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 Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
January 23, 1818; New York

Soule and Mason received Finley's letter and are unhappy to hear that the banking institutions in the western country are in such bad condition. They express the hope that establishment of the United States Bank will in time result in the regulation of these institutions. They advise Finley that notes from Chillicothe, Marietta, and Steubenville are best for the Book Concern, as are large denomination notes. In response to Finley's query about damaged books, Soule and Mason give permission to sell them at a discounted price, but advise that Finley keep very careful records. As regards the new Book Concern publication, Methodist Magazine, subscribers may opt to receive 12 issues by mail if they pay in advance. Abstract Number - 564
Letter from Bishop R.R. Roberts to James B. Finley

Bishop R.R. Roberts
April 02, 1818; Baltimore

Finley is serving as the Presiding Elder of the Ohio District (Ohio Conference), which includes the eastern Ohio circuits of Beaver, Erie, Grand River and Mahonan, Chatauque, Steubenville, Tuscarawas and Huron. Bishop Roberts lets Finley know that he will not be in attendance at the Ohio Conference in Steubenville. He believes that Bishop George and Bishop McKendree will be in attendance. Included in the letter are the 1818 appointments for the Baltimore Conference. Abstract Number - 605
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
April 20, 1818; Steubenville

John has settled his affairs in Steubenville and is ready to leave. Abstract Number - 938
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
May 02, 1818; Chillicothe

Robert tells of the sickness of Rebecca, James' mother, and of her partial recovery. Abstract Number - 939
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
May 15, 1818; Piqua

John tells of his trip from Steubenville to Piqua, speaks of some financial matters, and urges James to come. Abstract Number - 940
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
July 12, 1818; Piqua

John tells of a treaty to be signed with the Indians in September of 1818 (Treaty of St. Mary's) by which 100 sq. miles of land are to be purchased. John urges James to come to the Piqua region and purchase some land. Abstract Number - 941
Letter from Joshua F. Soule & T. Mason to James B. Finley

Joshua F. Soule and T. Mason
August 19, 1818; New York

Soule and Mason write to Finley as a Presiding Elder regarding the new publication Methodist Magazine. They recommend that a suitable book be procured by the preacher in charge of each circuit or station in order to record the names of all subscribers. When the preacher leaves his appointment, he should leave the book with one of the stewards, who will then pass it on to the new preacher in charge. Abstract Number - 597
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
September 17, 1818; Piqua

John is busily engaged in the business of his school. He is living on his land, but the house is not yet finished. This place is "very dull in religion," and though he preaches quite often, it bears no fruit. The preachers on the circuit last year "ruined and wounded Methodism" and the "public mind is agitated against us." The letter is filled with amusing anecdotes about people. John asks James to forgive his "levity." Abstract Number - 942
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
October 27, 1818; Piqua

John expresses a great longing to see his brother James. The treaty with the Indians is concluded. Brother Johnston calls it "the greatest purchase that has ever been made." The land purchased from the Indians will soon be for sale. John is concerned about land jobbers and vows to oppose these "eagle eyed vultures." John is not intending to teach much longer for a living. He would much prefer to preach, but he cannot make a living doing it. Abstract Number - 943
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
November 28, 1818; Zanesville

Young writes to express gratitude for Finley's friendship. He is unable to travel due to the illness of his wife. He encourages Finley to come to Zanesville, buy some land, and settle down. Abstract Number - 873
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
December 15, 1818; Piqua

John expresses disappointment that he has still not seen James. John hopes James can come on his way to next Conference, hopefully accompanied by Bishop McKendree. John is very anxious to collect a debt from George and suggests methods of payment in staple goods. Abstract Number - 944
Letter from Ezra Booth to Methodist Magazine Editors

Ezra Booth
January 01, 1819;

Booth tells about receiving the first volume of Methodist Magazine and reading it with pleasure. This letter to the editor describes the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church on the Western Reserve, with particular emphasis on the societies of Brooklyn, Columbia, Brunswick, Richfield, and Wolf Creek. He talks about his appointment to the Cuyahoga Circuit and success in converting the people. Abstract Number - 537
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
March 10, 1819; Piqua

John tells of his great pleasure at meeting Bishop George at the Dayton Quarterly meeting, and having him as his guest. John shares the possibility that a job will be available for him at the land office in the new territory. A lawyer has been circulating slanderous lies about James. Abstract Number - 945
Letter from Enoch George to James B. Finley

Enoch George
April 24, 1819;

Bishop Enoch George is on his way to Canada, but requests that Finley (Presiding Elder of Lebanon District) meet him at the July camp meeting in Lebanon to discuss the case of Rev. William Burke (suspended from Ohio Conference in 1818). Burke has been complaining about his suspension as "cruel and unconstitutional" and blames Finley for acting contrary to his own rule. Burke's complaint will be brought up at the next Ohio Conference, so Bishop George wants to discuss the situation with Finley. Abstract Number - 606
Letter from Robert W. Finley & Rebecca Finley to James B. Finley

