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Finley Letters

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Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
December 26, 1814; Lancaster

Young responds to the recent letter from his friend James. He agrees with Finley that traveling a circuit is difficult ("much mud and mire"), particularly when there is a double appointment. He reports concerning the recent death of his mother. Abstract Number - 867
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young and William Mckendree
February 04, 1815; Wood County, VA

Young sends a copy of a letter purportedly written by Bishop William Mckendree containing his lengthy critique of Asa Shinn's book, An Essay on the Plan of Salvation. The original recipient of this Mckendree letter is unclear, but this copy was definitely sent by David Young to Finley. Abstract Number - 868
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
March 13, 1815; Lancaster

Young [Presiding Elder of the Muskingum District] responds to Finley's letter concerning family and circuit difficulties. Finley is currently serving the Cross Creek Circuit in the Ohio District. Young is very sympathetic, but asks Finley whether things are worse now than on his previous circuit? Young affirms that Finley worships the same God now as then, and can still put his trust in Him. Young will be in Barnesville on May 7th and would like to meet with Finley. He expresses the hope that Finley's 6 classes in Steubenville will expand to 16 before the year is out. Abstract Number - 869
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
May 16, 1815; NewMarket

Robert invites James to attend a camp meeting in the fall. He shares information about James' siblings and their families. Abstract Number - 929
Letter from William P. Finley to James B. Finley

William P. Finley
June 14, 1815; NewMarket

William has been visited by his father and brother John. He expects to leave on his circuit soon. Abstract Number - 930
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
June 22, 1815; Dayton

John is despondent about the state of religion in general. Several preachers in the area have recently died, among them Brother Blackman. He drowned while trying to cross the Ohio River at Cincinnati. Abstract Number - 931
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
September 29, 1815; Dayton

John desires to start a school in Steubenville. He tells James B. the fees he plans to charge the students, and the type of building he would like. Abstract Number - 932
Letter from Daniel Hitt & Thomas Ware to James B. Finley

Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware
October 18, 1815; New York City

Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware (Agents of Book Concern, New York), write to ask Finley for payment on behalf of the Ohio Conference [presumably for books/tracts sold by Finley & other preachers]. They are in bad financial straits. Unless they receive payment soon, they will have to borrow money. Abstract Number - NOAB 9
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
November 10, 1815; Dayton

John tells of much family sickness, of his great desire to go to Steubenville, and of his longing to see James soon. Abstract Number - 933
Letter from Daniel Hitt & Thomas Ware to James B. Finley

Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware
November 18, 1815; New York City

Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware (Agents of Book Concern, New York) send yet another letter requesting payment. Because they failed to receive money from the Ohio and Tennessee Conferences, they have had to borrow on a 30 day loan. They are in a bad financial state. They desire payment from Ohio immediately. Abstract Number - 1206
Letter from Daniel Hitt & Thomas Ware to James B. Finley

Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware
January 04, 1816; New York City

Hitt and Ware send this letter acknowledging receipt of money for books -- one payment of $915, and a second payment of $1,750. They are exceedingly grateful. In western Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Ohio, paper notes are below par and subject to discount, so the Book Concern continues to lose money on transactions with banks in these areas. There is nothing they can do about it. They have received word that Asbury (Bishop) is very ill. Abstract Number - 560
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
January 25, 1816; Dayton

John still wishes to move to Barnesville, but there are many obstacles standing in his way. Abstract Number - 934
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
March 09, 1816; Dayton

John is indecisive about a potential move to Steubenville. He has been offered interest in a company that will be buying land in Illinois, with the promise of a bank cashier job. He wishes to know what James B. thinks about this possibility. Abstract Number - 935
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
April 12, 1816; Dayton

John states that he has decided not to join the land company in Illinois. He now plans to move to Steubenville in August. Abstract Number - 936
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
April 13, 1816; Zanesville

Young [Presiding Elder of the Ohio District] sends a letter containing words of comfort to Finley [serving Steubenville Circuit], who seems to be discouraged. He advises Finley not to fret. The evil Finley has described is not new but perhaps "a meaner & more low lived form." He advises Finley that it is good to be instrumental in "turning sinners from outward viciousness" but we ought to pray for God's help to renew the inner hearts of these sinners. Abstract Number - 870
General Conference Delegates, Baltimore, 1816

General Conference
May 01, 1816; Baltimore

List of Delegates from the different annual conferences in the United States, met in General Conference, at Baltimore: Begun on the first day of May, A.D. 1816. (printed flyer). Abstract Number - 533
Letter from Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
October 02, 1816; New York

Soule and Mason, book dealers for the Methodist Book Concern in New York, have learned from the Ohio Conference that Presiding Elder Finley has collected $1,777.72 in book sales from his district. They ask that Finley forward the money by post to them as soon as possible. They ask him not to use unincorporated banks or those having no legal charter, and to procure notes of the largest denomination possible. Bills on the following banks will be best -- Pittsburg, Steubenville, Marietta, Zanesville, Chillicothe, and Cincinnati Exporting Co. Abstract Number - 5
Letter from Daniel Hitt & Abraham Paul to James B. Finley

Daniel Hitt and Abraham Paul
December 04, 1816; New York City

A prospectus for Dr. Clarke's Commentary. Abstract Number - 561
Letter from Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
December 10, 1816; New York

The Book Concern has received Finley's letter containing $1,700 for book sales. Though Soule and Mason are very grateful, they did take a loss because bank notes from the West are subject to a high discount in the East. They ask Finley to be very careful with the next payment. Kentucky notes are best for the Book Concern, as are large denominations. They also ask Finley to avoid unincorporated banks. Abstract Number - 1207
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
March 20, 1817; Zanesville

Young offers theological reflections on Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible. Abstract Number - 871
Letter from William McKendree to James B. Finley

William McKendree
March 21, 1817; Baltimore

Bishop McKendree writes to praise Finley on his success in the northeastern quarter of Ohio. Finley is currently serving as Presiding Elder of the Ohio District, Ohio Conference. McKendree is pleased with the contents of Finley's latest letter, telling Finley "I rejoice to hear of Zion's prosperity." If all goes as planned, Bishop McKendree intends to attend Finley's meeting on August 30th. He is looking forward to seeing both Finley and Bishop Roberts. The Baltimore Conference has just concluded. Bishop Soule has converted over 3,000 people within this conference. Abstract Number - 604
Letter from Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
May 17, 1817; New York

Soule and Mason acknowledge receipt of $50 from Finley. They report that 3 boxes of books in the quantities requested by Finley for sale in his district have been sent to him. The books, valued at $568.55 in total, include Wesley's Original Sin, Wesley's Testaments, hymnals, Sutcliffe's Sermons, and Coke's Sermons. They are very pleased that Finley will only accept good notes in payment for the books, as the Book Concern has suffered heavy losses due to counterfeit notes. Abstract Number - 562
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
September 23, 1817; Zanesville

Young sends Finley the statement of the Ohio Annual Conference condemning freemasonry. He expresses his disagreement with the statement. Abstract Number - 872
Letter from Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
December 08, 1817; New York

Soule and Mason have learned from the Ohio Conference that Finley has $173 from book sales to remit to the Book Concern. They implore Finley to send the payment without delay "as our demand for money is pressing in the extreme." The first issue of Methodist Magazine has gone to print and will be in circulation by the first of next month. Abstract Number - 563
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
January 10, 1818; NewMarket

Robert tells of sending Joseph and Francis to school, and speaks about various other family affairs. Abstract Number - 937