The collection was given by Mrs. Sydney V. Coxetter (Winnifred Dennis), a granddaughter of prominent cotton farmer George Elliot Dennis.

Sydney V. Coxetter was a Florida entrepreneur who owned seed, agricultural produce, and livestock businesses in West Palm Beach and Lloyd, Florida in the early 20th Century. When he lived in St. Augustine from 1902-1903, Coxetter and two business partners, James Kincaid and A.T. Perry of West Palm Beach, went into the fruit produce business. The enterprise was called the "Everglades Produce Company." Perry eventually withdrew. Because of an economic downturn in South Florida during these years, the business was liquidated in late 1903.

Following the demise of his fruit produce business, Coxetter developed a seed business after 1903. About 1910, Coxetter and D.B. Mills formed a partnership called "Mills and Coxetter," which was renamed to "Perkins and Coxetter" around 1920 when his attorney, George B. Perkins, went into business with him. These businesses were located near Lloyd and Monticello, Florida. His company letterheads refer to "Sydney V. Coxetter, Miccosukee Meadows Plantation, Grower and Recleaner of Florida Seeds: Giant Beggar Weed Seed a Specialty." There is also evidence from these records that Coxetter sold other commodities, such as cotton, hogs, and cattle.

During the 1930s, Coxetter was involved in real estate development in what was then called the Griffin College Heights (known now as Griffin Heights) section of Tallahassee. He was also involved in Jefferson County Democratic Party politics. For example, Coxetter was an active member of the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee.

Winnifred Dennis, Coxetter's wife, was the granddaughter of prominent cotton farmer George Elliot Dennis. She was the owner and operator of the Whitfield House, which operated as a hotel during the late 1890s and early 20th Century. The collection also includes fire insurance policies owned by Winnifred Dennis' grandmother, Ida H. Dennis, for the Whitfield House and other dwellings in Lloyd.