The Arnell Family Papers contains correspondence, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, memorabilia, newspaper and magazine clippings, financial and legal papers, manuscripts and historical accounts, and historical society papers. These materials date from 1780-1957, with the bulk of the material covering 1860-1910.

Series I: Family Papers, 1820-1946, undated -- This series includes personal and business correspondence, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, photographs and memorabilia, and news clippings collected by members of the Arnell family, including Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.), his wife Cornelia C. O. Arnell, their son Samuel M. Arnell, Jr., his wife Hattie Rummel, and their daughter Harriette L. Arnell.

Subseries A: Correspondence, circa 1827-1937 July 13 -- This subseries contains letters written between Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.) and his wife, children, extended relatives, friends (including William G. Brownlow and John B. Brownlow), and legal colleagues. It also includes legal, business and political correspondence. Correspondence sent to and written by Arnell's children -- Mayes, Nina, "Willie", Harry, "Sam", and "Neal" are also contained within this series, including correspondence between Samuel M. Arnell, Jr. and his then future wife, Hattie Rummel.

Subseries B: Diaries and Journals, 1873-1917 -- This subseries holds diaries and journals written by Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.), Cornelia C. O. Arnell, and Harriette L. Arnell. It also contains a large ledger and stub books where Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.) kept personal anecdotes, in addition to accounting records.

Subseries C: Scrapbooks, 1848-1918 -- This subseries contains scrapbooks Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.) maintained from 1848-1903. It also includes a scrapbook with news clippings published during World War I, possibly collected by Harriette L. Arnell.

Subseries D: Photographs and Memorabilia, circa 1820-1946 -- This subseries includes family photographs, flyers, programs, pamphlets, cards, notes and other memorabilia collected by Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.), Hattie R. Arnell, and Harriette L. Arnell. It also contains a will for Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.).

Subseries E: News Clippings, circa 1860-1918 November 17, undated -- This subseries contains newspaper and magazine clippings, most likely collected by Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.), Cornelia C. O. Arnell, and Harriette L. Arnell.

Series II: Financial and Legal Papers, 1782 October 4-1929 -- This series contains legal documents from when Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.) and Samuel M. Arnell, Jr. practiced property law in Columbia, Tenn., Washington, D.C., and Johnson City, Tenn. These documents include property deeds, abstracts of title, leases, and legal statements. The series also contains financial documents such as receipts, invoices, insurance papers, account records and ledgers.

Subseries A: Samuel M. Arnell Sr. Papers, 1782 October 4-1902 July 7 -- This subseries contains legal and financial documents pertaining to the elder Samuel M. Arnell's law practice in Columbia, Tenn., Washington, D.C. and Johnson City, Tenn. It includes titles, indentures, accounting documents, deeds, decrees, invoices, claims and reports. It also contains legal documents in Cornelia C. O. Arnell's name.

Subseries B: Samuel M. Arnell Jr. Papers, 1889 April 8-1929 -- This subseries holds legal and financial documents related to the younger Samuel M. Arnell's law practice in Washington, D.C. and Johnson City, Tenn. It includes Samuel's law license in addition to deeds, certificates, abstracts of title, indentures, leases, statements, and insurance policies.

Historical Papers, 1780-1957, undated -- This series includes Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.)'s manuscripts describing events that took place during the Civil War, with descriptions and analyses of significant events and people in Tennessee. This also contains papers relating to the elder Arnell's involvement in the Washington County Historical Society while he lived in Johnson City, Tenn.

Subseries A: Historical Manuscripts and Accounts, circa 1780-1957, undated -- Samuel M. Arnell (Sr.) wrote several drafts about Tennesseans' involvement in the Civil War, including biographies of the state's Reconstruction governor, William G. Brownlow. This series includes drafts, notes and manuscripts on Civil War battles, the Reconstruction era, and the "Brick Church" (Zion Presbyterian Church) in Columbia, Tenn. It also includes personal accounts from Civil War veterans and Arnell's wife, Cornelia, on particular battles, missions and engagements.

Subseries B: Washington County Historical Society Papers, 1861-1901, undated -- When the Arnell family relocated to Johnson City, Tenn., the elder Samuel M. Arnell became heavily involved in the Washington County Historical Society, where he attended meetings, gave speeches and participated in projects. He also campaigned with the society to establish a free-circulating public library in Johnson City. When the campaign succeeded, Arnell became one of the chairmen for the Johnson City Public Library, and his daughter Mayes became one of its librarians. This subseries contains papers, correspondence and documents recording Arnell's time in the historical society, including correspondence, project papers and meeting minutes.