Manly Family Papers

Series I, Correspondence, includes detailed original letters written by W. E. Manly to his family in the U.S. from 1911 to 1914. A political uprising in Chengdu, dealings with native teachers and churches, and Methodist mission politics are described. Correspondence with Bishop J. W. Bashford,Joseph Beech, and other missionaries relates to the political unrest. Circular letters written by the Manlys to supporters in the U.S. provide a good overview of their work. A set of excerpts from Manly correspondence called "Chronicles" provides a glimpse of correspondence early than the letters available in original format.

Series II, Writings, includes material written by W. E. Manly, Grace Manly, and Marian Manly. W. E. Manly was interested in engineering devices to improve life in West China, including a waterwheel system to produce electricity. An essay by Marian Manly describes the Chin I School of Midwifery, which she headed.

Series III, Photographs, includes portraits and group shots of missionaries, Chinese native workers, conferences, and school groups, as well as scenery and scenes from life in Sichuan province in the early 1900s. Many of the photographs are identified, with approximate dates.

Series IV, Collected Material and Memorabilia, includes ephemeral written material and artifacts.