Samuel Benjamin Fellows (1858-1932) was born in Derbyshire, England, and migrated to New Zealand in 1883. He trained for the ministry in Auckland 1885-1888. In 1890, he joined the Rev. Dr W.E. Bromilow in the establishment of the first Methodist mission at Dobu, British New Guinea, but soon moved to Panaeti where he remained until 1893. He was stationed at Kiriwina in the Trobriands from 1894 until he left the mission in 1901.

The papers comprise:

1. Biographical information on the Fellows family, 1820-1933
2. Letters to Fellows' wife, 3 Oct. 1899-7 Oct. 1900
3. Three letters to Fellows, 1900, 1903, 1913
4. Newspaper clippings, 1891-1901
5. Diaries, Nov. - Dec. 1883, Feb. 1885 - Feb. 1888, July 1891 - Oct. 1900
6. Hymns and prayers in vernacular, c.1895-1900
7. Manuscript and published articles by Fellows, 1891-1901
8. Diaries of S.B.Fellows:
   (a) voyage from England to Australia; 2 November - 19 December 1883.
   (b) whilst at Wesley College, Auckland; 20 February 1885 - February 1888 (2 vols)
   (c) whilst with Hethodist Mission in British New Guinea; 21 July 1891 - 7 October 1900 (3 vols).
9. Hymns and prayers in vernacular [language of Kiriwina], circa 1895 - 1900
10. Manuscript articles about Kiriwina.
11. Published articles by S. B. Fellows, 1891 - 1901; and about him, 1933 - 1941.
12. Commentary to accompany lantern slides; 1894.