Introduction
This issue contains the essence of Volume 2, from July 1988 to May 1989. Only the membership directory has been deleted and updated material has been added where possible. This issue begins with a sketch of William FINDLEY. Part of that information previously appeared in Vol. 1, Issue 2, but that portion is reproduced here, with additions.
Volume 2 began with several projects added to the FINLEY FINDINGS INTERNATIONAL organization, as our computer and Personal Ancestral File program were updated. One project which was completed was the transfer of all material included in genealogies compiled by Carrie Alexander WOOD (dated 1938-1941), Herald Franklin STOUT (1940, 1957 and 1961), FRANCE (April 1942) and FRANDSEN (February 1962) to my Personal Ancestral File database. While I did not include biographical information, I did revise all information to reflect any corrections submitted and documented by subscribers.William Findley Jr.
STOUT, in The Clan FINLEY, Vol. 2, Second Edition, P. 163, shows the father of the main subject of this section as #4-37-35 (STOUT's number), with this information: William FINDLEY, bapt. 22 Nov 1715. Graduated Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Linen merchant in Londonderry. In 1742, moved to Belfast, Ireland. In 1773, emigrated to Cumberland Co, PA, on brig "Eagle Wing. D Westmoreland Co, PA. STOUT says William FINDLEY Sr. m (1st) 28 Dec 1734 w Jane Holland STEELE, daughter of John and Isabel HAMILTON STEELE, and m (2nd) 2 Sept 1758 w Martha DRENNAN, widow of Daniel DRENNAN. One subscriber, Donna MC CALLON, has a 58-page genealogy on file which claims William FINDLEY m (1st) 1734 w Martha DREAMER, the daughter of a man who had been born in Scotland, but when a young man, had left to join Protestants in Ulster, Ireland. MC CALLON also states that after the death of Martha DREAMER FINDLEY, William FINDLEY m Martha DRENNAN, a widow who had children, and in 1774, they, with their four children, came to America. On P. 286 of TORRENCE and Allied Families, by Robert McIlvaine TORRENCE, it is stated William FINDLEY "was baptized November 22, 1715; in woolen trade in Londonderry and Belfast during the years 1745-1773; resided in Belfast with his family; came to America in 1773. He married twice. He married first, in Londonderry, December 28, 1734, Jane Holland STEELE, baptized October 18, 1721, died in Belfast, February 21, 1757. She was a daughter of John and Isabel (HAMILTON) STEELE, of Belfast. He married second, in 1758, Martha DRENNAN (sic DREAMER), widow of Daniel DRENNAN." As noted above, STOUT shows William FINDLEY m (2nd) Martha DRENNAN, the widow of Daniel DRENNAN, which could agree with TORRENCE's contention that her maiden name was DREAMER and shows MC CALLON's genealogy to be incorrect. Helen FINDLEY shows the marriage of William FINDLEY and Martha DRENNAN on 2 Sept 1758. STOUT shows the first child of William and Jane FINDLEY to be #5-37-351, Archibald, who is shown on P. 149 of The Clan FINLEY, Vol. 1, Second Edition, as b 8 Nov 1735, Co Antrim, Ireland; 1763, moved to Cumberland Township, York Co, PA; d 1784, Cumberland Township, PA. He shows his children as Martha, David and Abigail. However, STOUT also shows that this Archibald FINDLEY m 9 Nov 1779, Adams Co, PA, w Mary POE. This is incorrect, as in the same volume, on P. 27, STOUT shows another Archibald FINLEY, b 8 Dec 1738, New Brittain Township, Bucks Co, PA; 1759, innkeeper in borough of Chalfontere; moved to Loudoun Co, VA, ca. 1766; m (1st) 28 Aug 1761 w Sarah BARNHILL; m (2nd) 9 Nov 1779 w Mary POE in Bucks Co, PA. The child of this couple is shown to be a daughter who m John WALLANS, son of Joseph and Jane WALLANS. Other information available would tend to show the son of William and Jane FINDLEY did not marry Mary POE. The other Archibald FINLEY did m Mary POE in Bucks Co, but on the same page where that marriage appears, his brother, Henry FINLEY is shown to have m 1744 w Elizabeth WALKER, and their daughter m Lt. John WALLACE. Since the father of this Archibald and Henry is Archibald FINLEY Sr., who is my direct ancestor, I believe the information I have shows Lt. John WALLACE is shown at the correct place and is the same person as John WALLANS, which makes that marriage incorrect. The other biographical information, including dates of birth, for Archibald FINDLEY and Archibald FINLEY may be correct. Going on with the children of William FINDLEY Sr., STOUT shows the second child as John FINDLEY, b 9 Oct 1737, Co Antrim, Ireland; 1742, moved to Belfast; m 1759, Co Antrim, Ireland, w Mary BOYD; 1762, moved to Bucks Co, PA; later moved to Carlisle, Cumberland Co, PA; 1773, was in Beaver Dam, Westmoreland Co, PA; 1804, with own and two other families, flatboated to the Falls of the Ohio. The party was attacked by Indians; one son, Hugh, was killed, and a second son fell or jumped overboard and was drowned. Settled near New Albany, IN; later farmed in same vicinity; d 9 Sept 1813; bur. Jackson Co, IN. His children are shown to be David (1761-1838); an unnamed son (1762-1804), who drowned as shown above; Sarah, b 1764; Hugh (1767-1804); Margaret, b 1769; Abel, b 1771 (whose shown marriage to Rebecca COONS is incorrect, according to another correspondent); Elizabeth, b 1773; and James (1776-1855). MC CALLON says John FINDLEY was the first one in his family to come to America. She says, "He came over in 1761, accompanied by his wife and their first child, born in Belfast while they waited to embark. They landed at Philadelphia but before many years, had settled in Westmoreland Co, PA. John's name appears, in some official capacity, upon one of the first pages (I think the third) of a book of records under the crown, now preserved at the county seat, Greensburg. He was a lieutenant in Capt. Moses CARSON's Rangers, to range on the frontier to Fifth Pennsylvania. He died on his farm in South Huntington Township, Westmoreland Co, PA, Sept. 9, 1813." Next is James FINDLEY. MC CALLON shows that STOUT's birthdate of 3 June 1739, Co Antrim, Ireland, for James is incorrect, as he was actually b 3 Jan 1739. She also says that STOUT's date of 1773 for James to have moved to PA was incorrect, as he moved in Aug 1763. She lists a child who STOUT doesn't name, Alexander, saying he was either a twin of John or James. Other information shown by STOUT shows James FINDLEY m 6 Jun 1767 w Elizabeth BRAEDY; 1778, had 122 acres in Cumberland Township, York Co, PA; served in Capt. Wm. BLAINE's 4th Co., 7th Battalion, York Co Militia (PA Archives, s 5, v 26, P. 457); administrator of estate to brother Archibald, who was also guardian of children; resided West Lebanon, Indiana Co, PA; later moved to Westmoreland Co, PA; d 1783, Cumberland Township, PA. Children are shown as Abigail, b 1768; Abel (STOUT shows 1770 as birthdate, but MC CALLON says 1769), m Jun 1791 w Elizabeth HARVEY, he died 1842, West Lebanon, PA; Martha (1775-1838); and David, b 1778. The fourth child was Samuel FINDLEY, b 10 Mar 1742, Co Antrim, Ireland; 1773, moved to PA; judge in Butler Co, PA; served in 2 M, 6th Batt., Cumberland Co Militia; m 22 Feb 1780 w Mary GRAHAM. STOUT shows their children as William T., b 1784, m w Eleanor CARUTHER; and Samuel (1786-1871). MC CALLON adds David as a third son. The fifth child was William, who will be examined further in this issue. The sixth child was Andrew, b 1748; m (1st) Eva (last name unknown); m (2nd) Jemima JACKSE. The records above show that William FINDLEY Sr. m Martha DREAMER DRENNAN in 1758. Their first child was Margaret, b 1759, Belfast, Ireland; 1773, moved to Cumberland Co and then to Westmoreland Co, PA; m 1790 w Matthew BIGGER (BIGGERT); d 21 Feb 1840, New Concord, OH. Their children were David Findley; Samuel; William; and Jane, who m Abraham POLLOCK. The final three children are Mary, b 1760; Jane, b 1761, m William MC CONNELL; and David (1762-1852). MC CALLON says James, Alexander, William and Samuel FINDLEY arrived in Philadelphia in August 1763. Another twist on this family comes from subscriber Joan COUGHENOUR. She has a genealogy which claims William FINDLEY Sr. was married four times. She lists his first wife as Catherine CULBERTSON, with the following children: Abel Archibald, b 1735 (never came to America); John, b 7 Oct 1737, m Mary BOYD, came to America in 1761, captain in Revolutionary War; Alexander, John's twin, landed in Philadelphia in 1763, died in the Revolution; and Andrew, b Jul 1749, d 1829, m Elsa (last name unknown, but she d in Ireland), m (2nd) Jamima Jaskse (or Jane Jaskse), lieutenant in 8th PA, Reg. Co. She also adds that all of the children of William and Martha FINDLEY were born in Ireland, but she gives the birthdate of Margaret as July 1757, which is impossible, as William was still married to Jane at that time. She adds Margaret's husband was Matthew BIGGER, a minister and a soldier. Of William and Martha FINDLEY's remaining children, she lists Mary, b May 1760, came to America in 1774; Jane, b May 1761, m (first name unknown) MC CONNELL, came to America in 1774; and (Judge) Daniel, b May 1762, m 1787 w Janie or Janet MITCHEL, served in PA Militia in 1782. Going back to the main subject, William FINDLEY Jr., there are many corrections to STOUT which were made by MC CALLON, COUGHENOUR and others. Going by COUGHENOUR's genealogy yields the following: William FINDLEY, b 11 Jan 1741; d 5 Apr 1821; bur. near Latrobe, PA; came to Philadelphia in Aug 1763; m (1st) 1758 w Margot RUSSELL, who came to America with four children in 1769; m (2nd) 21 Mar 1769 w Mary COCHRAN, b Waynesboro, Franklin Co, PA, daughter of John and Elinor COCHRAN; m (3rd) Mary EWING CARUTHERS, widow of the Rev. Richard CARUTHERS, who had one son who m his own stepsister, Eleanor. STOUT lists the second marriage in 1769 to Elizabeth (Mary) COCHRAN and adds she is the granddaughter of John and Martha FINLEY JENKINS. He says the third marriage to Mary CARUTHERS was in 1775, but COUGHENOUR says the marriage took place on 10 Dec 1798. COUGHENOUR also says Mary CARUTHERS FINDLEY was b 26 Apr 1753, d 12 Nov 1825. Children of William and Margot RUSSELL FINDLEY were Martha, b 1758; Alexander, b 1759, m Nancy Mary Jane CARSON, b Ireland, she came to America with friends; William; Mary, b May 1760; and Jane, b 31 Oct 1761.Children of William and Mary COCHRAN FINDLEY were Eleanor or Nellie, b 16 Mar 1786, m Richard Ewing CARUTHERS, her stepbrother, she d Aug 1853, Armstrong Co, PA; David; John, b 1773, d 1855; Elizabeth, m Thomas PATTERSON; and Mary, m John BLACK.
Among COUGHENOUR's sources are genealogies written by Ella C. FINDLEY, Joseph Lyon EWING of Rahway, NJ, Lidia K. TURNER and J.V. THOMPSON of Uniontown, PA. William FINDLEY Jr. immigrated in 1763 to Cumberland (Franklin) Co, PA, where he became a schoolteacher and weaver. In 1776, he was a captain in the 8th Battery, Cumberland Co Militia under Col. John FINDLAY. Helen FINDLEY sent an excerpt from Colonial and Revolutionary Families of PA, by John W. JORDAN. The following comes from that source: "William FINDLEY, paternal great-grandfather of John T. FINDLEY, and the founder of the family in America, was one of the noted men of his day. Born in the north of Ireland in 1741, he came to Pennsylvania in 1763. "He achieved prominence as a soldier and statesman, while in the world of literature he is known as the author of at least two works of national repute. William FINDLEY was a descendant of one of the old signers of the `Solemn League and Covenant' in Scotland, and another of his ancestors bore a prominent part in the memorable siege of Londonderry, Ireland. "The family was thus Scotch-Irish and sprang from those who under the persecution of James II, were compelled to seek shelter elsewhere. He was still a young man when he came to Pennsylvania, and made one of the famous Octoraro settlement. He here early brought himself to notice among the `New American Covenanters.' "While under his father's roof in Ireland, he had the advantage of a larger library of books on church history and divinity, than was possessed by many of his neighbors. He says that he `had also been taught to read the Bible, and that he had inclined to some books on ancient history.' The evidence of his application and taste is seen in his subsequent writings, because it was impossible for him, for a length of time after he came to America, to devote himself studiously to literary pursuits. "At the outbreak of the Revolution, he took sides with his adopted country and entered the army. He rose to the rank of captain and is so designated in some of the old records. While at Octoraro, he taught school for several terms. He removed to Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where he purchased lands and was elected county commissioner for two terms of three years each. "About the year 1782, he removed to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and bought a farm upon which he resided until his death. This farm, now a beautiful and valuable tract between Latrobe and St. Vincents, through which the Pennsylvania railroad passes, had then just been opened, and more than four-fifths of it was covered with bushes, vines and swamp growth. "The community around him was Presbyterian in religious preference, and in a short time he was one of the chief members of that church body, a leading layman, and for many years an elder. Nor was he less prominent in politics. He was a born leader of men, and from the first not only had the confidence of the most substantial citizens of the district, but obtained and held an ascendency over the common people that was relaxed only with his death. "He refused a seat in the Assembly, but was sent as one of the Council of Censors. From that time, he says, until 1821, he never spent but one whole winter with his family. In the Board of Censors he voted invariably against the party which professed Federalism, and at all times upon the opposite side from General Arthur ST. CLAIR, who sat as a censor from Philadelphia. The board sat from November 10, 1783, until the Constitution of 1790 was adopted. "FINDLEY, with William TODD as colleague, represented Westmoreland County in the Constitutional Convention of 1789-90. In the convention, he introduced a resolution which he hoped to become a law under the constitution, `to educate the poor gratis.' He was a member of the Supreme Executive Council and a member of the first State Legislature of Pennsylvania, under the constitution of 1790. In 1791, he was elected to Congress from the Westmoreland District and sat in the House until 1799, and then after an interval of two terms, was re-elected again and again served from 1803 until 1817. "Some of his old friends said he would still be in Congress if he had lived. In Congress, some of his political enemies said he was inconsistent, but such was his tact that his constituents never found it out. He was a consummate politician but something more than a `puller of threads and a disentagler of skeins.' He helped shape public opinion, as much possibly as any other man in western Pennsylvania in his day, and as a politician was more effective out of Congress than in it. "He had a large personal acquaintance and his manners were such as to make him a favorite in a democracy. Besides this, he had the sympathy and influence of the strongest church organization in the county at that time. The Scotch-Irish swore by William FINDLEY. He was opposed to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, but after its adoption took a firm stand in its support. "He wrote and published a book entitled, Observations on The Two Sons of Oil, containing a vindication of the American Constitution and defending the blessings of Religious Liberty and Toleration, against the illiberal strictures of the Rev. Samuel B. WYLIE, by William FINDLEY, Member of Congress, 1812. He is somewhat prolix in the volume and at times a little tiresome, but he goes through a wide range and supports his statements by numerous quotations from and reference to the writers of church history both modern and patristic and by texts from the Scriptures. "His most important writing, however, was entitled, History of the Insurrection in the Four Western Counties of Pennsylvania, in the year MDCCXCIV by William FINDLEY, Member of the House of Representatives of the United States, with a recital of the circumstances specially connected therewith and historical review of the previous situation of the country, 1796. "This history of the `Whiskey Insurrection' seems upon careful review to give but a partial view of the matter and to be a justification of his own share in it, as he was without question one of the principal characters in that event. The work has been widely quoted by nearly every general and local historian who has written upon the subject. It is undoubtedly the most important and substantial one he wrote, and treating as it did of a political subject and giving the view of one of the most active participants in that great civil disturbance, it could not but be a work to which attention would be drawn. "It has been quoted and drawn upon by eminent legal and historical writers such as Wharton and Hildreth, while on the other hand it has been assailed with violence by political opponents of the author and was ridiculed by the New England Federalists. Touching all the criticisms and the attacks the book received, all of his adversaries are free to admit, that he would not knowingly deviate from the truth, but they assert that his prejudices were strong and that his personal feelings biased his judgment. "There was only one edition of the History published and copies are now very scarce, the few extant being in the possession of various historical societies or in the state libraries. He published many articles in the Farmers Register between 1799 and death in 1821, under the nom de plume of `Sidney.' Also in 1794, A Review of the Funding System. "From the foregoing, it will be seen that he was no idler and a man of versatile thought and interest. He was present at every session of Congress and when at home superintended his farm. He took a deep interest in Unity Church (Presbyterian) of which he was an elder. Some time before his death, he built a large and substantial two-story brick residence, which is still standing, and situated on the west bank of Loyalhanna Creek, in the town of Latrobe, a short distance south of the line of the Pennsylvania railroad. In this home he lived until old and infirm, when he removed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. CAROTHERS, where he died. He is buried in the churchyard of Unity Church where a plain gray stone marks the spot, bearing the following inscription:`The
Venerable
William Findley
Departed this Life
Apr 5 1821
In the 80th year
Of his life.'
