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Finley Letters

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Letter from N.W. Doddridge to George M. Young

N.W. Doddridge
June 17, 1847; Circleville

George M. Young forwards a complaint letter he received from N.W. Doddridge. The latter is unhappy about the appointment of deputy for his district in the Sons of Temperance. He and others in the district understood that selection of deputy was vested in the district itself. Abstract Number - 331
Letter from John McMullen to James B. Finley

John McMullen
June 19, 1847; Lafayette, OH

John McMullen issues an invitation for Finley to preach at the Lafayette Methodist Church. Abstract Number - 332
Letter from W.C. Roberts et al. to James B. Finley

W.C. Roberts
June 19, 1847; Jackson C.H.

W.C. Roberts and a committee from the Jackson Division No. 134, Sons of Temperance, invite Finley to be a quest and speaker at their July 14th celebration. He assures Finley that though their group is young, it is large (50 members), and each member has a warm heart and hand. Abstract Number - 1172
Letter from John F. Somerville, D.W. Osborn, S.E. Hustlin & G.B. Read to James B. Finley

John F. Somerville, D.W. Osborn, S.E. Hustlin, and G.B. Read
June 23, 1847; Troy

The Committee of Arrangements for the Troy Division #20, Sons of Temperance, invites Finley to speak at their celebration on June 30th. They apologize for the lateness of the request. Abstract Number - 1173
Letter from Peter Swinehart to James B. Finley

Peter Swinehart
June 23, 1847; Cincinnati

Mr. Swinehart (Swineheart) was expecting to see Finley at the Methodist Book Concern, but just missed him. He writes to Finley regarding his incarcerated son, Peter. Swinehart met the day before with the governor and several friends to discuss a possible pardon for his son. The governor agreed to pardon Peter if a petition is submitted indicating his age and the circumstances of the case. Swinehart asks Finley to contact the governor in Columbus recommending that Peter be pardoned. Abstract Number - 1079
Letter from Richard D. George to James B. Finley

Richard D. George
June 24, 1847; Hancock County

Richard George indicates that he has leased 10 acres of Finley's land in Hancock County to George Bridgman for four years. They are building a new meeting house in Cannonsburg and would like Finley to be present for the dedication. Abstract Number - 333
Letter from Charles W. Swain to James B. Finley

Charles W. Swain
June 27, 1847; Winchester, Gratis P.O., Preble County

Rev. Swain reports that Finley's letter was read aloud by Brother Brook at the recent meeting of the Germantown M.E. Trustees. The response -- Finley's financial claims against the church have not been agreed to, but the Trustees have agreed to pay him the interest he paid last year to the Preachers Aid Society, and will also send a note to Conference clearing Finley of all debt liability, provided that Finley agrees to relinquish all claims against the church. A new meeting house is almost completed. Abstract Number - 334
Letter from Uriah Heath to James B. Finley

Uriah Heath
June 30, 1847; Marietta

Heath has sent a box of books and pamphlets to Finley for the inmates of the Ohio Penitentiary. He lists books by donor. Abstract Number - 1080
Letter from Augustus Eddy to James B. Finley

Augustus Eddy
July 02, 1847; Lawrenceburg, IN

Eddy was sorry not to see Finley at the Book Committee meeting in Cincinnati. He thanks Finley for expediting his transfer back to Ohio. He plans to attend the next Ohio Annual Conference, and asks some logistical questions about the transfer process. Eddy muses that he has served under Finley longer than any other man -- as an exhorter, local preacher, and an itinerant. Abstract Number - 1218
Letter from Isaac G. Doolittle to James B. Finley

Isaac G. Doolittle
July 18, 1847; Springfield

A friendly letter from Doolittle, a former prisoner at the State Prison. Doolittle says that he has left Columbus and gone to Springfield where he is working in a paint shop. He makes $12 a month and receives his board and washing. Doolittle spends his evenings reading and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church on Sundays. Abstract Number - 1081
Circular -- J.F. Forbus to James B. Finley

J.F. Forbus
August 01, 1847; Cincinnati

This printed circular contains information about the new temperance society for young people -- the Juvenile Order of the Cadets of Temperance. The program is described and legal documents regarding group formation are provided. Abstract Number - NOAB 7
Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley

George M. Young
August 02, 1847; Cincinnati

Young [Grand Scribe, Sons of Temperance] sends Finley a certificate naming him Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch in the Grand Division, State of Ohio. Abstract Number - 1176
Letter from Laurin Dewey to James B. Finley

