Fonds consists of numerous letters written by Charlotte Smith to Dr. Gilpin while he was working in Halifax, Annapolis Royal and Pictou, prior to their 1849 marriage. Also included are 3 letters from Gilpin's father, John Bernard Gilpin, including one humourous letter where Gilpin writes to his son, posing as the family dog. Fonds also includes a daguerrotype of Charlotte as a young girl and 18 watercolours, 16 of which Gilpin painted while he was visiting Sable Island awaiting the delivery of the lighthouse keeper's baby. Subjects include wrecked vessels, ponies, wildlife, and the Island's landscape.