"He was a very large man and very tasteful in dress. At home, he dressed in homespun, but on going out in fair weather, wore a complete suit of white, with white hat, having a very broad brim, silk stockings and queue. In cold weather, his dress was the conventional `shad belly' coat, long waistcoat, dark knee breeches, long boots, but always the broad-rimmed beaver hat. "An old lady who passed her childhood in the family of William FINDLEY has said, that the periodical occasion of his going away to Congress was one of the greatest magnitude, not only in the family but in the neighborhood. He went of course on horseback, on a horse he used for that purpose only. For weeks before he started, arrangements were making; his horse was well housed and well conditioned and an abundance of the finest linen was prepared for the use of the congressman until he should return. On the day that had been fixed for his departure, all the neighbors came around to see him off, to lift their hats and say goodbye. The women part of the household would always be in commotion, for the journey at that day was great, the distance long and the good man would be away so long." On 17 Sept 1787, the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia drafted the U.S. Constitution. One of those who was present at this historic event (which commemorated its Bicentennial in 1987) was William FINDLEY Jr. of Pennsylvania. However, when the final vote for ratification was taken, he was in the minority, as his was one of 23 votes cast against it, according to The Scotch-Irish Families of America, Vol. 1, by Charles A. HANNA. HANNA states, "The Anti-Federalists in the Pennsylvania convention had for their leaders in the debate the three Scotch Presbyterians, WHITEHILL, FINDLEY and SMILIE, who came from the counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Fayette." In another of HANNA's books, The Wilderness Trail, Vol. 2, he quotes Lyman C. DRAPER's manuscripts about FINDLEY: "William FINDLEY, who served in the Revolutionary War, and subsequently settled in Westmoreland County, and was a member of the Pennsylvania convention of 1789, and afterwards of Congress, came directly from Ireland to this country. He was one of the old Scotch dissenters, and was author of a work on the Funding System, and another on the Western Insurrection." In 1780, he was on the Council of Censors; 1784, General Assembly; and Pennsylvania State Supreme Executive Council until 1790. In 1793, he moved to a farm near Latrobe, Westmoreland Co, PA. As noted earlier by HANNA, he was a leader in the "Western Insurrection," better known as the "Whiskey Rebellion." FINDLEY d 5 Apr 1821, Latrobe, PA, and was buried in Unity Meetinghouse Cemetery. STOUT lists his children as Alexander, b 1759, d 1857; David, b 1770, U.S. Army officer; Nellie, b 1771, m w John CARUTHERS (stepbrother); Mary, b 1773, m w John BLACK; Elizabeth, b 1774; Martha, d 1813; and John, b 1776, d 1855. STOUT also lists his parents as William FINDLEY, b 1715; m 28 Dec 1734 w Jane Holland STEELE, b 1721, d 1757. William FINDLEY Sr. apparently came to America after his son, as STOUT says he came on the "Eagle Wing" in 1773. Donna MC CALLON adds the following about the William FINDLEY who refused to sign the Constitution, "After the war, he located in Westmoreland Co, PA, and became a large holder of land as well as one of the most influential men of his day. He was a member of the state Legislature and a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention; elected a representative from PA to the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th Congresses. At that time, no man had ever served so long and the term, `Father of the House,' was created for him. He was ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church of Unity near Latrobe, PA. He was buried there." TORRENCE also has the following information on William FINDLEY Jr.: "In 1775, he was a member of the Committee of Observation. During the Revolutionary War, he entered as a private in the Pennsylvania Line; became Captain of the seventh company of the Eighth Cumberland County Battalion, under Colonel John FINDLAY, 1776-1777, the period of the invasion of Pennsylvania, and was at the battle of Crooked Billet. "He was elected to the Council of Censors, in 1780, his first entry into political affairs, and wherein he consistently voted against the party which professed Federalism (Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution," by John Bach MC MASTER and Frederick D. STONE). "He was a member of the General Assembly from 1784 to 1788; was a delegate to ratify the Federal Constitution, in 1787, one of its bitterest opponents, and did not sign the ratification (Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. II, P. 75-76). He was a member of the Anti-Constitution Party, which was mobbed in Philadelphia, November 6, 1787; and in September, 1788, at the Harrisburg Conference, with SMILIE and GALLATIN, he was the leading spirit, and this trio almost accomplished the defeat of the Constitutionalist ticket, electing two of the eight congressmen, the parties being evenly balanced. "He served as a member of the Supreme Executive Council from November 6, 1787, until the adoption of the Constitution of 1790, he having taken an active part in the writing of this charter. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for many sessions, and later was elected to the United States House of Representatives, to represent the `Western District', and served 10 years (The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, March 1937, P. 31). "In the so-called Whiskey Insurrection, he took an active part, and, as an apology for his participation, has left one of the most impartial histories of that affair. He was a shrewd politician without being a demagogue, and maintained a strong hold on the people through his popularity." COUGHENOUR says she has a copy of William FINDLEY Jr.'s will and is in the Daughters of the American Revolution through him and his second wife Elizabeth (Mary) COCHRAN. She also states STOUT is incorrect on COCHRAN's death date of 1775, placing it instead at 1797 in Unity, Westmoreland Co, PA. William FINDLEY Jr. also m (1st) 1758 w Margot RUSSELL; m (3rd) 10 Dec 1798 (STOUT incorrectly put 1775) w Mary EWING CARUTHERS. William and Mary COCHRAN FINDLEY's daughter, Eleanor (Nellie), b 16 Mar 1786 (not 1771 as shown by STOUT) m Richard Ewing CARUTHERS, son of Richard CARUTHERS and Mary EWING (who was William FINDLEY Jr.'s third wife after CARUTHERS' death).Two John Finleys in Virginia?
Dr. Carmen Joyce FINLEY, James "Jim" D. FINLEY, Jeanne BRANOM and Peggy CLOSE HARDING, among others, have proven several of STOUT's facts to be incorrect regarding the line of John FINLEY (3-02-1 in The Clan FINLEY, Vol. 1, Second Edition) and Thankful DOAK.
First of all, STOUT lists the marriage date of the above couple as 10 Apr 1724. In information quoted by Marge VAN VOLKINBURG, 823 N. Lind, Fresno, CA 93727, and confirmed by Carrie Alexander WOOD, the marriage took place at Elk River Presbyterian Church (WOOD says Rock Presbyterian Church), Chester Co, PA, on 10 Mar 1724. The main problems cited by Carmen FINLEY are related to John and Thankful DOAK FINLEY's first son, John FINLEY Jr. (4-02-11). STOUT says he was b 28 Dec 1724, East Nottingham Township, Chester Co, PA; m 21 Apr 1741 w Mary Thankful CALDWELL, b 1728, d 1787; with him dying in 1791. STOUT also says he was a surveyor and farmer; held about 1,000 acres in Augusta Co, VA; 1748, was in Dr. WALKER's expedition to Cumberland Gap; 1755, was in Capt. Thomas ARMSTRONG's Co., Augusta County Militia; served with father in French and Indian War; 1759-69, county surveyor; 1776, commissary, Washington County Militia. STOUT lists as their children: John Caldwell FINLEY, 1742-1818; George, 1743-1809; Jean, b 1744; Robert Osborne FINLEY, b 1745; Margaret, 1746-1802; David, 1748-1843; Samuel, bapt. 1749; Thomas Caldwell FINLEY, 1750-1821; and (Mary) Thankful, bapt. 1751. STOUT says John FINLEY Jr. is the one who left the following will, proved 20 Sept 1791, Book 3, P. 404, Augusta Co, VA (the spelling is left as it appears in a copy sent to me by Carmen FINLEY): "In the Naim of God -- Amen. The Seventeenth day of August 1791. I John Finley of the Colony of Virginia and the County of Agusta former being in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to god. Therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men onst to die do make and ordain this my Last will and Testiment -- that is to say principaly and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that give it, and my body to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian Descent maner at the Descretion of my Executors and Unto him of such worldly estate where with it pleases God to bless me in this Life. "I give Demise and dispose of the items in the following manner and form, first all my Lawful Debts and funeral Expences to be payed out of my real Estate, also I give and bequeth unto my dearly beloved wife Thankful, all my houshold furniture to be at her Disposal, Except one bed and furniture and my Negro woman, Hannah During her life and a good hors and sadle Likewis a good Deasent room and Deasent mantainence to be found her out of the part of my Estat I have willed to my son David. Item I give and bequith unto my beloved sons George, Robert and my Daughter, Marget Shields, Eatch of them five shillings Virginia Currancy to them and heirs. "Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son James one hundred and twenty pounds Virginia Currancy with interest from this Date to him and his heirs for ever to be payd by my son David out of the part I now will to him. "Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son John one bed and furniture at my beloved wifes Decese to him and his heirs. Item I give and bequith unto my beloved Daughter Jean one negro womman at my wifes death and to her son John Trimble my sadle and bridle to them and their heirs forever. "Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son David all my lands and tenements and in every part of my Estate not herein separately willd to others to him and his heirs or asignes forever, Item I give and bequith unto my beloved Daughter Thankfull McCarter six shillings Virginia Currancy to her and her heirs forever, and I Likewise constitute make and ordain my son David sole Executor of this my last will and testiment. "I Do hereby utterly Disalow revoik and Disanul all and every other former Testiments wills Legities bequests and Executors by me in ani wies before naimed willed and bequithed ratifying and confirming this and know other to be my last will and testiment in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sail the Day and year above mentioned." The will was signed by John FINLEY Jr. and witnesses David MC NAIR, John THOMAS and John WILSON. Attached to the will is the following, "At a court held for Augusta County September 20th 1791, This last Will and Testament of John Finley deceased was presented in Court by David Finley the Executor therein named and proved by the Oaths of David McNair, John Thomas and John Wilson witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the Motion of the said Executor who made Oath according to Law certificate is granted him for obtaining probat thereof in due form, he having given security as the Law directs." In the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (June 1988), Carmen FINLEY states, "In tracing the origins of David FINLEY of Garrard County (previously Lincoln), Kentucky, the trail led first to Montgomery County (now Wythe), Virginia. Clearly, a John FINLEY was living there during the period 1773 to about 1782, one that closely matched the Augusta County John who left the 1791 will. Both had a son David; and both Davids had a wife Elizabeth. "It can be proved, through existing primary documents, that the David assigned by STOUT to the Augusta County John FINLEY is really the son of the John FINLEY of Montgomery/Wythe County. There is also strong circumstantial evidence that STOUT's William Joseph (4-02-16), George (5-02-112), and Thomas (5-02-116) also belong to the Montgomery/Wythe County family and are brothers of David (5-02-114)." The will shows there was a John FINLEY in Augusta Co, VA, with wife, Thankful; sons, David, George, Robert, James and John Jr.; daughters Margaret SHIELDS, Jean TRIMBLE and Thankful MC CARTER; and grandson, John TRIMBLE. According to Carmen FINLEY, existing Montgomery Co (now Wythe Co), VA, land records show there was a John FINLEY there who died before 19 Aug 1782, with sons David, Samuel and Thomas. On P. 105 of STOUT (Vol. 1, Second Ed.), David FINLEY (5-02-114) is shown to have been granted 1,000 acres on Dix River, Lincoln Co, KY, in 1781 and he is shown to be the son of John FINLEY (4-02-11) of Augusta County. Carmen FINLEY says this David FINLEY was the son of the John FINLEY of Montgomery Co. To support this, she quotes from the Kentucky State Historical Society Register (Vol. 21, No. 61, Jan. 1923): "David FINLEY this day appeared and claimed a right of settlement and pre-emption to a Tract of Land lying on the N.E. side of Dicks (Dix) River about 3 or 4 Miles below the mouth of Falling Creek including two small Springs by building a Hut and raising a crop of Corn on the premises in the year 1776." She adds records about this David FINLEY were found in Lincoln, Mercer and Madison counties, KY, plus records for David FINLEY on the Dix River were found in Garrard Co, KY, after it was formed in 1797. When he planted his corn along the Dix River, that area had just been designated as Kentucky Co, VA. Carmen FINLEY next quotes from Lincoln Co, VA, Deed Book A:338: "On 27 August 1784, David and Samuel gave power of attorney to friend, William FINLEY of Montgomery County, VA to transfer 327 acres on Salley Run waters of Reid Creek `. . . delivered to us . . . by our beloved father John FINLEY, dec'd.'" She adds that David and Samuel, shown to be from Mercer Co, KY, sold the Wythe Co property on 14 Aug 1792, according to Wythe Co Deed Book 1:84. She notes the will did not show a Samuel as heir and she concludes the above documents show the David FINLEY who settled along the Dix River came from Montgomery Co and not from Augusta Co. David FINLEY was later found to have purchased land in Orleans, Northeast Township, IN, and Stampers Creek, IN. In 1817, he deeded one-quarter section each to his children: Samuel, Jesse, Cyrus, Hervey FINLEY and Mary MAXWELL. When Cyrus prepared David's final settlement in 1851, David's children, who were left $1 each, were named: John FINDLEY, Jane SMITH, Edmund FINDLEY, Samuel FINDLEY's heirs, Jesse FINDLEY, Hearvey FINDLEY's heirs, Polly MAXWELL's heirs, Elizabeth SNEED, for and by order of the court, retains his own legacy, Cyrus. The remainder of David's estate went to the children of his son, Jefferson, who received $887.90 each. Carmen FINLEY also quotes from cemetery records for David and his wife, Elizabeth, and their children, Jane Ann, Harvey, Cyrus and Jefferson; a Bible record owned by Marion SHAFFER of Healdsburg, CA, which gives the death date of Samuel; and records from the descendants of Edmund, Jesse and Elizabeth, for the following information: David FINLEY, b 1 Jun 1754; d 19 Apr 1848; Elizabeth FINLEY, b 4 Jan 1763; d 9 Jan 1835; Jane Ann FINLEY, b 9 Nov 1785; d 12 May 1871; Samuel FINLEY, b 14 Feb 1790; d 15 Sep 1835; Harvey FINLEY, b 11 Feb 1795; d 26 May 1832; Cyrus FINLEY, b 25 Nov 1799; d 31 Jan 1874; Jefferson FINLEY, b 16 May 1805; d 19 Nov 1829; Edmund FINLEY, b 1788; Jesse FINLEY, b 17 May 1792; Elizabeth FINLEY, b 8 Feb 1802; d 25 Sep 1889. (STOUT, apparently incorrectly, shows different dates for most of those above.) Next, Carmen FINLEY notes that seven property transactions in Prince Edward Co, VA, show John FINLEY of Montgomery Co lived there from ca. 1765 to 1772-73, and that he is tied to a William FINLEY, who accompanied him first to Prince Edward Co and then to Montgomery Co: Jacob and Honour GARRETT granted to John FINLEY 400 acres on 15 Jun 1765; John CALDWELL to William FINLEY, 430 acres, 19 Aug 1765; Thomas FULTON to son-in-law, George FINLEY, 200 acres, 28 Apr 1769; William FINLEY to Charles SMITH, 175 acres, 29 Jun 1772; John FINLEY to Stephen PETTUS, 400 acres, 20 Jul 1772; George FENLEY to Alexander GARDEN, 200 acres, 20 Dec 1773; William FINLEY and Mary, his wife, of Montgomery Co, to Joseph FORE, 50 acres, 10 Jul 1787. All of the property was on Vaughan's Creek. Carmen FINLEY comments, "Note that John and William FINLEY buy and sell within a month or two of each other; George buys almost four years after John and sells about a year and a half after John. Clearly, there must be a strong relationship among these three FINLEYs, but it does not say what that relationship is. Since they sell about the same time, one would not be surprised to see them group together in their next location. However, note that William did not sell all his property in 1772, while both John and George did sell their total acreage. "We already know that John FINLEY of Montgomery/Wythe and father of David of KY and IN, bought property in Montgomery County from John MC FARLAND in November 1773 (Montgomery Co, Order Book 1, P. 142). George FINLEY did not sell his property until December 1773, so it would not be difficult for John and William to stay with George until the property in Montgomery County could be purchased. And it is John FINLEY and sons David and Thomas who appear on Kegley's list of New River Tithables in 1773 in Captain CROCKETT's area (P. 27). "A George FINLEY appears that same year on Captain DOACK's list of Tithables (P. 29). However, the earliest property record found for William does not appear until 1785 (Montgomery Co, Survey Book, P. 220). The order books for Montgomery County (Order Book 1, 1773-1788), list James, James