The fonds consists predominantly of correspondence and vessel papers. The fonds also contains records that document the family's business activity, particularly that of Joseph O’Brien.

Fonds comprises general business correspondence, financial records and legal records, primarily indentures and insurance policies. There are also sales and operations records and vessel records, including insurance policies, charter parties and printed protests. Family records include estate papers, and records created and collected during David Frieze's tenure as a justice of the peace for Hants County, as well as electoral records and records created by Maitland Presbyterian Church, Sons of Temperance, and the Maitland School.