Business papers and personal correspondence of Richard Abbey (November 16, 1805 - October 22, 1891) and family. Abbey settled in Yazoo County in 1840 and became a cotton planter and Methodist preacher. He served the Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in several capacities. He was appointed special agent in 1872 to prosecute its claim against the United States government for property destroyed during the Civil War, and he also wrote numerous religious books and pamphlets, most of which were published by the Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The papers generally pertain to the church claims, general church affairs, the publication and sale of Abbey's books, agricultural developments of the day, and personal business affairs. There is a will by Cornelius Van Houten, dated October 1850, and a map of the Mississippi Valley Route of the Louisville, New Orleans, and Texas Railway Company, dated April 1877.

Abbey's correspondence with Methodist leaders includes eleven items (February 28, 1877–April 17, 1890) from C. K. Marshall and seven items (May 17, 1880–August 8, 1890) from Charles B. Galloway.

Family correspondence includes letters from Abbey's brother, M. E. Abbey, and from his grandsons, M. J., R. A., John H., Will Willis, and L. A. Magruder. There are also letters to Will Willis from Abbey.

The papers are arranged chronologically as follows:

• undated, 63 items
• 1843, 1 piece
• 1850–1859, 10 pieces
• 1860–1869, 10 pieces
• 1870–1880, 38 pieces
• 1880–1889, 429 pieces
• 1890–1891, 11 pieces