Jr. and Samuel prior to the first listing for John that occurs in 1773 when he first buys property. William FINLEY is first listed in 1785 when he serves on a Grand Jury of Inquest. For the years 1774-1782 (Order Book 2), there is mention of Samuel, James, John, David and Robert FINLEY. William FINLEY is mentioned again in 1788. It would appear that William either did not settle in Montgomery County in 1773 or that he kept a low profile. However, there is other unmistakeable evidence that the William FINLEY of Prince Edward County did, eventually, settle in Montgomery/Wythe County. Consider this: "1. Dabney PETTUS, in his will in 1788 in Charlotte County, refers to a son, `Stephen Pettus of Prince Edward,' and to a daughter, Mary FINLEY (HERNDON, J.G., "Some of the Descendants of the Rev. John THOMSON (1690-1753)" in Genealogies of Virginia Families Vol. 5). Prince Edward and Charlotte are adjacent counties. Recall, John FINLEY sold his Prince Edward property to Stephen PETTUS. In addition, William FINLEY and Mary, his wife, of Montgomery County, sold property in Prince Edward County in 1787 (Prince Edward Co, Deed Book 7:297). It may well be that William and Mary (PETTUS) FINLEY lived on in Prince Edward County near her brother and father after John and George left until their survey of property in Wythe County in 1785. "2. In 1794, Dabney FINLEY of Lee County, VA, brings suit against his father, William FINLEY, to recover slaves owned by his mother, Mary PETTUS, at the time of her marriage to William FINLEY (Wythe Co, Deed Book 2:477). "3. In 1801, William FINLEY Sr., of Wythe County, names son, John Pettis FINLEY, in his will. He also provides for his wife, Judith, and children, Mary Ann, unborn child, Esau, William, Rhoda, Margaret (Wythe Co, Will Book 1:202). "Now, compare this profile to STOUT's William Joseph FINLEY (4-02-16). STOUT claims this William Joseph was born 1743; baptised at Tinkling Springs, Augusta County; removed to Prince Edward County; died in Wythe County. He had children: James, William, Asa, Margaret, John P., Elizabeth, Thankful, Mary and one other daughter. STOUT claims he is the son of John and Thankful (DOAK) FINLEY (3-02-1). If this is true, he would be one of the younger children of the pioneer couple. But he kept close company with John of Montgomery/Wythe from at least 1765 for the rest of his life. George, who is the third member of the three FINLEYs on Vaughan's Creek in Prince Edward County, has not been found in any land transactions in Montgomery/Wythe County. However, we do find a George FINLEY listed in Dunmore's War of 1774 in Fincastle County, along with James and John FINLEY. (Montgomery County was formed in 1776-77 from Fincastle). In addition, both John and George FINLEY signed a petition from the Western part of Fincastle, 1774-76 (Committees of Safety of Westmoreland and Fincastle, Proceedings, VA State Library, 1956)." Carmen FINLEY concludes by saying, "The ties between Montgomery/Wythe County and Prince Edward County are significant." In a letter to me, dated 7 Nov 1987, Carmen FINLEY expounds on William and John FINLEY's relationship. While I had stated in the November 1987 FINLEY FINDINGS that her papers had thrown "doubt upon STOUT's placement of William Joseph FINLEY as a son of John and Thankful DOAK FINLEY," she makes the following comments: "There is another possible explanation. There is no doubt that STOUT's William Joseph (4-02-16) is the William who accompanied a John FINLEY first to Prince Edward County in 1765 and then on to Montgomery/Wythe County. The other explanation is, of course, that STOUT is correct in placing this William as son of John FINLEY Sr., elder of Tinkling Springs of Augusta and that John Sr. moved out of Augusta in 1765 to Prince Edward County and then on to Montgomery/Wythe in 1773. If this is true, then John FINLEY Sr., the elder of Tinkling Springs, did not die in Augusta County in 1773 as STOUT claims; rather he died in Wythe County in late 1782. There are a number of compelling reasons to believe this may be true, but no actual proof, as yet. "In March 1765, John FINLEY sells 297 acres on South River, in Beverly Manor, Augusta County, VA (originally the George Robinson property). In June that same year, a John FINLEY buys 400 acres on Vaughan's Creek in Prince Edward County. William FINLEY buys 430 acres on Vaughan's Creek in August 1765. They sell this property in June and July 1772 and John FINLEY buys 327 acres on Reed Creek, a branch of New River in Montgomery/Wythe county in November 1773. William is not far behind, as is George FINLEY who also bought and sold property on Vaughan's Creek in the same general time period. "Place this in the context of the times in Augusta County and especially Tinkling Springs. From the early 1740s, John FINLEY had been a staunch supporter of the Church and prominent member of the new community developing at Beverly Manor. (See "The Tinkling Springs: Headwaters of Freedom," by Howard McKnight WILSON.) "Colonel James PATTON and his brother-in-law, John PRESTON, were also leaders in Beverly Manor and early land developers who forged ahead into the Southwestern part of Augusta around the Holsten and New River areas. But the years of the French and Indian Wars (1755-1763) took their toll. PATTON and PRESTON were killed along with other leaders of the community and by 1764, the congregation of Tinkling Springs was so weakened that their minister, John CRAIG, could not be supported."John FINLEY, as an official of Tinkling Springs, attended the meeting of the Presbytery which officially removed CRAIG from his post in 1764. (After his dismissal from Tinkling Springs, CRAIG was assigned to provide service to eight congregations extending from the Roanoke area down to and including two serving neighbors in the Reed Creek area.) Both WILSON and KEGLEY (in Early Adventurers on the Western Waters) document the movement of Beverly Manor families to the Southwest in the immediate area of Reed Creek, a branch of New River. David DOAK, brother to Thankful DOAK, settled there. George and Ann (DOAK) BRECKINRIDGE settled there (Ann and Thankful were sisters). What could be more natural than for John FINLEY Sr., the elder from Tinkling Springs, also to settle there in his later years?"
Jim FINLEY also has some information relating to John and Thankful DOAK FINLEY's children. In a letter to Virginia HANKS on 3 Feb 1986, he indicated his line was linked to a John FINLEY and his wife, Mary, of Wythe Co, VA. While he said there were similarities to the son of John and Thankful DOAK FINLEY, he noted that John FINLEY Jr. was identified as the one who left the 1791 will, and the John FINLEY in Jim FINLEY's line was dead by 1782. In a letter to me dated 12 Aug 1988, Jim FINLEY wrote, "John FINLEY of Wythe County had made an agreement with his sons, David and Samuel, in that they would receive his lands consisting of 327 acres located on Sally Run, a branch of Reed Creek, as well as livestock and other equipment, in exchange for care of John and Mary in their old age. "John was dead prior to 3 September 1782, when Mary FINLEY was examined concerning the agreement between John, David and Samuel, and also prior to 13 January 1783, when 140 acres of land were conveyed by virtue on a certificate from the Commissioners from Washington and Montgomery for 140 acres on Sally Run, a branch of Reed Creek on the waters of New River, to Thomas FINLEY, my ancestor. This document is identified as corner to John FINLY's patent land and John is listed as deceased." Jim FINLEY says he and Carmen FINLEY have done extensive research on the records of Augusta Co, VA and found that no one named Thomas FINLEY shared in the estate of John FINLEY, deceased in 1791. "For this reason, I feel that those searching their ancestry through a son, Thomas, son of John FINLEY, listed by STOUT as 4-02-11, should reassess their findings," says Jim FINLEY.A Possible Identity
Of Rose Finley of Augusta Co, VA,
By Jim Finley
STOUT identifies one Rose FINLEY (4-02-14.5) as the daughter of John FINLEY (3-02-1). He states she married one John HENDERSON, who died in 1766. He also lists another Rose FINLEY as the daughter of William FINLEY (3-02-5), brother of John (3-02-1), but gives no further data except that she was born in 1736 and married a man named GILLESPEY. The purpose of this paper is to show the possibility that the two persons named Rose FINLEY might have been one and the same and that she was the daughter of William FINLEY (3-02-5). In order to present my information, which is in no way conclusive, I feel we will need to make a brief examination of both the families of HENDERSON and GILLESPIE. William HENDERSON, father-in-law of Rose FINLEY, arrived in Augusta County at a very early date. Though not listed among the earliest land owners, by 1749, he and wife, Sussanna, were selling land they owned on the North Branch of the James River above the mouth of Buffalo Creek to one John CLYDE of Pennsylvania and is recorded in Deed Book 2, P. 393. This was 350 acres. Again in 1761, John HENDERSON and wife, Sussanna, sold another 350 acres of land in the same location to one Nathaniel EVANS, recorded in Deed Book 10, P. 5. William HENDERSON also owned a large tract of land in Beverley Manor containing 1,415 acres and located on Christian's Creek. On 21 Mar 1759, William and Sussanna HENDERSON sold 200 acres of this land to their son, John, and 430 acres to their son, James. This land is described as being in the line of Thos. BLACK, corner to said BLACK and Robert CUNNINGHAM, also in the line of George CALDWELL and Thos. RUTLEDGE's Crossing. Recorded in Deed Book 8, P. 101 and 104. William HENDERSON made his will on 2 Sep 1770 and listed his age as "about 71 years." He mentions his wife, but does not name her. The land documents and subsequent documents show that her name was Sussanah but no family name has been found. He names three sons, James, William and David, and three sons-in-law, David and James BELL, and John LEEPER. He mentions Shussanna HENDERSON, daughter of John HENDERSON (no relationship given); Shussanna FINLEY, daughter to his daughter, Martha (she m 1750, Robert FINLEY) and granddaughter Jean TEAS. The executors were wife, brother Samuel HENDERSON and son, James HENDERSON. The will was recorded on 20 Nov 1770. The John HENDERSON mentioned seems to have died in 1766, four years prior to the father, which explains the mention but not a legatee in the father's will. John HENDERSON made his will on 4 Apr 1766 and it was recorded on 20 Aug of the same year. He mentions that he is a farmer and that his wife's name was Rose. He mentions his son, William, and two daughters, who are not named. He states that if either daughter should die, the other was to enjoy her share. The witnesses were John DAVIDSON and Robert FINLEY. The executors were brother, James HENDERSON, and his wife's brother, John FINLEY. The security agents were Adam DEAN and William FINLEY. STOUT lists the daughters of John and Rose HENDERSON as Margaret, who married David STEWART, and Florence, who married Andrew RUSSELL. The will of William HENDERSON seems to cast doubt as to the names of these daughters, since WILLIAM HENDERSON mentions Sussana HENDERSON, daughter of John, in his will of 1770. A more thorough search of the guardian bonds of Augusta County might cast more light, since a guardian would have likely been appointed and especially if these children were under 14 years of age. I have found no records in Augusta County which would show that Rose FINLEY HENDERSON remarried and if so, that she married William GILLESPIE. However, among the purchasers at the estate sale of William FINLEY in 1789 were William and Rose GILLESPIE. To give us some insight as to the connection between GILLESPIE and FINLEY families, I will give a brief history of the GILLESPIE family and their arrival into Orange County in an area which was to later become Augusta County. James GILLASPEY, whom I will refer to as James GILLESPIE Sr., proved his importation into Orange County, VA, evidently arriving from Ireland on 24 Jul 1740. In addition to himself, he was accompanied by his wife, Jennet, and children listed as Agnes, John, James and William, which was probably the order of their ages. James GILLESPIE purchased three adjoining tracts of land from 1740 until 1753, containing 210, 208 and 200 acres. After James Sr.'s arrival in Augusta County, two additional children were baptised by Rev. John CRAIG at Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, with Margaret baptised on 4 Oct 1741 and Elisabeth baptised on 16 Jan 1743. James GILASPEY Sr. made his will on 5 Sep 1768, which was recorded in Book 4, P. 263 of Augusta County, on 20 Oct 1769. All the children except Margaret were named in the will, so it is assumed Margaret had died young. The wife, Jennet, was mentioned, with the three sons, John, James and William, along with Edward HALL, as executors. Several land and other records between the GILLESPIE and other families in question prove interesting and show a close relationship. James GILLESPIE Jr. married on 5 Jan 1764 in Prince Edward County, VA, Elizabeth FINLEY, daughter of John FINLEY Sr., who gives his consent. The security agent was Robert BAKER. James GILLESPIE is identified as from Augusta County in the marriage bond. On 18 Aug 1773, James GILLESPY and Elizabeth, his wife, sell to John FINLEY 100 acres for five shillings. The land adjoins Hugh MC CLURE's property, also that of John RAMSEY (Deed Book 19, P. 414). On 22 Aug 1787, James GILLESPIE and Elizabeth sell land to Michael COYNART (also recorded as COINER) of Cumberland County, PA, recorded in Deed Book 26, P. 37. On 22 Aug 1787, William GILLESPIE and Rose sold to George Adam COYNART a tract conveyed to William by the will of James GILLASPIE. This was conveyed to Gaspar COINERT on 22 Aug 1789, which might indicate that this was a sale by William and Rose in preparation for leaving Augusta County. Augusta County Deed Book 27, P. 290 and 291, shows that in Nov 1791, William HENDERSON and William GILLESPY of Green County, NC grant a power of attorney to Robert FINLEY to sell 200 acres on South River. (Note: Since Greene County, NC, was not formed until 1799, I presume this to mean Greene County, TN.) Deed Book 16, P. 287 shows that on 15 May 1775, John, James and William GILLESPY sell to Thomas MC COLLOCK, for five pounds, 80 acres in Beverley Manor, part of three tracts conveyed to James GILLESPY, deceased. The three tracts originally included 210 acres obtained from Wm. Beverley on 27 Feb 1749; 208 acres; and 200 acres, all adjoining the 80 acres bounded by corner land formerly owned by Charles DALHOUSE; and other corner land bounded by James, William and John GILLESPIE. STOUT says that Florence HENDERSON, daughter of Rose FINLEY HENDERSON, married Andrew RUSSELL. In Augusta County records, there appear to be Andrew RUSSELL Sr. and Andrew RUSSELL Jr. witnessing deeds and other documents. Were they father and son? In Will Book IX, P. 313 to 315, in May 1803 Andrew RUSSELL's will (proved in Knox County, TN, July term of 1803) mentions wife, Elizabeth; son, Mathew; son, William; daughter, Ann; son, John; daughter, Elizabeth; son, James; son-in-law, James ROBERTSON; sons, Andrew and Alexander TESTE. It was witnessed by Wm. GILLESPIE, Wm. HENDERSON and James GILLESPIE, and also proved in Augusta County on 29 Nov 1803. In summation, it would appear that I have provided no conclusive evidence to prove that Rose HENDERSON and Rose GILLESPIE were one and the same. The only real evidence shows that both John HENDERSON and William GILLESPIE had wives named Rose. Much research still needs to be done. Most, if not all of my work, has been done from abstracts and a search of the original documents will usually disclose much that has been missed in brief abstracts. The preponderance of evidence would seem to lean toward one Rose FINLEY and my own belief is that the father would be identified as William FINLEY (3-02-5). In listing the birthdate of 1736 as the birthdate shown by FRANCE and STOUT (for Rose FINLEY), it would seem their information is plausible. The records show that James GILLESPIE and wife, Jennet, had four children born prior to 1740, one of which was William. It would seem logical that William would have been of an age to have married a girl born ca. 1736. Also, in reviewing the baptismal records of the Rev. John CRAIG, as published in The Tinkling Springs: Headwaters of Freedom, by Howard McKnight WILSON, William FINLY, whom I presume is identical to 3-02-5 as listed by STOUT, baptised two sons named William, on 26 Oct 1740 and 16 Jan 1743. He also baptised a son, Robert, on 23 Jun 1745. I feel it is reasonable to conclude the elder son, William, died young and he named a second son William, also. Son John, as mentioned in the 1789 will of William, was probably the oldest and was baptised prior to 1740, possibly in Pennsylvania. It would then seem plausible to assume that all three of Rose HENDERSON's brothers were mentioned in her husband's will. In rethinking this, however, her brother, William, would have only been 23 years of age in 1766, when John HENDERSON made his will. It would seem unlikely that a young man of 23 years of age would have been affluent enough to have provided security to cover the value of the will. This would likely have been an older, more affluent man, such as her father, hence William Sr. There were many HENDERSON parents who had children baptised by Rev. John CRAIG, whom he recorded between 1740 and 1749. Only the parent of the child who submitted the child for baptism was listed. Nowhere within these records was a parent named Rose. One John HENDERSON did have children baptised during these dates, but none seem consistent with the will of John HENDERSON in 1766. Other HENDERSON parents were Alexander, Daniel, David, James, Samuel, Thomas and William, whom I presume was William Jr.
