Letter from Walter C. Jones to John Patterson Osterhout thanking him for sending a shipment of clothes for victims of a flood. He told John that his request to have the sacks the clothing were delivered in to be returned was being taken care of. Included is an envelope addressed to "Mr. J. P. Osterhout."

Certificate of payment for J. Bird and the enlisted help of John Patterson Osterhout, an attorney, in collecting the debt. On the back of the certificate it states that the debt was paid in full on March 15, 1855. Included is a business card for John Patterson Osterhout. The card states he is an attorney for Bellville, Texas and on the back of the card is an agreement for another collection to be done by John.

Certificate of the election to adjutant of the 23rd Battalion of the Texas State Troops for John Patterson Osterhout. It was part of a rally for troops for the Civil War and the certificate was signed by the governor, Francis Richard Lubbock, and the Secretary of State.

Certificate of the election to the Justice of the Peace for John Patterson Osterhout signed by Texas governor Sam Houston and the Secretary of State.

Postcard from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He wrote a brief message to his wife to inform her that she would need to send for him soon.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, and children. He wrote his wife while she was away. He told her that their son, Paul, was house-sitting for someone in the neighborhood and had the unfortunate news that a woman's baby had died.

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his mother, Junia Roberts Osterhout. Paul wrote his mother a letter he promised while she was visiting family. He told his mother that he was watching Brother Smith's house while the Methodists had a meeting elsewhere. Paul was working to get into the railroad business and mentioned that the youth in town had tried, unsuccessfully, to get a dance started. Included is an envelope addressed to "Mrs. J. P. Osterhout."

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her sisters, Ora and Junia Roberts Osterhout. She wrote to her sisters while they were visiting family with their mother. She let her sisters know of some guests that had stopped by to see them. Gertrude hoped that her younger sisters were behaving and enjoying their time with family.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, September 28, 1879. John began his letter with bad news. A fire broke out in Belton, Texas and John wrote of the difficulties he and his sons had in trying to save some of his books and papers. Otherwise, John says he and the children are in good health and mentioned work that Paul had done work in a telegraph office recently. Included is an envelope addressed "Mrs. J. P. Osterhout" and an article titled "Fire in Belton!" The article lists the losses incurred from the disaster.

A brief letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his daughter, Gertrude Osterhout, with news from home. He wrote with news of the family's health and a recent murder that occurred in town. Included is an envelope addressed to "Gertrude Osterhout."

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his sister, Gertrude Osterhout, updating her with news from home. He apologized for not writing sooner and told her that for the Methodists had a three week meeting in town. He mentioned that he had been raising mocking birds and he planned to send one to an aunt of theirs.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her father, John Patterson Osterhout. She wrote to inform her father that she had received the items that were sent to her and detailed what a typical day studying at Baylor College entailed for her. She mentioned a reverend that came to campus and asked if her brother Paul would be joining her at school.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his daughter, Gertrude Osterhout, discussing affairs at home. He wrote about his family's health and a show that came to Belton, Texas that his sons went to see. He told Gertrude that he hoped he would come to like the doctors she worked with and that his son needed to start working on their cotton crop.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her family. Gertrude wrote her family to let them know how she was settling into life at Baylor College. She told them of her living accommodations, food, and the other girls that were there with her. The letter ended with her asking for some items to be sent to her and she spoke of her family and alterations she made to her uniforms.