These records cover a period from the incorporation of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society (DAHS) in 1842 to 1904. Included in these records are correspondence between Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., one of the founding members, and potential corresponding members of the DAHS. The DAHS was offered many donations by Dorchester residents, which are described in the letters. Also included are loose meeting minutes, receipts for donations and membership dues paid. There is also one small pamphlet containing meeting minutes, dues paid, and proceedings. The library records of the DAHS include donation lists with books titles, publishing dates, and donation dates. There are also library book catalogs describing the holdings of the DAHS library. Individual items to note include a signed list of members, and the incorporation certificate by the Massachusetts General Court in 1855.

These eight bound volumes include the institutional records of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society.

These papers encompass the manuscript collection of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society. Papers in this sub-series were collected from Dorchester residents or donated by them to the DAHS. Many of the papers do not directly relate to the town of Dorchester; rather they focus on a broader aspect of American History. Included in this series are wills, commission appointments, correspondence, and town records.

Individual items to note include two letters to President John Adams and responses from him regarding foreign policy with France (1798); three letters from Robert Morris to Nathaniel Gorham discussing land speculation and sale; correspondence from Gov. Francis Lovelace to Gov. John Winthrop concerning the establishment of mail service between New York and Boston; the last will and testament of Reverend Richard Mather; the deed of sale of land to Josiah Quincy; Royal commissions signed by Governors William Stoughton, Joseph Dudley, William Phips, and the Earl of Bellomont; Robert Auchmuty's appointment as the judge co-missionary deputy of the Court of Vice Admiralty by Francis Bernard and a document allowing Boston to annex Thompson's Island.

This sub-series is composed of compiled histories, biographies, and genealogies of Dorchester residents, prominent people, and events in American history. These histories were written for the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society to preserve the history in an institution that would acknowledge its importance. Individual items to note in this series include: Richard and John Mather's influence in the Westminster Abbey assembly, a history of Plimoth Plantation, and the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester.

These bound volumes were collected by the society with the intent on preserving the past and disseminating historical information to the future. A receipt book recording colony taxes in the Mass. Bay from 1772-1775 includes resident's name, date tax was paid, and how much was owed. The author of the book is unknown and there are sporadic entries for different years with no discernable order. Volume 10, 31 March 1790 to 12 February 1793 is an orderly book of the 6th regiment, 1st Militia Brigade of Massachusetts. The Brigade was commissioned on 6 May 1789 led by Captain Ebenezer Clarke. Listed in the orderly book are general orders, regimental and division orders, a court martial list, and lists of supplies. Also included in this volume are a list of the 1772 and 1774 Militia companies of Ward 7 commonly called the New Boston Company and a list of fines paid by militiamen.

Three volumes of David Clapp's include his prayer book (30 May 1703-27 July 1707), and two sermon notebooks (1740's and 1742 - 1758) containing passages from the Bible and written sermons, and the almshouse receipt book kept by Samuel Proctor, 20 September 1756 - 17 May 1761 is also included here as it was formerly attributed to David Clapp. The Clapp and Proctor volumes are available on microfilm (P-680, 1 reel).