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Finley Letters

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Letter from J. Sabin to James B. Finley

J. Sabin
August 29, 1848; Troy

Sabin writes concerning a laboring man of industrious habits and honest dealings who lives in his town. The man is poor and unfortunately crippled in one hand. Sabin believes the man would be a good prison guard. This man has two sons, one 19 and the other 17, who are trustworthy and upright. If there is an opening, Sabin wishes Finley to write at once. He inquires about Finley's health and his work among the convicts. Abstract Number - 1108
Letter from B. Ferguson to James B. Finley

B. Ferguson
August 31, 1848; Kirkersville

Ferguson informs Finley that the Sons of Temperance will have a Bible presentation on the 8th of September in Kirkersville. The ladies who are donating the Bible would like Finley to present it to Division #91 on their behalf and are happy to pay Finley's travel expenses. Ferguson would like Finley to come on the evening of the 7th and preach for them. Abstract Number - 389
Letter from Joseph S. Tomlinson to James B. Finley

Joseph S. Tomlinson
August 31, 1848; Augusta, KY

Dr. Joseph Tomlinson (president of Augusta College in Kentucky), tells Finley about the recent successful commencement. He then discusses Augusta's financial and legal difficulties, brought about by the division of the MEC into a northern and southern church. Tomlinson suggests the creation of a Kentucky District within the conference of the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Church. He believes that a large portion of Kentucky Methodist societies would align themselves with the MEC rather than the MEC South. [Note: the state of Kentucky revoked the college's charter on February 26, 1849]. Abstract Number - 638
Letter from James M. Gorman to James B. Finley

James M. Gorman
September 01, 1848; Hillsborough

Former prisoner, James Gorman, writes to let Finley know that through the grace of God he continues to follow the "strate and narrow" and is still working for Samuel Zink. Abstract Number - 1109
Letter from J.M. Jameson to James B. Finley

J.M. Jameson
September 02, 1848; Bowling Green

Jameson writes in reference to letters of Finley and Squire Gray Eyes printed in the Western Christian Advocate. The letters deal with the Wyandot Mission in Kansas. Jameson is concerned about ownership of the Shawnee Manual Labor School, hoping that it can be returned from the MEC South to the Northern MEC. Abstract Number - 782
Letter from Thomas McGuire to James B. Finley

Thomas McGuire
September 05, 1848; Madisonville

McGuire was greatly astonished that Finley did not desire to know where he was going. He wants to be with the Methodist people. McGuire is trying to work but is in such poor health he does not know how long he can keep it up. Abstract Number - 1110
Letter from Granville Moody to James B. Finley

Granville Moody
September 08, 1848; Lancaster

Moody received Finley's letter regarding the "timber lot" in Indiana. Moody has already gone into debt to purchase the abutting lots in order to join them with the lot he was to purchase from Finley. Moody intends to keep the "prairie lot" but needs to settle the purchase of the "timber lot" with Finley as soon as possible. He intends to go to Indiana right after Conference. Abstract Number - 390
Letter from Squire Gray Eyes & John M. Armstrong to James B. Finley

Squire Gray Eyes and John M. Armstrong
September 09, 1848; Wyandot Nation

Squire Gray Eyes and John M. Armstrong write to Finley reporting that "the enemy is at work" at the mission in Wyandot City. Evidently, the Southern missionaries are dividing the Indians concerning membership in the MEC North vs. the MEC South. "Our slave dealing missionaries are willing to resort to any means whatever to maintain their grasp upon the Indians." A meeting was recently held attended by "nonprofessors, slave dealers, infidels, inebriates, and backsliders." This group sent a letter to the Ohio Conference stating that the Indians in the Kansas Mission had decided to align themselves with the MEC South, in direct opposition to the previous letter sent by the "valid" congregation requesting alignment with the MEC North. Squire Gray Eyes and John Armstrong bewail the actions of this unofficial, invalid group. Abstract Number - 783
Letter from John Snively to James B. Finley

John Snively
September 10, 1848; Lancaster

Snively is on his way east. He is planning to attach himself to a church when he arrives in Pennsylvania, hoping to "make his way back to heaven." He sends greetings to people at the prison, and remarks about the kindness of Mrs. Dewey towards the female prisoners and Mr. Dewey towards the male prisoners. Abstract Number - 392
Letter from Nancy Spear to James B. Finley

