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Contract for shares in the Sugar Creek Eagle Petroleum Company's lands in Plum Township and Troy Township, Pennsylvania.

Writes of Charlotte Cushman's acting as Lady MacBeth and the philosophical questions it raised for him. Night watchmen will ring bells to alert the town of a meteor shower. Provides scientific details on meteors, including their velocity and power, which he compares to contemporary events and practices to provide scale. Describes how meteors gain speed in space, the formation of asteroid belts and new planets, and meteor showers.

Hopes to visit and have a “Hygiene breakfast.” Written on The Herald of Health and Journal of Physical Culture stationery, which includes subscription information and a list of books on health and hygiene by publisher Miller, Wood & Co.

Account of $132 owed to James P. Burke by the estate of J. D. Battle, settled April 25, 1866. Witnessed by G. B. Struther, Justice of the Peace, including two Internal Revenue stamps. Lists charges for medical practices, such as lancing wounds, extracting teeth, delivering children and a placenta, and prescribing medicine from September 1861 – January 1863. Includes charge for tending to an African American child.

Describes how to fit up a room in order to safely house Mary, seemingly a family member experiencing mental illness. "The only way of keeping Mary in A safe place that we can think of is by ceiling up one half of the room with boards and then have 2 inch plank slats spiked to the beam that runs through the middle of the room." Explains that chaining Mary in the center of the room does not provide adequate space for Lydia to "go in and do the needfull for her without Mary's reaching her as Lydia is afraid of her and we are in fear all the time." Hoping for solutions that remove Mary from the home, as "she is perfectly deadfull when she has those ravings spells which is often… living in such fear we cant do it."

Program for a meeting of the Essex Institute featuring a display of local marine invertebrates, including some under microscopes, and an address by Edward S. Morse. Specimens all acquired in the Salem area. Includes prints of aquatic life.

Regrets not being able to respond to requests that require investigation, due to his busy schedule. Comments on botanical specimens sent to him and his numerous foreign correspondents. Is having difficulty arranging his collection and hoped his daughter could help remove duplicates, and gives short notes on assistants. Discusses possible trades in specimens. Experiences respiratory distress. A death notice for William Wilson and his interment at Hill Cliff Cemetery is also enclosed.

Promoting and seeking information on peat fuel. Believes it to be a rising industry, as people grow weary of the cost and effects of their current fuel sources. Advocates it for use in "steam service both stationary and locomotive, as also marine," smelting and working with iron, and the production of bricks and glass. Produces machinery to make peat fuel.

Blank illustrated form with directions to provide measurements for prosthetic leg from B. Frank Palmer's "The Palmer Limbs." With diagram of legs and areas to take measurements. "THIS BLANK will be filled in case of amputation BELOW THE KNEE. A PHYSICIAN, or an ingenious man, should assist. Use a MECHANIC'S TAPE." Several notes appear on verso, including names and residences and the statement "See my new Boots. See how they fit."

Feels isolated in Ohio, not spending much time in public except to vote. Studies natural science, horticulture, bee culture, and agriculture. Remembers Durham and describes associates in East Rockport. Comments on railroads, the improvement and use of lands in Ohio, and a grandson who had emotional difficulties. Traveled to Florida, where he met a woman and her family suffering economically after the war. Made their living with flower and vegetable gardening, practicing botany, and collecting local specimens. Gave him some shells and insects.