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Finley Letters

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Letter from Benjamin Colman to Samuel Shute, Esq.

Benjamin Colman
November 24, 1720; Boston

Rev. Benjamin Colman begs Massachusetts governor Samuel Shute not to publish a postscript written to him by Mr. Noah, which was not intended to be shared or published. Colman tells Shute that the postscript "carries a very severe reflection upon the late assembly & will doubtless anger Dr. Cook & others not a little." The postscript contains material about Lord Barrington which is negative. The controversy appears to center around the speaker selected by the House (Elisha Cooke, Jr.) and Governor Shute's opposition to the choice. There is no explanation as to why Finley had this letter in his possession. Abstract Number - 536
Thanksgiving Prayer

Unknown
January 19, 1749;

This "Thanksgiving Prayer" was apparently written during the mid 18th century (date of letter is partially missing) for a New Year's Day service. It contains abbreviations in Elizabethan script. Someone has written "J.E." in the margin, so there might possibly be a connection between this prayer and the letter from Joseph Emerson. Abstract Number - 531
Letter from Joseph Emerson to Rev. ?

Joseph Emerson
May 23, 1749; Malden, MA

Rev. Joseph Emerson (minister, First Church of Christ, Malden, Massachusetts, for 45 years, 1721-1767) writes a letter inviting a fellow clergyman to preach on the Day of Public Fasting and Prayer on the Occasion of the Extreme Drought. The day selected by the Massachusetts legislature for churches to hold this event was June 15, 1749. It is not clear whether this letter refers to this event/date, or to whom it was written. The preacher at First Parish Church in Medford (see verso of letter) was Ebenezer Turell. Perhaps the letter was addressed to him.Turell's first wife was Jane Colman, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Colman. [Note: Not clear why this letter was in Finley's possession]. Abstract Number - 530
Letter from Noah Merrick to James B. Finley

Noah Merrick
June 23, 1751;

A sermon by Rev . Noah Merrick (1711-1776), preacher in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, dated June 23, 1751. The text is Cor. 2: 13.5 Abstract Number - 532
Letter from Robert W. Finley to Nathan Massie

Robert W. Finley
December 12, 1794; Bourbon County, KY

Robert asks for information concerning land on the Scioto River and Paint Creek, regarding its suitability for "settlement of societies." A group is interested in purchasing a twenty mile square area and would like to know the "situation, quantity, and quality" of the land. Robert would also like to know when it would be convenient for Capt. Massie to show a group of men the land. Abstract Number - 1
Letter from Robert W. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley
February 11, 1801; Rushville

Robert is in good health but has never been in such a bad station. The snow this winter is very deep. He shares an allegory with James -- Imagine the whole world as one immense building with different apartments under the government of the Creator. He describes three different kinds of apartments, which are actually states of the soul. Abstract Number - 915
Letter from ? Howard to Mrs. Mary Howard

? Howard
August 04, 1804; Springfield, MA

This is a letter which James B. Finley had in his possession which was not written to him or by him. The son of Mary Howard writes to his mother regarding family affairs and visitors. Abstract Number - 2
Letter from William P. Finley & Jenny Finley to James B. Finley

William P. Finley and Jenny Finley
January 09, 1810; NewMarket

James' brother William writes to express his affection for James and Hannah. He announces the birth of a son -- Robert Patterson Finley. William tells James that their brother John has gone to to Xenia to teach school. William fears that John has "lost religion." Abstract Number - 916
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
January 31, 1811; Xenia

John writes about his recent severe illness. Brother Davis spent many hours at his bedside. John is fervently grateful to God that he survived the illness. Abstract Number - 3
Letter from William P. Finley to James B. Finley

William P. Finley
March 05, 1811; New Market

William reports that his wife Jenny has been very sick. He expects to teach school during the summer and the following winter, and then purchase land. Abstract Number - 917
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
July 04, 1811; Xenia

Finley's brother, John P., was unable to attend Finley's camp meeting because his wife Sally went into labor and birthed a baby girl at the time he would have been traveling to the meeting. He has decided to get licensed as a local preacher at the next quarterly meeting. Abstract Number - 918
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
December 15, 1811; Greene County