Nancy Spear
September 12, 1848; Sallie Dale

This is a long newsy letter from Nancy Spear (Speer) following a year of silence. There may be a page missing from this letter as Nancy talks about itinerating on a circuit commencing at Zanesville, extending to Louisville, KY, then to Wheeling, Columbus, Springfield, Dayton, and Eaton. (Perhaps this is a humorous way to describe her travels, as a woman could not be traveling a circuit as a preacher in 1848). She reports spending time with Finley's family in Eaton and hearing Mr. Brooks preach two excellent sermons. She went to Finley Chapel for worship and heard Rev. Raper preach. She loves Dayton and might want to "locate" there one day. Cousin David McClurkin was recently married and has brought his new wife back to live at the farm. Mrs. Taylor and Sarah have been on a trip to Georgetown, KY. Aunty Taylor would like to live there. Finally, Finley's good friend Col. Converse (Daniel Converse, 1775-1848) has died. Abstract Number - 393
Letter from John M. Armstrong to James B. Finley

John M. Armstrong
September 16, 1848; Wyandot Nation St. Louis

At a quarterly conference meeting on September 15, 1848, "the official members formally declined having anything more to do with the Church South." During the Examination of Character, the local preachers and exhorters declined to accept license renewal ("unwilling to remain in the employment of the Church South") -- Armstrong among them. Armstrong points out the necessity of prompt action and appeals to Finley. Abstract Number - 784
Letter from Samuel Williams to James B. Finley

Samuel Williams
September 18, 1848; Cincinnati

Samuel Williams has sent a memorial to the Ohio Conference recommending publication of a cheap commentary on the Bible for the use of "plain readers." Williams hopes that Finley will agree with the proposal and support it at Annual Conference. Abstract Number - 394
Letter from C.F. Brooke & Susan Brooke to James B. Finley

C.F. Brooke and Susan Brooke
September 19, 1848; New Castine

Finley's grandson thanks him for the fatherly advice and admonitions in his last letter. He reports that he and his wife have been in poor health due to fever. Other relatives are also suffering from fever and ague. He reports moving into his new house and plans to dig a well, build a smokehouse and springhouse, build a stable and buy Finley's old stove. He talks about the political situation and is quite certain of Ford's election [Seabury Ford, candidate for governor]. Abstract Number - 395
Letter from W.C. Atmore to James B. Finley

W.C. Atmore
September 23, 1848; New Richmond

A plea for help from a man who had given up connection with the Kentucky Conference in view of the promise of the Methodist Episcopal Church that he would be given a place in the North (slavery question) and was not given this place. He asks Rev. Finley to plead his case before the Conference and help him get a place. Abstract Number - 831
Letter from James Finleyson to James B. Finley

James Finleyson
September 23, 1848; Zanesville

Finleyson writes to Finley concerning his son-in-law, Archibald Cunnigham, who is an excellent moulder by trade. Cunningham has been injured and is under doctor's orders not to work for six months. Finleyson wonders if there might be a position at the prison for this man. He would like Finley to plead Cunningham's case to the warden (Col. Dewey). Cunningham is competent enough to oversee the moulding department. Abstract Number - 1111
Letter from William Foulke to James B. Finley

William Foulke
September 23, 1848; Pennsville

On behalf of the Pennsville Auxiliary Tract Association of Friends, Foulke is sending a donation of books for the prisoners with a view to their improvement in morality and religion. He asks Finley to write to their society and tell them whether the prisoners read the books. Abstract Number - 1112
Letter from J. Hendershott to James B. Finley

J. Hendershott
September 25, 1848; Springfield

Hendershott has learned that Rev. John T. Mitchell, late of the Book Concern (Assistant Book Agent, Cincinnati, 1844-1848), will be appointed to serve a church in the Ohio Conference. Hendershott would like Finley to use his influence to get Mitchell appointed to the Springfield Station. The Catholics and Presbyterians are growing by leaps and bounds in Springfield and Mitchell's help is needed to counteract their influence. [Note: Mitchell was actually appointed to the Cincinnati Ninth Street MEC]. Abstract Number - 581
Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley

