The collection includes family letters, from Lucretia Prentiss to her children, assorted correspondence between the Senator's children, Masonic items belonging to son Edward Prentiss, assorted obituaries, including that of Samuel F. Prentiss and Edward H. Prentiss, sons of the Senator. There are assorted inspirational quotes pasted to 1881 diary pages and two pamphlets giving extensive information and appreciations for Senator Prentiss.

Samuel Prentiss (1782-1857) married Lucretia Houghton (1786-1855). He was born in Stonington, Conn, and they had twelve children, the ten boys all becoming lawyers. He was admitted to the Vermont Bar in 1802. He served as the Montpelier General Assembly representative in 1824 and 1825. He sat on the state Supreme Court 1825-1829, and was its Chief Justice 1829-1830. He was elected Vermont's Federal Senator in 1830, and again in 1836, as a Whig. He resigned in 1842 to become a United States District Court judge, serving from 1842 until his death in 1857. While in the Senate his causes included suppressing dueling in the District of Columbia, also the abolition of slavery in the District, and was opposed to the annexation of Texas.