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The Gabriel Francher Collection contains biographical materials, letter book, and an article of agreement.

The collection consists almost entirely of typed English transcriptions of letters, mostly Franchere’s, from two letterbooks of the American Fur Company, 1835-1837 (8 folders) and 1838-1840 (8 folders), of his Remarks made on a visit from Lapointe to the fishing stations of Grand Protage, Isle Royal and Ance Quiwinan (1839) (in French with typed, English transcription, copies, 1 folder), and an original agreement, 1838, with French and English versions, and a related original letter, 1847, in French, concerning a fishing agreement between Pierre Jacoiff, Simon Favreau, and Franchere, as agent for the American Fur Company (1 folder). Biographical materials (copies, 1 folder) are also included.

This collection is made up of 2 items related to Louis Vilemont: a bound journal that he composed while traveling in North America around 1795, with essays, and a letter by the Baron de Carondelet dated June 28, 1795. In his journal, Vilemont commented on the scenery, white residents, and Native Americans.

This collection is made up of 2 items related to Louis Vilemont: a journal that he composed while traveling in North America around 1795, with related essays; and a letter by the Baron de Carondelet dated June 28, 1795.

Vilemont titled his 169-page volume Journal De Mes Voyages, Depuis mon Débarquement à Philadelphie jusqu'à mon arrive à la Nouvelle-Orléans; avec quelque notes topographiques Et un Examen Rapide, naturel Et Politique Des Productions Et Peuples que j'ai Rencontrés. The first 2 pages contain introductory remarks. A 100-page account of his travels beings with his departure from Madrid, Spain, to America, where he visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he described the city and its residents in detail. On his trip to New Orleans, Vilemont wrote about the landscapes and people he saw along the way; for example, he encountered Daniel Boone while traveling through Kentucky (p. 34).

The second part of the volume (pp. 101-169) contains essays about multiple subjects, such as the Louisiana fur trade and Native Americans' involvement in local commerce. One essay includes a chart of various tribes, with the numbers of armed men, and primary locations (p. 99). Other essays concern unidentified Native American tribes' religious beliefs and political organizations. Vilemont wrote marginal notes throughout the volume.

The Baron de Carondelet's letter, dated June 28, 1795, pertains to political issues within Louisiana. He shared his enthusiasm about the recent capture of "Vexerano," who had been accused of murder the previous year, and expressed concern about Vilemont's unauthorized travels in the area.

This collection contains a notebook and financial records pertaining to William Ellis's journeys from Dedham, Massachusetts, to northern New Hampshire and his purchases from animal trappers in western New York in the early 19th century.

The William Ellis collection is made up of 1 notebook and 5 financial records. The notebook contains lists of towns that Ellis passed through while making separate trips from Dedham, Massachusetts, to northern New Hampshire from October 19, 1808-November 4, 1808 (3 pages, including the return journey to Dedham) and July 10, 1809-July 22, 1809 (2 pages). The volume also has a list of names (1 page) and undated accounts regarding Ellis's livestock purchases (1 page). Four of the remaining documents are invoices for animal furs that Ellis bought from traders in Buffalo and Niagara, New York, in July 1810. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.