The Eben Samuel Johnson Collection is primarily composed of the Bishop' s papers but also includes records from his immediate family as well. The collection does not end with the death of the Bishop. It continues with correspondence between Sarah Tilsley Johnson and her children, especially with Samuel Darlow. The collection reflects the close interconnected relationships within the Johnson family. These were individuals whose characteristics were unique to themselves yet found a commonality within their love for each other and the church.

There are a total of nine series which cover a variety of subjects and record types. Included are correspondence, a journal, various writings, clippings, biographical material, and a racoon coat. Topics embrace David Livingstone, various church organizations, mission work, cultural anthropology, educational institutions, industry, cannibalism, governments, sermons, world events, etc. Much of Johnson's autographs are written in Pitman shorthand.

A great deal of the work, biography, and family life of John Talbot Gracey is contained in this document. Gracey wrote a great deal of sermons in his life, many of which exist in this document. Some of these are completely written out, while some are still in outline form. Also included are many newspaper and magazine articles written by Gracey about various aspects of his life. There are articles about mission work, about other religions, and about his own Christian faith. The majority of these would have been published in a Christian newspaper or magazine, such as The Methodist.

Much of Gracey's missionary life is documented, from articles written about his experiences to notes he took while on different mission trips, to photographs of mission work. Gracey had many journals, some of which can be found in this collection.

As for his biography and family life, there are correspondences between Gracey and different members of his family. Some of his wife's writings are included in this collection, as well as responses to her work. Also included is information about his daughter Ida's missionary work in China. An interesting thing to note is the copy of marriage licenses from his wife Annie's father during his pastorate. This provides a bit of family history for the Gracey household.

This collection includes dossiers, correspondence, letters, records of annual conferences and agencies, subject files, manuscripts, articles, personal and family papers, photographs, negatives, clippings, and other printed matter. Bishop Springer's papers primarily document the interaction of American social and ecclesiastical structures forged at the edge of the American frontier with a region of the African continent which was undergoing the process of civilization. Reflected also among these materials is the impact which such interaction had upon Americans who went to spend their lives in the African mission fields, as well as the impact upon Africans themselves. See the published guide, "Preliminary Inventory of the Papers of Bishop John McKendree Springer" (issued by the General Commission on Archives and History, 1982) for individual series descriptions.

This collection contains a Bible Society record book and financial records. There is also a journal belonging to William John Shuey beginning January 1855, when he departed for Africa, and ending in July 1855, when he returned to the United States. The journal is accompanied by several handwritten pages of reminiscences.