Much of the collection originated with William White (1751-1836), a farmer and surveyor who lived in Salem County, New Jersey. By his second wife, Ann Paul (?-1801), he was the father of Samuel White, a farmer in Piles Grove, Salem County. Samuel Paul married Jerusha Smith (1791-1872), daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Shourds) Smith and granddaughter of Daniel Shourds, whose will is the oldest document in the collection. Elizabeth White (1815-1902), daughter of Samuel and Jerusha, married Clement Hinchman (1819-1843) of Sharptown, Salem County. They had one child, a daughter Clemence Hinchman (1843-1934). Elizabeth married William M. Cawley (1819-1875) as her second husband. Clemence Hinchman married in 1867 in Woodstown, Salem County, Howard Bassett (1840-1894), a physician of Pilesgrove. He was the son of David and Mary (Smith) Bassett and grandson of Evi Smith (1786-1864), whose estate papers are included in the collection. Howard and Clemence Bassett had six children: Eugene W., Edward Hicks, Mary Elizabeth, Gertrude W., Clement, and Clara, all of whose lives are reflected in the collection. Clara (born 1884) married Warren T.Wollaston (born 1878). They had one child, Ruth, the apparent heir to this material.

Note written by Thomas D. Hamm