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  Letter from Nancy Spear to James B. Finley

  Nancy Spear
  November 03, 1846; Sallie Dale

  Nancy Spear (Speer) [Nancy A Speer, 1827-1912, daughter of William Speer, 1778-1833, and Rebecca Boggs, 1784-1863] writes to share news about her family and mutual friends in Muskingum County. She recalls with pleasure the time Finley spent at her home. She reports that mutual friend "Aunt Taylor" is still not able to see well. Sarah (Nancy's sister?) has been absent all summer, having accompanied Aunt & Uncle Boggs to Indiana. "Cousin David" is working busily at their farm. "Aunt and Uncle Young" are in better health. "Brother Crum" is one of the sweetest preachers she has ever heard. Mrs. Loyd Dillon's daughter Ellen has just passed away. Mr. Culbertson, her old pastor and "second father" is near death. [James Culbertson, 1785-1847, pastor Associate Reformed congregation of Zanesville and Putnam. Nancy's parents were members of this church]. See Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio, 1892, p. 570. Abstract Number - 302

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  Letter from A.N. Warwick to James B. Finley

  A.N. Warwick
  November 09, 1846; New Carlisle

  Warwick understands that Finley has become affiliated with the Sons of Temperance. He invites Finley to attend the dedication of the new Sons of Temperance Hall in New Carlisle to give a public address. Abstract Number - 1163

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  Letter from William Connely to James B. Finley

  William Connely
  November 13, 1846; Cincinnati

  Connely is looking for a new way to earn a living. He wonders if Finley knows of a business, bookkeeping, or school teacher position in the Columbus area. He is all alone at this point. Abstract Number - 1056

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  Letter from J. Drummond to James B. Finley

  J. Drummond
  November 13, 1846; Barnesville

  Drummond is collecting books for the prisoners at the State Prison and would like to know whether they need Bibles, or whether each prisoner is furnished with one. He also asks whether temperance newspapers would be of any use. Drummond asks Finley to send him a copy of McDonald's book containing thrilling stories about border warfare. If he gets permission from the author, he plans to copy certain portions for the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate. Abstract Number - 1057

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  Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

  David Young
  November 15, 1846; Zanesville

  Young [superannuated] writes that the new Presiding Elder of the Zanesville District [James M. Jameson] has made a very favorable first impression on his first round. He is a very strong preacher whose strength is textual exposition. Young has seen Finley's notice to the Commissioners of the Church South. [Finley was one of three from the MEC appointed to work with three members of the MECS concerning the division of Book Concern Funds]. Young asks Finley about the opinions of the other two MEC commissioners, Nathan Bangs and George Peck. Finally, Young discusses the wife of Rev. Joseph J. Hill [Ernestinte Cornelia Soule, daughter of Bishop Soule, who married Hill in 1832]. Young compares Mrs. Hill to Xanthippe [wife of Socrates] who was portrayed over time in literature as a shrew. According to Young, Mrs. Hill had a very bad temper and behaved in a shrewish manner with her husband. Hill left the MEC in 1846 to serve in the Southern church. Young states it is no loss to the Highland Circuit that the Hills "are deposited beyond the Ohio." Abstract Number - 904

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  Letter from Charles Elliott to James B. Finley

  Charles Elliott
  November 17, 1846; Cincinnati

  A short note from Elliott asking if the Book Committee might meet on January 27th instead of the 20th. Abstract Number - 575

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  Letter from Constable to James B. Finley

  Constable
  November 18, 1846; Columbus

  Efforts to secure a pardon from the governor for Mr. Baker were unsuccessful, but the writer says the governor has promised to use all his influence to get incoming Governor Bebb to grant a pardon. The writer is confident it will be granted. Abstract Number - 1058

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  Letter from George C. Crume to James B. Finley

