The correspondence is arranged chronologically.
Comfort's Civil War letters between him and his family provide great detail about camp life, battles in which Comfort was involved, the war generally, and national politics and current events. There is a significant number that date from 1864-1865. There is also a fair amount of correspondence that dates from after the war, documenting his career in the oil industry. The letters also provide some information about the Comfort family. Most of the letters are between Samuel and his father, George, particularly those letters that date after the war; there are also a significant amount between Samuel and his mother and sister, Annie, as well as some from other relatives, friends and fellow servicemen. A few of the more frequent correspondents include members of the Lower and Lawrence families, and his cousins William J. Palmer and Francis H. Jackson. There are a fair number of letters in this subseries to George Comfort and some letters relating to other Comfort family members, including Elizabeth Barnsley Comfort and Susan Lower Comfort. Samuel Comfort marked up many of his outgoing letters, particularly those that he included in his memoir, Home Letters. Most letters to the Comfort family have Morrisville in the address even though they lived in Fallsington as the neighboring town was the location of the nearest post office.
Predating Samuel's involvement in the Civil War, these letters document his political activism as well as his involvement with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Includes correspondence from William J. Palmer.
Includes correspondence from William J. Palmer regarding the formation of Anderson Troop.
A few letters relate to Samuel's involvement in the Battle of Shiloh, his illness and temporary discharge from the military. In box 1, folder 5, all of the letters are from Samuel to his family.
Includes a few letters relating to the possibility of Comfort being appointed Provost Marshall for the 5th Congressional District, Pennsylvania. Comfort did not receive the promotion.
In box 1, folder 10, are a couple letters concerning the 1864 presidential election.
Box 2, folders 4 and 5, contains letters about President Lincoln's assassination. Box 2, folder 8, contains all incoming letters from Samuel, including a letter from April 10, about his cavalry's involvement in the pursuit of and resulting surrender of General Lee.
These items document Comfort's cavalry troop and the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Included are declarations involving lost horses and AWOL soldiers, and inventories of rations, equipment, and company members. Includes a letter dated June 18, 1865, from Samuel asking to be discharged. There is likely some overlap with other correspondence dating from 1863-1865.
Includes many letters to George Comfort from correspondents other than Samuel, some of which are about the family's estate. Also included are statements and trial balances for Pickering, Chambers & Co., 1871-1873, and 1875.
All letters are from Samuel's father.
All letters are from Samuel's father.
All letters, except one, are from Samuel's father.
All letters are from Samuel's mother.
Includes a telegram from President Woodrow Wilson concerning the sinking of the Lusitania.
Contains a few letters relating to Susan Lower Comfort and Annie Comfort as well as a couple letters of related family members.
Most are addressed to George and Susan Comfort, and Samuel and Elizabeth Comfort.