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Finley Letters

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Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
February 06, 1830; Beadles Station, OH

Morris and Finley have received an urgent request to attend a meeting in Louisville around the first of April. Morris plans to be in Cincinnati on the 1st and will meet Finley there for the trip. Morris has received a letter from Rev. David Young, who disparages Rev. Adjet McGuire and Rev. William H. Collins, Ohio "Radicals" who withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church to join the fledgling Methodist Protestant Church. Abstract Number - 1018
Letter from James Gilruth to James B. Finley

James Gilruth
February 07, 1830; Granville

Gilruth reports that there is a general state of peace in the Granville Circuit and that the Radicals are doing little harm of consequence. He inquires about the manuscript on baptism that he turned over to Conference to have printed. Several people in his circuit know that he wrote it. Gilruth is anxious to know if and when it will be printed. Abstract Number - 78
Letter from John McLean to James B. Finley

John McLean
February 07, 1830; Washington City

McLean is greatly grieved over the loss of his young son, William M. McLean (1821-1829), "a lovely boy." McLean mentions a bill before the U.S. Congress to grant a township of land to Augusta College in Kentucky. Abstract Number - 1002
Letter from William McLean to James B. Finley

William McLean
February 12, 1830; Lebanon

McLean received Finley's letter and sent a message immediately to Judge Collet. McLean visited the judge the following day, attempting to persuade him to disallow the injunction [against removal of bodies], but the judge in his wisdom has allowed the injunction and the consequence is that Finley's proceedings must be suspended until the Supreme Court meets in Cincinnati in June. McLean thinks the Court will give a decision in Finley's favor. [Note: This appears to be about the dispute over the land occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cincinnati, which occurred after many members seceded to join with the Methodist Protestant Church. The legal case involved an injunction prohibiting the removal of bodies buried on the land. The Ohio Supreme Court took up the case in 1831, Price v. Methodist Episcopal Church, 4 Ohio 515]. Abstract Number - 79
Letter from William B. Christie to James B. Finley

William B. Christie
February 14, 1830; Lebanon

Christie asks Finley to do an errand for him. He would like Finley to pick up a strengthening plaster for his afflicted back from Bro. Anderson. He also asks to borrow the last two issues of The Itinerant, which contain discussions of the Radical Constitution. He hopes things will soon begin to look up in Lebanon. They cannot get much lower. Abstract Number - 101
Letter from John C. Brooke to James B. Finley

John C. Brooke
February 15, 1830; Ridgeville, OH

Brooke speaks of family health issues and conditions on the farm. William Strain is visiting and does not have the money to pay a note. He plans to procure the money and return this way to pay it. Brooke asks Finley whether he has heard about Brother Wood's disappearance from St. Mary's Mission. [Rev. John Wood was expelled from the 1830 Ohio Conference later in the year]. Abstract Number - 80
Letter from Jacky M. Bradley to James B. Finley

Jacky M. Bradley
February 25, 1830; Alachua, FL

Jacky has recently been appointed to the Alachua Circuit in Florida (Savannah District, South Carolina Conference). He writes about conditions there -- the warm summer, the plentiful fruits and flowers, the moss-covered trees, etc. More important is his work of carrying the Gospel to the "lost and ruined world." He then gives a short synopsis of the story of his life, including the death of his father [John McKnitt Bradley (1772-1827)]. Abstract Number - 81
Letter from George Washington Maley to James B. Finley

George Washington Maley
March 06, 1830; Wilmington

Maley asks a favor of his friend Finley -- He would like to send $300 in mortgage notes to Finley via Brother Reeves. Apparently Maley is purchasing land from W. Bunnell of Indiana. He wants Finley to make the payment to Brother Bunnell and take possession of the deed. He asks Finley to hold on to the deed until he sees him next. Abstract Number - 82
Letter from George Washington Maley to James B. Finley

George Washington Maley
March 13, 1830; Wilmington

Maley is anxious to know whether Finley was able to handle the land transfer he asked about in an earlier letter. Was the $300 payment made to Brother Bunnell for the land in Indiana? Did Brother Bunnell turn over a lawful deed to the property? He asks Finley to keep the transaction confidential. Maley's dear Sarah is ill with the fever but is ever patient in her tribulations. Abstract Number - 83
Letter from John F. Wright to James B. Finley