George M. Young
September 25, 1848; Cincinnati

Young is running again as a candidate for the office of Grand Scribe. He asks Finley to support his candidacy and offers to return the favor in the future. Abstract number - 396
Letter from A. Riddle to James B. Finley

A. Riddle
September 28, 1848; Cincinnati

Riddle has returned from a trip to the North and East after an absence of over three weeks. He concludes that there is no place like "my own happy country." He will not be attending the Ohio Conference and has two items to share with Finley prior to the Conference. First, the Ohio Conference Visitors and North Ohio Conference Visitors have agreed to raise $1,500 for Ohio Wesleyan University. Second, Rev. John Miley has been elected to be Professor of Mathematics & Languages at the Wesleyan Female College in Cincinnati. Riddle feels that this position is of the utmost importance and hopes that the Conference will confirm the professorship as Miley's appointment. Abstract Number - 397
Letter from Leroy Swormstedt to James B. Finley

Leroy Swormstedt
September 28, 1848; Cincinnati

Swormstedt states that the shingles Finley ordered have already been sent out. If Finley does not want them, he can return them. He also speaks about the proposal of the New York agents to reduce the price of the Western Christian Advocate. Swormstedt believes that the rate proposed will not allow the newspaper to break even. The lowest price Swormstedt could accept would be $1.50 per year, payable in advance. The New York agents did not consult with him about the potential change. He has written to Brother Powers sharing his concerns. He would like Finley's views on the matter. Abstract Number - 553
Letter from Thomas Brown to James B. Finley

Thomas Brown
September 29, 1848; Dayton

Brown tells Finley that the Wesley Charge will not petition to hold the next Ohio Annual Conference at their church. Nevertheless, he believes that the conference ought to be held somewhere in Dayton. Abstract Number - 398
Letter from Matthew Simpson to James B. Finley

Matthew Simpson
October 03, 1848; Cincinnati

Simpson (serving as editor of the Western Christian Advocate) has received a letter of complaint from the members of the Wyandot Nation in Kansas who have voted to align with the Methodist Episcopal Church South (MECS). A letter was published in a July 1848 Advocate from the 18 Wyandots who still support the northern church and wish to have a missionary from the Ohio MEC Conference sent to serve them. The MECS Wyandots believe that they have been misrepresented in that July article and wish to have their own letter published to set the record straight. Dr. Latta has accused Finley of stirring things up with the group wishing to stay with the northern church. Dr. Elliott has stated that Finley did not write to this group until they asked for advice and direction. Simpson will publish the letter of the MECS Wyandots next week and wants to make readers aware that Finley did not instigate the trouble. He asks Finley to write immediately letting him know that this was indeed the case -- the northern Wyandots wrote to him first. Abstract Number - 785
Letter from James Gurley to James B. Finley

James Gurley
October 10, 1848; Zanesville

Gurley has been transferred to the Missouri Conference and appointed to the Wyandot Mission in Kansas Territory. He is planning to visit Finley in Columbus in order to get letters of introduction to Finley's "old friends in the Wyandotte Mission", as well as advice on how to serve at his new post. Gurley plans to visit the old mission in Upper Sandusky prior to beginning work at the Kansas Mission. He is feeling very energized by this new appointment. Abstract Number - 786
Letter from Joshua Robinson to James B. Finley

Joshua Robinson
October 10, 1848; Pittsburgh

Robinson asks Finley to let Thomas Bruton know that things are progressing favorably in his case. He has written and received several letters from prominent men in Ohio concerning Bruton's possible pardon. He is planning to visit Governor Bebb in person with these letters. He asks Finley to contact Rev. Granville Moody and the mayor of Cincinnati for letters. Abstract Number - 1113
Letter from Lemual Reynolds to James B. Finley

Lemual Reynolds
October 11, 1848; Springfield

Reynolds invites Finley to dedicate the new church at Texas (Union Township, now Mutual), Champaign County. The building is located near Widow Lafferty's residence. Bro. Grover (Rev. James L.Grover, Presiding Elder, Urbana District) was expected to do the dedication but could not come until December. The date of the dedication will be either November 12th or 19th, depending on when Finley can come. Abstract Number - 399