Volume 1 contains data on the descendants of twelve Mayflower families, John Alden through Samuel Fuller, while Volume 2 continues with eleven Mayflower families, Stephen Hopkins through Edward Winslow.

This work contains a complete list of freemen, arranged chronologically by the date of the meetings of the General or Quarterly Court at which they were admitted. 4,500 men were admitted freemen, the ancestors of nearly three-fourths of the inhabitants of 18th and 19th century New England. Originally published in 1849.