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The Cadets of Temperance (N.Y.) papers contain correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, and printed materials concerning the Eagle and Cygnet Sections of the Cadets of Temperance in northwestern New York.

The Cadets of Temperance (N.Y.) papers contain 17 letters, 102 records, and 20 printed items, spanning 1847-1850. The majority of the items concern the Eagle Section of the Cadets of Temperance in Rush, New York, but a few items pertain to the Cygnet Section of Rochester, New York, and the Rush Division of the Sons of Temperance of Rush, New York.

The Correspondence series contains 17 letters, 1847-1850, relating to the business of both the Cadets of Temperance and the Rush Division of the Sons of Temperance of Rush, New York. Grand Worthy Patron (G.W.P.) John F. Graham is the recipient of over half of the letters, which contain information about meetings, new members, elections, and practices of both groups. A letter of December 4, 1847, written by A.B. Clemons describes the threat to temperance posed by the availability of rum in Palmyra, New York. Charles E. Ford wrote a letter about the behavioral problems of members, including one man's refusal to sit down when the gavel sounded (December 13, 1847). On December 15, 1848, Daniel Cody wrote concerning the difficulty of finding adult leadership for the Cadets of Temperance because of the ban on tobacco. Also present are several letters between local sections that were collaborating to put on events.

The Records series spans 1848-1850 and contains several subseries pertaining to the Eagle Section of the Cadets of Temperance: Meeting Records, Bound Records, Receipts, and Applications. The Meeting Records subseries include minutes, attendance lists, an early constitution written at the first meeting (March 11, 1848), and records of votes taken at meetings. In one such vote, the boys debated whether the "Rough & Ready Society is more beneficial to society than the Cadets," which was affirmed by a vote of 7 to 6 (June 21, 1848). In another, they decided the question of whether "the negroes have been abused more than the Indians" (November 29, 1848). These records also document the election of officers, cases of rule violation by members and their punishments, and the payment of initiation and monthly dues. The Bound Records subseries contains three volumes: a book of meeting minutes for March 1848-March 1849 and two membership books that track fee payments for 1848. The Receipts subseries contains five small bundles of receipts for initiation and membership dues, totaling 60 items. The Applications subseries consists of 18 applications for membership, with name, residence, age, and recommender of each applicant.

The Printed Material series covers 1848-1850, and includes constitution and by-laws for the Cygnet Section of the Cadets of Temperance (1848), the Rush Division of the Sons of Temperance (1849), and the Eagle Section of the Cadets of Temperance (n.d.). Also in this series are several instruction cards, an undated booklet with songs and recitations, and a document containing the Cadets' 1850 password.

The Realia Series comprises a wooden box containing two ceremonial collars and a gavel. These items are housed in the Clements Library Graphics Division.

Charles Child of New York, New York, filled out this pre-printed daily diary from January 1 through August 21, 1860, recording his social visits, correspondence relating to matrimonial newspaper advertisements, activities with the Cadets of Temperance, and his work as an engraver. The back of the volume includes "Cash Accounts" and "Bills Payable" filled out for the entire year.

Charles Child of New York, New York, filled out this pre-printed daily diary from January 1 through August 21, 1860, recording his social visits, correspondence relating to matrimonial newspaper advertisements, activities with the Cadets of Temperance, and his work as an engraver. The back of the volume includes "Cash Accounts" and "Bills Payable" filled out for the entire year.

Child recorded his social engagements, visits, and conversations with both men and women, and he commonly used slang terms in his entries. He noted his attendance at parties, dances, skating excursions, card games, picnics, and performances, providing a glimpse into the social life of a young New Yorker. Charles Child was an active member of "Excelsior Section No. 7" and the "Mount Vernon Section" of the Cadets of Temperance, and he wrote about the meetings and work he undertook on their behalf.

Beginning in March, Child referenced "insert[ing] matrimonial advertisements" in local newspapers (March 15), receiving letters in response, and writing replies. He joked with his peers about the endeavor and discussed responses. It appears in some of his ads he may have been posing as a woman as he notes receiving letters "directed to 'Minnie' " (March 17) and "Emma Gray" (May 12 and 29) and replying "in a feminine hand" (March 20). He appears to have taken up a substantive correspondence with a woman named Nellie.

In addition to daily affairs, Child commented on events like fires (January 13), a suicide (January 28), and referenced the Japanese delegation in New York City (June 16, June 23, June 25). He made occasional references to the sectional conflict and political events (see January 15, February 27, March 1). On August 6, he joined the New York Zouaves, and several pages at the back of the volume list out members of Company A of the First Regiment of the New York Zouaves. A note written on the back flyleaf by Charles Child's mother, Sarah O'Dell Child Willets, reads, "gone to the war[.] June 5th 1861 started for fortress Monroe as 1st Lieut. Co A. 9th Regt New York Zouaves."

Child's entries also document his professional life as he took up engraving under Jacob Hyatt. On January 16, Child noted that he "engraved the first card plate I ever did," and throughout the volume noted jobs he took on, including engraving cards, utensils, a "brass plate for a fiddle-box" (April 2), a watch, a door plate, a wedding card plate, a seal, a diploma plate, and others. On May 9, he noted getting a copy of "the History of the US. for the purpose of placing the plates correctly." On June 6, his uncle provided him with a steel plate "to try my hand on," and Child noted when he tried new scripts, providing glimpses into how he was learning the art.

The Cash Accounts and Bills Payable sections at the end of the volume include details about his personal expenses, financial affairs with the Cadets of Temperance, and his salary for engraving.