Back To The 1600s
There are various sources of information available to determine when the earliest FINLEYs reached America. In STOUT, Vol. 1, Second Ed., P. 32, he lists (2-45) Robert FINLEY, b 1662, Dundee, Scotland; fought in Ireland and fled to Charles Co, MD, with brother, James; 1698, Collector of Port at Annapolis; appointed colonel-inspector of arms for Talbot Co, MD; entered "King's Creek Plantation" of 2,500 acres there; 1699-1704, clerk of Talbot Co; d 28 July 1716; buried near Oxford, MD (Virkus Vol. 4, P. 214; MD Archives Vol. 22, P. 353.) Therefore, at least two FINLEYs, Robert and James, were in Maryland prior to 1700. A modern-day Robert E. FINLEY of Las Vegas, NV, sent several records from the Maryland Archives in Annapolis which verify the existence of FINLEYs in that state prior to 1700, as follow: "Land Office Patents, Vol. WC2, P. 65: Warrant then granted to James PETERSON of Dorchester County for five hundred acres of land -- due for --. (S) Jn' FINLEY, 1679." Also shown: "James FINLEY, May 4th, 1667, Nightingale of York, Arv.; Elizabeth FINLEY, Liber (Vol) 11, Folio (pg.) 581: Transp. 1668, Arv. (indentured) servant, m WARDWORTH; John FINLEY, Liber WC2, Folio 65: Transp. 1679 (indentured) servant, Arv.; David FINLEY, Transp. 1668/9, Arv." "Elizabeth and David FINLEY; and James FINLEY -- from a listing (catalog) of the names of (indentured) servants brought in by the ship, Primrose of Newcastle, which arrived in the province of Maryland (Anne Arundel Co) on the Ninth of March Anno MDCLXVII (1667). Note -- the above said 60 rights to land approved by David POOLE to be originally due to him." "Probate Records, Index No. 1, 1635-1777, Vol. 9, Fer-Gil: P. 16: FINDLEY, James, 1706 -- Anne Arundel; Liber 28, Folio 346 (Inv.) Test Papers, Box 16, folder 554." Robert E. FINLEY also refers to the Directory of Scots -- Banished to the American Plantations (1650-1775), by David Dolson: "Alexander FINDLAY, Buchlyvie, Covenanter. Prisoner in Canongate, Tolbooth. Transported from Leith on the St. Michael of Scarborough, master Edward JOHNSON, on 12 December 1678 -- State Papers (Colonial). "William FINLAY, Jacobite captured at Preston, transported on the Elizabeth and Anne, master Edward Trafford from Liverpool, 29 June 1716 for Virginia or Jamaica. Landed in Virginia -- unindentured (SP/C-Virginia State Papers)." From The Scotch-Irish, Vol. 2, by Charles HANNA, in the section, "The Settlements and Presbytery enumerated," p. 95: "James FINLEY, Rock (East Nottingham), MD (1720); Samuel FINLEY, Lower Octorara (West Nottingham), MD (1720)." SC Department of Archives and History Alphabetical Index, a copy of which is in Robert E. FINLEY's possession, lists several FINLEY/FINDLEY records dated 1722/23 (i.e. John and Thomas FINLEY), indicating that they had arrived in Charleston prior to that time.FINDLEY-FINLEY, a 104-page document compiled in 1949 by Leonardo ANDREA, Columbia, SC (also in Robert E. FINLEY's collection), indicates that the first FINDLEY record noted in SC was from St. Phillip's Episcopal Church register: John FINLEY m Mary SPARKS on 11 Jun 1720, Charleston, SC.
American Finley Inventors
What do Colgate toothpaste and the telegraph have in common, and why should we be concerned with either subject? The answer is found in TORRENCE and Allied Families, by Robert McIlvaine TORRENCE, as we follow the later generations of the family of the Rev. Samuel FINLEY.Robert FINLEY m Margaret Mary LAUDER. Their second child, Michael, m Ann O'NEILL, and emigrated to America in 1734 on the Eagle Wing.
According to TORRENCE, their second son was Samuel FINLEY, b 2 Jul 1715, Co Armagh, Ireland; m (1st) 26 Sep 1744, Sarah HALL, d 30 Jul 1760; m (2nd) 13 May 1761, Ann CLARKSON, b ca. 1730, d 1807; d 17 Jul 1766, Philadelphia, PA. His will was dated 25 Jun 1766; proven 22 Jul 1766, in Somerset Co, NJ. The executors were Samuel BREESE and Richard STOCKTON.
He landed at Philadelphia on 28 Sep 1734, along with his father and eight brothers and sisters. TORRENCE says, "His parents had given their children every possible educational opportunity available in their native country. Samuel FINLEY, from childhood, had determined to study for the ministry, and it was arranged that he should attend Tennent's Log College, which was in Bucks Co, PA.
"After graduation, he was licensed to preach, August 8, 1740. He was ordained by the New Brunswick Presbytery, October 13, 1742. In 1743, he went to Milford, Connecticut. He became pastor of the Nottingham Presbyterian Church, at Nottingham, Cecil County, Maryland, in June of 1744, where he remained, from 1744-1761, establishing a great reputation in preparing young men for the ministry. The College of New Jersey conferred upon him, in 1749, the honorary degree of Master of Arts. In 1751, he was elected a trustee of that institution. In July of 1761, he was chosen President of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, New Jersey, now known as Princeton University. In 1763, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
"Among the sermons and theological discussions published by him were 'Christ Triumphing and Satan Raging' (1741); 'A Refutation of Mr. Thomson's Sermon on the Doctrine of Conviction' (1743); 'Against the Moravians, Being the Substance of Several Sermons, Showing the Strength, Nature, and Symptoms of Delusion,' (1743); 'A Charitable Plea for the Speechless,' (1747); 'Vindication of the Charitable Plea for the Speechless, or a Particular Consideration and Refutation of the Objections Made Against Infant Baptism,' (1748); 'Sermons at the Ordination of the Reverend John RODGERS,' (1749); 'On the death of the Reverend Samuel BLAIR,' (1751); 'On II Cor. Chap. 4 verse,' (1754); 'The Curse of Meroz, or the Danger of Neutrality in the Cause of God and Our Country,' (1757); and a 'Sermon at the funeral of the Reverend Gilbert TENNENT,' (1764). He edited the sermons of Samuel DAVIES, his discourse 'On the Death of President DAVIES,' (1761) being afterward prefixed to an edition of the latter's works." Albert Finley FRANCE adds the following information: "West Nottingham Academy, Colora, MD, established in 1741 had its beginning before our country itself was fairly in the making; before George WASHINGTON had first won fame by saving a remnant of BRADDOCK's army at Fort Duquesne; before Patrick HENRY had thrilled the Colonies with his speech before the Virginia Assembly; before the embattled farmers of New England had chased the British back from Lexington. "It is not only the oldest preparatory boarding school for boys in America, but is also the oldest existing Presbyterian Educational Institution of any kind in the new world. The founder of the school, then a log building, near the village of Rising Sun, MD, was the Rev. Samuel FINLEY, then pastor of the West Nottingham Presbyterian Church, which had been established some 17 years earlier. That Dr. FINLEY was a man who combined high scholarly attainments with marked administrative ability is attested by the fact that he was later called in 1761 to become president of Princeton College. "Attracted by Dr. FINLEY's fame as a scholar and his character as a man, boys came from all parts of the Colonies and the subsequent careers of many of them bear eloquent testimony to the soundness of the training received. Among these early students was Benjamin RUSH of Philadelphia, later to become a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a surgeon in Washington's army and first professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Richard STOCKTON of New Jersey and John ARCHER. "Among the students in 1747 to 1750 we find the names of John and James FINLEY, sons of James and Margaret (JOHNSON) FINLEY of Rising Sun, MD. John later served as captain in the Revolution and lived in 1790, East Wheatfield Township, Westmoreland Co, later Indiana Co, PA. He was the father of Isabella FINLEY KINTER, who married John KINTER, Revolutionary soldier and died in Indiana Co, 1853; both buried in Washington Presbyterian Church Yard, near Chambersville, Indiana Co, PA." What neither TORRENCE nor FRANCE acknowledge is that the Rev. Samuel FINLEY's views were controversial for his time. In HANNA's The Scotch-Irish, originally printed in 1902 (reprinted in 1968 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore), Vol. 1, P. 93, he states: "Reverend Samuel FINLEY, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, afterwards president of Princeton College, was arrested and imprisoned in Connecticut in 1742-43, because he ventured to preach in that colony without an invitation from a minister of one of the established churches." In Vol. 2, P. 24, he is next found in Connecticut: "In 1743, at the request of the congregation, the New Brunswick Presbytery sent them, as supply, the Rev. Samuel FINLEY, afterwards president of Princeton College. He preached at Milford on August 25th and at New Haven on September 1st. "For this offense, he was prosecuted, tried and condemned. For disturbing the peace of the community, Governor Law ordered him to be transported as a vagrant, by the constable, from town to town, out of the colony. "This treatment was considered by some of the foremost citizens of Connecticut and of the city of New York to be so contrary to the spirit and letter of the British Constitution as to work a forfeiture of the colonial charter. After this, the Rev. Mr. POMEROY preached at Milford occasionally, but he also was arrested, and carried to Hartford, to answer to the General Assembly for his conduct." Returning to the original question posed at the beginning of this section, the Rev. Samuel FINLEY's descendants had better fortune. The first child of the Rev. Samuel and Sarah HALL FINLEY was Rebecca FINLEY, b 28 Jun 1745, Nottingham, Cecil Co, MD; m Princeton, NJ, w Samuel BREESE; d 1770. The third child of Samuel and Rebecca FINLEY BREESE was Elizabeth Ann BREESE, b 29 Sep 1766, Wall Street, New York City, NY; m 14 May 1789, the Rev. Jedidiah MORSE, b 23 Aug 1761, Charlestown, MA, d 9 Jun 1826, New Haven, CT; d 28 May 1828, MA. Their children were (1) Samuel Finley Breese MORSE, b 27 Apr 1791, Charlestown, MA; m (1st) 6 Oct 1818, Lucretia P. WALKER, d 7 Feb 1825; m (2nd) 10 Aug 1848, Sarah Elizabeth GRISWOLD; d 2 Apr 1872, New York City, NY; (2) Sidney Edward MORSE, b 7 Feb 1794, Charlestown, MA; m 1 Apr 1841, Catherine LIVINGSTON; d 23 Dec 1876, New York City, NY; (3) Richard Cary MORSE, b 6 May 1797, Charlestown, MA; m 1826, Sarah Louise DAVIS; d 1868. The first son is perhaps the most famous one in this branch of the family. According to TORRENCE, Samuel Finley Breese MORSE "graduated from Yale University in 1810; studied art in England in 1811 under Benjamin WEST; returned to America, and for several years, was a portrait painter. After another period spent in Europe, he returned, in 1832, and began working on apparatus, the result of which was his discovery and invention of the telegraph, for which he received a patent in 1840. The first message sent over the wire, from Baltimore to Washington, on March 24, 1844, was, 'What God hath wrought!'" Sidney Edward MORSE graduated from Yale University in 1811; established the Boston Recorder; was editor of the New York Observer Richard Cary MORSE, like his brother, was an editor of the New York Observer. His first child, Elizabeth MORSE, b 5 Aug 1827, m Samuel COLGATE, son of William COLGATE, the founder of Colgate Manufacturing Co., Jersey City, NJ, which was established in 1804. So there you have it: not only was a FINLEY instrumental in beginning one of the earliest Presbyterian institutions in this country, but this branch of the clan is also related to the inventor of the telegraph, plus the founder of what is today the Colgate-Palmolive Co., one of the largest companies in the world.Photographic Evidence
I have recently received several photographs from subscribers. Although they will not reproduce well, here is the information contained on them: From Elizabeth FINLEY WILSON of Sacramento, CA is a picture of a plaque in Fagg's Manor Church (organized 1730) in Chester Co, PA. Among the pastors listed is "Rev. John E. FINLEY, Ordained 1781-1795. Died 1800." WILSON states John Evans FINLEY actually died 7 Jan 1818, Red Oak, Brown Co, OH. His father, James, was a brother of the Rev. Samuel FINLEY. Doris FINLEY GOOD recently called me from Hiltons, VA. Among a wealth of materials, she sent pictures of tombstones in the Dry Valley Baptist Church Cemetery in Talladega Co, AL, showing the following information: Jas. Blanch FINLEY, July 7, 1873-June 20, 1953; Myrtle C. FINLEY, Feb. 10, 1882-Dec. 28, 1953; Emma H. FINLEY, Aug. 5, 1874-Apr. 16, 1911. James Blanch FINLEY is the son of Benjamin (1852-1884) and Elinor BREWSTER FINLEY. On P. 45 of STOUT's The Clan FINLEY, Vol. 2, Second Ed., Benjamin FINLEY (6-38-7751) is found; James Blanch FINLEY (7-38-581) is found on P. 85.Finley For President
Those who know American history know that there has never been a U.S. president named FINLEY. However, there have been several links between the FINLEYs and presidents throughout the history of our nation. As we have seen before, there have also been FINLEYs who have been elected to the U.S. Congress. In Volume 1 of FINLEY FINDINGS INTERNATIONAL, we saw how John FINDLEY fought in Gen. BRADDOCK's army at the Battle of Duquesne. It was here that he met Daniel BOONE, but he also met a future U.S. president at the same time. George WASHINGTON, who was then a colonel, later a general, and still later, the first U.S. president was also a participant in the battle against the French and Indians. When people mention great presidents, besides WASHINGTON, they generally mention Abraham LINCOLN. A direct link to the FINLEY lineage can be found with LINCOLN's wife, Mary TODD. The following information comes from The Clan FINLEY, by Albert Finley FRANCE: "Robert Todd, b Ireland, 1697; d Montgomery Co, PA, 1775; m (1st) (?) thought to be SMITH in Ireland, had two sons, David and John; m (2nd) in Ireland, Isabella BODLEY, daughter of William BODLEY and his wife, whose maiden name was reported as PARKER. "By first wife, had David, b 1723, Ireland; d Lancaster Co, PA, 1785; served French and Indian War and the Revolution; m Hannah OWEN, 1729-1805. "HIS SON: Gen. Levi Todd, b 1756; d KY, 1807; major in the Revolution; major-general in the Kentucky Militia; m 1779 w Jane BRIGGS, b 1761, d 1800, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (LOGAN) BRIGGS."HIS SON: Robert Smith TODD, Bunker Lexington, KY; m (1st) Eliza PARKER, d 5 Jul 1853; m (2nd) Elizabeth HUMPHREYS, daughter of Dr. Alexander and Mary Brown HUMPHREYS.
