File includes 15 letters dating from 1856 and 13 letters dating from 1857 to George as a child as well as to Anna and "Willie" (William Dawson) from "Grand Papa" and Agnes. Also includes newpapers clippings mentionning Messers & MacMillan's book "Elementary Geography of the British Colonies.'
File includes a collection of 12 short essays written by George Mercer Dawson as a child. On the verso of many is a title, date, and a sketch. The titles of the essays are: "The Indian Antiquities (of Montreal)"; "Fishes"; "Winter"; "Rivers"; "Mountains"; "The Ocean"; "Paper"; "Flowers"; "Vegetation"; "The Wolf"; "Europe"; and "The Lion." The first essay ("Indian Antiquities") discusses the discovery of objects belonging to previous Indigenous inhabitants of the region, including pottery, knives, etc.
File consists of two childhood diaries. The diary dated from summer 1865 recounts a trip to the United Kingdom taken with his father when George Mercer Dawson was 16 years old. The diary dated 1861 was kept while George Mercer Dawson was 11 years old and begins 1 March 1861. One loose leaf with instructions for a magic lantern was previously laid in the diary. 1861 diary speaks of lessons with "Miss," tells of pasttimes and games including tops and marbles, siling boats, tag, bow and arrows, magic lantern, etc. Speaks also of continued headaches and being tired.