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 Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
July 10, 1833; Cincinnati

Morris reports that "disease and death are taking a slow but steady and fearful march through Cincinnati this year." He then tells about the activity of the fourth quarterly meeting and the planning taking place for the Ohio Annual Conference which will be held in Cincinnati in August. Abstract Number - 1026
Letter from James Laws & Samuel A. Latta to James B. Finley

James Laws and Samuel A. Latta
July 15, 1833; Xenia

Due to the cholera epidemic in Cincinnati, many members of the Ohio Conference are wary of attending the 1833 Annual Conference planned for Cincinnati. Xenia has been proposed as an alternative location. Laws and Latta write to confirm that folks in Xenia would be happy to host the conference. They ask for Finley's assistance to get the move approved. Abstract Number - 142
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
July 16, 1833; Zanesville

Young [superannuated] writes to his old friend Finley [Presiding Elder, Cincinnati District] wishing that they could get together for a face to face meeting because he has a lot to discuss. First, Young requests Finley's help to get Thomas A. Morris appointed to the Zanesville Station for the coming year. This appointment holds an important place in the Ohio Conference, second only to Cincinnati. A year under the leadership of Morris would really cement its organization. Second, Young has heard that Finley is ill and might not be able to continue as Presiding Elder. If not for the illness of Mrs. Young he would offer to serve on Finley's district. He misses the itinerancy and dreams of serving in the future, but fears that service on the district or on a circuit requires "good bodily health." He mentions the accident coming back from the General Conference of 1832 ("falling down the mountain") and its repercussions for his health. Abstract Number - 897
Letter from J. Waterman to James B. Finley

J. Waterman
August 21, 1833; Wellsburg, VA

Rev. John Waterman writes from Wellsburgh, VA, his current appointment in the Pittsburgh Conference. Members of the Conference have gotten up a petition for a Methodist paper to be published in Pittsburgh, which has been approved pending the receipt of enough subscriptions. Waterman is opposed to the idea, believing that the paper will fail. He hopes that Finley will go ahead with publication of "his paper" [Western Christian Advocate] in Cincinnati because a Methodist newspaper is definitely needed in the west. Due to cholera, Waterman has been unable to sell his place in Wheeling. In a postscript, Wesley Browning writes a quick note letting Finley know that he is also certain that the Pittsburgh paper will not succeed. [Note: Publication of the Pittsburgh Conference Journal began on February 1, 1834, becoming the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate on October 28, 1840. Publication of the Western Christian Advocate began in Cincinnati on May 2, 1834]. Abstract Number - 559
Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
August 30, 1833; Cincinnati

This is a "Report of Numbers" for the Cincinnati station, year 1833. Membership statistics are set forth. Abstract Number - 1027
Letter from Henry Bidleman Bascom to James B. Finley

H.B. Bascom
September 20, 1833; Augusta College, KY

Bascom reports the endowment of the 'Roberts Professorship of Mathematics' at Augusta College. Being in great haste to leave for Pennsylvania, he does not give any particulars. Abstract Number - 632
Letter from Joseph Frye to James B. Finley

Joseph Frye
November 02, 1833; Baltimore

Dr. John M. Howland, a friend of Frye's, is moving to the western country and will probably stay for a short time in Cincinnati. Frye says Howland has been a physician for some time in Baltimore and everyone hates to see him go. Frye would like Finley or some of his friends to send a letter onward to wherever Howland wishes to settle. Abstract Number - 143
Letter from A.H. Mattley to James B. Finley

A.H. Mattley
December 03, 1833; New York

At the request of Virginian D.I. Burr, Mattley sent Finley 426 copies of a review of Garrison (William L. Garrison, abolitionist, opposed to American Colonization Society) and others. It was Burr's intention that Finley give them to the officers of any Colonization Society that might apply for them. Abstract Number - 144
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
December 14, 1833; Zanesville

Young replies to Finley's request that he serve an appointment. Young says he appreciates Finley's confidence in him, but is unable to serve. As to the question "Who would you recommend?", the answer can be found in Young's letter to Brother Trimble. Abstract Number - 898
Letter from Isaac Skiles & G.S. Holmes to James B. Finley

