The Skilton Family papers (MC 22) are comprised of the papers of three brothers, James, Julius and George, all natives of Troy and graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The collection focuses mainly on their professional careers, with most of the material pertaining to James and George. Topics covered include international affairs, legal issues, engineering discussions, and personal and family matters. The material in the collection consists of correspondence, legal documents and news clippings. The papers of each individual are arranged into series and further divided into sub-series. Two notable sub-series are the Brooklyn Ethical Association Papers and the U.S. and Mexico Claims Commission Papers. James Skilton was deeply involved with the Brooklyn Ethical Association, a philosophical group devoted to discussing social issues, which attracted leading thinkers of the time, including Herbert Spencer. All three brothers were involved with the U.S. and Mexico Claims Commission and the Mexican Consulate. Of particular interest is a collection of news clippings covering a wide array of topics from the late nineteenth century and a scrapbook of clippings regarding President James A. Garfield’s assassination.