Madras Christian College was a development of the Free Church Institution, founded in 1877 with the support of all Protestant missions in South India, but maintaining close ties with its parent body.

The letter-book contains correspondence, 1913-1921, of the Reverend Frank Ashcroft, but also some correspondence of his successor as secretary of the Governing Board of the College, the Reverend George Pittendrigh, and records of routine business done through the United Free Church Office, 1921-1931.