Isaac Skiles and G.S. Holmes
December 18, 1833; Uniontown, PA

Isaac Skiles, a member of the MEC in Uniontown, PA, writes to Finley for assistance. A member of his church, one James Ryland, left town about three years ago. Ryland owes Skiles money. Skiles asks Finley if Ryland has become a member of one of the congregations served by the Cincinnati Station where Finley is currently appointed. Skiles would like Finley to make sure that Ryland pays the money back, even if in small amounts at a time. Attached to the letter is a note from Rev. G.S. Holmes attesting to Skiles' good name and relationship to the Methodist Episcopal Church in town. Abstract Number - 145
Letter from Samuel Hoole to James B. Finley

Samuel Hoole
December 22, 1833; Broadway & 7th Cincinnati

Hoole is attempting to sell a large quantity of buttons to the Neff & Brothers store in Cincinnati. Because he is a stranger to the owners, they will not buy from him. Hoole asks Finley (appointed to Cincinnati Station) to introduce him to Mr. Neff. Abstract Number - 146
Letter from Dave Gano to James B. Finley

Dave Gano
December 26, 1833; Cincinnati

Gano, in a letter signed by others (Wm. R. Morris, M. McLean, L.Gwynne, H.E. Spencer) invites Finley to a dinner in commemoration of the settlement of the Miami Valley. Finley is invited as one "to whom our native state is much indebted." Abstract Number - 147
Letter from 'D' to James B. Finley

'D'
January 01, 1834;

'D' sends Finley a copy of the speech about President Andrew Jackson making the rounds among politicians.

Gentleman, Jacksonians, & Fellers of this Conflictious Community --

Your honors sets high, on the Seat of Justice, like the American Eagle, perched on the Asiatic rocks of Gibralter, while the Streams of Justice, like the cadackric clods of the valley, roll meandering past your democratic feet. Therefore I call upon you to exaggerate yourselves, exaggerate yourselves I say; and support the insufficiency of the oracle of Jackson.

Gents,

While Buonaparte are marching his army from Elbe to Paris, and from Paris to Elbe, I stand here before you as a notorious advocate of this Jacksonian administration. The cattle may feed upon the mountains below, and the sheep may graze upon the valleys above, but General Andrew Jackson are no more guilty of vetoing the exonorous excommunicatiosness, of the veloniousness of the United States Bank, than a toad, are got a tail. No siree! It was the circumlocution of the Henry Clay party. And when General Jackson had spificated the confidence of Congress, he rose high in his Supercilious Majesty, and crushed the growing powers of these illusible States.

Gentlemen, I consider this adequate to the circumference of Jacksonism. And I now previse you to exaggerate yourselves. I sit down with pathos.

The speech as given above is said to have been spoken by a learned sucker in 1834.

For J.B.F., by his friend D.

Note on back: Speech delivered by S. Davis, a boy"

Note: Several Ohio & Indiana newspapers printed versions of this speech purportedly given by candidates for office in Ohio. From the Bloomington Post (Indiana) December 29, 1837:

We copy from the Zanesville Gazette an abstract from a speech of a candidate for office in Muskingum county, Ohio, spoken from the stump in eighteen hundred and thirty-four.

"Gentlemen Jacksonians, and fellow-citizens of this conflictious community, in this land of concuessence and supernatiousness, Jacksonians, I say, exaggerate yourselves, I say, and support the insufficiousness of the oracle of Jackson.

"Friends! the cause of the veto on the exonorous comsumaciousness of the veloniousness of the United States Bank, was the furlicution of the Clay party; and when Jackson had spyficated the confidence of the present Congress, he rose in his superfillious majesty and crushed the growing powers of the people of these illusible States.

"This, gentlemen Jacksonians, was adequate to the circumference of Jacksonism, and now I previse you to exaggerate yourselves."

Abstract Number - 508
Letter from Mary C. Hollinshead to James B. Finley

Mary Hollinshead
January 18, 1834; Oak Grove Furnace (Perry County), PA

Mary writes about her recent visit to Philadelphia. She tells Finley about new church buildings there and discusses the Union M.E. Church (The Academy) where Brother Charles Pitman serves. This charge has 800 members. She then reports on the Oak Grove Furnace congregation where husband Joseph is a class leader and circuit steward. Abstract Number - 148
Letter from John H. Fielding to James B. Finley

John H. Fielding
January 25, 1834; Augusta, KY

Fielding informs Finley that the semi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees of Augusta College is scheduled for Feb. 5, 1834. He indicates that Brother (Joseph S.) Tomlinson has resigned the presidency and Dr. (Nathan) Bangs, whom the Board appointed to take his place, has declined acceptance. They are therefore without a head. Due to Tomlinson's poor health, the faculty was weak before his resignation. The added duties made life very difficult for them. Fielding says that they need Finley's advice and would like him to come a week before the Board meets. Fielding invites Finley to be a guest at his house. Abstract Number - 633
Letter from John Price Durbin to James B. Finley

