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Finley Letters

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Letter from Socrates Adams to James B. Finley

Socrates Adams
April 23, 1823; Beavertown

A letter from a young man who has just finished studying "Physic" and is trying to find a suitable place to settle and begin his practice. He places the utmost confidence in Rev. Finley and asks his advice as to the best section of the country in which to settle. Abstract Number - 17
Letter from James Tawler to James B. Finley

James Tawler
April 25, 1823; Xenia

Tawler (Towler) sends Finley a discouraging letter about the refusal of traveling preachers, local preachers, and society members to donate to the cause of Indian reform. "Mention mission and the dogs of averice roar like bull dogs at an intruding villain on their masters' treasures. Whole congregations of avericious gentlemen and ladies it is said are grossly insulted when called upon to assist in Indian reform." Tawler has faced opposition at every turn. Brother Elliott's letter about the need for supplies at the mission produced nothing. Tawler still believes that a traveling preacher would have more success collecting donations than a local preacher (himself). "The more authority, the better among the Methodists and the world generally." Nevertheless he will continue to help as he is able. Abstract Number - 678
Letter from Alfred Brunson to James B. Finley

Alfred Brunson
April 27, 1823; Detroit

Brunson urges Finley to be present at the next camp meeting. Charges against Brother John P. Kent (inappropriate behavior with Caroline Starks) will be discussed. Construction on the new meeting house has commenced and work may be completed by fall. The government pays $2,000 per year to teach the Indians. Governor Cass has told Brunson that this money could be appropriated to a Methodist mission for the teaching of agriculture to Indians. Abstract Number - 619
Letter from G.R. Jones to James B. Finley

G.R. Jones
April 28, 1823; West Union

Greenberry Jones, Presiding Elder of the Scioto District, tells of his interest in the Indian Mission. He "has felt a lively interest in the red brethren since my acquaintance with them." He summarizes the work of his district as follows: "In this district we have rather dull times with the exception of Deer Creek and Columbus Circuits where there is good work especially in Columbus." Abstract Number - 679
Letter from Eliza H. Brooke to James B. Finley

Eliza H. Brooke
May 03, 1823; Ridgeville

Finley's daughter Eliza misses her parents a great deal. She talks about her children James and Charles. She looks forward to a time when they will all meet in the place "where parting will be no more." Abstract Number - 19
Letter from Thomas S. Hitt to James B. Finley

Thomas S. Hitt
May 03, 1823; Sharpsburgh, MD

Thomas Hitt writes that he has been in poor health. He has not been able to preach very much. [Hitt is listed as supernumerary status, Ohio Conference, in 1823]. His time of medical leave and recuperation has been spent reading theology and learning Greek. He encloses the minutes from the Baltimore Conference. Bishop McKendree and Bishop George were both in attendance. Abstract Number - 18
Letter from Charles Thorn to James B. Finley

Charles Thorn
May 07, 1823; Granville Circuit

Rev. Charles Thorn (appointed to Granville Circuit, Lancaster District) has collected a small amount of money for the Wyandot Mission from the societies on the Granville Circuit. Thorn shares a progress report about the circuit, recent conversions, etc. Abstract Number - 680
Letter from Henry Wilkins to James B. Finley

Henry Wilkins
May 07, 1823; Baltimore, MD

Dr. Henry Wilkins [1767-1847, author of revised version of John Wesley's Primitive Physic for an American audience, The Family Adviser, first edition 1793] writes to Finley concerning medicine among the Wyandots. Do they use medicine or prescribe drugs? What are the diseases they suffer? Is their medical knowledge learned from ancestors or from Europeans? If they do have effective medicines, Wilkins wants to know about it. He writes that prevention is always better than trying to cure a disease. He provides advice on prevention (bark, bitters, calomel, etc.) and medical recipes. Abstract Number - 681
Letter from James Hinthorn to James B. Finley

James Hinthorn
May 09, 1823; ?

