The Keener family papers consist of approximately 100 letters, dating from 1825 to 1861, addressed to John Christian Keener or to his wife, Mary Anna Spencer Keener, by members of Mrs. Keener's family. Mrs. Keener's parents, Anna Baker and Richard Spencer, had moved from Maryland, settled first in Georgia, and later Alabama. At the time of the early letters, the Spencers were farming a plantation in Dallas County, Alabama, called Davenport Place. They raised cotton, corn, peaches, and melons, and Mrs. Spencer tended to a business of her own, selling eggs and butter. The family owned enslaved people, but the exact number cannot be determined from the letters. The Spencer's letters contain details about agriculture, daily routines, and local church life including news of future bishop, Holland Nimmons McTyeire. In 1853, Richard Spencer sold his land and moved to a new location near Mobile. His new home was called Cottage Hill, but before all the building could be completed a yellow fever epidemic broke out among the Spencer family and the people they enslaved. During this time Anna Baker Spencer died. Letters continue after this from Richard Spencer and in 1855 convey the news that he is to remarry. There are also details concerning son William Baker Spencer (born 1824) who lived in Texas.

A significant number of letters were addressed to the Keeners by Mrs. Keener's sister Emma (1822-1878). She had married Armistead Richardson Holcombe (circa 1813-1879) who was a professor of Greek as well as Natural Science. For several years he taught at a school in Summerfield, Alabama, then he served as a professor at Centenary College of Louisiana from 1850 to 1862. Letters from the Holcombes contain descriptions of the two institutions. Mrs. Holcombe's letters include comments on child bearing and rearing as well as her descriptions of various medical problems and treatments.