This collection contains the papers of the Andrew Johnson family, spanning over a century from 1835 to 1967. Consisting primarily of correspondence, the collection is divided into four categories.

Series I: Andrew and Eliza Johnson Papers contains correspondence, military returns and documents, and other manuscripts.

Series II: Andrew J. and Martha Patterson Correspondence includes solely correspondence, generally concerning Andrew Johnson and their family history.

Series III: Other Family Member Papers has correspondence, calling cards, an article, and a photograph. The series is further divided into sub-series according to family members including A. Margaret Johnson (Patterson) Bartlett, B. David and Martha (Johnson) Patterson, C. Robert Johnson, and D. Ralph Phinney, one of Margaret's maternal cousins.

Series IV: Other Material consists of correspondence sent to and from other people, photographs, calling cards, a Civil War newspaper article, and writings about Andrew Johnson.