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Finley Letters

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Letter from Sarah Gossett to James B. Finley

Sarah Gossett
March 02, 1849; Carthage

Mrs. Gossett thanks Finley for his spiritual comfort. She asks Finley to advocate on behalf of her son John when his case for pardon comes up for consideration by Ohio Governor Ford. Abstract Number - 1135
Letter from Henry Howe to James B. Finley

Henry Howe
March 06, 1849; Cincinnati

Howe has made several unsuccessful attempts to see Dr. Tefft (editor of Finley's book about the state prison). He tells Finley about the birth of his daughter on Feb. 23, 1849. Abstract Number - 438
Letter from Henry Howe to James B. Finley

Henry Howe
March 08, 1849; Cincinnati

This is a very lengthy letter concerning the technicalities and costs of publishing Finley's book on the state prison. Howe hopes he and Finley can soon come to a publishing agreement. Abstract Number - 584
Letter from Henry Howe to James B. Finley

Henry Howe
March 10, 1849; Cincinnati

Howe expects to be in Columbus at the end of next week to complete arrangements for publishing Finley's book on the state prison. Abstract Number - 585
Letter from B.E. Taylor to James B. Finley

B.E. Taylor
March 10, 1849; Hagerstown, IN

Bezaleel Taylor writes to his "grandfather" James B. Finley. [Taylor is married to Finley's granddaughter Catharine Rebecca Brooke (1824-1917), daughter of Elizabeth Finley and Rev. John Carrington Brooke]. Unfortunately, all members of the family have been sick with scarlet fever complicated by whooping cough. Francy has died (Minerva Francis Taylor, 1843-1849, died Feb. 27, 1849). Arvilla (Arvilla Ernestine Taylor, 1847-1929) and Clarybell (Eliza Clarabelle Taylor, 1845-1849) are both very ill. [Note: Clarabelle died a few weeks after the letter was written, March 28, 1849. See Ancestry.com]. Abstract Number - 439
Letter from Benjamin F. Tefft to James B. Finley

Benjamin F. Tefft
March 15, 1849; Cincinnati

Tefft writes in regard to the manuscript he is editing -- Finley's Memorials of Prison Life. Henry Howe visited Tefft and suggested that 20,000 copies of Finley's book could conceivably be sold if a great deal of effort is invested by Tefft. Howe's book, Historical Collections of Ohio, cost $1,500 to produce. Tefft tells Finley that the Book Concern cannot invest this amount of time and money to publish the prison book. The book agents will not move forward with publication if the costs are too great. Tefft has ordered books from abroad about prison history and discipline to inform both his writing and editing. Abstract Number - 586
Letter from B. Pritchard to James B. Finley

B. Pritchard
March 17, 1849; Canal Dover

Pritchard sent a box of Grand Division Regalia to Samuel Galloway for use at the Grand Division meeting in Springfield. Galloway failed to acknowledge receipt of the box. Pritchard enlists Finley's aid to determine whether the regalia arrived in time, and where it is currently located. He asks Finley to forward the regalia to him in Zanesville before April 25th. Abstract Number - 1220
Letter from Joseph Newson to James B. Finley

Joseph Newson
March 20, 1849; Addison (Christiansburg), Champaign County

Newson is currently serving the Tremont Circuit in the Urbana District. He tells Finley that they have taken in 98 probationers since the beginning of the year. Sadly, 8 appeals were held at the first quarterly meeting, all sustained. Circuit membership is down to 496 compared to 800 when he traveled this circuit before. Jacob Arney (1778-1848) has passed away. Newson asks Finley to submit an obituary for Arney to the Western Christian Advocate. He provides the necessary biographical information to Finley. Abstract Number - 440
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
March 24, 1849; Zanesville

Young recalls that Finley once planned to leave the Ohio Penitentiary in the spring of 1849. If he has made this decision, Young would like to visit Finley before he returns to Eaton. [Note the list of appointments on the address page, in Finley's handwriting. These are the appointments for Shadrock Bostwick, beginning 1791, Milford Circuit (Delaware) ] Abstract Number - 910
Letter from Henry Howe to James B. Finley

Henry Howe
March 25, 1849; Mansfield

Ill health prevents Howe from visiting Columbus, but he will write from New Haven next week. Abstract Number - 441
Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley

John McDonald
March 31, 1849; Poplar Ridge

McDonald again sermonizes on the relationship between religious faith and morality. He argues that those who do most good to their fellow man are the most religious, independent of their faith in any prophet or law giver. Abstract Number - 442
Letter from Joseph M. Trimble to James B. Finley

Joseph M. Trimble
April 06, 1849; Cincinnati

Trimble is devastated that his old friend Finley appears to be supporting the innovation of men and women sitting together in church [promiscuous seating], as practiced at Wesley Chapel in Dayton under the leadership of John S. Inskip. Our rule states "Let the men & women sit apart." Trimble asks -- "Are you going to countenance the introduction of a spirit of misrule in our Western Methodism?" Trimble believes that changing this long held practice will lead to other rule changes. Abstract Number - 443
Letter from Thomas Coke Wright to James B. Finley

Thomas Coke Wright
April 09, 1849; Xenia

Wright has completed his biography of prisoner A.J. Hamilton. He will send Finley the manuscript, advising him to use whatever he wishes in his forthcoming book about prisoners of the Ohio Penitentiary. Abstract Number - 1136
Letter from Henry Howe to James B. Finley

Henry Howe
April 11, 1849; New Haven, CT

Howe writes another letter concerning the technicalities of publishing Finley's book on the state prison. He sets forth in 1,2,3 order the reasons why he is more competent than "the Concern" (Methodist Book Concern). Note: Memorials of Prison Life was in fact printed in 1850 by the Western Methodist Book Concern (Swormstedt & Power). Abstract Number - 587
Letter from J. Mathiott to James B. Finley

