The papers in this series are those of William Allen White's parents and consist largely of personal correspondence, business papers, and memorabilia. The correspondence, primarily that of Mary Ann Hatten White's, consists largely of letters from her Hatten family members and acquaintances. Within these are courtship letters of Allen White and Mary Ann Hatten, written in 1867, a 1918 letter to Mary Hatten White from her granddaughter Mary White, and letters (including many transcriptions, rather than originals) received from William H. Wight, husband of Mary Hatten White's sister Catherine (William Wight being also known as William White, but of no direct relationship to the Allen White family).

Business papers of Allen White include bank records and appointment certificates. In the memorabilia are calling cards of the Whites, their 1867 marriage certificate, a Bible given Mary White by her husband in 1867, and a collection of 19th century trade and advertising cards.