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Finley Letters

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Letter from Thomas L. Douglass to James B. Finley

Thomas L. Douglass
June 10, 1836; Franklin, TN

Douglas writes to Finley concerning Rev. William Burke. Burke "is held in respectful and grateful recollection, by many of the old Methodists in Tennessee." Folks would like to see him restored to the Methodist Episcopal Church as a full member of the Ohio Conference. Abstract Number - 169
Letter from Elizabeth Finley to James B. Finley

Elizabeth Finley
July 07, 1836; Pelham, WV

Finley's niece Elizabeth reports that family members are all in good health. John no longer lives in Piqua. He has sold the drug store and is now operating a dry-goods store in Lima. She is sending this letter via Sister Jennings, who lives in the lower part of their house. Abstract Number - 970
Letter from William S. Hutt to James B. Finley

William S. Hutt
September 23, 1836; Kanawha Court House, VA

Hutt feels it is his duty to write Finley concerning the selection of a preacher. He believes that Brother Baldwin should not be returned to the Charleston Circuit. The writer wishes Finley himself could spend a conference year on the Charleston Circuit. Abstract Number - 170
Letter from John H. Fielding to James B. Finley

John H. Fielding
September 26, 1836; St. Louis, MO

Fielding writes to Finley saying that he will not be able to attend the Ohio Conference because of his duties at St. Charles College in St. Louis, Missouri. He is in the process of forming a Board of Trustees, raising an endowment, creating a charter, etc. He is hopeful that he will be transferred from the Ohio Conference to the Missouri Conference without a problem. However, he seems concerned about rumors concerning his work at Augusta College. Abstract Number - 1209
Letter from O.M. Spencer to James B. Finley

O. M. Spencer
October 04, 1836; Cincinnati

Spencer writes to say that Brother Christie would be pleased to serve another year as pastor (Wesley Chapel, Cincinnati??) if appointed. Abstract Number - 171
Letter from Harvey Sweny to James B. Finley

Harvey Sweny
December 08, 1836; Piketon

Rev. Sweny has been appointed to the Piketon Circuit on the Chillicothe District, along with James W. Finley (Finley's nephew). Sweny is very pleased with the new placement. There are 20 preaching places along the circuit but the state of religion is "dull." Many fail to attend class meetings and some get drunk on whiskey. People in the district are generally pleased with their preachers, especially Brother Turner in Portsmouth and Brother Crum in Chillicothe. They are not as happy with their new presiding elder, James Quinn. Sweny has decided that he would like to get married for practical reasons. He is very bothered by "foolish females" who throw themselves in the way of young preachers. Abstract Number - 172
Letter from Werter R. Davis to James B. Finley

Werter R. Davis
December 18, 1836; Ripley, Jackson County

Davis is grateful to Finley for his love and parental tenderness towards him. He fears that he incurred Finley's displeasure at Conference, and has been mourning and weeping ever since. He would like Finley to write him an honest letter, where he "cuts to the quick" about Davis' shortcomings. Davis tells Finley that his colleague "broke down about a week after he come on, and has gone home, and I am traveling the circuit by myself, and the business of the circuit come upon me, and I feel if there ever was a time in my life that I stood in need of grace and advice it is the present." At this time, Finley is Presiding Elder of the Lebanon District and Davis has been appointed to the Ripley Circuit, Charleston District. Abstract Number - 509
Letter from J.A. Reeder to James B. Finley

J.A. Reeder
December 19, 1836; Eaton

James S. Reeder is the appointed preacher for the Eaton Circuit, under the supervision of James B. Finley, Presiding Elder of the Lebanon District. Reeder provides a wonderful account of the recent Eaton Circuit Quarterly Meeting. Folks were very disappointed that Finley could not attend due to a last minute illness. Reeder describes all of the meetings and worship services, including a wonderful revival at the end in which "we had several shouts and nearly all in the house wept." The stewards have agreed to send Finley $7.00 per quarter. Reeder also sends quarterly statistics to Finley. Abstract Number - 1214
Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley

