This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and his son George C. Ward. During George C. Ward's trip to Europe, 1846-1848, he traded many letters with his father discussing contemporary European events, including the 1848 Rebellion in France. Thomas Wren Ward frequently asked for information on the state of trade in places where George traveled and mentioned the economic situation at home in Boston. See also Thomas Wren Ward - John G. Ward correspondence for Thomas Wren Ward letters addressed to John and George Ward.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and his son John G. Ward. The series also contains letters from John to his mother, Lydia Gray Ward, and correspondence from Thomas Wren Ward addressed to both John G. and George C. Ward. John G. Ward traveled to Europe and on to China as a partner in A. Heard & Co., 1847-[1849]. He and Thomas Wren Ward exchanged business advice and observations on politics and trade during the trip and at other times.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and his daughter Martha Ann Ward. Martha A. Ward frequently wrote her father while he traveled on business and kept him informed of family matters.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and his eldest son, Samuel G. Ward. Samuel followed Thomas Wren Ward as an agent for Baring Brothers, and business is a recurring topic in the later correspondence. Thomas Wren Ward wrote Samuel many letters describing his trip to England in 1853 in great detail.

This subseries contains correspondence between Samuel G. Ward and other members of the Ward family, not including Thomas Wren Ward. Among the correspondents are mother Lydia Gray Ward and sisters Mary Ward Dorr and Martha A. Ward. Family matters were the primary theme of the correspondence.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and his father, William Ward. The series also contains correspondence with Thomas Wren Ward's step-mother Joanna "Nancy" Chipman Ward. Of note are discussions of Thomas Wren Ward's adventures at sea and later discussions of business matters.

This subseries contains the correspondence of various members of the Ward family, including but not limited to Thomas Wren Ward, wife Lydia Gray Ward, brother William Ward, Jr., sons William Ward (1819-1830) and Thomas Wren, Jr., daughter Mary Ward Dorr, daughter-in-law Anna Barker Ward (wife of Samuel G. Ward), as well as various friends of the family. Early family correspondence includes letters between William and Joanna "Nancy" Chipman Ward and William, Jr., Thomas Wren, and Lucy Ann Ward Lawrence. Also included are some of William Ward's business correspondence with William Gray, Jr. and Capt. John R. Dalling, as well as Joanna Ward's correspondence with members of the Chipman family. This series also includes Lucy Ward Laurence Reminiscences, [1850s].

This subseries contains essays, also called "Confessions of Faith," by [Capt. John Gardner] and Elizabeth Gardner (Thomas Wren Ward's great-great-grandparents) and Ruth Putnam Ward (Thomas Wren Ward's paternal grandmother) that discussed each author's relationship with God and the nature of their faith. Several of the essays have typescript copies. See also genealogical materials for more information on the relation of the authors to Thomas Wren Ward.

This subseries contains materials related to the family history of the Ward family. The series includes one bound volume containing a family tree, William Ward sundry accounts, 1801-1809, and an autobiographical letter (and manuscript copy) from William Ward addressed to his grandchildren, [1820s?]. The series also includes a variety of manuscript, printed, and typescript materials including obituaries, family trees, brief family history essays, and correspondence concerning the genealogical research of the donor, George B. Dorr. For an additional autobiographical essay, see Lucy Ward Lawrence Reminiscences [1850s], in the Ward family correspondence.

This subseries contains Thomas Wren Ward's correspondence with a number of business associates, including but not limited to John R. Dalling, William Gray, Jr., William Ropes, Jonathan Goodhue, Edward Everett, Nathan Hale (1784-1863) (see also Thomas Wren Ward bound manuscripts), George Ticknor, Baring Brothers, Thomas Baring, Edmund Forstall, Dr. James Jackson, and William Sturgis. Thomas Wren Ward's careers as ship captain, Boston merchant, and agent for Baring Brothers are all represented in the correspondence. See also Thomas Wren Ward correspondence with William Ward, Samuel G. Ward, George C. Ward, and John G. Ward for additional discussion of business matters.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and Joshua Bates, a partner at Baring Brothers and close friend. The correspondence is a mix of business, American and European politics, family news, and gossip about mutual acquaintances. For additional Baring Brothers correspondence, see business correspondence.

This subseries contains correspondence between Thomas Wren Ward and Daniel Webster, as well as one letter from Joshua Bates to Webster. Webster served as legal council to Baring Brothers in America. The correspondence discusses matters before Congress and international politics and how both were likely to effect trade. For copies of additional letters to Webster, see also Thomas Wren Ward bound manuscripts.

This subseries contains several accounts involving shipping. The accounts include balances with William Ward, Thomas Wren Ward, and Essex Bank. It is unclear who kept the accounts.