E. Lawrence Lee, (1912-1996) longtime Citadel University (SC) history professor was the grandson of Major Reilly on his mother's side. He was the author of "The Lower Cape Fear in Colonial Days" and "Indian Wars in North Carolina." He did much of the initial survey work on colonial Brunswick Town site (south of Wilmington) which led to the excavations by Dr. Stanley South in the 60s and the creation of the Brunswick Town State Historic Site. Civil War Fort Anderson stretches across the ruins of the town.
Lee's grandchildren no longer live in the Wilmington area, but many other Reilly descendants still do according to Chris Fonvielle, including members of the Newell, Symmes and Bethune families.
Ken Fortier commented on the story that the Lockfaw family of Wilmington is also descendants and that he has some of James Reilly's personal items and pictures.
An Unsung Southern hero. --Old B-Runner
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