Finley's brother John describes his vision of eternity. He also speaks about an unresolved land lawsuit. Abstract Number - 919
Letter from William P. Finley & Jenny Finley to James B. Finley

William P. Finley and Jenny Finley
January 26, 1812; NewMarket

This letter is full of expressions of hope for Heaven. William tells of some financial trouble he has had about a mare. William asks to borrow $10 from James. A girl has been born into the family and named Rebecca. Abstract Number - 920
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
March 12, 1812; Highland County

A very intimate family letter, telling of family sickness and deaths. Abstract Number - 921
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
March 30, 1812; Greene County

Finley's brother John tells him that he and his wife Sally have both been ill. Their father (Robert W. Finley) has been to visit John and reports many conversions on his circuit. John muses that the family is "called to fill important stations in the Church of Christ." Sister Elizabeth Pelham has died, and the land lawsuit is still not resolved. Abstract Number - 922
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
May 13, 1812; Greene County

John tells of sickness and great trouble, but expresses increased faith in God. He tells of riding to Dayton to overtake a company of soldiers which included relations (Robert Hough) and boys from the old neighborhood, which made his heart sick. He followed the group for 16 miles, then removed Robert and the boys from the camp, exhorting them to stay away from wicked company. The trial for the land lawsuit is set for August. Abstract Number - 923
Letter from Robert W. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley
March 09, 1813; Highland County

This is a letter of tender affection from a father to his son. Robert reports his own sickness, and shares information about various members of the family. Abstract Number - 948
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
April 15, 1813; Greene County

John urges James not to give up his itinerant ministry. He is very eloquent in his profession of faith. Abstract Number - 924
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
May 29, 1813; Xenia

John expresses disappointment that James has settled so far away, but still hopes to be near him someday. He is weary of teaching school and would like to do something else with his life. John tells of the denial of faith by Dr. Moore of Lebanon. Abstract Number - 925
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
December 21, 1813; Xenia

John tells Finley that his wife Sally had twins in August. They have named them Robert Thomas Finley and John P. Finley. He hopes to move in the spring due to his present unhappiness. He is treated with contempt as both a teacher and a preacher. Abstract Number - 926
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
February 23, 1814; Xenia

John writes that his family members are very sick. Son James is deathly ill, and they have been talking with him about death. He and Sally are very hopeful that they can move near James B. very soon. Abstract Number - 927
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
April 30, 1814; Athens

David Young [Presiding Elder, Muskingum District] writes to Finley [appointed to Barnesville & West Wheeling, along with Michael Ellis] asking who is to "blame" for the lack of correspondence between them this year. He tells Finley that Bishop McKendree will be along on August 28th. He invites Finley to a camp meeting, stating "I want to meet you & take your saddle-bags, & hang up your hat & hear you talk about God & religion." Abstract Number - 865
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 27, 1814; Athens

David Young responds to Finley's complaint about the abusive Mr. Smith, recently the subject of a church trial. Young summarizes what Smith said at the trial -- that he did not believe Wesley's doctrine of sanctification. At that trial Smith announced that he was not opposed to Methodism. Young disagrees -- Both Smith's private conversation and public preaching were opposed to the 7th article. [Article VII, Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Original Sin]. He tells Finley to "be done with him as soon as you can." [Note: Perhaps this is James Smith, Local Deacon from Knox Circuit, appealed to Ohio Conference, 1813, excluded from Methodist Episcopal Church]. Abstract Number - 866
Letter from David McMasters to James B. Finley

David McMasters
June 11, 1814; Mt. Pleasant, Ohio

McMasters (Local Preacher in Mt. Pleasant) attended a local meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in order to hear one of the Society's greatest preachers -- Nathan Hunt. McMasters reports that Hunt gave "good advice" but nothing very great. The following day, Hunt came to his father's home for a "stillness and silence" meeting, an attempt to convert McMasters which did not work. Mt. Pleasant was the hub of the Society west of the Alleghenies at this time. Abstract Number - 4
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
July 05, 1814; Highland County

Robert tells James about Rebecca's illness. She is in a great deal of pain. Robert asks for James' help with coming camp meetings. Abstract Number - 928