Reiley Family Papers

Identity elements

Reference code

US NjMdUMCG 544

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Collection

Title

Reiley Family Papers

Date(s)

  • 1842-1984 (Creation)

Extent

0.59 cubic feet

Name of creator

(1817-1897)

Biographical history

The Reverend James McKendree Reiley (1817-1897), son of the Reverend James Reiley, was born on March 8, 1817 at Broad Top Mountain, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Reiley was given a license to preach by the church in September of 1840. After his father's death in 1841, James McKendree was appointed to take over his father's work on the Saint Mary's Circuit, thus beginning his experience in the itinerancy. He travelled to Virginia in the spring of 1842 and resumed his school work until 1844. Reiley was admitted on trial in 1844 with the Baltimore Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The same conference placed him in full connection in 1846 and ordained him an elder in 1848. Reiley is known in Methodist history as the person who secured the necessary legislation to organize the colored conferences into separate organizations. He was twice transferred from the Baltimore Annual Conference, but returned to finish out his ministerial career. Reiley died on June 2, 1897 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The collection is primarily composed of records from the nineteenth century. The bulk of the material belongs to James McKendree Reiley ( 1880-1891). Two manuscripts, one handwritten and the other published, chronicles the life and ministry of James Reiley. The researcher should be aware that the handwritten manuscript does not match the printed one in content. The difference can be subtle at times. Other record types document the broader family history.

System of arrangement

The folders are arranged by father, family history and son.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

There are no restrictions regarding this collection.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

    Language and script notes

    Finding aids

    Acquisition and appraisal elements

    Custodial history

    Immediate source of acquisition

    Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

    Accruals

    Related materials elements

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related archival materials

    Related descriptions

    Notes element

    General note

    The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you in the retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history of the person, or persons, who created or collected these papers, followed by a general description of the collection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptions also appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, of this collection.

    To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially a listing of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associated with it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request form list both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item, requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will be retrieved.

    Documents are in fragile condition.

    General note

    When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Reilly Family Papers, United Methodist Church Archives - GCAH, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.

    Specialized notes

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Description control element

    Rules or conventions

    Sources used

    Archivist's note

    Prepared by Myong Shin, Student Assistant and Mark C. Shenise, Associate Archivist

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Name access points

    Accession area