A former Cromwellian Colonel, Sir James Stansfield settled in Scotland after the Restoration. At first, he lived in Edinburgh, where he became a prosperous merchant. Later, he purchased Newmills (subsequently Amisfield) in Haddington, where he was founder of the Newmills Cloth Manufactory. As a wealthy man, he was able to 'accomodate' a number of needy people, notably Alexander Seton, 1st Viscount Kingston, whose affairs are well represented here. Later, however, Stansfield was beset with financial and domestic difficulties, culminating in 1687 in his murder by his son, Philip. The papers relate slmost entirely to Stansfield's financial affairs, and to his considerable property which passed on his death to the Dalrymple family.