John McDonald
January 02, 1837; Poplar Ridge

McDonald writes that men can disagree about religion and still be good friends. He tells Finley that he is almost finished with the biography of General Duncan McArthur. Although some people have been trying to get him to send it to another publisher, he is going to send it to the Western Christian Advocate. He has remembered an encounter with Indians during General Wayne's Campaign of 1794, and hopes to write about it. His sister, Nancy McArthur, died on October 23rd. Abstract Number - 543
Letter from Charles Elliott to James B. Finley

Charles Elliott
January 04, 1837; Cincinnati

Elliott is now editor of the Western Christian Advocate. He asks Finley to contribute some articles to the paper -- possibly a "History of the Wyandots, or something amounting to this." Abstract Number - 775
Letter from John F. Wright & L. Swormstedt to James B. Finley

John F. Wright and L. Swormstedt
January 05, 1837; Cincinnati

Book Agent John F. Wright informs Finley that the dispute over the land desired for the new Western Book Concern building has been resolved. Brother William Neff has negotiated a deal and Finley can now consider the land purchased. The land is 89 ^_3/4 feet on Main Street by 194 feet deep in the alley. Wright is very hopeful that a building can be erected on the corner by next summer. He asks Finley to convene a meeting of the Ohio Conference Book Committee so that building plans can be approved. Abstract Number - 571
Letter from William S. Morrow to James B. Finley

William S. Morrow
January 10, 1837; Frankfort, OH

Morrow is satisfied with the Frankfort appointment. The people are kind, courteous and industrious. Brother Frank Wilson has been appointed for one quarter as "filler-in" for Sabbath preaching. It will probably be only one quarter as Wilson is an ambitious man. Morrow believes that Wilson has aspirations to be a bishop. Finley is invited to come to Frankfort on the 3rd of February. Abstract Number - 173
Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
January 13, 1837; Mobile

Morris (now Bishop Morris) writes to share his initial experiences as bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the past six months he has traveled 2000 miles by horseback, and 1000 miles by public conveyance. He has attended six conferences. Conditions of the Church in the southwest are poor, due to lack of clergy. Many itinerants have located because parsonages are not available for their families. Abstract Number - 1029
Letter from Strawder McNiell to James B. Finley

Strawder McNiell
February 01, 1837; Frankfort, OH

McNiell (McNeill) writes that Major Bill Allen has been elected to the U.S. Senate for 6 years. McNiell thinks this is a disgrace to the state of Ohio. The citizens of Frankfort celebrated Allen's election in a shameful way. McNiell has been raising cattle and selling them, and he is thinking about opening a couple of stores. Abstract Number - 861
Letter from James B. Finley to Wright & Swormstedt

James B. Finley
March 02, 1837; Ridgeville

Finley writes to publishers Wright & Swormstedt letting them know that he is in very poor health and has asked to be replaced "on the District" because of it. He would like to get started on the book about "Indianism" which was approved by the Book Committee, along with the promise that he would be financially supported in this work. He asks for clarification about the amount of this financial support. Abstract Number - 1229
Letter from James W. Finley to James B. Finley

James W. Finley
March 02, 1837; Piketon

Finley's nephew, Rev. James W. Finley, writes to say that all of the family are well, except himself. He is currently recovering from influenza. J.W. recently brought Parker (brother) home from Lima with the intention of sending him to school, but Parker is not a scholar, and does not want to go. He wants to take up a trade and says if they wll not permit this now he will do so when he comes of age. Since James B. Finley is Parker's legal guardian, they can do nothing without his permission. J.W. is currently serving on the Piketon Circuit (Chillicothe District) and is very pleased with prospects there. The latest quarterly meeting was very successful, with 21 people added on probation. He is feeling more determined than ever to give himself to God's work. [Note: James W. died the following year, June 11, 1838]. Abstract Number - 971
Letter from William D. Barrett to James B. Finley

William D. Barrett
March 07, 1837; Hillsborough

Barrett mentions several books that Finley has requested in connection with a book he is writing. He expresses regret over the poor state of Finley's health. He goes on to give a report on conditions in his circuit. Religious progress is moving slowly ahead, in spite of trouble with the Presbyterians. He invites Finley to visit as soon as possible. He mentions Samuel Clarke, who did not receive an anticipated appointment and is consequently feeling low and becoming despondent. Barrett suggests that Finley write to Clarke. Abstract Number - 174
Letter from John F. Wright & L. Swormstedt to James B. Finley

