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Finley Letters

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Letter from Charles Elliott to James B. Finley

Charles Elliott
December 11, 1847; Cincinnati

Elliott sends word that his son would like to take Finley's gun. He asks Finley to send it on. Abstract Number - 350
Letter from W.J. McKinney to James B. Finley

W.J. McKinney
December 11, 1847; Dayton

McKinney assures Finley that he feels Brother Brown is the man for the position. He says that he will soon be in Columbus to help. Abstract Number - 1088
Letter from Augustus Eddy to James B. Finley

Augustus Eddy
December 14, 1847; Chillicothe

Eddy describes his new appointment in Chillicothe as a "pleasant little charge," but he would have preferred an appointment closer to the western border so that he could be nearer his family. Eddy rails against the Mexican American War, believing that peace is as distant as ever. He is dreading the General Conference of 1848, especially the idea that the Methodist Episcopal Church that he loves might have a new name -- the Methodist Episcopal Church North. Abstract number - 351
Letter from Adam Miller to James B. Finley

Adam Miller
December 17, 1847; New York

Miller is serving at the German mission in New York City. He thanks Finley for his recent financial contribution for the German work in New York. He tells Finley about Brother Schwartz who is an exceptionally well-educated young man and an excellent preacher. [Note: William Schwartz was admitted on trial to the New York Conference in 1848, serving churches in the U.S. and later serving as a missionary to Germany]. Miller is offered the position of traveling agent for the German Publishing Fund by Brother Wilhelm Nast. He tells Nast that he will go wherever he is appointed. However, the Germans in New York express their determination to keep him there. He is evidently giving medical advice and performing surgical operations among the poor. Abstract Number - 852
Letter from W.J. McKinney to James B. Finley

W.J. McKinney
December 20, 1847; Dayton

McKinney writes that he will come to see his old friend soon but still has a week's work ahead of him. McKinney reports that his two children have been very ill. Abstract Number - 353
Letter from David Reed to James B. Finley

David Reed
December 21, 1847; Kanawha, VA

Reed is very upset that the Kentucky Conference (MECS) has organized two districts within the territory of his Kanawha District (Ohio Conference, MEC). He tells Finley that "if they even send every preacher in the Kentucky Conference to this district they will never be able to take this territory or to displace the Ohio preachers." In addition, Bro. Raper has written an angry letter which appears to provide encouragement to the southern party in the district and mortification to the MEC preachers of the Kanawha District. Abstract Number - 662
Letter from James B. Brooke & M.F. Brooke to James B. Finley

James B. Brooke and M.F. Brooke
December 26, 1847; Hagerstown,IN

The Brookes have suffered a great deal of ill health during the past fall. They write to thank Finley for his kind letters and remembrances. Abstract Number - 354
Letter from Charles B. Goddard to James B. Finley

Charles B. Goddard
December 26, 1847;

Goddard (Speaker of Ohio Senate) asks Finley to officiate in the Senate Chamber Monday morning, January 10, 1848. Abstract Number - 355
Letter from Jane Taylor to James B. Finley

Jane Taylor
December 27, 1847; Zanesville

Jane Taylor [widow of Captain James Taylor, nee Jane McMechen] writes to Finley concerning her recent illness. Dr. Young has come from West Zanesville to treat her. In addition to the illness, Jane's house is being remodeled, which causes the interior of the building to be cold all the time. Nancy has gone to Dayton to see her sister and will then visit her brother in Louisville, Kentucky, leaving Sarah and David at home to do all the chores. Jane is grateful to Sarah and David for taking such good care of her. Dr. Young is giving her morphine to deal with the intense pain. Jane describes morphine as "one of the greatest blessings ever made known to the human family." Abstract Number - 356
Letter from E.H. Taylor to James B. Finley

E.H. Taylor
December 28, 1847; Norwich

Rev. Edward H. Taylor writes to his old friend Finley to report that he is nearing the end of his itinerant travel. He is turning gray and his eyes are dim. He is currently traveling the Norwich Circuit, "a line circuit" (on the dividing line between the Pittsburgh and Ohio Conference). If there is a conference division in May, Taylor hopes that the Ohio Conference will take this territory back and give Marietta and Zanesville to the Pittsburgh Conference. Taylor then discusses the property issue related to the southern church. He opines that the General Conference of 1844 should have expelled Bishop Andrew and given no consent for the division of the church. The seceding south would then have shouldered the entire responsibility on their own. In closing, Taylor rants and raves about Freemasonry, which he argues is a '"Barbarous and Bloody System" and "all its oaths Profane." He is still astonished that Methodist preachers choose to join the Masons. Abstract Number - 631
Letter from E.R. Hill to James B. Finley

E.R. Hill
December 29, 1847; Sandusky City Station, Erie County

Hill writes to say that the trustees of the new church being built in Sandusky City desire to become incorporated. Because they are ignorant of the necessary forms, they would be grateful if Finley would take the necessary steps to bring it properly before the Ohio State Legislature, and see that the act of incorporation is drawn up correctly. The names of the trustees are: Philander Gregg, Leonard B. Johnson, Smith Peck, David Powers, Samuel Catherman, Thomas Hogg, and Alonzo Wade. Nothing of special interest to relate in religious matters but we are laboring and praying for a revival of the work of God. Abstract Number - 357
Letter from Abel Stevens to James B. Finley

