Frobisher's papers comprise a letterbook of the North-West Co. containing copies of letters written by Frobisher from April 1787 to October 1788, two original letters to Simon McTavish, 1796, and one from him, 1787, business and legal documents, largely concerning the estate of James McGill, 1810-1834, and a diary, 1806-1810, mostly a record of where he dined.

About half of Donald's papers consist of diaries giving brief daily records of his professional and sometimes personal activities from 1918 to 1981. The remaining files fall into two series. Essays and addresses, 1919-1962, largely on economic aspects of the chemical industry, were addressed to professional organizations and commercial bodies such as the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Chemical Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Industrial Development Board of Manitoba. More informal speeches include a radio talk on jobs in the chemical industry, 1938. Personal materials comprise some family, legal and investment records, 1940-1952, and undergraduate essay on medieval universities, 1910, correspondence related to an annuity fund set up by Donald for Jessie Henderson, secretary and librarian of McGill's Chemistry Department (1946-1961), and a file of press releases and congratulatory letters on Donald's receipt of the Chemical Industry Medal, 1952-1953.

These McGill papers are entirely concerned with his property and estate. They comprise legal documents and copies of letters (some in McGill's hand) concerning his land holdings on St. Paul St., Montréal, in Stanbridge, and in Detroit. McGill's cash book, 1809-1815, and copy by W.D. Lighthall of a deed of conveyance to McGill of some land formerly occupied by the city fortifications, 1805, are also included, as is a blue-print and sketch by W.D. Lighthall of the site of McGill's St. Paul St. house. Estate papers comprise a probate of McGill's will, copied by Alice Lighthall, and his executor's cash book.

File contains 10 items which are copies of legal documents from the life James McGill. 1 indenture contract between James McGill and Edward William Gray, 1795; 1 indenture contract between Andrew Turner and Alexander Allison, 1817; 5 contracts of the selling of real estate for a property on St. Paul St ., Montreal once owned by McGill (1774-1822); 1 document on the removing of the old wall and fortifications of Montreal; 1 document on the bankruptcy and sale of Hoyle, Henderson and Gibb Co.; 1 document, an obligation of the estate of James Caldwell.

The fonds consist of copies of deeds, some of which concern the British-American Land Co., that were executed by Torrance for the period 1856 to 1861, and a notebook of opinions on Québec legal questions, including copies of letters from the firm Torrance & Morris (1857-1859).

The fonds consists of documents and letters accumulated during the course of Griffin's legal career, including: dockets of the firm Griffin & Sewell, 1833-1875; legal notes by Griffin concerning wills, sales, and mortgages 1850-1876; legal documents of property transfers and marriage contracts 1826-1860; and notes on marine insurance in the St Lawrence 1843-1848. There are as well two notebooks of legal definitions, dating from approximately 1860.

This file contains a booklet containing the statutes of McGill University and Royal Victoria College.

This file contains a petition submitted to Charles Stanley, Governor General of Canada, and to the Canadian Legislature by the Governors, Principal, and Fellows of McGill College and University, requesting greater funding for the university.