"ISSUE BY FIRST MARRIAGE: Samuel TODD, killed in Battle of Shiloh; David TODD, served in the Civil War; Martha TODD, m Clem B. WHITE; Emilie TODD, m 2 Jun 1831 w Gen. Benjamin Hardin HELM; Jane TODD; Margaret TODD, m Charles KELLOG; Mary TODD, b 13 Dec 1818, m Abraham LINCOLN."The marriage of John FINLEY, b Dec 1734, Rising Sun, MD, to Sarah TODD, b 1734, Co Down, Ireland, daughter of Robert and Isabella (BODLEY) TODD, on 4 May 1762 at Christ Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA (refer to PA Marriages Prior To 1810) links these two great families. This Sarah TODD FINLEY was a half-sister of David, first great-grandfather of Mary TODD LINCOLN. David died in Lancaster Co, PA, in 1785."
The lineage of John FINLEY and Sarah TODD can be linked directly to my main line. Robert FINLEY, bapt. 4 May 1634, Incharvie, County Fife, Scotland; m 1680 w Margaret Mary LAUDER; d 18 Jun 1712, Co Armagh, Ireland. Among their children was John FINLEY, bapt. 14 Jun 1688, Parish of Mullaghabrac, Co Magherienton, Ireland; m 22 Nov 1714 w Mary Ann BARCLAY, bapt. 6 May 1692, Glenarm, Co Antrim, Ireland, d before 1760, Hopewell Township, York Co, PA, daughter of James and Mary STEEL BARCLAY; he d 9 Dec 1760, Hopewell Township, York Co, PA. Their child was James FINLEY, bapt. 18 Apr 1719, Parish of Mullaghabrac, Ireland; m 6 Jan 1739 w Margaret JOHNSON, d 1798, daughter of James and Mary Catherine FREEMAN JOHNSON; he d 1789, Letterkenny Township, PA. Their son was John FINLEY who married Sarah TODD. The next relationship between FINLEYs and presidents we will examine concerns President William Henry HARRISON. In "Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families," from the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. I (Genealogical Publishing Co. Inc.: Baltimore, 1982), there is a section called "The Six Sons of Samuel FINDLAY of Mercersburg, PA, and an Incident at the White House." The chapter was written by TORRENCE. Most of the chapter is excerpted in the following section. An extensive effort is made to document this branch of the FINLEY family and when the chapter concludes, relationships between the FINLEYs and ninth President William Henry HARRISON, 15th President James BUCHANAN Jr. and 23rd President Benjamin HARRISON will be shown. The chapter begins with the following section, which will help to explain the relationships between this branch of the family with other connections made in the FINLEY genealogy: "The chief claims of this family to fame are the remarkable facts that four of the six sons of its progenitor in Franklin County, PA, held high military rank in the War of 1912; Colonel John, Major William, General James, and Major Jonathan Smith FINDLAY, the equally remarkable coincidence that the first three served together in the Congress of the United States, from 1825 to 1827, and that the second, William FINDLAY, was also honored with election as Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." Under a subsection, called, "FINDLAY, of Cumberland County, PA," is the following: "The origin of this family, which appears early in the Scotch-Irish settlement in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, has been variously stated in printed documents, but the present review for the first time presents the documentary evidences to determine the facts. Thus, in the carefully qualified statements typical of the late premier genealogist, Frank Willing LEACH, he recited the contrary and undetermined traditions in an article, "Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate," published with illustrations in The North American (newspaper), Philadelphia, 19 July 1914, as follows: "The first of the FINDLAYs of whom we have any definite knowledge was this Samuel FINDLAY, who at that time in the first half of the 18th century, it is said, was living in Philadelphia with his wife, formerly Elizabeth BROWN, a daughter of Adjutant BROWN whose Christian name has not been handed down to us. While one chronicler records this Samuel FINDLAY as the founder of the family in the New World, another indicates that he died prior to the establishment of the name in America, and that his widow and two or more sons were really the pioneers making the trans-Atlantic voyage to Pennsylvania. How many children were born to Samuel FINDLAY we do not know. One or more sons certainly removed to the Cumberland Valley and settled there in that remarkable Scotch-Irish colonization." "But in E.M. PAULL, PAULL-IRWIN, A Family Sketch, 1915 and 1936, it is stated dogmatically as follows, and the critical reader accordingly finds the account open to reasonable doubt: "Cornet BROWN, active in the defence of Derry (Ireland) in 1688, came to America soon after this event, and settled in Philadelphia, where he remained. His daughter, Elizabeth BROWN, married Samuel FINDLAY, who died, leaving a son, Samuel FINDLAY. The young widow with her son removed to the Conococheague where she became the wife of Major James JOHNSTON, a Scotchman from Annandale, Dumfrieshire. They had four sons, each an officer in the Revolution. "And finally, in R.M. TORRENCE, TORRENCE and Allied Families, 1938, it is stated that: "Samuel FINDLAY, baptized December 30, 1711 in Derry Cathedral, son of John and Elizabeth (STRETTELL) FINDLAY of Londonderry, Ireland, came to America in 1730; landed at New Castle, Delaware; lived near Philadelphia, PA, where he married in 1731 Elizabeth BROWN, daughter of Adjutant-General James and Elizabeth (BARCLAY) BROWN. After the death of Samuel FINDLAY, which was later than 1734, his widow married Major James JOHNSON (sic), who came from Annandale, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, and had by him four sons, all of whom were officers in the Revolutionary War. . . . It is possible that Samuel FINDLAY and his wife, Elizabeth (BROWN) FINDLAY, may have had other children, but the family records show but two: William born in 1732, married ________ , name unknown to compiler, and had issue, Elizabeth; and Samuel FINDLAY Jr., who married Jane SMITH." In the next section, entitled, "Documentary Genealogy of FINDLAY-JOHNSTON Family," evidence is presented as continues: "That Samuel FINDLAY landed at New Castle, Delaware, as abovesaid, is impossible to verify in the entire lack of immigration records of that port. The lists of passenger arrivals at the port of Philadelphia, published by Mr. STRASSBURGER, are limited to the non British-born, "Foreigners." As the estate of one Samuel FINDLAY is not found in the probate records of Philadelphia County, nor in those of the adjoining Bucks and Chester Counties, his settlement there is doubtful. The first corroborative evidence for this genealogy is found in the register of marriages, 1702-46, of First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, under date of 7 January 1740/41: James JOHNSTON and Elizabeth FINLEY. The register of baptisms, 1701-46, contains no entries of her children FINLEY-FINDLAY or JOHNSTON. Accordingly, it can be stated from the evidence from the public records contemporary with the subjects, to be supplemented by family original records if they still exist, that: "Elizabeth (BROWN) FINDLAY, widow, was married on 7 January 1740/41 to James JOHNSTON, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia officiating, and that they settled in Antrim Township, Cumberland (Franklin since 1784) County, PA, where said James JOHNSTON died testate in 1765, leaving wife, Elizabeth; sons, James, Thomas, John and Robert; and daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Martha JOHNSTON, surviving. At least five of the six sons of Elizabeth (BROWN) FINDLAY JOHNSTON served as officers in the War for Independence. "The will of James JOHNSTON of Antrim Township, Cumberland County, PA, dated 23 July 1764 and proved 5 March 1765, devises to wife, Elizabeth, 150 Pounds, a negro servant, the front room in the house next the water, and maintenance; to son James the plantation on which he now lives, subject to payment of one-half the legacies; to son Thomas when of age a tract of land on the other side of the spring, adjoining Henry GORDON and Robert MC CULLOUGH, subject to payment of one-half the legacies; to sons John and Robert the land known as Stuart's Survey; to three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Martha JOHNSTON, 400 Pounds equally divided when of age 18 years; to John MINOCH, 5 Pounds when of age; provides that if the war continues and his sons are driven from their plantations, the rest of the devisees are not to expect so much, and arbitrators are to be appointed in that event to adjust the settlement equitably; appoints wife Elizabeth and son James JOHNSTON executors and guardians of his minor children. Witnesses: William FINDLAY, James MOORHEAD, and William BEATTY. Recorded in Cumberland Co Will Book A, p. 130. "The deduction that Elizabeth FINDLAY JOHNSTON abovenamed was born BROWN as stated conforms to the evidence in the will of Mary BARKLEY, widow, of the city of Philadelphia, dated 27 September 1783 and proved 29 December 1784, in which she devises her personal estate to nephew Samuel FINLEY, to brother-in-law Robert BAYLEY, to niece Mary MENOCH, to nephew Allen BROWN and his son John BROWN, to nephews William and John BROWN now in Ireland, to nieces Elizabeth and Martha, the daughters of brother John deceased, to John CLEMINS, son of niece formerly Mary BROWN now in Ireland, to nephew William MENOCH, to nephew Doctor Robert JOHNSTON, 75 Pounds after the decease of my brother James BROWN; to nephews Thomas JOHNSTON and John JOHNSTON and nieces Mary BEATY, Elizabeth BOGGS and Martha CAMPBELL, 200 Pounds equally divided; to Elizabeth FINLEY, daughter of nephew William FINLEY deceased, 30 Pounds when age 18 years, to Agness RANNELLS, niece of my former husband, Samuel MEARNS deceased, 10 Pounds, and to the use of the congregation of the Presbyterian meeting house in Market Street, 10 Pounds, to brother James BROWN, 15 Pounds a year during his lifetime, to nephew James JOHNSTON and nieces Jane BROWN and Mary BROWN, daughters of James BROWN, 120 Pounds equally divided after the deceased of my said brother, to nieces Elizabeth BROWN and Sarah BROWN, 60 Pounds equally divided after the decease of their father, James BROWN, to Daniel M'COY of Antrim Township, 10 Pounds; to nieces Mary BEATY, Elizabeth BOGGS, Martha CAMPBELL and Mary MENOCH, all my best wearing apparel; to brother James BROWN's daughters all my common wearing clothes; orders executors to sell all real and personal estate not hereby otherwise ordered; to Robert BAILEY, Samuel FINDLAY, James JOHNSTON and Mary MENOCH equally the residue of estate; appoints friends Robert BAILEY and James JOHNSTON executors. Recorded in Philadelphia Will Book Q, p. 427. "Issue of Elizabeth (BROWN) and first husband FINDLAY: "i. William FINDLAY, d between 1764 and 1783; had daughter, Elizabeth FINDLAY, who mar 1797 John DUNLAP. "2. ii. Samuel FINDLAY, b 17 Jan 1733/4, of whom further. "Issue of Elizabeth (BROWN) FINDLAY and second husband, James JOHNSTON: "iii. James JOHNSTON, d about 1814; mar Jane PARK. "iv. Thomas JOHNSTON, b 1744; d 1819; mar Martha BEATTY. "v. Mary JOHNSTON, b 1746; mar William BEATTY, who d 15 Feb 1802 in 64th year. "vi. John JOHNSTON, b 1748; d 21 Oct 1826 in 79th yr.; mar Rebecca SMITH, and Annabelle MC DOWELL. "vii. Martha JOHNSTON, b 1749; mar Dugal CAMPBELL. "viii. Robert JOHNSTON, MD, b 1750; d 25 Nov 1808 aged 58 yrs.; mar Eleanor PAWLING. "ix. Elizabeth JOHNSTON, b 1751; d 11 July 1815 aged 63-11-25; mar John BOGGS. "2. ii. Samuel FINDLAY (see above) born 17 January 1734 at a place here undetermined, in North Ireland or in Pennsylvania, died testate 31 August 1804 in Mercersburg, Franklin County (created 1784 from Cumberland County), PA, having married in or about 1765 Jane SMITH, who was born 17 December 1748 and died in Mercersburg 9 June 1783, daughter of William SMITH of Peters Township, said Cumberland County, PA. In the White Church Presbyterian cemetery, two miles out of Mercersburg, is the brick-supported marble gravestone inscribed: "In a common grave / Covered by this stone / repose the ashes of / Samuel FINDLAY / who died in 1804 in his 71st year / and of his wife / Jane FINDLAY / who died 1783 in her 35th year." (F.W. LEACH, cited above.) "The will of Samuel FINDLAY of Peters Township, Franklin County, PA, dated 18 October 1796 and proved 1 December 1804, orders all real estate sold excepting a tract at the mouth of Loyalhanna in Westmoreland County, PA, and one on Stump Creek in Northumberland County, PA, until son Nathan comes of age 21 years, devises to niece Elizabeth FINDLAY 25 Pounds, and the residue of estate to six sons: John, William, James, Jonathan, Thomas, and Nathan; appoints sons John and William the executors. Witnesses: James JOHNSTON, Martha JOHNSTON Jr., and James JOHNSTON. Recorded in Franklin County Will Book B, p. 231. "From the existing ledger of this Samuel FINDLAY of Mercersburg, it appears that his successful activities included farming, tanning, merchandise-trading, and banking. He was appointed 14 May 1778 Quartermaster of the Sixth Battalion, Cumberland County Militia, commanded by Col. Samuel CULBERTSON; and in 1781-82 was serving in the same capacity in the Fourth Battalion. After the death of his wife in 1783, her sister, who later married Colonel Robert PARKER, assisted in raising the FINDLAY children. Because of the notable achievements of the six surviving sons, rarely equalled in any one family, their names and records will here be considered in the order of birth. The genealogy and biography of their respective descendants can be found elsewhere in print. "Issue of Samuel and Jane (SMITH) FINDLAY: "3. i. John FINDLAY b 31 Mar 1766. "4. ii. William FINDLAY b 20 June 1768. "5. iii. James FINDLAY b 2 Oct 1770; bap 4 Nov 1770. "iv. Samuel FINDLAY bap 11 July 1773; d infancy. "v. Robert FINDLAY bap 3 Mar 1776; d infancy. "6. vi. Jonathan Smith FINDLAY b 15 July 1778. "7. vii. Thomas FINDLAY b 15 Dec 1780; bap 18 Mar 1781. "8. viii. Nathan Culbertson FINDLAY b 7 May 1783; bap 5 June 1783. "3. i. John FINDLAY, born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA, 31 March 1766; received a limited schooling; prothonotary 1809-21; served as captain in the War of 1812; moved to Chambersburg, PA; register and recorder of deeds; clerk of the Orphans Court of Franklin County, PA; clerk of the court of Quarter Sessions 1809-1818; elected as a Democrat to the 17th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James DUNCAN; re-elected to the 18th and 19th Congresses, and served from 9 October 1821 to 3 March 1827; appointed Postmaster of Chambersburg, PA, 20 March 1829, and held the office until his death there 5 November 1838; interred in the Falling Spring Presbyterian Cemetery at Chambersburg. He was commissioned Colonel of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the defense of Baltimore in the War of 1812. He married first, 11 March 1788, Agnes BROWNSON, who died in 1805, a daughter of Dr. Richard BROWNSON, who was a surgeon in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment during the War for Independence, and they had six children. He married second, 6 September 1808, Jane Bard MC DOWELL of Mercersburg, PA, by whom no issue. "4. ii. William FINDLAY, a Senator from Pennsylvania; born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA, 20 June 1768; attended the public schools; engaged in agricultural pursuits; served as brigade inspector in the State Militia; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Franklinton, PA; member of the State House of Representatives 1797 and 1804-07; State Treasurer 1807-17; Governor of Pennsylvania 1817-20; unsuccessful candidate for re-election, 1820; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing 4 March 1821, caused by the failure of the Legislature to elect, and served from 10 December 1821 to 3 March 1827; was not a candidate for re-election in 1826; Director of the United States Mint from 1827 to 1841, when he resigned on account of illness; died in Harrisburg, PA, 12 November 1846; interment in the Harrisburg Cemetery. He married 17 December 1791, Nancy IRWIN, who was born 27 April 1763 and died 12 July 1824, a daughter of Archibald and Jean B. (MC DOWELL) IRWIN, and they began their married life on a farm inherited from his father. In 1807, he was elected State Treasurer, and notwithstanding his meticulous care, a considerable amount of spurious moneys reached the treasury, which he promptly made good from his own resources. The Legislature learning of this, ordered that he be reimbursed. His portrait hangs in the old State House, "Independence Hall," in Philadelphia. William and Nancy (IRWIN) FINDLAY had six children, including a daughter, Nancy Irwin FINDLAY, who married Francis Rawn SHUNK, the Governor of Pennsylvania, 1845-48, and at their home, the ex-Senator died. "5. iii. James FINDLAY, a Representative from Ohio; born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA, 12 October 1770; attended the public schools; removed to Cincinnati, OH, in 1793; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced; member of the Territorial Legislative Council in 1798; United States receiver of public moneys at Cincinnati in 1800; United States Marshal of Ohio in 1802; member of the State House of Representatives in 1803; mayor of Cincinnati in 1805 and 1806 and again in 1810 and 1811; served in the War of 1812 as a Colonel of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned Brigadier General of the State Militia for gallant service in that war; elected as a Jackson Democrat to the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd Congresses (4 March 1825-3 March 1833); was not a candidate for renomination in 1832; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio in 1834; died in Cincinnati, Ohio, 28 December 1835; interment in Spring Grove Cemetery. One of his commissions reads: "Reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, diligence, and discretion of James FINDLAY, I have nominated and, with the consent of the Senate, I appoint him Receiver of Public Moneys for the Land of the United States Government at Cincinnati. Given under my hand in the City of Philadelphia, on the thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred, and of the Independence of the United States of America the twenty-fourth. (signed) John Adams / By the President. Charles Lee / Secretary of State." The town of Findlay, in Hancock County, Ohio, was named in his honor, because he built a fort there during the War of 1812, while serving under General William HULL. "General James FINDLAY married 15 June 1797, Jane IRWIN, who was born in 1769 and died in 1851, a daughter of Archibald and Jane B. (MC DOWELL) IRWIN, and a sister of Nancy IRWIN, who married his brother, William FINDLAY, the Governor of Pennsylvania. The General and his wife, loving children and having none of their own, invited several of their own kin to live with them in Cincinnati, Ohio. Some accounts say they were adopted, but family records show that they were most welcome guests. In this connection, Jane IRWIN who married William Henry HARRISON Jr., was one of these. "It is an unusual and remarkable fact not only that the three brothers served in the Congress of the United States, but that all three were members of the Nineteenth Congress. Their terms were: John FINDLAY, Congressman from Pennsylvania, 1821-27; William FINDLAY, Senator from Pennsylvania, 1821-27; James FINDLAY, Congressman from Ohio, 1825-33.An Incident at the White House