Abel Stevens
December 30, 1847; Boston

Abel Stevens, editor of Zion's Herald, sends an article from his newspaper regarding the church property question. He would like Finley to give his opinion about it. Many MEC members liked the article Finley wrote in the Western Christian Advocate about the question, where he argued that the MEC might consider awarding a portion of church property to the MEC South, if it can be done without sacrificing principles. A decision needs to be made soon since General Conference is not far off. Abstract Number - 824
Letter from Thomas Coke Wright to James B. Finley

Thomas Coke Wright
December 30, 1847; Xenia

Thomas Coke Wright (auditor of Greene County and local historian) sends Finley the requested certificate. Wright does not know Finley personally but knows of his reputation through his parents, Sarah Owens Wright and Samuel Wright Jr. Bishop Asbury once stayed in the home of Thomas' grandfather, William Owens, in Norfolk, VA. His mother Sarah was a fine poet who published religious poetry in newspapers and periodicals. She is now deceased. His Methodist father Samuel is still alive. Thomas himself is not a church member. He plans to write a biography of A.J. [Alexander Jay] Hamilton, sentenced to the penitentiary for a burglary in Xenia. He asks Finley to share whatever information he has about this prisoner, now deceased. He is pleased to learn that moral reform is the goal at the Ohio Penitentiary, as the purpose of prison should be reformation and return of the offender to society. Abstract Number - 358
Letter from Thomas Bolton to James B. Finley

Thomas Bolton
December 31, 1847; Cleveland

Bolton writes concerning a petition for the pardon of a convict, William Ray. Bolton asks Finley to present the petition. In the event Ray is discharged, a small sum will be sent to Finley to pay for his trip home. Abstract Number - 1089
Letter from J. Drummond to James B. Finley

J. Drummond
January 01, 1848; Martinsville

Drummond indicates that his friend, Dr. William Wood, is a candidate for the office of Superintendent at the Asylum for the Blind in Columbus. He asks Finley to use his influence on Dr. Wood's behalf. Abstract Number - 510
Letter from Thomas McGuire to James B. Finley

Thomas McGuire
January 01, 1848;

McGuire has quit his dollar a day job on the railroad. None of the Irishmen treat him right. Abstract Number - 521
Letter from Charles B. Goddard & Joseph Hawkins to James B. Finley

Charles B. Goddard and Joseph Hawkins
January 03, 1848; Columbus

To carry out the Resolution of the General Assembly, Goddard (Speaker of the Ohio Senate), and Hawkins (Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives), request that Finley open the Ohio Senate or Ohio House sessions with prayer on particular dates. They ask Finley to find a substitute clergyman if he is unable to attend a session. Abstract Number - 360
Letter from W.H. Raper to James B. Finley

W.H. Raper
January 08, 1848; Dayton

Rev. Raper writes to Finley concerning Supreme Court Judge, John McLean, a long time friend of Finley's. A rumor is being circulated that McLean has no friends in the Ohio Legislature, which Raper believes to be false. The rumor is meant to discourage delegates to a national convention from presenting McLean as a candidate for president. If supported by Ohio, Raper is certain that McLean would be nominated as the Whig candidate. He asks Finley to look into the truth of the rumors as quickly as possible. Abstract Number - 361
Letter from S. Louis Francisco to James B. Finley

S. Louis Francisco
January 12, 1848; Winchester

Gratis Division 208 of the Sons of Temperance invite Finley to come give an address, at a time convenient for Finley. Abstract Number - 1186
Letter from John Glime to James B. Finley

John Glime
January 12, 1848; Parkersburgh, VA

Glime remembers meeting Finley in Baltimore a few years ago. He encloses a letter for J.S. Condon, a convict at the penitentiary who was an acquaintance of his. Glime does not believe Condon to be guilty and would like Finley to do everything he can to help get him out. Abstract Number - 1090
Letter from William H. Lawder to James B. Finley

William H. Lawder
January 15, 1848; Piqua

Lawder sends the amount he subscribed to the German work in Columbus. He has been in ill-health for the past fifteen months but seems to be improving. Abstract Number - 853
Letter from A.J. Clawson & Hannah M. Clawson to James B. Finley

A.J. Clawson and Hannah M. Clawson
January 28, 1848; West Alexandria

This letter is a word of comfort and a declaration of faith on the part of Andrew Jackson Clawson and his wife Hannah M. Brooke Clawson, Finley's granddaughter. Clawson believes that righteous living brings a reward in heaven and that he himself is ready for death. He wishes that Finley could lecture to his Division about the cause of temperance. He reports on a big church meeting which kept him busy. Abstract Number - 362
Letter from Allan Dearth to James B. Finley

Allan Dearth
January 29, 1848; Springfield

Dearth writes asking Finley to inquire into the spiritual well-being of prisoner John Faris, who was converted in the Methodist church in Springboro. He fell in with bad company and ended up in prison. Dearth has met with him in prison and learned that he is penitent, and requests Finley to help him. Faris desperately needs the help of the prison chaplain. Dearth also reports that the church at Red Lion is growing. Abstract Number - 1091
Letter from J.M. Jameson to James B. Finley

J.M. Jameson
February 01, 1848; Somerset

Jameson's letter concerns the possible division of the Ohio Conference. He believes that a division would be a big mistake. Abstract Number - 1219
Letter from Samuel F. MacCracken to James B. Finley

Samuel F. MacCracken
February 07, 1848; Lancaster

MacCracken writes yet another letter asking Finley to visit and preach at Lancaster Station. He does not understand why Finley has not come. Abstract Number - 363