John F. Wright
March 17, 1830; Urbana

John F. Wright, Presiding Elder of the Lebanon District, recently spent two days attending a meeting in Bellefontaine. He has learned that an error was made when money collected by the managers of the Bellefontaine Missionary and Tract Society was put in Finley's hands. $5.57 was listed in the report of the Ohio Conference Missionary Society as a donation from Bellefontaine. In fact, only half of the $5.57 was intended for the Missionary Society. The other half was to be spent on tracts. Wright is not sure how the mistake was made and can see no way to remedy it. Abstract Number - 841
Letter from Abel Robinson to James B. Finley

Abel Robinson
March 18, 1830; Cincinnati

Abel Robinson writes to inform Finley that his son has died and that before his death he was converted. He asks Finley to preach his funeral the next day in Cincinnati. [This could be Rev. Abel Robinson who served the Maysville, KY appointment the previous year and located during the 1829-1830 Kentucky Conference]. Abstract Number - 84
Letter from William Philpot to James B. Finley

William Philpot
April 08, 1830; Barnesville

William Philpot writes a letter of recommendation for Miss Sarah Taylor, a teacher in Barnesville who wishes to move to Cincinnati for a teaching job. Philpot discuses the Radicals who are trying to make inroads in Barnesville. 24 people have entered subscriptions to Mutual Rights. The trustees of the Barnesville M.E. have voted not to let the Radicals preach in their meeting house. Abstract Number - 86
Letter from J.M. Earley to James B. Finley

J.M. Earley
April 16, 1830; Woodville, MS

Earley speaks of Brother William Winans, whose health is very poor. He also talks about the "Indian question which is making much noise in this country." Earley says that "the Chaktahs have determined to move over the Mississippi and leave the land of their fathers to their oppressors." He reports "that there is much excitement in the city of Orleans because it has been fired on repeatedly by incendiaries as it is thought, and the citizens are in a state of constant alarm and the city is also very unhealthy." Earley is undecided about his own future. Abstract Number - 842
Letter from Jesse B. Green to James B. Finley

Jesse B. Green
April 16, 1830; Henderson County, KY

At the request of his mother, Jesse is sending a note from Mr. Gorden. Jesse asks Finley to please be so good as to receive the note, collect the money, pay himself for his trouble, and send the rest of the money to him. Abstract Number - 87
Letter from Dr. Luckett to James B. Finley

Dr. Luckett
May 10, 1830; Louisville

Dr. Luckett regrets a change in plans which makes it impossible for him to visit Cincinnati (coming to use dissecting lab at medical school) as arranged but hopes to be able to come soon. He complains to Finley about a recent pamphlet published by the Radicals. The purpose of the pamphlet is to expose the public to "the corruption of the M.E. Church" in juxtaposition to the purity of the Radicals. The pamphlet has not had much success, so two lectures are being offered on the government of the Associated Methodist Churches. Luckett speaks with contempt about these efforts, arguing that "our soil is not congenial to Radicalism." Abstract Number - 88
Letter from J.M. Earley to James B. Finley

J.M. Earley
May 13, 1830; Woodville, MS

Earley states that his health is not very good since his sickness the winter before. "Methodism is prospering altho it has never assumed the character in this country it has in the North." Earley says that slavery will always be the greatest barrier to the progress of religion. One cannot imagine "the state of society where perhaps two thirds of the population are influenced by no other motive than the fear of the lash." He tells Finley that Mississippi would be a great place to live, were it not for the bane of slavery. Abstract Number - 795
Letter from Jesse B. Green to James B. Finley

Jesse B. Green
May 15, 1830; Henderson County, KY

Jesse writes to say that Mr. Gorden is ready to pay off the note which was sent to Finley last month. Jesse would like Finley to collect the money at J.D & C. Jones in Cincinnati and send it on to him as earlier requested. Abstract Number - 89
Letter from James Gilruth to James B. Finley

