Church in North Buffalo, Armstrong County; Greenville and Zion Baptist Churches in Clarion County; Leatherwood Church; and the Soldier Run Church in Reidsville, PA.