Mary A. James writings are made up of compositions written by Mary A. James while at the Seminary, that include: “Why was the World Made so Beautiful?;” “The Thoughts of Youth are Long, Long Thoughts;” “The Meaning of Dreams;” “Earth;” “Discipline;” “Twilight;” “Sir Isaac Newton;” “The Study of the Face;” “No Sin, No sorrow;” “Principles of the Primary Rainbow;” “Old Books and Libraries;” and “Shadows.” Four untitled compositions include topics of a little child, the author Southey, a little mill and the beauty of nature. There are also four assignments of mathematic homework or notes.

An envelope addressed to Mary A. James, one semi-monthly report, and Mary’s Natural Philosophy notebook dated October 1, 1857 are also incorporated into her writings. Some of the topics in her philosophy notebook focus on voltaic electricity, optics, reflection and refraction of light, prisms, and a formula of a double convex lens. In the mathematics portion of writings are mathematic papers on the method of finding the density of the earth, and other math equations including square roots and factorials.