"Before mentioning the names of the three remaining sons of Samuel and Jane (SMITH) FINDLAY, this seems to be an appropriate place to continue interesting facts concerning General James and Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY. "A number of years ago, Mrs. William Torrence HANDY, of Cynthianna, KY, a relative of Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY, presented to the Smithsonian Institute, more properly described as the United States National Museum, Department of Arts and Sciences, Washington, DC, one of the costumes which Mrs. Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY had worn while living at and attending the social functions at the White House. With this costume, the Museum dressed a manikin to represent Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY, wife of General James FINDLAY, and added it to their famous "Collection of Dresses of Mistresses of the White House." "Through courtesy, this collection includes a manikin of Martha Washington, the wife of our first President, although she never occupied the White House, the first occupants having been President John and Abigail (SMITH) ADAMS, in 1800. "In 1933, Mrs. Rachel (MILLER) HUNT, of Pittsburgh, PA, presented to the Museum a beautiful gold locket which had been worn by Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY while at the White House. The Museum placed it about the neck of the above-mentioned manikin and wrote to Mrs. HUNT to request the names of the man and woman shown in the two daguerreotypes, one on each side of the locket. Mrs. HUNT did not know and asked the writer to try to identify them. The man was unquestionably General James FINDLAY, but the woman appearing older was then unidentified. "After much research, Miss Elizabeth Findlay TORRENCE, of Cincinnati, OH, born in 1856, the most elderly of the TORRENCEs today, wrote that her nephew, James Findlay Torrence SARGENT, of Indianapolis, IN, had portraits of General James and Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY. He was requested to have photographs made of these portraits. "Upon being received by the writer, these were sent to the Museum. All doubts as to the identity of the persons represented in the daguerrotypes werre cleared up. They definitely portrayed General James and Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY. Upon request, the Museum sent a photograph of the manikin of Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY, and it is shown in this article, as also photographs of the locket. It was given to Mrs. HUNT by Nancy Brownson (HANDY) SNEED, of Cincinnati, OH, also a relative of this family. "The Museum, following an appreciative letter of thanks for the identification wrote: "Just how, in the first place, did the IRWINs, FINDLAYs and HARRISONs meet?" "To begin with, it was assumed that the Museum was familiar with the history of the HARRISON family, so ably presented in The Ancestry of Benjamin HARRISON, by Charles P. KEITH. Clearly to picture the other connections in this sketch, it was necessary to go back to Archibald (1732-1798) and Jane B. (MC DOWELL) IRWIN (1736-1802), of Mercersburg, PA, who had a large family. Since all of their children are not a part of this particular sketch, the names of but four will be given: i. Mary IRWIN, married Matthew VAN LEAR. ii. Nancy IRWIN, 1763/1824, married Governor William FINDLAY. iii. Jane IRWIN, 1769/1856, married General James FINDLAY. iv. Archibald IRWIN Jr., b 1772, married Mary RAMSEY. Their two daughters were: 1. Jane IRWIN, born 1796; married in 1824, William Henry HARRISON Jr. (1802/1838), a son of our Ninth President. 2. Elizabeth IRWIN (1810/1878), who married at Mercersburg, PA, in 1831, John Scott HARRISON (1804/1878) and were the parents of Benjamin HARRISON (1833/1901), our 23rd President. "Let us go back to Mary RAMSEY who married Archibald IRWIN Jr. She was a daughter of Major James RAMSEY, 1751/1810, who first resided in Mercersburg; removed to Ligonier, Westmoreland County, and later to Blairsville, Indiana County, PA. Her mother was Elizabeth PORTER, born in 1754, whom Major RAMSEY married in 1776. Major James and Elizabeth (PORTER) RAMSEY had, among other children, three: "i. Mary RAMSEY, married Archibald IRWIN Jr. (sic) "ii. Sarah RAMSEY, married the Reverend William SPEER, whose sister, Elizabeth SPEER, married James BUCHANAN and they were the parents of James BUCHANAN Jr. (1791/1868), the 15th President of the United States, who never married and had his niece, Harriett Rebecca LANE, act as Mistress of the White House, from 1857 to 1861. In 1866, Harriett LANE married Henry Elliott JOHNSTON, of Baltimore, MD, where her history is well known. "iii. Nancy RAMSEY married, as his third wife, John SUTHERLAND, born at Caithness, Scotland, who resided in North Bend, OH. They were intimate friends of the HARRISON family. Their daughter, Mary Ann SUTHERLAND, married Carter Bassett HARRISON, a son of President William Henry HARRISON. "The SUTHERLANDs invited their nieces, Jane and Elizabeth IRWIN, to visit them at South Bend, OH, and this is where and when these families met. While travel was difficult those days -- by horseback, coach or river -- the HARRISONs made frequent trips to Mercersburg. Of these two ladies, it was said: `They are charming and attractive, I wonder what romantic attachments they will make.' "Next, the Museum, being very particular about securing accurate data pertaining to its exhibits, wrote: `Why did not Anna (SYMMES) HARRISON (1775/1864), wife of the Ninth President, accompany him to Washington for his inauguration?' "All printed and family records and these corroborated by Miss Elizabeth Findlay TORRENCE, of Cincinnati, OH, state that Anna (SYMMES) HARRISON was ill and not able to travel, and that Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY, then 72 years old, accompanied by her niece, Jane (IRWIN) HARRISON, then a widow, made the long journey from Cincinnati, OH, to Washington, DC, in the FINDLAY coach, stopping at various inns by night. "PAULL-IRWIN, a Family Sketch, by Elizabeth Maxwell PAULL, 1915, p. 185, states that Jane (IRWIN) HARRISON, widow of the President's son, William Henry HARRISON Jr., was the Mistress of the White House and that she was one of the most beautiful, as well as one of the most gracious women who had ever presided over the White House. Miss Elizabeth Findlay TORRENCE wrote the writer that Jane (IRWIN) HARRISON had asked her aunt, Jane (IRWIN) FINDLAY, to chaperone her in Washington. Old Mercersburg, published by the Women's Club, of Mercersburg, PA, 1912, credits Jane (IRWIN) HARRISON as being the Mistress of the White House. "At this point, the reader must be impressed by what appears as a difference of opinion between the findings of the Museum and the quoted records. It should be kept in mind that Jane (IRWIN) HARRISON was brought up in Cincinnati, by her aunt, as her own daughter and was in reality her foster mother. When they arrived in Washington for the inauguration, the older and more experienced took charge. The aunt had eight years of Washington social circles. What was more natural than to have the niece place her aunt at the head of the line? Both ladies were in Washington for the inauguration and presided over the White House for those short 30 days while the President lived." Although this chapter by TORRENCE adds a few more details about this branch, we will leave them now and consider one last connection with the U.S. Presidency. Henry Agard WALLACE, b 1888, Adair Co, IA; d 1965, Danbury, CT; was elected U.S. vice president in 1940, serving under President Franklin Delano ROOSEVELT, and was a candidate for U.S. president in 1948. He graduated from Iowa State College and first worked as editor of his family's magazine, WALLACE's Farmer. According to the Illustrated World Encyclopedia, Vol. 20: "WALLACE was successful in experimenting with new strains of plants, and he developed several varieties of hybrid corn that soon were widely used by farmers in the Midwest. In 1933, he was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by President ROOSEVELT. "He did a great deal to reorganize the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, a government agency organized during the depression to help farmers."In 1940, WALLACE was elected Vice President. Under President TRUMAN, he was appointed Secretary of Commerce in 1945, but the following year, he resigned.
"In 1948, WALLACE became a leader of a new political party called the Progressive Party, and he was its candidate for the Presidency, but most people did not vote for him because they believed his party was controlled by Communists. "WALLACE himself resigned from the Progressive Party in 1950. He retired but wrote several books on modern methods of farming and on political affairs. Wallace died in 1965." The 1948 election is perhaps best remembered for the famous headline, "DEWEY Defeats TRUMAN." Democrat Harry S TRUMAN gained 24,105,812 popular votes and 303 electoral votes, while Republican Thomas E. DEWEY gained 21,970,065 popular votes and 189 electoral votes. States Rights Party candidate J. Strom THURMOND garnered 1,169,021 popular votes and 39 electoral votes, and WALLACE gained 1,157,172 popular votes. The relationship of WALLACE to the FINLEYs is shown as follows: Martha Berkeley FINLEY, b 12 Jun 1775, Westmoreland Co, PA; m 1793 w Daniel Reynolds ROSS, b 2 Apr 1755, Ireland, d 11 Feb 1847, Westmoreland Co, PA; she d 27 May 1847, Westmoreland Co, PA. They were the parents of Martha ROSS, b 12 Mar 1811; m 10 May 1835 w John WALLACE; she d 9 Mar 1876, Davenport, IA. They were the parents of Henry WALLACE, b 12 Mar 1836, IA; m 10 Sep 1863 w Nancy Ann CANTWELL. They had a son, whose name I have not been able to find yet, who was the father of Henry Agard WALLACE.
Martha Farquharson Finley
In an antique shop here, I found a copy of Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Farquharson FINLEY. The front flyleaf says it is the "Complete Authorized Edition," and that it is a Burt Book by Blue Ribbon Books Inc., New York. It was copyrighted in 1893 by Dodd, Mead and Co. and 1896 by Martha FINLEY. Few FINLEYs have received as much recognition as an author as Martha Farquharson FINLEY. Her children's books received widespread acclaim and were used in Sunday Schools across the country for several years. She is also the subject of a forthcoming biography by one of the FINLEY FINDINGS INTERNATIONAL subscribers, Frances NACZI. M.F. FINLEY connects with my direct line in the following manner. She was b 26 Apr 1828, Chillicothe, OH; d 30 Jan 1909, Elkton, MD. She was the daughter of Dr. James Brown FINLEY, b 7 Jun 1794, Chillicothe, OH; d 14 May 1851, South Bend, IN; m Mary Theresa BROWN. He was the son of Gen. Samuel FINLEY, b 15 Apr 1752, Cumberland Co, PA; d 2 Apr 1829, Philadelphia, PA; m 5 May 1789 w Mary BROWN, b 1767; d 1838. He was the son of John FINLEY, b 3 May 1713, Co Armagh, Ireland; d 1759, Shippensburg, PA; m 1734 w Martha BERKLEY, b 1716; d before 1769. He was the son of Michael FINLEY, bapt. 7 May 1683, Mullaghabrac Parish, Co Armagh, Ireland; d 1747, Sadsbury Township, PA; m 12 Jul 1712 w Ann O'NEILL, d 1758. He was the son of Robert FINLEY, bapt. 4 May 1634, Incharvie, Co Fife, Scotland; d 18 Jun 1712, Co Armagh, Ireland; m 1680 w Margaret Mary LAUDER. (This last couple joins directly with my line.) In the Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. 3, by CUSHMAN-FRASER, edited by Allen JOHNSON and Dumas MALONE (Charles SCRIBNER's Sons, New York), appears the following information: "FINLEY, MARTHA FARQUHARSON (April 26, 1828-Jan. 30, 1909), author, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, the daughter of Dr. James Brown and Maria Theresa (BROWN) FINLEY, who were first cousins. Both FINLEYs and BROWNs were of Scotch-Irish descent, natives of Pennsylvania. "Martha FINLEY's grandfather, Gen. Samuel FINLEY, was a personal friend of WASHINGTON, a major in the Revolutionary army, and a general in the War of 1812, in which his son, her father, also fought. FARQUHARSON, Gaelic for FINLEY, was sometimes used by Miss FINLEY as a pen name. "She was educated in private schools in Philadelphia and in South Bend, Ind., where her father moved when she was a child. She lived there until she was about 25, then went to New York and Philadelphia. She taught school for a time and in 1853-54 began writing newspaper stories and Sunday-school books, published by the Presbyterian Publication Committee. "Soon her juvenile books of this type became so popular that she gave her whole time to writing them. In 1876 she visited Elkton, Md., the home of some of her relatives, and so liked the place that she settled there, in a spacious house with beautiful grounds. Here all of her later work was done and she continued to write almost to the end of her life, in spite of old age and poor health. She was of a social nature and gave much time to her many friends and to the activities of the Presbyterian Church. "She died at her home in Elkton. Miss FINLEY produced altogether about a hundred volumes, nearly all juveniles, many of them in series. Her greatest popular success was the Elsie series, but the Mildred series, the Do Good Library, the Pewit's Nest Series, and the FINLEY series (not juvenile) also had large sales. "Elsie Dinsmore appeared in 1868. The good little girl there portrayed won such approval from parents and Sunday-school teachers that other Elsie books followed rapidly until by 1905 over 25 had been written and Elsie had become a grandmother. "The Mildred series began in 1878 with Mildred Keith and extended to seven volumes by 1894. Typical of her Sunday-school books, outside these series, are: Grandma Foster's Sunbeam, The Little Helper, Loitering Linus, Milly, or The Little Girl Who Tried To Help Others and To Do Them Good (all 1868), and Willie Elton, The Little Boy Who Loved Jesus (1864). "She attempted several novels, among them Wanted--A Pedigree (1871), Signing The Contract (1879) and The Thorn In The Nest (1886), but their success was not striking. "Miss FINLEY's books are among those which changing standards have thrown into the discard. Her Elsie and Mildred, once held up as examples by many parents and beloved by most children, are today considered abnormally docile and unpleasantly priggish. Their psychology is not that esteemed desirable for children, yet for many years Miss FINLEY held a leading place among writers of juvenile books." Sources listed for the above material are Warren S. ELY, The FINLEYs of Bucks (1902), (of which I have a copy); Who's Who in America, 1908-09; Frances E. Willard and Mary A. Livermore, American Women (1897); Mildred Rutherford, American Authors (1894); Ruth Suckow, Elsie Dinsmore: A Study in Perfection, Bookman, October 1927; obituary in the Baltimore Sun, Jan. 31, 1909. The following section is the beginning of the first chapter of Elsie Dinsmore: "The school-room at Roselands was a very pleasant apartment; the ceiling, it is true, was somewhat lower than in the more modern portion of the building, for the wing in which it was situated dated back to the old-fashioned days prior to the Revolution, while the larger part of the mansion had not stood more than twenty or thirty years; but the effect was relieved by windows reaching from floor to ceiling, and opening on a veranda which overlooked a lovely flower-garden, beyond which were fields and woods and hills. The view from the veranda was very beautiful, and the room itself looked most inviting, with its neat matting, its windows draped with snow-white muslin, its comfortable chairs, and pretty rosewood desks. "Within this pleasant apartment sat Miss Day with her pupils, six in number. She was giving a lesson to Enna, the youngest, the spoiled darling of the family, the pet and plaything of both father and mother. It was always a trying task to both teacher and scholar, for Enna was very wilful, and her teacher's patience by no means inexhaustible. "'There!' exclaimed Miss Day, shutting the book and giving it an impatient toss on to the desk; 'go, for I might as well try to teach old Bruno. I presume he would learn about as fast.' "And Enna walked away with a pout on her pretty face, muttering that she would 'tell mamma.' "'Young ladies and gentlemen,' said Miss Day, looking at her watch, 'I shall leave you to your studies for an hour; at the end of which time I shall return to hear your recitations, when those who have attended properly to their duties will be permitted to ride out with me to visit the fair.' "'Oh! that will be jolly!' exclaimed Arthur, a bright-eyed, mischief-loving boy of ten. "'Hush!' said Miss Day sternly; 'let me hear no more such exclamations; and remember that you will not go unless your lessons are thoroughly learned. Louise and Lora,' addressing two young girls of the respective ages of twelve and fourteen, 'that French exercise must be perfect, and your English lessons as well. Elsie,' to a little girl of eight, sitting alone at a desk near one of the windows, and bending over a slate with the appearance of great industry, 'every figure of that example must be correct, your geography lesson recited perfectly, and a page in your copy-book written without a blot.' "'Yes, ma'am,' said the child meekly, raising a pair of large soft eyes of the darkest hazel for an instant to her teacher's face, and then dropping them again upon her slate." "'And see that none of you leave the room until I return,' continued the governess. 'Walter, if you miss one word of that spelling, you will have to stay at home and learn it over.'"David Erastus Finley
One book which I have acquired was donated by Jane Finley WILSON, daughter of the Rev. David Erastus FINLEY. Rev. FINLEY wrote his autobiography, The Life of an Old-Time Minister, but it wasn't published until shortly after his death in 1974. Some early FINLEY records which do not appear anywhere else are also contained in the book. The Rev. David Erastus FINLEY includes a very detailed FINLEY family tree, plus information on the related families of WILSON and DRYDEN, in his book. There are also several photographs showing old-time scenes of the communities in which he lived and preached. In presenting the FINLEY family tree, Rev. FINLEY states, "I wish to express my thanks for the use of the information gathered by Solomon Henderson FINLEY in his Family Tree dated Oct. 1934 (of which I have a copy); to Nona FINLEY of Mt. Ayr, Iowa for information given to my sister Alice FINLEY; to my daughter-in-law Ethel FINLEY for the names and dates of the recent family tree; and to my daughter Florence KINION for typing the family histories." Following is only part of the family tree presented by Rev. FINLEY:"Archibald FINLAY served in the Battle of Fargs in Scotland Oct. 2, 1263. His great, great grandson was John FYNLAY (FINLEY), Bishop of Dumblane, born 1356 and died 1425. He married Elinor STEWART who was the daughter of John STEWART of Fortengal. Their children were John, Andrew, Walter and Alexander. Alexander's descendant, (likely grandson, F.K.) was John FINLEY, born prior to 1457 and died 1461.
