Burrows was a merchant, ship owner and world traveler, a resident of Mystic, Connecticut, but with part of his business based in New York City. His journals document voyages he took to Hong Kong, Japan, South America, and Europe (including Norway, Sweden and Denmark). He remarked on significant international events and was commended by the emperor of Japan in 1854. The account books include a cash book, 1833-1840, that also includes house expenses and expenses for various ships he owned, written in his own hand after 1835. The ledger, 1827-1835, records his trade in South America, most notably Cartagena, Columbia. Inside the front cover are pieces of Japanese tissue with either Japanese or Chinese characters written on some, and another alphabet on others.
