Born in Massachusetts, Dr. Dennis Cooley graduated from medical school in 1822 and removed to Macomb County, Michigan, in 1827. While continuing to practice medicine, he was deeply engaged in scientific study and particularly in the field of botany. Of the five letters to Dr. Dennis Cooley in the lot, three are from a Flushing, Michigan merchant and one is from a family member. The fifth letter is from his fellow botanist Cyrus Darling (signed "C. Darling") of Rochester. Darling writes to Cooley of specific specimens including "C. Wilde novii" of New York and others.

[With:] Handwritten judgement in favor of John Cross, plaintiff. 24 June 1823. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant, Henry Walton, owed him $217.54. The same document also mentions a judgement in favor of Amos Alcott, and that the defendant, Henry Walton, owed him $313.03. The jurisdiction is apparently Saratoga, NY. -- Manuscript bill of sale for the estate of Ian Hodge, 1 September 1832. The sale was held in Bloomington, IL. -- Mortgage bond taken out by William McKinney from the Mercantile National Bank of Hartford, CT. Bloomington, IL, 31 May 1873. -- Unsigned letter addressed to Mr. J. Houser & family. West Philadelphia, PA. 9 August 1861. Appears to be partial letter. -- Manuscript receipt for $25. February 1847.