This collection is comprised of five volumes of the commonplace books of various members of the Elfreth family, including Rebecca P. Elfreth, Jacob R. Elfreth Sr., Jacob R. Elfreth Jr,. and Jane P. Elfreth. The volumes include poetry, extracts, pressed leaves and flowers, and clippings of illustrations.

Jacob R. Elfreth Sr. was a teacher and a bookkeeper for the Leigh Navigation Company. The majority of entries detail family news, Quaker meetings, Elfreth's work with the Leigh Navigation Company, and births, deaths, and marriages within the Quaker community,