Sketch of the Life of Robert Gilmor, the First of that Name in Maryland, typed copy, undated

This collection consists of the papers of the Benjamin Chew Howard family, relations of Robert Gilmor (1748-1822). Included are the genealogy of the Howard family beginning with John Eager Howard (1752-1827) and Margaret Chew (1760-1824), and the Howard's of Arundel and Norfolk. Also included are several histories of Robert Gilmor of Baltimore, written by his son, Robert Gilmor, Jr. (1774–1848), and copied for members of the family. There are newspaper clippings about the family and prominent events; death notices for Benjamin Chew Howard and Colonel Harry Gilmor; an article on "Belvedere," the home of John Eager Howard; and information on the building of the Washington Monument on Howard property.

A major part of the collection consists of inventories of property. Along with many unidentified fragments, there are two account books--attributed to Anne Williams Howard and Jane Howard--that list furniture, paintings, wines, linen, silver, glass, ornaments, and other valuables. There are also three auction books--from the estates of Mrs. C. A. Howard, Robert Gilmor, and Elizabeth S. Graham--that give itemized listings of their property by room and with prices. The remainder of the collection is chiefly correspondence.