J. Mathiott
April 15, 1849; Newark

Mathiott invites Finley to deliver a public temperance lecture next Monday evening on his way to the Grand Division meeting (Sons of Temperance) at Zanesville. Mathiott would like Finley to come Saturday, preach on Sunday, deliver the lecture on Monday, then travel together on Tuesday to Zanesville. Abstract Number - 1200
Letter from Samuel McAdow to James B. Finley

Samuel McAdow
April 17, 1849; Chillicothe

Rev. Samuel J. McAdow sends Finley a detailed description of the last illness and death of his father, Dr. Samuel McAdow (1769??-1844). He died quietly in his 80th year. Samuel asks Finley to write an obituary for the Western Christian Advocate. Abstract Number - 554
Letter from Sarah Gossett to James B. Finley

Sarah Gossett
April 21, 1849; Cincinnati

Mrs. Gossett has been ill. She wants to know how her son is doing. The petitions and papers regarding a possible pardon for her son have gone to the Governor. She asks Finley to advocate for her son with the Governor. Abstract Number - 1137
Letter from Isaac G. Doolittle to James B. Finley

Isaac G. Doolittle
April 23, 1849; Hudson

A friendly informative letter from Doolittle, the former prisoner, who says that he is now working in a print shop and receives seventy-five cents ($.75) per day plus board. He talks about going to Cleveland where he saw certain friends whom Finley must also know. Abstract Number - 1138
Letter from William Berwick to James B. Finley

William Berwick
April 25, 1849; Windsor

Berwick is pleased to learn that prisoner William Howland "is changed from what he used to be." Apparently, alcohol was at the root of Howland's problem and the crime was committed while he was drunk. Berwick is circulating a petition to have Howland pardoned, as "his family needs his assistance." Abstract Number - 1139
Letter from William H. Barns et al.. to James B. Finley

William H. Barns
April 30, 1849; Cincinnati

Rev. Finley is invited to attend a grand celebration of the Sons and Cadets of Temperance in Cincinnati. Abstract Number - 1201
Letter from Thomas Engles to James B. Finley

Thomas Engles
May 03, 1849; Augusta, KY

Engles writes -- "You are aware that by an act of the Legislature of Kentucky last winter, the charter of Augusta College will be forfeited on the first of June proximo, unless against that time, certain conditions are complied with by the Trustees." Due to the importance of the matter, there will be a full meeting of the Trustees on Friday May 11th at 10:00 A.M. Engles urges Finley to be present. Abstract Number - 639
Letter from J.H. Creighton to James B. Finley

J.H. Creighton
May 07, 1849; Westfield, Chautauqua County, NY

Creighton writes that conditions of religion are good in Westfield, Chautauqua County, N.Y. Many are being converted. He tells Finley about a wonderful love feast held at a quarterly meeting in Portland. "The love feast was one of the best I ever attended -- Near the close a venerable looking old man, whose head was white as snow, rose up, with his eyes overflowing with tears and praising God for his goodness & mercy & long suffering kindness. Especially, said he, do I praise God that He ever sent James B. Finley this way more than thirty years ago to rouse me from sin & folly to serve the living God. His name is Asahel or Asal Peck, a Local Preacher. I need not tell you I enjoyed that love feast." Due to climate conditions, Creighton's health is poor, and he would like to return to Ohio. He asks Finley to write to Bishop Waugh on his behalf. Abstract Number - 444
Letter from Joshua Clarke to James B. Finley

Joshua Clarke
May 08, 1849; Rencellear, IN (Jasper County)

Clarke has a medical preparation called "Catholacan" which he says is very good. He distributes it around the countryside. An attempt to prepare more in Cincinnati failed because one of the ingredients could not be procured there. He would like to supply some for the prison, and he guarantees its effectiveness. Abstract Number - 1140
Letter from Benjamin F. Tefft to James B. Finley

Benjamin F. Tefft
May 11, 1849; Cincinnati

Tefft's letter contains six important points concerning the writing, illustrating, and publishing of Finley's book, Memorials of Prison Life. 1) He has written 125 pages, but has put in much more time than expected. He has told the book agents that his fee will be $300. 2) Agents have been waiting for the book for some time, deferring other work as Tefft completes the editing. 3) If Finley's entire manuscript is used, the book will be 800 pages. The agents wish to limit the volume to no more than 500 pages. 4) The agents, he presumes, will give Finley enough money to cover his editing work. 5) He presumes that Henry Howe will make drafts of the cuts. If not, someone else should be hired. 6) Will be ready soon for Finley to come and proof the book. After all, the true author is Finley. -- "The public will not know me in it at all." Even though cholera has come to Cincinnati, folks are going about business as usual. It is up to Finley to decide whether it is wise for him to come to town. Abstract Number - 588
Letter from Thomas Coke Wright to James B. Finley

Thomas Coke Wright
May 18, 1849; Xenia

Wright has finished correcting the grammar of A.J. Hamilton's letters in preparation for publication. He will provide both the manuscript and letters to Finley for inclusion in his book about Ohio Penitentiary prisoners. At the request of Henry Howe, he is writing about the life of Josiah Hunt. While a boy, Wright listened to Hunt's stories. 35 years later he is recording those stories. Wright reports that Hunt was incarcerated at the Xenia Jail for 6 months and was killed by a sheriff in Tazewell County, Illinois in 1836. [Note; See Henry Howe's Ohio Historical Collections, 1889, Vol. I, p. 698 "Josiah Hunt, the Indian Fighter."] Abstract Number - 1141