Documents related to the founding and administration of the Union College. Materials related to the various property purchases in New York, the construction of College buildings, College trustee meetings and decisions, legal information related to several lawsuits over College lotteries in the 1840s, financial records, student organizations, curriculum and faculty committees. The bulk of the materials date from the 19th century.

153 page manuscript entitled "Incidents in the Life of James R. Boyd," written by a 1822 graduate of Union College. The memoir includes reminiscences of being a student at Union and impressions of Eliphalet Nott. A trip to Scotland is documented in detail. The 1832 cholera epidemic is mentioned on page 94. Boyd also talks about life in Albany and his work as a minister.

The Jonathan Pearson Papers consist primarily of his correspondence while serving in various roles at Union College (primarily treasurer). Other material includes scrapbooks and research relating to Schenectady Academy and Union College history. A set of 16 diaries contain hand-written accounts of Pearson’s travels in New England and through parts of the United States, and documents his time as a member of the College administration.