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Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley
Samuel Bradford
December 14, 1849; CelinaBradford, after stating the fact that he is in poor health, tells of a recent visit to the penitentiary in Columbus, where he spoke up for Finley against those who were finding fault with his sudden departure as chaplain from the prison. Bradford had previously asked Finley to deliver a payment to the Christian Advocate & Journal on his behalf. He has learned that the payment was not delivered. He supposes that it has slipped Finley's memory. Abstract Number - 1150
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Letter from Richard D. George to James B. Finley
Richard D. George
December 16, 1849; Hancock CountyRichard George writes to tell Finley that the amount of the land tax will be $10. He has inquired of Mr. Eaton, the tax receiver, about taking the tax money after the appointed time for collection. George mentions that George Bridgman is "doing right" with his 10 acre lease, but Frederick Bridgman has not fulfilled his contract (land cultivation). George would like Finley to come next spring for the dedication of the new meeting house. Abstract Number - 352
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Letter from Moses B. Walker to James B. Finley
Moses B. Walker
December 28, 1849; DaytonWalker is sending Finley a certificate of deposit for $75 payable to him from the Eaton Bank. He hopes to pay the rest of his debt to Finley soon. Abstract Number - 456
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Letter from William M. Finley to James B. Finley
William M. Finley
January 01, 1850; Bloomfield, IAThis year has been a good one for William. However, he was recently injured when his horse took off with him and the children in the buggy. In the process of getting the horse to stop, William's legs were badly bruised and mangled. He is practicing medicine. William expects James to come out in the spring. Abstract Number - 985
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Letter from Thomas Corwin to James B. Finley
Thomas Corwin
January 16, 1850; WashingtonCorwin (U.S. Senator from Ohio at this time) sends Finley a receipt for a subscription to The Republic. He says, "You see what we are doing here. I know not what may be done. Every one desires to talk, few I fear to think." Abstract Number - 458
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Letter from John Rathbun to James B. Finley
John Rathbun
January 20, 1850; Franklin County, Brown TownshipRev. Rathbun (local preacher & physician) is sorry to hear that Finley has not been well. He himself has not been in good health, suffering from a bad cough and chills. He talks at length about the prospects of eternal life. Abstract Number - 459
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Letter from David Reed to James B. Finley
David Reed
January 23, 1850; Parkersburgh, WVReed regrets not writing sooner but he did not have Finley's address. He is currently serving the Parkersburg District, Western Virginia Conference. In answer to Finley's question, Reed does not see how he can honorably transfer back to Ohio. He will remain in Virginia until after General Conference. Abstract Number - 665
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Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley
George M. Young
January 28, 1850; College HillThe condition of the order is now better than ever before. "Every member," says Young, "should live up in actions, voting, etc., to the principles of the organization." He wants a more aggressive work…selling books, etc. Abstract Number - 460
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Letter from George D. Hendricks to James B. Finley
George D. Hendricks
January 30, 1850; Columbus, Senate ChamberHendricks (Ohio Senator, 1848-1850) writes to Finley from the Senate Chambers. He has been in conversation with Col. Dewey, the warden at the Ohio Penitentiary. Dewey and the directors of the penitentiary speak glowingly about Finley's work as chaplain at the prison. Hendricks tells Finley that Col. Dewey would like to receive a copy of his new publication (Memorials of Prison Life) because "it would be of great service to the Penitentiary Committee." Abstract Number - 1151
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Letter from R. Houston to James B. Finley
R. Houston and J.A. Miskey
February 06, 1850; South CharlestonThe South Charleston Division #7, Sons of Temperance, extends a formal invitation to Finley to give a series of lectures on temperance. All expenses will be paid. Abstract Number - 1204
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Letter from Stephen F. Conrey to James B. Finley
Stephen F. Conrey
February 08, 1850; South Charleston, Clark County, OHConrey invites Finley to visit during Quarterly Meeting (March 30-31) if possible, but anytime will do. He is warmly urged to come and "put up" at Conrey's home. Abstract Number - 507.