Robert W. Finley and Rebecca Finley
May 15, 1819; Chillicothe

Robert tells James that his colleague is no longer traveling the circuit with him, which means that the whole weight of the circuit is upon his shoulders. The Presiding Elder cannot come to Quarterly Meeting, so Robert asks James to come and "manage" the meeting. Robert feels too frail to do so. Joseph and Francis are going to school this summer. This year has been the happiest of his life. He has worked hard, but not in vain. Robert says that he has preached several times "until he fainted." Abstract Number - 946
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
June 03, 1819; Piqua

John is very angry that James has not come or written and chides him for it. John is struggling to get the land office position, but still desires to take up circuit preaching. Abstract Number - 947
Letter from Daniel Hitt to James B. Finley

Daniel Hitt
July 26, 1819; Philadelphia

Hitt writes to Finley with questions about the account for S&O Langdon, who claim that they are still owed money. Hitt does not have a paper trail to show previous transactions. Since Finley was on the committee appointed to transact this business for the Book Concern, Hitt hopes that he will remember how much was paid and when. Abstract Number - 6
Letter from Shadrack Bostwick to James B. Finley

Shadrack Bostwick
November 25, 1819; Canfield

An eloquent letter from Rev. Shadrack Bostwick (itinerant preacher who located in 1805, but continued to serve as a local preacher in Canfield), expressing thanks for a letter received from Rev. Finley. He has fine memories of serving God together on the Western Reserve. He talks about Christian love and the joy they will experience when they meet again after death. Abstract Number - 7
Letter from Isaac Quinn to James B. Finley

Isaac Quinn
January 01, 1820;

Isaac Quinn (brother of James Quinn) invites Rev. Finley and his wife, and Brother Smith and his wife, to attend the quarterly meeting on the 14-15th of May. [Note: Date of letter is unknown] Abstract Number - 511
Letter from William Swayze to James B. Finley

William Swayze
January 20, 1820; Deerfield

Rev. Swayze has become Finley's successor as Presiding Elder of the Ohio District. He writes to Finley (now serving as Presiding Elder of the Lebanon District) concerning the district's high regard for him. As Finley's successor, Swayze despairs of filling his place. Swayze reports about his travels to various appointments in the Ohio District, including Steubenville, Beaver, Erie, Lake, and Chetauque. He also reports that he has not collected money yet for the Wyandot Mission, but does plan to do so. Abstract Number - 668
Letter from William McKendree to James B. Finley

William McKendree
January 24, 1821; Lodebar, SC

Bishop McKendree is pleased to hear about Finley's progress among the Wyandot Indians. He and Bishop George received a letter from William Alvis, a convert who wants to teach at the mission. Alvis asked if he could be paid by the Missionary Society of the MEC. McKendree does not think he has the power to approve such a thing, although he is adamant that whoever is hired as a teacher should be able to teach both reading and agriculture/husbandry. $100 has been collected in the south towards the work of Brother Stewart. A missionary has been appointed in the South Carolina Conference to establish missionary societies. He hopes that these societies will fund the establishment of Indian schools. Abstract Number - 607
Letter from Enoch George to James B. Finley

Enoch George
March 16, 1821; Baltimore

Bishop George has learned that Finley wrote to Bishop McKendree about the possibility of opening an Indian school at the Wyandot Mission. Bishop George reports that Bishop McKendree is not in good enough health to respond, so he is responding in his stead. He asks Finley to write a clear proposal for the school, including the building, the teachers, and the expected cost. He intends to provide funding but will need this written statement to move forward. Abstract Number - 608
Letter from Stephen G. Roszel to James B. Finley

Stephen G. Roszel
March 30, 1821; Baltimore, MD

Rev. Roszel, Presiding Elder of the Baltimore District (Baltimore Conference), writes to Finley concerning the recently concluded anual conference session.The Baltimore Conference is in financial difficulty, but he has nevertheless been able to collect $436 for the Wyandot Indian Mission. He will deposit the money with Joshua Soule, treasurer of the Missionary Society. He reports that inflammatory pamphlets against the order and government of Old Methodism have been distributed in the area. He hopes that Finley is still an "Old Methodist." Abstract Number - 669
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
August 29, 1821; Piqua

John writes with desperation regarding the need for a decent preacher on the circuit. He wants James to select an exemplary man. Abstract Number - 949
Letter from John P. Finley to James B. Finley

John P. Finley
November 15, 1821; Piqua

John tells James that his family has been very ill. He is still teaching school, but longs to preach. John doubts James' love for him. Abstract Number - 950