The collection includes letters from Agnes Dawson's time abroad as wife of William Dawson Iii, the Foreign Minister to Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia, as well as Ambassador to Panama. Dawson wrote frequently to her mother until her mother's death in 1935, and then with similar frequency to her father (sometimes addressed as "Toppie"). The rest of the letters are written to Aunts Omie and Adah, before Adah's death in 1937. Agnes was highly educated and shared in great detail with her mother and father her daily activities, including personal interactions with politicians, diplomats, and society, as well as conversations with various artists, authors, and musicians. Agnes gives an insightful account of Ecuador's "Four-Day War" in 1932 and shares discussions with the President-elect Bonifaz during the time spent sheltering him during the revolution. Agnes periodically sends photographs, as well as relevant newspaper articles and other personal materials to the family. She was heavily involved with domestic duties of the Legations and Embassy, and she and William traveled extensively in his various assignments as well as during their recreation time. Incorporated into Agnes's correspondence is a history test taken by her son, Edward, while attending high school in Ecuador. While he did not spend much time with his parents in their foreign posts, he lived for several years with Agnes and William in Ecuador during his adolescence. Also included are letters and notes written by ancestors from Agnes's paternal lineage, the Ballochs. These date from the Civil War through the turn of the century. Also in the collection is a copy of William Dawson, III's "Brief Biographical Account and Reminiscences," donated by their granddaughter, Betsy Bookman.