  George C. Crume
  November 18, 1846; Zanesville

  Crume encloses two deeds belonging to Finley. He is pleased to hear of Finley's new position at the penitentiary and knows he will do well in it. He speaks about the possibility of redemption for the prisoners -- "I have no doubt much may be done, perhaps more than the most sanguine anticipate, to restore those lost ones to society and bring them to the knowledge of the Saviour. For he who died for all will not cast away the penitent convict who seeks his mercy." Conditions are not good in Zanesville ("spiritual famine"), although folks are pleased with the new preacher, Bro. Jameson. Abstract Number - 303

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  Letter from William T. Hand to James B. Finley

  William T. Hand
  December 03, 1846; Burlington, OH

  Rev. Hand writes to Finley concerning two vacancies in the office of Associate Judge. He urges Finley to use his influence to keep a Baptist and a Presbyterian from getting the offices. Instead of these men, Hand wants John Bryan and Salmon Reckard. They are both true Methodists and true Whigs. Abstract Number - 305

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  Letter from T. Harbaugh to James B. Finley

  T. Harbaugh
  December 06, 1846; Eaton

  Harbaugh writes concerning a business proposition. He has calculated that it will cost twenty cents to produce each bottle of medicine. If the gentleman in Columbus still wants to go into business with him, please share the following proposal -- If the gentleman furnishes the capital, Harbaugh is willing to make the medicine for one-third of the profit. Harbaugh is certain that they can sell a great quantity of it since Finley is so well known throughout the western country and his good name will help to sell it. Abstract Number - 306

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  Letter from William Logue to James B. Finley

  William Logue
  December 19, 1846; Somersville

  Logue prays for the continued success of Finley in his prison work. In answer to Finley's request that he write the story of his life, Logue declines. Abstract Number - 1059

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  Letter from David Reed to James B. Finley

  David Reed
  December 29, 1846; Parkersburg, VA

  Reed is serving as Presiding Elder of the Kanawha District (Ohio Conference, MEC). The Kentucky Conference of the MECS has appointed several preachers within the Kanawha District territory, making for a very undesirable situation. Thankfully, most of the folks in the district are still in favor of the "Old M.E. Church" and will not be recruited by the south. Furthermore, the southern preachers are trying to create prejudice against the Ohio MEC preachers, calling them abolitionists. Finally, Reed discusses the Parkersburgh Station, where faithful MEC members were locked out of their building by southerners and were compelled to erect a new building for themselves, which was dedicated by Rev. Heath. Abstract Number - 660

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  Letter from John Teesdale to James B. Finley

  John Teesdale
  January 01, 1847;

  Teesdale encloses material for the three Past Worthy Patriarchs, including Finley, as well as the Worthy Patriarch Elect. He asks Finley to make sure that his by-laws have been corrected. The provision calling for members to be disenfranchised for being in arrears one or two months has been declared unconstitutional by the Grand Division. He reminds Finley that the National Fund provisions have been repealed.. Abstract Number - 524

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  Letter from John Teesdale to James B. Finley

  John Teesdale
  January 01, 1847; Columbus

  Teesdale asks Finley to officiate at the installation and inspection of the Franklinton Division, scheduled for the following day. He will be installing the Good Samaritan Division at the same time and cannot be two places at once. He asks Finley to report this installation and inspection to the Grand Worthy Patriarch. Abstract Number - 359

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  Letter from Adam Poe to James B. Finley

  Adam Poe
  January 07, 1847; Mansfield

  Adam Poe is currently serving the Mansfield appointment, Mt. Vernon District, North Ohio Conference. He writes to Finley on behalf of the father of Robert Bowland. Robert has been convicted of killing his brother-in-law and will soon be sent to the Penitentiary. Poe writes that Robert has been converted while sitting in jail. It is hoped that Col. Dewey will place him in a situation that will not aggravate Robert's broken health (heart palpitations) and spirit and that Finley will provide him with spiritual sustenance. Abstract Number - 1060

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  Letter from Newton E. Wright to James B. Finley

