Fonds consists of materials created and accumulate by Dana Porter during his personal and professional career, as well as materials collected posthumously and created and accumulated by his wife and children. Includes photographs, correspondence, research notes, essays and other writings, ephemera, scrapbooks and clippings.

One broadside legal document for the recapture of an enslaved woman in Memphis, Tennessee. The writ of replevin and penal bond is by Sarah A. Hawthorn, by her next friend John Hawthorn. Next friend is a legal term for someone who appears in court in place of one who is not considered competent to do so. In this case, Sarah's husband John appeared on her behalf as Sarah, being a married woman, could not bring actions in Tennessee. The writ of replevin is filed against George W. Fisher who the Hawthorns claim was illegally holding an enslaved woman named Mary An. The writ also states that if the Hawthorns are found to be unlawful in their re-capture of Mary Ann they would pay a penal bond of $1,600.