The fonds contains deeds, conveyances and other legal documents, 1750-1866, Captains' logbooks, 1842-72 (Samuel, 1842, William the Fourth, 1852, Britain, 1853, Harriet Ridley, 1863-65, Six Brothers, 1872), and a Furness Line sailing schedule, 1928.

The legal documents provide evidence of the acquisition, transfer and subsequent loss of the family's property in Carbonear from 1834 to the 1860s. They also provide evidence of the business activities and associations of the firm of George Forward. The Captains' logbooks detail the voyages of five of the Forward's fleet of foreign-going vessels.

The records are arranged in three series: 1. Legal documents; 2. Logbooks; 3. Other material.

Fonds consists of a photocopy of a ledger (1853-1858) which contains accounts of individuals who dealt with Thomas Oates & Son. The ledger also includes a list of the crew of the brigantine Belle for the year 1853, under Thomas Oates Sr., master; sealing agreements (1856, 1858); and some copies of legal documents and correspondence (1852).