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Finley Letters

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Letter from Joshua Robinson to James B. Finley

Joshua Robinson
October 11, 1848; Pittsburgh

After writing the day before, Robinson received word from Washington about the necessity of filing the two enclosed affidavits. Robinson asks Finley to have a Justice of the Peace swear Bruton to them, and then take the affidavits to a Clerk of Courts who will certify to the Justice and affix his seal which is required by law. Robinson encloses $1.00 for payment. Abstract Number - 1114
Letter from J. Mathiott to James B. Finley

J. Mathiott
October 16, 1848; Newark

It is impossible for Mathiott to attend the quarterly session of the Grand Division ( Sons of Temperance) which meets in Columbus next Wednesday. His responsibilities in the courtroom will prevent him from coming. Mathiott hopes to hear that Finley has been elected G.M.A. He himself has no desire to be G.M.A. and orders Finley to make sure this does not happen . Abstract Number - 400
Letter from John G. Parkison & Joshua Clarke to James B. Finley

John G. Parkison and Joshua Clarke
October 16, 1848; Jasper County, IN

Mr. Parkison responds to Finley concerning land that Finley is purchasing from Rev. D.D. Davison, who purchased it from Anthony Casad. This was not land that Parkison intended to sell. He wanted the timber lot for himself. Evidently the brother of Anthony Casad "entered" the land without Parkison's knowledge. Due to Brother Moody's mediation, Parkison agrees to sell the land for $250, well below what the lot is worth. Joshua Clarke makes certain that Finley knows how helpful Moody was in the process. Abstract Number - 401
Letter from John McMahon to James B. Finley

John McMahon
October 25, 1848; Woodsfield, Monroe County

McMahon has just read in the Advocate that Finley is serving as chaplain at the Ohio prison. He is delighted that itinerants are spreading Methodism in Oregon (west coast) and many foreign countries. He shares his thoughts about getting older and closer to death. Abstract Number - 1115
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
October 25, 1848; Zanesville

Young has not begun to take the iodine. When he arrived home he consulted an encyclopedia and determined that the dose was too high. When it is time, he has decided to take just one pill a day. Abstract Number - 909
Letter from Moses B. Walker to James B. Finley

Moses B. Walker
October 30, 1848; Dayton

Moses Walker has from $200-$300 on hand for Finley. He had hoped to have all of Finley's money. Unfortunately, his Wilmington attorney lost $500 of Moses' money on the way to deliver it to him. He has promised to refund the money to Walker before Christmas. Walker is anxious to pay Finley, as he wishes to be clear of debt. Abstract Number - 402
Letter from Joshua Robinson to James B. Finley

Joshua Robinson
November 03, 1848; Pittsburgh

Robinson writes that the Thomas Bruton Power of Attorney document sent by Finley was not acceptable to Washington, and has been returned. He asks Finley to refile the documents following the directions that were sent earlier, and mail the completed paperwork back to him as soon as possible. Robinson is ready to visit Gov. Bebb as soon as the election is over. He believes he has all the letters he will need to request Bruton's pardon. However, he would like Finley to send a personal letter to the governor requesting clemency for Bruton. Abstract Number - 1116
Letter from William Hall to James B. Finley

William Hall
November 09, 1848; Camden

William Hall, esq, writes to Finley requesting a copy of Mr. H.H. Case's record of pardon. Case lost his original document and has not been able to vote without it. Hall reports that Case is doing very well and working industriously. Abstract Number - 1117
Letter from Matthew Simpson to James B. Finley

Matthew Simpson
November 09, 1848; Cincinnati

Simpson writes to let Finley know that Bro. Gurley is in Cincinnati waiting until Monday for a boat and some letters he is expecting. [Note: Rev. James Gurley has been appointed by the Ohio Conference to serve as missionary to the Wyandots in Kansas who wish to remain aligned with the northern church]. Gurley would like a detailed letter of instructions and advice from Finley, as he needs to go to Kansas "prepared." Simpson asks Finley to help Gurley in any way he can. He ends the letter with a warning -- The southern church is very bitter, and if they can stop the northern church in this situation, they will certainly try in others. It is time to take on the challenge. Abstract Number - 403
Letter from William M. Folges to James B. Finley

William M. Folges
November 13, 1848; Ravenna

Folges wants to gain some information about a man who is in the State Prison for cutting off the head of his comrade while intoxicated, or any similar cases of violence caused by intemperance. He needs examples to use in his temperance work. Abstract Number - 1118
Letter from J. Mathiott to James B. Finley

J. Mathiott
November 13, 1848; Newark

Mathiott has just received a letter from the Grand Scribe informing him that a special session of the Grand Division (Sons of Temperance) will be held at Foster Hall in Cincinnati next Thursday at three o'clock. Mathiott is planning to stay at the Neil House in Columbus on Tuesday night. He invites Finley to travel with him from Columbus to Cincinnati. Abstract Number - 404
Letter from Robert P. Finley to James B. Finley

Robert P. Finley
November 19, 1848; Wilmington

Robert received James' letter of Oct. 11th. He is glad to hear that James is in tolerable health. James indicated that he had written three times without an answer and wondered if Robert still wanted to communicate with him. Robert tells James that he only received one letter and that one was very short. Robert has four children living and his mother has gone to Virginia because she is very ill. She doesn't have long to live. He wishes her to die in happiness. Robert would love to have a visit from James. Abstract Number - 984
Letter from Butler & Brothers to James B. Finley