John P. Durbin
January 28, 1834; New York

Via this letter, Durbin presents two missionaries, the Brothers Lee (Jason and Daniel). He asks Finley to help them while they are in town, and to send letters of introduction further on as the men continue their journey. Abstract Number - 623
Letter from Henry Bidleman Bascom to James B. Finley

H.B. Bascom
February 08, 1834; Augusta College, KY

Bascom defends himself and the faculty at Augusta College against charges made against them. He and others are ready to defend themselves privately or publicly. Abstract Number - 634
Letter from William B. Christie to James B. Finley

William B. Christie
February 15, 1834; Roscoe

Christie encloses a copy of a letter he sent to Messrs. Waugh and Mason criticizing the proposed western paper. He objects to the page size of the contemplated newspaper [Western Christian Advocate]. Abstract Number - 149
Letter from John Price Durbin to James B. Finley

John P. Durbin
February 27, 1834; New York

Durbin writes in connection with the western paper in which Finley is interested -- The Western Christian Advocate. (John Price Durbin at this time was editor of the Christian Advocate, N.Y.) Durbin makes several suggestions -- a meeting of the Book Committee in N.Y., postponing the start of the new paper until August, and Durbin working alongside the new editor at the start of publication. He assures Finley that he is doing everything he can to help. Abstract Number - 624
Letter from Jacky M. Bradley to James B. Finley

Jacky M. Bradley
March 17, 1834; Sumptor C.H., SC

Conditions of religion are not great ("moderate") in the Santee Circuit where Jacky now finds himself, due in part to the great emigration to the west. Eighteen new men have been taken into the South Carolina Conference as probationers. James C. Coggeshall is serving with Jacky on the Santee Circuit. He is a wealthy older man, an eminent statesman and lawyer, who has given up everything to spread the gospel. Political excitement has become a problem in the church, with folks fomenting trouble unnecessarily. Abstract Number - 150
Letter from William B. Christie to James B. Finley

William B. Christie
March 29, 1834; Brooklyn

Christie apologizes for not writing sooner. In his capacity as Presiding Elder of the Wooster District, he has attended meetings at several circuits -- Roscoe, Millersburgh, Danville, Wooster, Dover and Waynesburg. He has witnessed the conversion of many sinners. He is glad to hear that a decision has been made to enlarge the page size of the western paper (Western Christian Advocate). The paper should have been printed in the larger page size from the onset. He reports that Brother Sheldon has raised between $4,000 and $5,000 for the Norwalk Seminary. Abstract Number - 541
Letter from Robert W. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley
April 03, 1834; Piqua

Robert has been enjoying good health but is getting weaker and does not think the doctors can do much for him. He reports that he rode around Belfonten Circuit one time, preaching 30 times. His colleague Sims is doing very little good on the circuit, spending most of his time trying to get folks to join rather than caring for souls. Robert is able to preach with satisfaction because some individuals come from miles around to hear him which shows they have confidence in him. Robert tells James that his brother Joseph is in very poor health. Abstract Number - 967
Letter from J. Waterman to James B. Finley

J. Waterman
April 27, 1834; Oxford, Ohio

John Waterman writes to let Finley know that he and his family have arrived in Oxford. He asks Finley to help him with some upcoming camp meetings. Waterman would like to have his correspondence with A. Campbell [Alexander Campbell, Restoration Movement, "Campbellite"] published in Finley's paper [Western Christian Advocate]. If Finley agrees, Waterman will send several unpublished articles along, including his recent article on immortality. Abstract Number - 151
Letter from Joseph Hollinshead to James B. Finley

Joseph Hollinshead
June 12, 1834; Oak Grove Furnace, Perry County, PA

Hollinshead has just seen a letter in the Christian Advocate about the new paper to be published in Cincinnati. He plans to subscribe. He reports that "prospects for religion are good" in Oak Grove Furnace, including an excellent Sunday School. Abstract Number - 542
Letter from Sarah Clopper to James B. Finley

Sarah Clopper
August 18, 1834; Pittsburgh

Mrs. Clopper is anxious to know if her son-in-law, Mr. Lilly, has done anything about the grave of her daughter Ellen. She planned to have a monument erected, was told Mr. Lilly was planning to take care of it, and she wants to know if he has done so. Abstract Number - 152