The Luce family letters are primarily written by Martha Luce, (thought to be the wife of Franklin Luce, mother of Grafton Luce), and her children, Fannie, Maddie and Rhoda. Other correspondents, also thought to be relatives are Martha's brother, Benjamin Luce, and her cousins, James Luce, Meribah Luce, West Luce, Irene Luce and Irene's daughter, Minnie and son, Alfred. A cousin in Australia, Annie Elizabeth Luce Boohe, wrote to an uncle West Luce. Friends who also wrote to the Luce family include: E.F. Devoll, Mary Gease [?], Sarah Marsh, Jaas May, Allie [?], and Ellen Whitten.

The Swift family letters are primarily written to Hannah V. Smith (1823-1901), house wife, mother and Charles H. Swift (1817-1884), ship-carpenter and father of Timothy Swift (circa 1843), seaman, Elizabeth Luce Ames (1844-1899), housekeeper and dressmaker, Sarah H. Swift Verril (circa 1846), Charles Hiram Swift (1848-1875), seaman, Holmes Athearn Swift (1852-1910), sailor and William "Willie" Smith Swift (1860-1936), laborer. Other correspondents include Charles Peter Verril, who married Sarah H. Swift, as well as an unidentified cousin and Mariah Washburn, a friend of the family.