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Barbary Aplin's Cyphering Book contains examples and explanations of arithmetic operations, and genealogical information about the Applin, Sparks, and Coxe families of New Jersey.

The Barbary Aplin Cyphering Book contains examples and explanations of arithmetic operations, and genealogical information about the Applin, Sparks, and Coxe families of New Jersey. The first 10 pages of the book are arithmetic rules, proofs, problems and solutions, and tables. Although the manuscript inscription on the cover is "Barbary Aplin's Cyphering Book," Elizabeth Sparks signed her name on page five, suggesting that she may have contributed to the volume.

Eight additional pages contain sparse genealogical notes regarding the Applin, Sparks, and Coxe families of New Jersey, including birth and death dates for several members of the families. Also of interest is a brief note regarding the deaths of Mary and Hanna Sparks in 1824, accompanied by a small swatch of cloth.

The fourth page of the volume includes a young person's drawings of plants, a person, buildings, a fence, and a bird.

Elizabeth Sparks Adams was a member of the Michigan Historical Commission from 1941 (when she was appointed as the first woman commissioner by Governor Murray D. Van Wagoner) until 1996. She and her husband, Judge Donald E. Adams, were also active in the Democratic Party, specifically in Oakland County and Waterford Township. Mrs. Adams also actively researched and collected materials on family and local history. The collection consists of files accumulated throughout her life, particularly during her service with the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan Democratic Party. Also included are clippings, correspondence, legal documents, and photographs related to family and local history.

The papers are divided into seven series: Personal Papers, Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Collections, Miscellaneous, Democratic Party, Compiled Information, and Collected Materials.