The collection consists mostly of correspondence and also includes diaries, official and legal documents, and ephemera, such as clippings and programs and souvenirs, with some photographs and writings that primarily relate to Samuel Comfort and to a lesser extent the Crookshank family.

Most of the materials in Series 1. "Samuel Comfort," document Comfort's service during the Civil War. To a lesser extent, they document Comfort's involvement in the oil industry, his role as consul and vice-consul in India, his activities during the antebellum period, and his work with various patents and inventions. Other Comfort family members are also represented in the series, particularly Samuel's father, George Comfort, his mother Susan Lower Comfort, and his sister Annie Comfort (1842-1919) of Trenton, NJ.

Series 2. "Crookshank family" includes materials that relate primarily to Harry Maule Crookshank, including his time in Sudan and Egypt, and Emma Comfort Crookshank. Their son, Harry F.C. Crookshank, is also represented, and a few items relate to their daughter, Helen Elizabeth Crookshank.

Series 3. "Photographs" consists of primarily portrait and passport photographs as well as a couple group photographs of several members of the Comfort and Crookshank families. Also included is a Civil War photograph album, circa 1864, of soldiers, most likely members of the 20th Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry/Comfort's Volunteer regiment.