James Gilruth
May 18, 1830; Granville

Gilruth's brother-in-law, William S. Thomas, has died at a boarding house in Cincinnati. Gilruth has not heard any details and asks Finley to make inquiries about the circumstances of the death.The Radicals are still causing problems in the Granville Circuit. In response, Gilruth has decided to ignore them publicly. If they come to meetings, he tells them "that as they have gone out from us, they are now none of us: and so have no more place in our class meetings or love feasts." Gilruth also suggests that it would helpful to travelling preachers if the journals of the General Conference could be published. Abstract Number - 90
Letter from Robert D. Smith to James B. Finley

Robert D. Smith
June 08, 1830; Choctaw Nation (Mississippi)

Rev. Robert D. Smith has been appointed by the Mississippi Conference to serve as a missionary to the Choctaw Indians (Chahta Mission), along with Moses Perry. Though Smith does not know Finley, he writes to request 3 favors: 1) to visit his parents (Presbyterians) who live near Urbana. Smith has not seen them for six years. 2) to encourage folks in his charge to collect clothing for the Choctaw Indians. 3) to have a suit of clothes made by a tailor for himself. Smith gives his measurements and asks Finley to arrange the work and let him know how to get money to the tailor. Abstract Number - 843
Letter from Dr. Luckett to James B. Finley

Dr. Luckett
June 21, 1830; Louisville

Circumstances still prevent Dr. Luckett from visiting Cincinnati to use the dissecting lab at the medical school. The subject of matrimony, which interested him greatly at one time, is "losing its former potency." He pontificates at length about the dangers of marriage, particularly to a widow. Abstract Number - 92
Letter from Jacky M. Bradley to James B. Finley

Jacky M. Bradley
July 14, 1830; Alachua, FL

Jacky states that conditions in the Alachua Circuit are not great. He tells Finley that a camp meeting will be held in November. Jacky then provides biographical information about his six brothers and four sisters -- their marriages, religious experience, etc. Mentioned are siblings Francis and John (twins), James, Abigail, Joseph, Rebeccah, Alexander and Elizabeth. He also talks about his grandmother Abigail (1748-1817) and grandfather Francis (1743-1780). Abstract Number - 93
Letter from Charles Elliott to James B. Finley

Charles Elliott
August 04, 1830; Pittsburgh

Elliott tells Finley about conditions at the Pittsburgh Station. He believes that the city of Pittsburgh has more Radicals than any other place in the Union. He is afraid that his congregation will be shut out of its meeting house by the Radicals and will have no place to meet. In a postscript, Elliott tells Finley that the Radicals have just demanded the privilege of meeting in the new meeting house on Sunday evening, and it won't be long before his congregants are shut out completely. Elliott asks for Finley's help. Abstract number - 94
Letter from William J. Thompson to James B. Finley

William J. Thompson
August 04, 1830;

After 40 years serving the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. William J. Thompson finds his life as an itinerant preacher in the Ohio Conference very difficult. He was readmitted to the traveling connection 11 years ago and became aware immediately that he was not liked by the other preachers who "whispered" and "made insinuations" about him. In addition to preachers, several of his presiding elders have not liked him. Thompson is a strict adherent to the principles of Methodism and has long-held expectations about class membership, manner of dress, etc. Many of his popular colleagues are well liked due to their laxity and lack of expectations. [Note: Thompson chose to locate at the 1831 Ohio Annual Conference]. Abstract Number - 95
Letter from Ambrose White & B.P. Aydelott to Ohio Annual Conference

Ambrose White and B.P. Aydelott
August 28, 1830; Cincinnati

Officials from the American Sunday School Union (interdenominational organization) would like to see Sunday Schools established within every part of the Mississippi Valley over the next two years. White & Aydelott write to the Ohio Conference requesting that some of the preachers serve as Sunday School agents on behalf of the Union. Agents (Sunday School missionaries) are needed in Ohio and the territory of Michigan. Abstract Number - 96
Letter from D.C. Talbott to James B. Finley

D.C. Talbott
September 02, 1830; Madison, IN

Talbott writes to Finley on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Enclosed is a blank deed and title bond for the lot on which a new meeting house is planned for the church. Talbott asks Finley to get the deed executed before a Justice of the Peace and send it back as soon as possible. Abstract Number - 98