Collection summary derived from "Guidebook to Manuscripts", 1969: John M. Armstrong (n.d.) was an attorney for the Wyandotte Tribe. The papers are the type a lawyer would leave, concerning Wyandotte tribal matters in Ohio, Kansas, Indiana, etc. They pertain largely to claims against the United States. The papers also include business matters of Armstrong. Later papers are concerned with the division in the Methodist Church, North and South. Some deal with his wife's (Lucy Bigelow) efforts on behalf of the Wyandotte Indians. Some of the material relates to the Stockbridge Indians. Interesting item: Folder twenty-three contains a copy of a letter from President Polk concerning a contract between the Wyandottes and the Delawares. Folder twenty-eight contains a letter from P. P. Pitchlynn describing in detail his tour through the South and among the Indian tribes. Physical description: These papers are all original manuscript letters and most of them in the author's handwriting. There are typescripts of most of these papers.

The John M. Armstrong Papers consist of materials such as letters, deeds, Order in Councils, appointment documents, affidavits, hymns in the Wynadot language, and various other legal documents. Letters include correspondence between John M. Armstrong, Lucy B. Armstrong, T. W. Bartley, Luther A. Hall, William Medill, P. P. Pitchlynn, Jas Gurley, Thomas H. Ford, Charles E. Mix, S. C. Pomeroy, and others. Much of the material depicts John M. Armstong’s work as an attorney for the Wyandotte, largely in matters against the United States. Lucy B. Armstrong’s materials within the collection also show her participation in advocating for the Wyandotte.