The collection consists of legal documents, correspondence, manuscripts, land grants, commissions, and genealogical information relating to the lives of Rufus Easton, his son Alton Easton (1807-1893), and daughter Mary Easton Sibley (1800-1878). The collection contains correspondence of the Easton family with many prominent men of the nineteenth century, including Moses Austin, David Barton, Israel Dodge, Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Lucas, and William Tecumseh Sherman. Material in the collection consists of original documents, typescripts, and photostats. Rufus Easton's relationship with Aaron Burr is documented in a letter of introduction dated March 11, 1804, written by Burr for use by Easton during a trip to New Orleans. An additional letter from Burr dated March 18, 1805, congratulates Easton on his appointment to territorial judge and mentions Burr's intention of visiting St. Louis in the near future. A subsequent letter written by Easton to the president of the United States in February 1806 denies any involvement in the Burr conspiracy. Also included in the collection is a letter of deposition written by Easton during Burr's trial for treason in 1807. The letter, dated July 18, 1807, and certified by Gideon Granger, states the facts of Easton's relationship with Burr and denies any involvement in the conspiracy. Granger acted as Easton's legal counsel on the Burr situation. The collection contains Granger and Easton's correspondence relating to the Burr conspiracy. The collection contains a series of letters (Folder 6) written to Alton Easton, son of Rufus Easton, by Elizabeth Ott while Alton served in the St. Louis Battalion during the Mexican War. Easton and Ott later were married. Letters dated 1859, written between Elizabeth Ott Easton and her mother, Catherine Ott, speak of Elizabeth's deteriorating health and expected death. There are also letters from Alton’s sister, Mary Easton Sibley, discussing family news. The later material in the collection consists of commissions and correspondence between Alton Easton and General U.S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. The documents relate to Easton’s wartime position as inspector general and postwar appointment as pension agent.