Family papers, 1866, 1890-1959, 1980-1985

The material in this small series documents family matters from cradle to grave. The earliest item is a note for "Little Johnny" from one of "Santa's agents" and written in 1866, the year of John D. McIlhenny's birth. The papers concerning repairs to the Plumer family mausoleum at East Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia date from 1985. The "Correspondence" subseries is the largest and consists primarily of McIlhenny's letters to his mother and to his sister, recording his experiences at summer camp and college and while on active duty in the Navy Reserve. The most detailed documentation included in the "Genealogy" subseries is three family histories that apparently were privately published. Also included are requests for biographical sketches of McIlhenny, his sister, and father for publication in journals such as Who's Who in America and the Biographical Directory of American Scholars, as well as a few letters from the elder McIlhenny's sister and cousin, tracing their Irish lineage. The final subseries, "Other," is comprised of various material formats and subjects. Most of the clippings are obituaries. Invitations, passports and a travel journal offer a glimpse of the social life enjoyed by McIlhenny's parents.