Catherine Anne Perkins Martin (1900-1885) was born in Stanstead, Canada October 15, 1800 and married Eleazar Martin in 1826. Eleazar Martin (1796 – 1874) was born in 1796 in Williamstown, Vermont. They immigrated to McLean County in 1852, residing in Bloomington, then Lexington and returning to Bloomington.

The collection includes letters written by and to Catherine Anne Perkins between the years of 1817 and 1876. Other letters, written to Eleazar Martin by his brothers and his sister Clara Martin, are also included. Handwritten essays, miscellaneous legal papers, an 1892 Good Roads periodical, Catherine’s journal of recollections, Martin family genealogy and a prayer book round out the collection.