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Finley Letters

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Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley

Samuel Bradford
December 14, 1849; Celina

Bradford, 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
Letter from Richard D. George to James B. Finley

Richard D. George
December 16, 1849; Hancock County

Richard 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
Letter from Moses B. Walker to James B. Finley

Moses B. Walker
December 28, 1849; Dayton

Walker 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
Letter from James B. Finley to Matthew Simpson

James B. Finley
January 01, 1850;

Finley writes to Simpson (editor of Western Christian Advocate 1848-1852) concerning the appointing power of bishops. Date of letter is unknown (possibly 1850 -- In his postcript, Finley refers to a conference held in Chillicothe where his reputation was besmirched.That conference was held September 18-27, 1850). The source of the controversy is not clear from the letter, but it appears that the notion of empowering annual conferences to interdict the bishop's responsibility to appoint preachers to circuits, stations, and districts has been raised. This is not an idea supported by Finley. He hopes that the next General Conference will pass some definite rule on the subject or explain the present one. In the postcript, Finley tells Simpson [editor] that he would like to state his views on the subject in the Advocate. Abstract Number - 512
Letter from William M. Finley to James B. Finley

William M. Finley
January 01, 1850; Bloomfield, IA

This 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
Letter from Thomas Corwin to James B. Finley

Thomas Corwin
January 16, 1850; Washington

Corwin (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
Letter from John Rathbun to James B. Finley

John Rathbun
January 20, 1850; Franklin County, Brown Township

Rev. 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
Letter from David Reed to James B. Finley

David Reed
January 23, 1850; Parkersburgh, WV

Reed 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
Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley

George M. Young
January 28, 1850; College Hill

Young tells Finley that comparatively few of the Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarchs have submitted reports, but in general the order is "in rather healthy condition." In his communications with members of divisions, Young emphasizes two obligations -- to promote the cause of temperance and to live the life of a moral man. Young's major reason for writing is to invite Finley to accompany him on a temperance tour through Greene, Clark, and Warren Counties. Abstract Number - 460
Letter from George D. Hendricks to James B. Finley

George D. Hendricks
January 30, 1850; Columbus, Senate Chamber

Hendricks (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
Letter from R. Houston and J.A. Miskey to James B. Finley

R. Houston and J.A. Miskey
February 06, 1850; South Charleston

The 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
Letter from Stephen F. Conrey to James B. Finley

Stephen F. Conrey
February 08, 1850; South Charleston, Clark County, OH

Conrey 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.
Letter from George M. Young to James B. Finley

George M. Young
February 11, 1850; College Hill

In view of the poor weather and the state of Finley's health, Young does not believe it is a good idea for Finley to accompany him as he tours Greene, Clark, and Warren Counties in the name of the Sons of Temperance. Perhaps he might join Young once the weather improves. Young discusses the pending suspension of the temperance newspaper published in Cincinnati, The Western Fountain. The brethren in South Charleston (Clark County) want Finley to visit them if at all possible. Abstract Number - 461
Letter from William Porter to James B. Finley

William Porter
February 26, 1850; Worthington

Rev. 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
Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley

John McDonald
March 20, 1850; Poplar Ridge

Finley's book on prison discipline (Memorials of Prison Life, c.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
Letter from William Gunn to James B. Finley

William Gunn
March 25, 1850; Shelby County, KY

Rev. 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
Letter from Laurin Dewey to James B. Finley

Laurin Dewey
March 28, 1850; Columbus State Prison

Warden 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
Letter from John McDonald to James B. Finley

John McDonald
April 01, 1850; Poplar Ridge

McDonald 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
Letter from Samuel F. Green to James B. Finley

Samuel F. Green
April 18, 1850; Cincinnati

Samuel 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
Letter from David Young to James B. Finley

David Young
May 13, 1850; Zanesville

Young tells of the sickness of his wife. He reports that she has a "worn out memory" and a "broken down understanding." He has read Finley's book Prison Life and liked it very much. Abstract Number - 913
Letter from Samuel Bradford to James B. Finley

Samuel Bradford
May 14, 1850; Columbus

Bradford 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
Letter from J.W. Messick and Edgar Conkling to James B. Finley

J.W. Messick and Edgar Conkling
May 23, 1850; Cincinnati

The 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
Letter from Thomas A. Morris to James B. Finley

Thomas A. Morris
September 30, 1850; Cincinnati

Bishop 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
Letter from James B. Finley to Rev. Abel Stevens

James B. Finley
January 01, 1851; Eaton

Finley continues to rail against Granville Moody for the abuse he heaped upon him at the1850 Ohio Annual Conference in Chillicothe. During the conference Finley was chastised for his softening position concerning family seating. He writes to editor Abel Stevens asking to publish an article in Zion's Herald that will redeem his now tarnished reputation. Abstract Number - 468
Letter from William Neff to James B. Finley

William Neff
January 04, 1851; Cincinnati

Neff'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