Fonds is comprised of three bound volumes of correspondence, sketches, paintings, diaries, receipts, newspaper clippings, deeds, baptismal and marriage records, family trees, and scrapbooks pertaining to the Wallis family. Included also are several documents pertaining to the Forbes family, related to the Wallis family through marriage. The Peterborough-born sculptress Katherine E. Wallis (1860-1957), whose papers are located in Trent University Archives, was a member of the Wallis family.
The volume spines are inscribed as follows:

• Papers of Louisa Charles John Mary and Adah Wallis 1854-1882 (Vol. I) (Located in Box 1);
• Papers of Louisa Charles John Mary and Adah Wallis 1883-1895 (Vol. II) (Located in Box 2);
• Captain R.M. Forbes, R.N. 1774-1846 and Family (Located in Box 3).
  Fonds is also comprised of typed transcriptions of some of the items; these are located as received within the volumes.

This collection consists of assorted documents relating to Cobourg and vicinity. It includes marriage certificates, correspondence, indentures, opera house programmes, choral and church programmes, an oil sketch by Alice M. Duncan, and photographs and postcards. It also includes a copy of the "Cobourg World", April 8, 1898 Volume 25, and No. 43.

Fonds consists of 7 watercolours done by Edward C. Caddy. Likely locale of some of the paintings was supplied by Professor Gordon Roper; these locations include Scotland (2), Gull Lake, Stoney Lake, Lake Superior. Two have no indication of location. Also included is a two section map showing Herriots Mill near Kitchiwannoe Lake, and a map (mockup) of Peterborough, Ontario entitled "Location of Built Heritage (demolished and standing) in relation to the MNR building site", 1995.