This collection primarily consists of items related to the American Civil War between 1863 and 1865, such as Muster Roll records, hospital notes, correspondence between officers, personal diaries, and equipment inventories. One of the diaries contains firsthand accounts of David Farrell's life as a soldier in 1864. The thirty-nine Muster Roll records also include details of names, ranks, roles, and statues of members of the Middlesex Rangers and the 10th Pennsylvanian Reserve Regiment. This collection also includes the official documentation concerning David's time as Justice of the Peace.

Material concerning the Farrell/Marsh family includes original land deeds in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, and original government paperwork concerning the Marsh-Shaw family's life, death, and marriage. There is also a selection of miscellaneous materials concerning the Farrell-Shaw family's everyday life, such as railroad tickets, postcards, and religious memorabilia.