Skip to main content

Finley Letters

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Letter from Jacob Young to James B. Finley

Jacob Young
April 25, 1829; Rushville

Young is currently serving the Fairfield Circuit [appointed September 1828, along with Cornelius Springer]. The New Lights have been here but have quickly passed by. The Radicals are doing their best to form churches but as of yet haven't succeeded within the bounds of the circuit. Springer has gone with the Radicals. Young feels no hostility toward the Radicals, seeing them as "good mistaken men" who will surely pass by as did the New Lights. Young is anxious to leave Fairfield County. He would love to have an appointment in Cincinnati next year so that his little boys can get an education. Abstract Number - 652
Letter from J. Waterman to James B. Finley

J. Waterman
May 09, 1829; Brownsville, PA

Rev. John Waterman writes to Finley from Brownsville circa May of 1829 [appointed to Brownsville Circuit, Pittsburgh Conference,1829-1830]. Finley is currently appointed to the Cincinnati Station. Waterman shares news about people who have died, including Mother Hankins in Wheeling. He appears to be thinking a great deal about death and eternal life. Abstract Number - 526
Letter from W.B. Lewis to James B. Finley

W.B. Lewis
June 20, 1829; Treasury Department

Lewis writes on behalf of the U.S. Treasury Department asking for an accounting of government funds spent at the Wyandot Mission for the civilization of the Indians. Abstract Number - 838
Letter from George S. Houston to James B. Finley

George S. Houston
June 22, 1829; Dayton

Houston sends copies of John Emory's Defence of Our Fathers to Finley. He has not yet heard anything from the Post Office, but does not believe he will lose his job and expresses explicit faith in his Heavenly Father. Abstract Number - 70
Letter from James B. Finley to W.B. Lewis

James B. Finley
June 27, 1829; Warren County

Finley has been asked to provide certificates for the amounts he withdrew from the Wyandot Indian fund of the federal government. As soon as possible he will locate these certificates. However, he does have a certificate from Mr. W. Lee showing that his account with the Treasury Department was closed on October 19, 1827, having withdrawn $4,183 with satisfactory documentation. He will send certificates for all that was drawn in his name when he obtains them from the person in charge of the mission. He has had nothing to do with the school establishment at Upper Sandusky since last September, nor has he drawn any money since. Abstract Number - 772
Letter from Jacob Young to James B. Finley

Jacob Young
July 16, 1829; Rushville

Young [currently serving the Fairfield Circuit] writes Finley telling of his good health and gratitude to the Lord for his good wife and five children, three being in Heaven and two on the way (as he puts it). Young reports that he has sold his property and would like Finley to look on his behalf for suitable property in a good market town with a good school and meeting house. Things are going well on the circuit -- Old Methodism is on the march again. The "poor Radicals" are trying their best, but have formed only one little society within the bounds of the Fairfield Circuit -- Somerset. The society began with 11 members and has slowly dwindled. Abstract Number - 653
Letter from Sam R. Brockmeier [Brockunier] to James B. Finley

Sam R. Brockunier
July 26, 1829; St. Clairsville

Rev. Brockmeier [Brockunier] tells of his poor health, due to being thrown from a horse. He discusses Radicalism, or "raskilism" in the Pittsburgh Conference. Rev. Brown and Rev. Shinn have broken away from the Conference and are part of a small Methodist Protestant group led by Rev. Avery in Pittsburgh. Brockmeier [Brockunier] tells Finley that this is "no great loss." He also reports that three appointments have been lost on his circuit, presumably joining with the breakaway denomination. The Pittsburgh Conference went very well. Brockmeier [Brockunier] includes a list of the appointments for 1830-1831. Abstract Number - 9
Letter from Thomas McGuire to James B. Finley

Thomas McGuire
July 26, 1829;

McGuire will have no fellowship with the Roman Catholic priest nor his Bible because St. Paul forbids it. Abstract Number - 71
Letter from Nathaniel McLean to James B. Finley

Nathaniel McLean
August 01, 1829; Columbus

McLean reports that the Columbus camp meeting has just ended. It was a wonderful meeting and many souls were saved. McLean also shares the desire of the Town Street Society to have a stationed preacher. 20 new members are about to be added to the rolls, making a total membership of 170. Abstract Number - 72
Letter from Samuel Luckey to James B. Finley

Samuel Luckey
August 04, 1829; New York

Dr. Nathan Bangs is writing a history of Methodist Episcopal missions. Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Samuel Luckey, has enclosed a printed questionnaire for Finley to complete concerning the history of the Wyandot Mission. Abstract Number - 839
Letter from Philip Gatch to James B. Finley

Philip Gatch
August 05, 1829; Milford

Gatch believes that American Indians are one of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. He has written an essay on facts and thoughts relative to the Indian situation. He says that the facts come from scripture, and the thoughts are original or culled from other sources. The essay is meant to furnish instruction and encouragement to the Indians. Gatch would like Finley's father to edit and publish the essay and wants several copies given to the Indians. He tells Finley -- " I expect that I am the oldest preacher that belongs to the Methodist Connection in America. I was in the first class of preachers that was taken into full connection in America." [Note: Essay is archived in Philip Gatch Papers, Archives of Ohio United Methodism, Group III.A] Abstract Number - 840
Letter from George S. Houston to James B. Finley