  Newton E. Wright
  January 07, 1847; Frankfort, KY

  The watch stolen by prisoner Piles has not yet been received in Cincinnati. Wright wonders whether Chaplain Finley has sent it on to someone in Cincinnati as agreed. If so, who did he send it to? [Note: Author dates the letter January 7, 1846, but it is actually 1847. See the previous letter from Newton E. Wright dated September 16, 1846 for context]. Abstract Number - 250

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  Letter from John C. Brooke to James B. Finley

  John C. Brooke
  January 08, 1847; Pleasant Hill

  A very serious flood has caused much damage in the territory. A fine Christmas meeting was held in Eaton where a "good state of religious feeling exists." Abstract Number - 307

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  Letter from James B. Brooke to James B. Finley

  James B. Brooke
  January 09, 1847; New Castine

  Finley's grandson James has had some difficulty paying off Finley's taxes for him. Finley had given his grandson $10 to liquidate a tax bill after learning he was delinquent, but by the time James got to Greenville to pay it off, the tax had been increased to $14.26. The treasurer insisted that the whole amount be paid at once, so James could not pay the $10. He then learned that there were back taxes owed for 1846. He has had to work very hard but he finally has the bill paid. Abstract Number - 308

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  Letter from William M. Brooke to James B. Finley

  William M. Brooke
  January 10, 1847; Eaton

  Grandson Billy writes that he and the family are all well. He is not learning much in school -- neither geography nor grammar. His brother Charles is planning to move to Castine (Darke County) in the spring. Abstract Number - 309

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  Letter from Moses F. Shim to James B. Finley

  Moses F. Shim
  January 14, 1847; Oskalousa, IA

  Rev. Shim, a member of the Iowa M.E. Conference, writes on behalf of one Jacob Bennett, son of Joseph Bennett. Jacob needs to prove that he was not an inmate at the Ohio Penitentiary from 1827 to 1836. Shim would like Finley to research this name. If found, Shim would like information from Finley about the prisoner's size, complexion, etc., in order to prove that the Jacob Bennett in Iowa is not the person who was incarcerated in Ohio. Abstract Number - 1061

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  Letter from James F. Burris to James B. Finley

  James F. Burris
  January 16, 1847; Buchanan, VA (Lewis County)

  Rev. Burris, whose parents were married by Finley and who is named after him, would like a home in Finley's district. He will be getting married soon, and would like Finley to perform the marriage ceremony. Abstract Number - 310

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  Letter from Peter Hardman & Sarah Hardman to James B. Finley

  Peter Hardman and Sarah Hardman
  January 19, 1847; Mt. Pleasant, Greene County, Ohio

  Hardman writes to let Finley know that Stotts Coffrin died October 13th in Macupin County, Illinois. Widow Coffrin requested that the "Old Bell" be rung 25 times in Fairfield to announce Stott's death. Hardman is astonished that the governor recently appointed him one of three directors of the D. S. & T. Road (Dayton Springfield Turnpike). He suspects that Finley recommended him as a candidate to the governor. Abstract Number - 311

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  Letter from Denning Campbell to James B. Finley

  Denning Campbell
  January 20, 1847; Chillicothe

  A note of Finley's, due on Dec. 4, 1846, has been lost. Campbell asks Finley to pay the $5.00 to Mr. Hayden, who will then pass it along to him. Abstract Number - 312

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  Letter from Theodore Schwabe to James B. Finley

  Theodore Schwabe
  January 23, 1847; Zanesville

  Theodore Schwabe has learned there there is a new division of the Sons of Temperance in Franklinton. Schwabe manufactures jewelry for Sons of Temperance members and would like to secure the Franklinton contract. He assures Finley that his jewelry is of better quality and cheaper price than other manufacturers. Abstract Number - 1164

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  Letter from Samuel F. Cary & George Young to James B. Finley

  Samuel F. Cary and George Young
  January 27, 1847; Cincinnati

  A legal document, appointing Finley as Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch for the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance. (Hall of Grand Division S. of T. Cincinnati). Abstract Number - 1165