"John lived in Farfarshire prior to 1457 and in the Township of Kethyk, Scotland, 1457-1461. He had a son: "John B. FINLEY, born prior to 1463 and died prior to 1507. He married Janet RODGERS. They lived in Pentecost, Scotland. Their children were John and Andrew B. Andrew B. FINLEY, born prior to 1508, married Janet HAYES and lived in Pentecost, Scotland. Their children were Alexander and James B., who was born Sept. 15, 1530. "James B. FINLEY married Elizabeth WARRENDER, daughter of William WARRENDER, prior to 1576. They lived in Balchrystie, Fifeshire, Scotland and their children were: 1. John, born June 8, 1579, died Oct. 6, 1670. 2. Christina, born Aug. 16, 1580. 3. Andrew, born Nov. 4, 1582. 4. James, born Oct. 22, 1583. "John FINLEY was born was born in Balchrystie, Scotland and married a second wife, Sarah CRAIGIE, Oct. 3, 1630. She was born in Dumbarnie, Berthshire. Their children were: 1. James, born Sept. 9, 1631, died prior to 1681. 2. Robert, born May 4, 1634. 3. John, born April 9, 1636, emigrated to America 1681. 4. Margaret, born Jan. 12, 1637, married George THOMPSON. "James FINLEY (1) was born in Newburn Parish, Balchrystie, Scotland. He first married Barbara HENDERSON who died in 1659. His second wife was Margaret MACKIE, born March 1634, died May 1672. Their children were: 1. Alexander, born July 30, 1667, died prior to 1736. 2. James, born June 10, 1670. 3. John, born April 11, 1672, died Sept. 12, 1758. "James FINLEY (2) married Isabella INGLIS, ancestor of Rev. Robert FINLEY of Princeton, New Jersey. "John FINLEY (3) married Elizabeth Ann FARRIS who died Dec. 28, 1728. "Alexander FINLEY (1) moved to Armagh Co, Ireland and then settled in Dublin. He married Margaret JENNINGS June 10, 1687. Their children were: 1. James, born Dec. 4, 1687, emigrated to America 1720. 2. John, born Oct. 10, 1689, emigrated to America 1720. 3. Samuel, born May 3, 1691, emigrated to America 1720, died 1737 in Maryland. 4. Andrew, born April 6, 1692, emigrated to America 1720. 5. Catherine, born March 12, 1694, emigrated to America 1720. 6. Alexander, born Feb. 10, 1695, married sister of Elizabeth PATTERSON. 7. Margaret, born May 30, 1696. "James FINLEY (1) was born in Dublin, Ireland and died Feb. 10, 1753 in Green Township, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth PATTERSON, daughter of Robert PATTERSON, Jan. 10, 1706 in Dublin, Ireland. They, with their family, emigrated to America in Good Ship Eagle Wing. They landed at New Castle, Delaware May 22, 1720 and first settled in Chester, Pennsylvania. Their children were: 1. John, baptized Dec. 18, 1706, died in Virginia, 1773. 2. Joseph, baptized July 9, 1708, died in Kent Co, Delaware. 3. Robert, baptized Aug. 6, 1710, died in Virginia 1763. 4. William, baptized May 6, 1712, died Sept. 1789. 5. Thomas, baptized Nov. 1714, died in Cumberland Co, PA. 6. Andrew, baptized April 18, 1717, died York Co, 1806. 7. Samuel, baptized Jan. 17, 1718, died Cumberland Co, PA, ere 1804. 8. George, baptized Nov. 28, 1719 in Ireland, died Westmoreland Co, PA. 9. James, baptized July 10, 1720, died 1780. "John FINLEY (1) married Thankful DOAK April 10, 1724. "James FINLEY (9) moved to Virginia in 1742. His wife's name was Agnes. "William FINLEY (4) lived in Augusta County, Virginia at the time of his death. He married Mary WALLACE in 1734, who was the sister of Rev. Caleb WALLACE of Chester Co, PA, an ensign Aug. 15, 1780, and a captain March 3, 1789. Their children were: 1a. Ann FINLEY, born 1735, married John CALDWELL. 2a. Rose (Ellen), born 1736. 3a. John, born 1737 in Virginia, died 1802 in VA. 4a. Mary, born 1739, married DAVIDSON. 5a. William, born Oct. 26, 1740, died 1806. 6a. Robert, born June 23, 1745. 7a. Jean, born April 21, 1746. "Rose (Ellen) FINLEY (2a) married James GILLESPIE in 1750. They had a son, James GILLESPIE, and a grandson, John Finley GILLESPIE, who was a lawyer in Blount County, Tennessee. "William FINLEY (5a) married Sarah RAMSEY. He was an ensign and a captain in the Revolutionary War, 1774-1780. "Robert FINLEY (6a) served in the Revolutionary War and married Martha Rosanna STEELE, daughter of Samuel STEELE. (He is an ancestor of John Anderson FINLEY, who was David FINLEY's father.) We have record of only one child: Robert (Steele) FINLEY. "Robert Steele FINLEY married Pheobe GLASGOW, and after her death married Mary Barr WARWICK. Their children were: 1b. McCullouch who married Miss HOUGE. 2b. Erastus who married Elizabeth HART. 3b. Anderson who married Hannah STEPHENSON. 4b. Leander who married Clara BALDRIDGE. 5b. Martha Ann who married a PATTERSON. "The children of McCullouch FINLEY, son of Robert and Pheobe, were: 1. John. 2. Dannarias. 3. Elmer. 4. Horace. 5. Janie. 6. William. By his second wife: 7. Samuel. 8. Mary. 9. Steele. "The children of Anderson FINLEY, son of Robert and Pheobe, were: 1. Jennie. 2. Laura. 3. Robert (found dead in bed). 4. Rosanna. 5. Horace. "Leander FINLEY, son of Robert and Pheobe FINLEY, was a missionary in Africa. His children were: 1. Flora. 2. Harry. 3. George. "Martha Ann FINLEY, daughter of Robert and Pheobe FINLEY, who married a PATTERSON, had eight children: 1. Robert. 2. Jane. 3. Cramer. 4. William. 5. John. 6. Glasgow. 7. Elijah. 8. Ralph. "Cramer PATTERSON, above, son of Martha and Mr. PATTERSON, died of a rattlesnake bite. "Erastus FINLEY, son of Robert and Pheobe FINLEY, in 1843 married Elizabeth HART, who was born Nov. 7, 1823. They had six children: 1. Martha Ann, who married PINKERTON. 2. John Anderson, who married Elizabeth WILSON. 3. George Hopkins, who married a SMITH. 4. William Carey, who married a HOLBERT. 5. Sara McCoy, who married a BOYD. "John FINLEY, son of William and Mary FINLEY, married Esther REID in 1782. She died prior to 1802. John served in Captain John SMITH's Co. (He was an ancestor of Elizabeth WILSON, David FINLEY's mother.) Their children were: 1. Patsy DICKMAN. 2. Esther. 3. James. 4. Polly. 5. Ann. "James FINLEY, son of John and Esther FINLEY, was born in Augusta County, Virginia June 15, 1783, and died Oct. 2, 1866. His marriage license issued Sept. 30, 1811 tells he was married Oct. 2, 1811 by Rev. John MC CUE to Patsy (Mary) RAMSEY, who was born Nov. 26, 1786 and died Dec. 8, 1851. She was the daughter of Andrew and Mary Steele RAMSEY, who moved from Virginia to Shelby County, Kentucky prior to 1806-11; moved from Kentucky to Lincoln Co., Mo. in 1829. James FINLEY gave each of his children 300 acres of land in Lincoln Co., Mo. Frank FINLEY still owns the 300 acres of land his grandmother, Sarah Ann FINLEY (WILSON) inherited. (This is the only one of the 300-acre tracts of land in that will that are still intact, and still with a descendant of the family who inherited it.) Their children were: 1. Hadassah, born Sept. 17, 1814. 2. Mary Steele, born March 30, 1816, died Dec. 5, 1884. 3. Andrew Ramsey, born April 3, 1818, died Feb. 11, 1896. 4. Sarah Ann, born Sept. 23, 1820, died April 25, 1896. 5. Martha Jane, born April 4, 1823, died July 27, 1901. 6. John William, born July 17, 1825, died Nov. 6, 1904. 7. Margaret (4 days), born Sept. 22, 1831, died Sept. 26, 1831. "Sarah Ann FINLEY, daughter of James and Patsy FINLEY, was born in Virginia. Her parents moved to Missouri in 1829. She married David WILSON, who was born July 1, 1823 and died Jan. 17, 1889 in Lincoln County, Mo. Their children: 1. Elizabeth, born Aug. 17, 1851, died June 6, 1904. 2. Mary Finley, born Dec. 16, 1853, died Feb. 21, 1943. 3. Robert Finley, born July 8, 1855, died Dec. 22, 1939. 4. Martha Ann (3 years), born Aug. 10, 1860, died Aug. 4, 1863. 5. Etta Hall, born June 20, 1863, died April 3, 1938. 6. Gilbert Gorden, born May 6, 1858, died July 19, 1947. "Elizabeth WILSON, daughter of Sarah Ann and David WILSON, on Sept. 1, 1881 married John Anderson FINLEY, born in Peoria County, Ill. Sept. 6, 1846 and died in Lincoln County, Missouri Dec. 7, 1924. They were married and lived in Missouri until 1899, when they moved to Arkansas. She died there in June 1904. Their little girl, Annetta, had died in Aug. 1904. The sorrow of losing both of them and the lack of prosperity, drove John to move his family back to Missouri in August of 1904. He rented a farm from Mary and Etta WILSON and lived near Elizabeth's brother, Robert, who lived on the farm of 300 acres left by their mother. Mary and Etta's farm was later sold to Cyrus FINLEY--about 1907 or 1908. Their children are: 1. David Erastus, born Jan. 22, 1883, died Sept. 11, 1974. 2. Arnot McCoy, born July 1, 1884, died April 19, 1973. 3. Robert Carey, born March 30, 1886, died Aug. 10, 1961. 4. Alice May, born March 13, 1888, died April 2, 1971. 5. Frank Anderson, born Sept. 14, 1889. 6. Sarah Annetta, born Nov. 25, 1893, died Aug. 4, 1902. "David Erastus FINLEY, son of John and Elizabeth FINLEY, the author of this book, married on Dec. 25, 1907, Mary Lee (Lelia) DRYDEN, who was born July 7, 1879 and died July 2, 1957. She taught school for several years before she married. She was the daughter of George DRYDEN (1836-1902), and her mother was Lydia Jane HAMMACK (1851-1937). Their children are: 1. George Anderson, born Jan. 24, 1909. 2. Herbert Wilson, born Sept. 26, 1910. 3. David Robert, born Aug. 27, 1912. 4. Mary Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1915. 5. Jane Etta Alice, born Sept. 26, 1918. 6. Florence Belle, born March 8, 1920. "Rev. D.E. FINLEY on May 16, 1960 married LaVera COMER, born Oct. 9, 1900. She was a Methodist minister also, and they worked together, serving first at Union and then on the Leslie Charge, until her health caused them to resign and move to their home in Jonesburg, Mo., where they lived at the time of her death on March 14, 1970. "Rev. D.E. FINLEY (above) on Sept. 23, 1970 married Alta Lee KINION, born Jan. 15, 1886. She is the mother of James Alvin KINION, Rev. FINLEY's son-in-law. Rev. FINLEY died of cancer of the liver on Sept. 11, 1974 in Lincoln Memorial Hospital, at Troy, Mo."David Riley Finley
This section is devoted to my great-great grandfather, David Riley FINLEY. The obituary of David Riley FINLEY was taken from the Oct. 5, 1901 front page of The Ambia Journal: "David R. FINLEY, son of Robert and Elizabeth FINLEY, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, July 16, 1833, and died at his home six miles north of Ambia, Benton County, Indiana, September 30, 1901, at the age of 68 years, 2 months and 14 days. He came to Kane County, Illinois with his parents in 1839, where he grew to manhood. When a young man, he purchased a farm in Livingstone County, Illinois, but at the opening of the Civil War, he lay aside his work, bade his friends farewell and offered his life and service in defense of his country. Enlisting in Company C, 129th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, he served until his regiment was mustered out the 8th of July, 1865. "After the war, he returned to his home in Livingstone County, where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Benton County, Indiana, where he purchased the farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. "Mr. FINLEY saw and took an active part in the development of Benton County from a vast raw prairie into one of the finest farming counties in the state. An energetic successful businessman, he was a neighbor in the truest sense. The worthy applicant for his assistance never met with refusal. By his industry and good management, he accumulated a moderate fortune, owning something like 800 acres of land in Indiana, besides considerable real estate in Iowa, yet as we have said, the poor and needy always found in him a friend. "One by one these pioneer settlers of our county are passing away. in a few years, we may not listen while they relate the early history of our homes. Landmarks in the past have they been, guiding and directing us who followed after. Truly may it be said, 'Others have labored and we have entered upon the reward.' "Oct. 21, 1870, Mr. FINLEY was married to Lizzie N. TROOP of St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. To them were born 12 children: seven boys and five girls. Two of these, Nellie B. and John M., awaited their father on the other side; three, Anna (my great-grandmother), Mary and Lizzie, reside in Emmit County, Iowa; the others live at and near their old home. "He was a devoted husband, a kind and loving father greatly attached to his children, their welfare constantly in mind--amply repaid in seeing them grow into manhood and womanhood, honoring their father and mother. "Never identified with any religious organization, Mr. FINLEY greatly rejoiced in seeing his children unite with the church, and was always ready to help the cause of Christ in a financial way, recognizing it as a power for good among men. "His last illness was but a few days duration. All that loving care and medical skill could do, was done, but it availed naught. He gradually grew weaker until at 1:45 o'clock Monday morning, surrounded by sorrowing wife and children, his spirit took its flight to the lasting peace and rest of the Great Beyond. "In his death, the grief of wife and children is shared by all who knew him. A true husband, an affectionate father, a respected citizen, has passed away. Peace to his memory."Searching For Finleys