George S. Houston
September 01, 1829; Dayton

The new meeting house in Dayton is almost done. Although Houston did not approve of the building plan, he is pleased that the new meeting house will be better than the old one! Houston asks Finley if William H. Raper might be assigned to the congregation. Abstract Number - 519
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
September 02, 1829; Zanesville

David Young [Presiding Elder of Lancaster District] writes to James B. Finley [Presiding Elder of Lebanon District] to let him know that he is too ill to attend the upcoming Ohio Annual Conference [Urbana, September 3, 1829]. He has sent a list of proposed appointments for his district to the bishop. Enclosed in the letter are all of Young's recommendations for Finley to present, including the correspondence of the Radical Cornelius Springer who is withdrawing from the MEC. Abstract Number - 891
Letter from George S. Houston to James B. Finley

George S. Houston
September 16, 1829; Dayton

Houston is writing at the solicitation of his circuit about the possibility of Dayton becoming a station with William H. Raper appointed as preacher. He is personally skeptical as to whether the congregation is ready to become a station and pay the salary of a married preacher. Because Rev. Raper is a Mason, members of the congregation believe that financial help would be forthcoming from the Masonic community to help pay for Raper's salary. Houston is doubtful that this will happen. Abstract Number - 73
Letter from John P. Finley Jr. to James B. Finley

John P. Finley Jr.
September 24, 1829; Bloomfield, IA

John Jr. writes telling his Uncle James about the health of the family, saying his mother is not well. John Jr. is practicing medicine to make a living for his boys, who are growing fast. His mother would like to go back to Ohio. Abstract Number - 959
Letter from Thomas Mason to James B. Finley

Thomas Mason
October 23, 1829; New York

Mason tells of his promotion to Presiding Elder. His children have been seriously ill, and one has died. He requests again that Finley send him a copy of the "Pilgrim's Songster." Abstract Number - 617
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
November 03, 1829; Zanesville

Young [Presiding Elder, Lancaster District] writes to his friend Finley to let him know that his health is improving. He has received a letter from Brother Trimble stating that he has a leg malady which keeps him from serving as he should on the Athens Circuit. Young is still working on a decision regarding this appointment. Young lists several books that he wishes to purchase. He discusses payment and asks Finley to send the books to him. Abstract Number - 892
Letter from George S. Houston to James B. Finley

George S. Houston
November 22, 1829; Dayton

Houston finds it his painful duty to inform Finley of the bad conduct of his nephew, James Finley Jr., in Dayton, Urbana, and other counties. It seems that nephew James has been spreading untruthful stories about the treatment of the corpse of Brother Sales. Abstract Number - 517
Letter from Robert W. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley
December 09, 1829; Zanesville

Robert writes to say that he is in tolerable health. He says he has never gained anything from complaining so he has given it up. Quarterly Conference met last Saturday and Sunday and it was very dull and had poor attendance. Robert tells James that as long as he loves God things will work out alright. Abstract Number - 960
Letter from William McKendree to James B. Finley

William McKendree
December 10, 1829; Nashville

Bishop McKendree just received Finley's letter and will write immediately to Brother McLain (John McLean). Bishop Roberts was four days late to the South Carolina Conference. He was unwell at the close but went on to the Mississippi Conference. Abstract Number - 74
Letter from John B. Bayard to James B. Finley

John B. Bayard
December 11, 1829; Bayard's Town (Pittsburgh)

Bayard tells of the break between the 'Radicals' and those of the 'old faith.' It seems that since Brothers Coston and Clarke have arrived at Pittsburgh, the people ''have taken fresh courage…and the Lord began to receive His works." George Brown is the leading Radical. Bayard has no doubt that Radicalism is "on the wain." Abstract Number - 75
Letter from Christopher Smith, Benjamin Mason & Chris Blackman to James B. Finley

Christopher Smith, Benjamin Mason, and James Blackman
December 17, 1829; Cincinnati

Class leader, Brother Spencer, sends a letter to Finley, preacher in charge of the Cincinnati Station. One of Spencer's class members, Sarah Jane Anderson, has been accused of stealing two small pieces of muslin fabric from Mr. Robinson, and charged with immoral conduct. Spencer has notified Sister Anderson to come to Finley's office on December 18th for a trial by committee. After hearing all of the evidence the three committee members (Christopher Smith, Benjamin Mason, and James Blackman) return a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty. The record of the trial and verdict are recorded on the December 17th letter from Spencer to Finley. Abstract Number - 76
Letter from Mary E. Bayard to James B. Finley

Mary E. Bayard
January 01, 1830; Pittsburgh

Mary asks for prayers for her parents who remain unconverted although she has prayed ten years for them. "They are so strictly moral that they think they are secure; pray the Lord to shake them off this sandy foundation..." (no date, circa 1830) Abstract Number - 504
Letter from Robert W. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley
January 09, 1830;

Robert W. Finley sends sermon notes to his children. The subject of the sermon is death. Also included is a poem he has written. Abstract Number - 961
Letter from Samuel Capers to James B. Finley

Samuel Capers
February 06, 1830; Columbia, SC

Capers reminisces about the time spent together with Finley. He goes on to tell about a very successful South Carolina Annual Conference and the plan to divide into two Conferences -- South Carolina and Georgia. He has been transferred to Camden where he fears he will meet with difficulties, but he has great confidence in his victory over them. Abstract Number - 77