Series I: Binders, 1833-2010 (bulk 1890-1912), consists of nine binders which were donated by Betty Walker in 2012 as well as papers relating to Harry Heiss Allen which were previously donated by Walker in 2001. The title and contents of each binder have been kept as they were originally conceived and all sub-series items have been grouped according to family member or subject area and arranged chronologically. The donation of binders also included a substantial amount of loose papers and a book. These were categorized so as to correspond with the primary contents of each binder and added to the end of each. Left-over loose papers, a book, and a George Peters glass negative which were added to the collection by Betty Walker in 2014 comprise their own sub-series. The Harry Heiss Allen records, which contain the same kinds of items as the binders named for his sisters, Helen and Emma, completes the series.

The first binder, entitled Helen Peck Allen, Helen Dashiell Utley, ranges from 1891-1949 and consists of mostly correspondence to and from Helen Peck Allen at Wolf Creek and in Falfurrias, Texas, and to and from her daughter Helen Dashiell Utley in Sanford, Florida. There is also some correspondence to and from Helen’s sisters, Louise and Nell, and her mother Maggie (Ammie) Allen at Wolf Creek as well as some undated, uncaptioned photographs and ephemera.

The second, entitled Emma Allen, contains correspondence and papers ranging from 1858-2005; the bulk is from the turn of the twentieth century. Correspondence to D. W.’s and Maggie Allen’s daughter, Emma Allen, includes letters from her Uncle John Cowan, her friend Maude Hoxsie McArdle in Allston, Massachusetts, and from her mother, “Ammie,” while Emma attended college in Athens, Tennessee in the early 1900s. A 1937 document signed by Emma gives Power of Attorney to Nell’s husband, William Walker. The binder also includes more contemporary correspondence to Ward and Betty Walker in Del Rio, Tennessee, from Walter Ramsey about family history and from Helen Dashiell Utley. To a lesser extent, other correspondence includes letters and envelopes to Maggie Allen and her daughters, Nell, Helen, and Louise. In addition, there are two undated, uncaptioned photographs and ephemera such as telegram envelopes, receipts, and clippings.

The third, entitled Reuben and Mary Allen’s Children, contains Wolf Creek correspondence and papers ranging from 1851-1890. Letters include those to Emma Allen from Emma Peck (two oversized letters are housed separately in a flat box); to George “Wash” Washington Allen from Isham Peck (one oversized letter housed in a flat box separately); between Green Allen and his wife Harriet; and to Cynthia Cowan from her nephew, “Geo.” In addition, there are some business papers, receipts, checks, a photocopy of an 1874 map of Wolf Creek, and a clipping about “Lou” Allen Crawley’s death.

The fourth, entitled Green Allen Family, contains correspondence and papers ranging from 1833-2004. Correspondence includes two telegrams to Geo Allen, one from C. G. Holland that informs him of the death of “Stella” and another about “Lydia” being in the last stages of consumption. Other correspondence includes letters from Harriet to her husband Green; correspondence to D. W. Allen; land records, business receipts, clippings, and family history records and papers including an Oath of Allegiance signed by Green Allen, who had been the postmaster at Wolf Creek, in 1865.

The fifth, entitled Crawley, Lee Family, contains correspondence and papers ranging from 1904-2009. Letters include those to Betty Walker from Betty Blake, a relative of Dick Lee who was the son of Mattie Crawley Lee; from John Fred (J. F.) Crawley to his children and to D. W. Allen; to Linnie and Allen from their cousins Harry “Bud” and Nell Allen; to Minnie Lee Carmichael; and from Mattie and Dick Lee. In addition, there are photocopies of photographs and clippings, among them newspaper stories about Ida Jolly Crawley’s life and house in Asheville, NC.

The sixth, entitled Walter Ramsey, contains correspondence and papers ranging from 1895-2010 and includes several letters discussing family relations between the Crawleys, Lees, and Allens. This binder also includes D. W. Allen business papers; genealogical records for the Clark and Allen families; clippings and records pertaining to Wolf Creek and Allen family history; paperwork for an Ida Jolly Crawley Painting Restoration; a blueprint for a typewriter desk; and photographs.

The seventh, entitled Wolf Creek Allens, contains genealogical records as well as land deeds and records ranging from 1811-1933. Many of the records contain annotations by Betty Walker. Land deeds include those from Geo and Sallie Allen to Maggie Allen; James Allen to Cynthia Cowan; and Lydia Burnett to Green Allen. An oversized deed from James Allen to Wm “Birnet” is housed separately in a flat box.

The eighth, entitled Wolf Creek History, contains letters and papers ranging from 1825-2002 and includes personal and business correspondence to D. W. Allen as well as correspondence and records about Wolf Creek land and history. Topics covered include the illegal branding of cattle, the growth of Asheville, and ongoing land disputes. There is also a land deed for Stephen Huff.

The ninth, entitled David Allen, contains correspondence and papers ranging from 1857-1912. The majority consists of the personal, political, legal, and business correspondence of David (D. W.) Allen around the turn of the century. Topics include the land dispute with “Huffs,” response to his editorial writing, and news from family. In addition, there are three letters from Nashville American editor and U.S. Senator Edward Carmack, one which asks Allen to serve as a Campaign Committeeman in Carmack’s run for Governor in 1908 and two which thank Allen for his support. Lastly, there is a letter from Louis Peck from Florida that discusses his wife’s and brother’s malaria, the prevalence of typhoid, and a land dispute with Jim Burnett. Two oversized letters are housed in a separate box. Crawley correspondence primarily consists of letters to and from Allen and Linnie Crawley and their father, John Fred Crawley, cousin Louise, and others at Wolf Creek. There is also correspondence from the mid-1800s to Emma Allen, James R. Allen’s sister and D.W.’s aunt.

The next-to-last sub-series consists of an assortment of loose papers and photographs that arrived with the collection but did not correspond directly with any of the binder titles. The items range from 1810 to 2002 and include unidentified correspondence; photographs; two marriage announcements, one about Green and Harriet Allen; random clippings; a chemistry book from 1810 entitled The American Dispensatory which is housed separately in its own box; and a George Peters glass negative accompanied with a note that reads “Self, Hugh Tyler, Rand Walbern and Jim Thompson (top House Mt).”

The last sub-series is entitled Harry Heiss Allen and consists of papers and photographs donated in 2001 by Betty Walker related to D. W.’s and Maggie Allen’s son, Harry. Harry Heiss Allen writes about his experiences as a telegraph operator during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Working for Western Union in Florida, he writes about the introduction of electric clocks into the dispatcher's office. He also writes of a big fire that engulfed Jacksonville and of a priest's assassination.