Laurin Dewey
August 08, 1847; Columbus State Prison

Warden Dewey writes to Finley, who is at home with this family, telling him that there is no serious illness among the prisoners. He says that Brother Sherwood preached that morning with two young preachers at his side who did not pass up the opportunity "of blowing off steam." Dewey tells Finley that Judge Cox came for a consultation about an "unpleasant affair." Two employees appear to have been let go after the consultation. Abstract Number - 1082
Letter from John C. Brooke to James B. Finley

John C. Brooke
August 27, 1847;

Brooke reports on family illnesses and a recent camp meeting which was not a great success. He is not in favor of a proposed division of the Eaton Circuit. He suggests that Finley should have his land surveyed as soon as possible. Abstract Number - 448
Letter from Emily Troth to James B. Finley

Emily Troth
August 28, 1847; Bainbridge

Emily tells Finley that religion is at a low ebb in Bainbridge. Quarterly Meeting has just begun. The people in Bainbridge are much in need of a revival. Abstract Number - 982
Letter from Nathan Massie to James B. Finley

Nathan Massie
September 04, 1847; Chillicothe

Years ago, Finley's father, Robert Finley, sent Massie's father two Virginia Military Tract Warrants to be located, amounting to 333 1/2 acres. These warrants belonged to a man named Jesse Moore, living in Kentucky. Massie wants to know if Finley knew this man and where he lived. The land was never sold and Massie wants to speak with Moore's heirs. Abstract number - 336.
Letter from William T. Smart to James B. Finley

William T. Smart
September 07, 1847; Baltimore

Smart issues an invitation for Finley to address the brethren of the Baltimore Division #214, Sons of Temperance, on Thursday Sept. 11. Abstract Number - 1177
Letter from D. Jenkins to James B. Finley

D. Jenkins
September 17, 1847; Columbus

Jenkins asks Finley to speak at the meeting of the Douglass Division, Sons of Temperance, to be held at the Colored Methodist Church in Columbus. Abstract Number - 1178
Letter from Thomas McFadden to James B. Finley

Thomas McFadden
September 20, 1847; Rushville

McFadden issues a request that Finley give a speech before the Spencer Division, #189, on the occasion of a celebration of the Order (Sons of Temperance) to be held in Rushville on Tuesday, October 5, 1847. Abstract Number - 1179
Letter from Jacob Young to James B. Finley

Jacob Young
September 23, 1847; Marietta

Young [Presiding Elder, Marietta District] mistakenly gave Finley some books for the prison library. The books were actually the private property of Brother Heath, who had no intention of giving them away. Young asks Finley to send them on to Heath in Worthington. Abstract Number - 655
Letter from George W. Walker to James B. Finley

George W. Walker
September 24, 1847; Germantown

George Walker is serving as Presiding Elder of the Dayton District. He tells Finley about difficulties he has had filling the Franklin and Eaton circuits. Walker has heard that Finley believes the efforts to elect southern leaning General Conference delegates at the Ohio Annual Conference was of Masonic origin. Walker is convinced that this is not true. In fact, there were a number of Masons who did all they could against the election of Brother Raper, given his opinion on the property question. Abstract Number - 630
Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley

John McDonald
September 27, 1847; Poplar Ridge

McDonald is happy to hear of Finley's success as chaplain at the State Prison. He tells Finley about his correspondence with Rev. Michael Marley, who he considers to be a strong common sense writer. Marley's sermon, as printed in the recently published book Sermons on Miscellaneous Subjects, is very good. In response to Finley's request for information on early pioneers, McDonald is sending two of his published newspaper articles, one about Captain John and John Cushen, and another about log cabins 60 years ago. Abstract Number - 1083
Letter from William B. Thrall to James B. Finley

William B. Thrall
September 27, 1847; Columbus

Judge Thrall encloses a letter in which Finley is mentioned. He knows nothing about the matter discussed in the letter, but assures Finley that Mr. Wilkinson can be trusted. Abstract Number - 337
Letter from P.G. Gest to James B. Finley

P.G. Gest
September 30, 1847; Xenia

Gest has arrested Mr. Robinson, a man implicated by prisoner William S. Johnson for an 1845 murder and arson in Xenia. Gest asks Finley to speak with Johnson about his initial statement. Does he still stand by it? Abstract Number - 1084
Letter from L. Demarest to James B. Finley

L. Demarest and Harper & Brothers
October 01, 1847; Harper & Brothers, New York

"Dear Sir, Yours of the 25th ult., addressed to our W. James Harper has been received. Our price for the Family Library, in 187 volumes, is $80; but for the purpose named by you we will supply it for $50, to be delivered here. This is much lower than our wholesale price. The difference is intended as a donation to the philanthropic project you have in mind." Harper and Brothers, signed L. Demarest. Abstract Number - 576