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Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley
George M. Young
February 11, 1850; College HillBecause Finley's health has been bad, Young plans to take him with him on his trip, if the weather permits. The people in South Charleston and Clarke County want Finley to visit them. Abstract Number - 461
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Letter from William Porter to James B. Finley
William Porter
February 26, 1850; WorthingtonRev. Porter is serving the Worthington Circuit, Columbus District, Ohio Conference. He reports that things are going well on the circuit. A very good revival was recently held in Worthington, at which ten people professed religion. The seminary [Worthington Female Seminary] is also doing well. All instructors are Methodist. Four new church buildings have been erected on the circuit during the last couple of years. One is still to be dedicated -- Asbury Chapel [forerunner of Riverside United Methodist Church], a small poor society located on the east bank of the Scioto River 5 miles above Columbus. Porter would like Finley to preach the dedication sermon if he is in the area during the months of May or June. Abstract Number - 462
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Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley
John McDonald
March 20, 1850; Poplar RidgeFinley's book on prison discipline (Memorials of Prison Life, 1850) just reached McDonald. McDonald believes that Finley's words about the importance of parental discipline as a way to prevent crime will be extremely important to folks. McDonald's right arm pains him so much with rheumatism that he is scarcely able to write. Abstract Number - 1152
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Letter from William Gunn to James B. Finley
William Gunn
March 25, 1850; Shelby County, KYRev. Gunn writes that he is now making arrangements to leave his home in the country. He feels that he has been commissioned to preach, sing, and work for God until "it is enough." He has been going through his papers and has found information about Rev. Benjamin Ogden, one of the first two M.E. preachers who came to Kentucky. Gunn claims that Brother Hinds (Thomas S. Hinds, aka Theophilus Arminius) did Ogden a great injustice in an 1819 Methodist Magazine article. In that article, Hinds claims that Ogden aligned himself with James O'Kelly in the schism concerning church government. Gunn has found evidence that this is not true and wants to set the record straight. Abstract Number - 463
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Letter from Laurin Dewey to James B. Finley
Laurin Dewey
March 28, 1850; Columbus State PrisonWarden Dewey is very discouraged that there is no society in the state advocating for the needs of convicts at the State Prison. He believes that a Prison Discipline Society should be formed in the state. Dewey is writing a report about conditions of prisons in other parts of the country, which he will present to the Legislature in the fall. He asks for Finley's assistance in this endeavor. Dewey says that no one seems to take an interest in the subject of the prisoners and he urges Finley to try to awaken people on the subject of prison reform. Sunday is a long day for the prisoners, and they wish to have Sunday meetings. The man who is the Moral Instructor in the prison at this time is totally unfit, and has "not the first qualification." Dewey prays that Finley will have "strength of body and power of intellect to start the call for reform of prison conditions." Abstract Number - 1153
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Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley
John McDonald
April 01, 1850; Poplar RidgeMcDonald writes to let Finley know that his wife Catherine ("Caty") died on March 22nd. She had been a member of the Church for 45 years. Had she lived she would have turned seventy on her next birthday. Burial took place at the Sharon Burying Ground. Abstract Number - 464
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Letter from Samuel F. Green to James B. Finley
Samuel F. Green
April 18, 1850; CincinnatiSamuel is now in Cincinnati where he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He would like Finley to correspond with him. Abstract Number - 514
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Letter from David Young to James B. Finley
David Young
May 13, 1850; ZanesvilleYoung tells of the sickness of his wife. He read Finley's book Prison Life and liked it very much. He reports that there have been many revivals in Zanesville. Young thinks, as does Finley, that State Convention will do no good. Young wants Finley to visit this summer. Abstract Number - 913
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Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley
Samuel Bradford
May 14, 1850; ColumbusBradford writes about an unexpected effort to oust the "Democratic nest at the Penitentiary of Dewey & all." He tells Finley that he wants to see this happen. He thinks Finley may be able to help in selecting candidates that will meet with the wishes of the directors. Abstract Number - 465
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Letter from J.W. Messick and Edgar Conkling to James B. Finley
J.W. Messick and Edgar Conkling