Butler & Brothers
November 21, 1848; Cincinnati

The writer informs Finley that he has many books in his book store suitable for convicts. He asks Finley to come look at them and choose those he wants. Abstract Number - 1119
Letter from Samuel N. Peirce to James B. Finley

Samuel N. Peirce
November 21, 1848; Cincinnati

Samuel Peirce, secretary of the 3rd Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, sends thirteen volumes for the Penitentiary Library. The books come from the church Sunday School library and his own personal library. Peirce is the teacher of the Boys Bible Class. The books are religious, not sectarian, and many are published by the American Sunday School Union. Abstract Number - 1120
Letter from Robert E. Prior to James B. Finley

Robert E. Prior
November 21, 1848; Eaton

Prior writes concerning his incarcerated brother, James Prior, who is ill. In order to request a pardon for James from Governor Bebb, Prior needs two letters -- one from Finley attesting to the reformation of James' character, and one from the attending physician at the prison, confirming that confinement is dangerous for James' health. Abstract Number - 1121
Letter from W.P. Strickland to James B. Finley

W.P. Strickland
November 25, 1848; Cincinnati

Strickland (Agent for American Bible Society) informs Finley that almost 2000 books have come in. [Finley had requested donations for the prison library in 1846]. He encloses Samuel A. Latta's "scurrulous piece" in relation to Finley filled with many lies. Strickland sends regards and condolences to Brother Dewey (Col. Laurin Dewey, Warden) in the wake of Mrs. Dewey's illness. Abstract Number - 582
Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley

Samuel Bradford
November 28, 1848; Celina

Bradford reports about conditions in Celina. A whiskey establishment was broken into and burned. Subsequently, 17 of the "best men in town" have signed an "abstinence pledge." He says that he and his wife are in good health and hope to see Rev. Finley soon. Abstract Number - 1196
Letter from Frederick Merrick to James B. Finley

Frederick Merrick
November 28, 1848; Columbus

Merrick says he owes Finley an apology. He has been substituting for Finley as chaplain of the prison. Merrick went home to Delaware, Ohio for Thanksgiving and forgot that he was to lead worship at the prison on Sunday morning. The prison procured another preacher but Merrick is very sorry and hopes Finley will forgive him. Abstract Number - 1122
Letter from William Blynn to James B. Finley

William Blynn
December 06, 1848;

Blynn sends a report to Rev. Finley concerning the penitentiary school, its aim, purposes and accomplishments, to be included by Finley in his report (to Conference presumably). Prisoners who attend the school are taught to read and write, the fundamentals of arithmetic, and an effort is made to teach them the importance of and the need for the Gospel. He intends to continue his work with the school against all odds because he believes he can accomplish some good. Abstract Number - 1123
Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley

George M. Young
December 06, 1848; Cincinnati

Young has taken command of the Organ [Ohio Washingtonian Organ and Sons of Temperance Record]. He does not intend for the publication to be a profit making enterprise, but does not want to go into debt publishing it. He will count on his friends to assist him in this endeavor. He asks Finley to procure subscribers for the paper. Abstract Number - 1197
Letter from Lyman C. Draper to James B. Finley

Lyman C. Draper
December 07, 1848; Philadelphia

Draper indicates that he is going to write a book about Capt. Samuel Brady and the pioneers of upper Ohio. He would like to have a copy of Finley's book History of the Wyandot Mission, and asks Finley to send him one if possible. Abstract Number - 787
Letter from A.J. Clawson & Hannah M. Clawson to James B. Finley

A.J. Clawson and Hannah M. Clawson
December 09, 1848; West Alexandria

Clawson (Andrew Jackson Clawson, husband of Finley's granddaughter Hannah M. Brooke) reports on the health of various relatives, most of whom are well now. He asks Finley to send him the Ohio State Journal for the winter session, and also wants a report on the election for governor as soon as possible. Abstract Number - 405
Letter from James B. Brooke to James B. Finley

James B. Brooke
December 11, 1848; New Castine

Finley's grandson James tells first of an epidemic of fever which affected his whole family and caused the deaths of many others. He then relates plans to build a Methodist church in his vicinity. He would like to donate the shingles but cannot do it alone, so asks Finley to help him by soliciting $15 or $20 in his territory. The church is very necessary, he says, due to the ignorance and vice prevalent in the town. Abstract Number - 406
Letter from Granville Moody to James B. Finley

Granville Moody
December 12, 1848; Lancaster

Moody and Finley are paying $125 to a lawyer (land sale in Indiana). Moody writes with banking instructions. $50 is to come from Moody and $75 is to come from Finley. Once Finley has deposited money in the bank, Moody would like a written certificate from the banker showing the particulars of the transaction. Abstract Number - 407
Letter from James Comstock to James B. Finley

James Comstock
December 15, 1848; Germantown

Comstock has received a letter from Finley chastizing him for not replying to his four letters. Comstock is indignant, claiming that he only received two, and he replied immediately to the first one. This is his reply to the second letter! Comstock reports that he is no longer a trustee at his church. Moses B. Walker evidently called on the Germantown ME trustees recently, requesting payment of a pledge made to the Preachers Aid Society. Abstract number - 408