John F. Wright and L. Swormstedt
March 11, 1837; Cincinnati

Wright and Swormstedt, book agents at the Western Book Concern, have received Finley's letter. In response, they let Finley know that there was never a formal arrangement to pay Finley's expenses in conjunction with the book he is writing on the history of the Wyandot Mission. They suggest that Finley set up a meeting with the Book Committee in order to reach an explicit understanding about what will be paid. Wright and Swormstedt see no reason why Finley needs to take a trip west of the Mississippi when he can easily get what he needs from books. Abstract Number - 1237
Letter from William Walker to James B. Finley

William Walker
March 15, 1837; Upper Sandusky

Walker informs Finley that the Wyandot Mission is in deplorable condition. The current missionary [Samuel P. Shaw] is doing a terrible job. Alas, there is no government, system, order, or regularity. Walker is responding to Finley's letter requesting help with the proposed M.E.C. publication -- "History of the Wyandots and the Missions amongst them." Finley has asked him to collect material for the book. Walker asserts that the topic is extremely complicated, and ought to include histories of the early Catholic and Presbyterian missions to the Wyandots. It is his strong belief that no church having missionary establishments in an Indian nation can write an impartial history of the nation. This limitation goes well beyond the M.E.C. For instance, Heckewelder's early histories were filled with gross misstatements and did a great injustice to the Wyandots. If the M.E.C. decides to publish a history of its own mission (rather than the history of the nation), Walker has no objections. However, he cannot provide assistance to Finley with the project. Abstract Number - 1033
Letter from James B. Finley to Wright & Swormstedt

James B. Finley
March 18, 1837; Ridgeville

Finley has received what he perceives to be a mean and contemptuous letter from publishers Wright & Swormstedt and fires back with his own not so nice letter. He is shocked to hear that his work on The History of the Wyandott Mission will not be funded even though it was accepted by the Book Committee. He will not be able to write the book because there will be no means for him to support his family during the project. Abstract Number - 1230
Letter from John F. Wright & L. Swormstedt to James B. Finley

John F. Wright and L. Swormstedt
March 21, 1837; Cincinnati

Wright and Swormstedt have received Finley's angry and abusive letter in which Finley accuses Wright of being "silent" concerning his proposed book. When the proposal for a book on the history of the Wyandot Mission was first proposed to the Book Committee, Wright was as enthusiastic as the rest of the committee. Far from being silent, Wright drafted the Committee's resolution regarding the book. They ask Finley to read the section of the Discipline regarding the Book Concern, as the legality of publishing the book is now in question. They expected a more civilized response from Finley, particularly since he once chaired the Book Committee! Abstract Number - 1238
Letter from James B. Finley to Wright & Swormstedt

James B. Finley
March 25, 1837; Ridgeville

Finley apologizes for the tone of his previous letter, but still wants Wright & Swormstedt to understand that writing the history of the Wyandot Indians will take time -- "This is a work that cannot be done in a week, month or perhaps a year." He is still waiting to hear the resolution as to whether his expenses will be paid but adds "Bishop Soule has offered to bear all the expense of it himself and we have made an agreement that if you do not we will go in partnership and publish it ourselves." Abstract Number - 1231
Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
April 18, 1837; Lebanon

Bishop Morris writes at length about the state of Finley's health, and reassures him concerning his ultimate end. He would like Finley to recognize that he no longer has the bodily strength of his youth. He encourages Finley to write a book before he leaves this earth. There is currently a "rage for reading Indian stories," a topic Finley knows well. Abstract Number - 1030
Letter from Samuel A. Latta to James B. Finley

Samuel A. Latta
April 23, 1837; Monroe

Latta writes in the hope that Finley will attend the quarterly meeting at Hamilton. Abstract Number - 176
Letter from Thomas Chesnut to James B. Finley

Thomas Chesnut
April 29, 1837; Bourneville

Chesnut was sad to hear about Finley's illness and hopes that he will soon be able to return to his work and friends. He speaks of his own doubt and confusion concerning his call to ministry, and asks for advice from Finley. Abstract Number - 177