May 23, 1850; CincinnatiThe Committee on Supply of Union Chapel (Cincinnati) write to Finley making their case for entry into the Ohio Conference with an appointed pastor. [Note: The congregation was established in 1849 as a "pewed church" in Cincinnati, purchasing the former Grace Church building. The Ohio Conference refuses to allow the Union Chapel congregation entry into the conference and denies them a ministerial appointment. ] They have a neat and comfortable church. They have met the claim of Ohio Wesleyan University by the purchase of fifteen scholarships, and of the American Bible Society by the contribution of $100. There is still before them contributions to the Missionary Society and the Superannuated Preachers Fund. The members invite Finley to preach on a Sunday morning and help them talk through issues related to their exclusion, as a church with explicit pewed seating and promiscuous seating (men and women sitting together). Abstract Number - 466
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Letter from Jacob Young to James B. Finley
Jacob Young
June 16, 1850; FultonhamYoung writes Finley to ask for his support regarding the building of a monument to the memory of Bishop McKendree who has just died. Abstract Number - 656
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Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley
Thomas A. Morris
September 30, 1850; CincinnatiBishop Morris asks Finley to submit a recommendation for Brother Dryden (Rev. David A. Dryden) who has volunteered for missionary work on the Pacific Coast. He then writes in regard to Cincinnati's Union Chapel. It was his intention to appoint a preacher to the church, but there was so much opposition (pewed church, promiscuous seating) at the recent Ohio Annual Conference that an appointment was not made. Abstract Number - 457
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Letter from James B. Finley to Rev. Abel Stevens
James B. Finley
January 01, 1851; EatonTo Abel Stevens, editor Zion's Herald. Dear Brother: This leaves me in as good health as I have enjoyed for years, or since I left the (Ohio) Penitentiary. I am much more than thankful to you and to the Michigan Advocate for giving some us poor ministers in the Ohio Conference the privilege of defending ourselves against some of the most violent measures that in my opinion ever disgraced a body of ministers, calling themselves the ambassadors of the Blessed Jesus. Just because we would not believe and consent to act on the rule, advising us to build our houses of worship with free seats as mandatory and punishable, by the Executive Officers of the Discipline. No doubt you are well posted upon some of the doings of the aristocracy of our Conference, viz: Walker, Trimble, Moody, and company, and no one has come in for more of their abuse than myself. Brother Inskip has been persued with a penitential zeal that would have been worthy of the Dark Ages, and our beloved Bishop Janes has been abused and reviled in the public streets of Chillicothe, and the brethren who have contended for the privilege of Family Sitting, their houses were called Houses of Assignation. Now my Brother, as you have noticed in your paper that I am superannuated, if you will consent I will the whole tale through your paper and let my old and tried friends and brethren in the membership and ministers, east and west know, why I am driven to the position I now occupy. It is to me a most painful task and so far as I am concerned I would decline saying anything. The interests of the Church and the feelings of my friends are concerned, call for it. As you have opened your columns for me and others, I hope you will permit me to give the history and the documents from the beginning to the end. I shall be very particular only to state such things as will be proven without controversy, both in reference to facts and circumstances, and in closing up this letter -- suffer me to say that the 10th day of last August, about 9:00 o'clock in the morning -- in the State of Kentucky, I was born of the Spirit 50 years ago (or in 1801). I have been traveling as an Itinerant 43 years the 1st day of next May. I have labored from the Fall of 1819 to 1828 as Superintendent on the Indian Mission; six years of that time I lived with them, and took of their hospitality eating and sleeping in their wigwams and in the woods, often between a colored man (Stewart or Pointer) and an Indian brother; on my bed of dried bark or an a bear or buffalo skin. Three years and 3 months did I spend in the Ohio Penitentiary as Moral Instructor not as a prisoner. I lived in the prison with the prisoners every day, prayed at their breakfast table every morning and ate with their guards. I had the appointment of Presiding Elder by the appointing powers for 22 years of my Itinerant life. I have traveled the ______ circuits of this Western valley, and done and suffered as much as any man for the cause of God and Methodism on the west side of the mountains according to my talents and at no time has my moral character been called in question, either for sincerity, honesty or sobriety until the Conference at Chillicothe on last September where I was accused by Mr. Granville Moody. I have sought redress, but none has been afforded me. So my dear friend if you will permit, I will in the fear of God and I hope with the Spirit of a Christian minister state my whole grievance and then let the world and my brethren judge, and if they shall find me guilty, I will not object to be "anathematized." If you will permit this please send me your excellent paper as a subscriber, and I will send you the subscription price by the next communication...I am yours affectionately. J.B. Finley Abstract Number - 468
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Letter from William Neff to James B. Finley
William Neff
January 04, 1851; CincinnatiNeff's faith is strong and he prays daily. He sees about him the glory of the Lord. Neff prays that the Lord will bless and keep Finley. Abstract Number - 469
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