QUERY: William O'DONNELL, 2848 Herr St., Harrisburg, PA 17103-1817, requests the following information: Need information on family of James FINLEY, b 1834; m 11 Nov 1861, Prairie du Chien, WI, w Ann O'DONNELL; d 22 Nov 1892, Prairie du Chien, WI. Children: Julia, m John C. CHAMBERLAIN; James, Elizabeth, Joseph, Edward, Loretta, Leo. QUERY: Kay FINLEY BLAIR, P.O. Box 222, Mountain View, AR 72560, requests information on John Singleton FINLEY, b Greene Co, GA, and served in the Civil War. Wants to know who his father was. His son, William Henry FINLEY, was BLAIR's grandfather. Some brothers possibly came to GA from Glasgow, Scotland. QUERY: From Roy Marcus FINLEY Sr., 2001 Seventh St., Alamogordo, NM 88310 -- "I would appreciate any help on locating any information on James Robert FINLEY, b Jan 1850, AL; m Clariece Rebecca BAKER, b 23 Dec 1855, Batesville, AL; she d 1943, Dallas, TX. Their children were Ira Baxter (my father), b 29 Mar 1899, Riley Springs, TX; John, Viola, Margaret, Anna Belle and Willis. Ira Baxter FINLEY m Beulah CLIFTON. QUERY: From Willis Taylor FINLEY, 307 Fairview Dr., Longview, TX 75604 -- "I'm aware that 3-45-2, Charles FINLEY, appears in your July 1988 edition of FINLEY FINDINGS INTERNATIONAL in the lineage of several people. The John FINLEY, b 1725, d 1751, has not been broken down as far as I could tell for anyone." ANSWER: This John FINLEY is shown in STOUT's The Clan FINLEY, Vol. 1, Second Edition, on P. 99 as 4-45-22. He shows John FINLEY as a son of Charles FINLEY (1689-1744) and Elizabeth HARRIS (1682-1749). John FINLEY was b 1 Jun 1725, Prince George Co, MD; m Margaret __________ ; will made 3 May 1750, Kent Co, MD; d 1751 Chestertown, MD. John and Margaret FINLEY had one daughter, Henrietta, and it is there that STOUT shows the end of this line. STOUT shows the following as children of Charles and Elizabeth HARRIS FINLEY: Ann, b 1715; Sarah, b 1717; Elizabeth, b 1720; Charles, b 24 Jan 1722, Prince George Co, MD, d 1787, Prince George Co, MD; John, b 1 Jun 1725, Prince George Co, MD, d 1751, Chestertown, MD; James, b 15 Apr 1728, Talbot Co, MD, d 10 Nov 1785, Queen Anne's Co, MD; William, b 1730; Mary, b 22 Nov 1733, Prince George Co, MD; Richard, b 1736; and Isaac, b 1738. James M. JOHNSTON, P.O. Box 4394, Carlsbad, CA 92008, shows the following as other sons of Charles and Elizabeth FINLEY: Richard FINLEY, b 14 Aug 1736, Prince George Co, MD, d 8 Apr 1822, Jefferson Co, KY (lived in MD; Monogolia Co, WV; Jefferson Co, KY; was a farmer); Isaac FINLEY, b 23 Mar 1738, St. John's Parish, Prince George Co, MD, d ca. 7 Jul 1829, Jefferson Co, KY (court appoints son, John H. FENLEY, administrator of his estate). He also shows the following as children of Richard FINLEY: Charles, m 14 Nov 1792, Jefferson Co, KY, w Catherine SHRAYDER; George C., b ca. 1760, m 23 Feb 1802, Jefferson Co, KY, w Elizabeth HAUSE, d Nov 1843, (will probated) Jefferson Co, KY; Richard FINLEY Jr., m Elizabeth ___________ , d 8 May 1815, Jefferson Co, KY (court appointed father as administrator of estate); John, b ca. 1762 (named as son and heir in will of father), m Eleanor (Nelly) __________ , d 26 Sept 1837 (will probated and administrator appointed in Jefferson Co, KY); Elizabeth, m Phillip ROGERS (named in will of father as daughter and heir); Ann, m 28 Jan 1794, Jefferson Co, KY, w Jacob LYTLE; Amelia m Joshua FOWLER (named in will as daughter and heir); and Melinda, m (1st) 14 Dec 1797, Jefferson Co, KY, w James MAC CONNEL, m (2nd) w Hezekiah HAWLEY (named in will as daughter and heir). JOHNSTON shows the following as children of Isaac FINLEY: Sarah, b ca. 1772, m 2 Jun 1788, Jefferson Co, KY, w Daniel FERRY, d ca. 1799, Nelson Co, KY; Martha, b ca. 1777, m 28 Mar 1799, Jefferson Co, KY, w Joseph STROTHER Jr.; John H., b ca. 1784, MD, m 27 Jul 1808, Jefferson Co, KY, w Eleanor ALLISON, d 7 Nov 1853 (will probated) Jefferson Co, KY; William, b ca. 1788, m 14 Feb 1814, Jefferson Co, KY, w Mary W. ALLISON, d Apr 1829, Jefferson Co, KY (court appointed brother, John H. FINLEY, as administrator of estate); Anna, b ca. 1789, Jefferson Co, KY, m 10 Oct 1805, Jefferson Co, KY, w James BOSTON, d 9 Apr 1861, Rosebud, MO; Nelly, b ca. 1792, Jefferson Co, KY, m 11 Dec 1808, Jefferson Co, KY, w Delany WASHBURN; and Rebecca, b ca. 1793, Jefferson Co, KY, m 4 Apr 1809, Jefferson Co, KY, w James B. WASHBURN. JOHNSTON also supplied extracts from Jefferson Co, KY tax lists, which show the following entries: (1789) white tythe over 21: John FINLEY, 2; Richard/Charles FINLEY, 5; Isaac FINLEY, 3. White tythe, 16-21: Richard/Charles FINLEY, 1; Isaac FINLEY, 2. Total blacks: Richard/Charles FINLEY, 5; Isaac FINLEY, 3. Other documentation is provided by JOHNSTON, including wills and other tax lists. He also provides subsequent generations for Isaac and Richard FINLEY's children. Also, in referring to information presented in the March 1988 FINLEY FINDINGS INTERNATIONAL, which was taken from WOOD's work and which shows Isaac FINLEY as the son of George and Ann NEWLAND FINLEY, he states the following: "I do not dispute Isaac FINLEY, b 22 Sept 1762, Bolston, Washington Co, VA, except he is not the one who resided in Jefferson Co, KY on Beargrass Creek and on Goose Creek and died around 1826 or somewhere thereabout. "STOUT and WOOD have confused them with the wrong family. That Isaac who died in Jefferson Co, KY was a brother to Richard FINLEY and they came from Maryland to western Virginia and on down into Kentucky and they settled on Beargrass and Goose Creek in Jefferson Co and this area is still in Jefferson Co, KY. Isaac took up land early -- all in Jefferson Co, KY -- where he took it up but it was in Washington Co, KY, and Hardin Co, KY, and Nelson Co, KY, when he disposed of it because early on, only three counties existed in Kentucky when it first became part of Virginia as Kentucky District, Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln counties. "Richard and Isaac both remained in Jefferson Co until they died. The children listed by STOUT are greatly garbled. I feel the George C. FINLEY, son of Richard FINLEY, married three times and he was somewhat older than the published records indicate. The census for Kentucky bear this statement out. George C. was born about 1760 according to the census and his first son, William FINLEY, who appears on the 1850 Jefferson Co, KY, census gives his age as 65 years, which places him born 1785 and before his father's marriage to Mary CHENOWETH. I don't have any clue who his wife was or where they were married." In answer to questions I supplied to JOHNSTON, he also provided the following: "I will try to answer your questions as best I can. First, you asked me if I accepted Sarah HENRY as Isaac FINLEY's wife. You say and I agree that the marriage dates do not coincide with my data on Isaac and his children. "Frankly, I do not know who Isaac's wife was. Her name is not included in any of the deeds to his two sons. His land sales do not bear her name as a party to the deeds. At least the deeds I have checked so far have not included her name. "Isaac's daughter, Sarah, who married Daniel FERRY, must have been about 15 or 16 years of age when they were married as her father granted permission for her to marry. Had she been 18 or above, the fact she had reached legal age to marry would have been noted. "Since Isaac named a daughter, Sarah, I can't rule out Sarah HENRY as a wife, but the marriage dates would not be correct by any stretch of the imagination, and since she married 10 years earlier than STOUT lists the marriage, he has certainly mixed the FINLEY families up. "The Isaac who lived in Jefferson Co, KY, and died there, did not come from Augusta Co, VA. He was a brother to Richard FINLEY and Richard came from Maryland to Monongalia Co, VA (now WV) to Kentucky. They lived in the same area of Jefferson Co and both died there. "Richard and Isaac are the children of Charles FINLEY as far as I can determine. STOUT classified Charles as 3-45-2, 1689-1744. John FINLEY, 6-02-1122, is the son of Richard and the grandson of Charles FINLEY as far as I can figure it out. This John lived in Jefferson Co, KY, and Shelby Co, KY, and moved back to Jefferson Co. He died there as per my group sheets and wills record. "George FINLEY, 6-02-1123, as classified by STOUT, was also a son of Richard and grandson of Charles, 3-45-2. He married Mary CHENOWETH 10 years later than STOUT indicates, on 17 Jul 1797, and I am quite sure she is wife No. 2, because his son, William, was born in 1785. "I am enclosing some extracts of Jefferson Co tax lists and I have others up to 1849 which discounts Jefferson Co, KY, FINLEYs moving to Tennessee and to Orange Co, IN. They are there in Jefferson Co until death or until after the 1850 Census. "You asked me if I thought Nancy Ann FINLEY who married Thomas ARMSTRONG was a daughter of George C. FINLEY and Mary CHENOWETH. My answer is yes, but WOOD's birth and marriage date I dispute. "She married Thomas ARMSTRONG on 29 Mar 1812, so I compute her age as about 16 years of age; birthdate around 1796. However, since George C. FINLEY didn't marry Mary CHENOWETH until 17 Sept 1797, her birthday would be about 1798 and she would only be about 14 years old when she married ARMSTRONG. "I have some trouble with that death place as Orange Co, IN. I have examined some of the court records and I find George FINLEY's family who married into the GAINES family are the ones who removed to Orange Co, IN. Of course, I was not as thorough as I could have been because they were not my direct line and I did not pursue it as far as I could have. "I do not believe Sarah Jane FINLEY who married William MEEKS belongs to the Isaac FINLEY, Richard FINLEY, Charles FINLEY line of family descent. The George W. FINLEY who married Mary ISOM on 22 Nov 1838, not in 1823, and married her sister, Charity, after Mary died, was a schoolteacher in Jefferson Co, KY, and as far as I can determine, he died there -- not in Indiana. "I have taken great pains to record the names contained in Richard's will and in comparing several marriage records. I have matched George C. FINLEY's children to the wills of both George C. FINLEY and Elizabeth HAUSE FINLEY. I have matched John FINLEY's children to John and Eleanor (Nelly). "I know you may notice I show two George FINLEYs on one of the tax extracts of Jefferson Co. That is explained by telling you that George failed to render a tax return or take the oath of his taxable estate for the preceding year and they tried to overlook the return on more than one occasion. "I have gone to Salt Lake City and looked at the films of the marriage records just to see who was right. Tax and census records indicate the presence of this FINLEY family line in Kentucky around the Beargrass, Goose Creek, Floyd Fork and Pond Creek area as well as in the city of Louisville until after 1850 (Jefferson Co)." QUERY: Alice Jean FINDLEY TIDWELL, 722 Walnut, No. 106, Kansas City, MO 64106, says she is searching for a record of the parents of John G. FINDLEY. She states, "The story in our family is that his father was John FINDLEY, the Long Hunter, companion of Daniel BOONE, 1723-1799. John G. was born 1799. So if this was his father, he would have been 76 years old at the time. His mother was Fanny CARNS (CARNE or KARNES); her second husband was a BLACK or a BLAKELY." TIDWELL also gives the following information on John G. FINDLEY: b 12 Feb 1799; d 19 Nov 1876. She has a theory that instead of being born at or near Boonesborough, KY, he might have been born at or near Boonville, MO. He came to MO from Granger Co, TN, in 1838; m Sara Ann WALTERS or WALTRUS, b 30 Jan 1814; d 15 Jan 1885. They had five boys and six girls. ANSWER: John G. FINDLEY cannot be the son of the John FINDLEY who was the guide to Daniel BOONE. John FINDLEY, the guide, is shown in the May 1988 issue of FINLEY FINDINGS as b 27 Jun 1722, County Armagh, Ireland; m 15 Sept 1744, Paxtang Township, PA, w Elizabeth HARRIS, b 1 Jun 1720, d 7 Aug 1769, Harris Ferry, PA. It is unknown when this John FINDLEY died or where. Their children are shown to be Esther, Martha and John FINLEY Jr. The latter was born 28 Sept 1760, Salisbury, Lancaster Co, PA; m (1st) 14 Sept 1780, w Priscilla HAYS; m (2nd) 28 Jul 1796, Ohio Co, VA (now WV) w Sarah MOORE; d 11 Mar 1846, Kane Co, IL. QUERY: Alden Gordon FINLEY, 1429 Balmy Beach Dr., Apopka, FL 32703-7825, asks the following: "I still find no reference to any early FINLEYs living in Canada. I wonder if you could make some mention of that in one of your upcoming issues and maybe stimulate some interest in developing that line of the family." Earlier information supplied by Alden FINLEY shows he is a descendant of Arthur Dennis FINLEY, 1779-1863, who lived in the St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, area. Alden FINLEY wrote the book, FINLEY -- TAYLOR and RAND -- CALL Ancestors and Relations. He also says, "The progenitor, Arthur Dennis FINLEY, seems to have come out of nowhere to become a substantial resident of Westfield (near St. John), New Brunswick. The 1851 census says that he came from Nova Scotia and various references indicate he was of Loyalist parentage. However, I have been unable to find any information about his parents or place of birth." FINLEY -- TAYLOR and RAND -- CALL Ancestors and Relations may be found in the following libraries: Orange County Library, Orlando, FL; library of the New Brunswick Genealogical Society; library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society; and the library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City. QUERY: Mrs. Thomas F. CONWAY, Rt. 2 Box 571, Rusk, TX 75785, submits the following query: "My husband's mother was Maude Estelle FINLEY, b 13 Apr 1885, Laurens, SC; daughter of William Watts FINLEY and Allie Elizabeth FULLER. We have no idea where W.W. FINLEY or his wife may have been born. If you can tell me anything about them or have this already published in a newsletter, we would very much appreciate your letting us know where to find it. "Maude FINLEY m Z.F. CONWAY (or CONAWAY) in Henderson Co, TX, in 1903. I believe she came to Texas sometime in 1890s. She gave me a small textbook and I believe she did attend school for some time in SC." QUERY: Alice DYER FINLEY, 1629 18th Ave. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112, submits the following query: "Would like to correspond with anyone with FINLEY roots in KY, 1850s to 1880s, and TN, prior to 1850. Family names are Thomas I., James Carroll, Joseph, Louis. Allied names are THEOBALD, LASSITER, MC CONNELL and CARTER." Alice FINLEY also writes the DYER SEARCH quarterly. She says, "All we know is that my husband's line was in McCracken-Trigg Co, KY area in the mid-1850s and remained until the 1920s, when his parents came to Detroit. Each line since 1850 has been small -- one to two children only."© 2010 TMKessler@hotmail.com