Hinthorn's letter is full of good wishes for the success of Finley's work among the Wyandots. He also asks for an ointment recipe. Abstract Number - 682
Letter from Martin Ruter to James B. Finley

Martin Ruter
May 10, 1823; Cincinnati

Ruter writes to Finley giving an accounting of money still owed the mission, a total of $529.46. $275 has already been forwarded to Finley, leaving $254.46 to be paid. Ruter encloses $254.46 in cash (Chillicothe paper) which "settles our account til next Conference." He also sends $28 which was raised by the recently formed independent missionary society in Cincinnati. Abstract Number - 1009
Letter from Leroy Swormstedt to James B. Finley

Leroy Swormstedt
May 10, 1823; Cincinnati

Swormstedt says that he received Finley's letter and rejoices to hear of his success among the Indians. He regrets that he cannot comply with Finley's request to pay a visit but now is not a good time to be absent from his station (Cincinnati). He would like to see Finley very much as he has many things to tell him. Abstract Number - 683
Letter from James Montgomery to James B. Finley

James Montgomery
May 11, 1823; Lower Sandusky (Fremont)

Local preacher James Montgomery was appointed by the U.S. government in 1819 as sub-agent to the Seneca Indians in Lower Sandusky (Fremont area). Prior to this assignment he had served as a missionary alongside John Stewart at the Wyandot Mission in Upper Sandusky. He reports that the Mohawk Indians in Lower Sandusky were promised a school which never materialized. The Indians are sorely disappointed and have lost all confidence in Montgomery and Finley. He asks Finley to visit with some of the Wyandots, hoping to restore confidence among the Indians he serves. Abstract Number - 684
Letter from John C. Brooke to James B. Finley

John C. Brooke
May 12, 1823; Ridgeville, OH

Brooke, Rev. Finley's son-in-law, begins on a religious note, expressing gratitude for the mercies of God. He states that he has more liberty in preaching and more power with God in many places on the circuit, and more good times and flattering prospects in Dayton. However, there has been some trouble. Some members on his circuit have recently been expelled "for getting drunk at the election." Brooke reports that he gave Judge John McLean "a talk" when he provided whiskey to folks, resulting in much drunkenness. He asks Finley for a decision regarding family property, whether "to sell or rent or build and live on it." He does not wish to locate. He also expresses the need for better means of collecting funds for the mission. Abstract Number - 685
Letter from William Blair to James B. Finley

William Blair
May 13, 1823; Ridgeville, OH

Blair has been expelled from the Society (Union Circuit). The charge against him was "imprudent conduct in being at the tavern and drinking too much cider." He pleaded guilty to the charge "and had previously made and exhibited all the marks of humiliation I was capable of without acting the hypocrite, but all would not suffice, although 3/4 of the Society expressed entire satisfaction to my face and I was assured by the class leader that they were all perfectly satisfied with me." However, the appointed preachers, Mr. Brooke (John C. Brooke, Finley's son-in-law) and Mr. Elliott (A.W. Elliott), rigged things so that the case was decided against him. He does not understand why John C. Brooke acts with such animosity towards him. He tells Finley-- "I am out but God still reigns." Abstract Number - 20
Letter from John F. Wright to James B. Finley

John F. Wright
May 16, 1823; Urbana

Wright is unable to travel to the Wyandot Mission due to the weather. He has asked Brother Elliott to deliver the funds from Cincinnati in his place -- $245.46 from Brother Ruter, and a $28 donation from "our missionary society." Abstract Number - 686
Letter from William Blair to James B. Finley

William Blair
May 18, 1823; Ridgeville, OH

Blair previously wrote to Finley to collect money owed to Mr. Griffis, from whom Finley had purchased land [???]. A lawsuit has commenced concerning the land. Finley is asked to hold on to the money until the lawsuit filed by Mr. Griffis is settled. Abstract Number - 22
Letter from Ann Price to Mrs. J.B. Finley

Ann Price
May 18, 1823; Warren County, OH

Ann Price writes a letter to Hannah Finley (wife of James B. Finley), introducing a neighbor who wishes to buy land in the area of Upper Sandusky. Mr. David Fox is a sober, industrious, moral young man who was brought up in a respectable Methodist family. Ann and her husband have known David since he was a boy. She would like James to assist David to find and purchase land. Abstract Number - 21
Letter from Alfred Brunson to James B. Finley

Alfred Brunson
May 28, 1823; Detroit

Brunson has not heard from Finley in response to his last two letters, so he summarizes the content of those letters for Finley. The situation with his colleague, Brother Baker, is improving. Brunson was unable to attend the camp meeting in May due to ill health -- inflammation of the liver and lungs. Evidently, John P. Kent behaved queerly at the meeting for an "innocent man." Brunson tells Finley about Local Elder Elias Pattee from Canada, who wishes to travel a circuit in America. Brunson feels that the Methodist Episcopal Church needs to be proactive in establishing churches in his area because many folks are migrating there. Abstract Number - 620
Letter from Charles Elliott to James B. Finley

Charles Elliott
May 28, 1823; Delaware

Elliott is on his way to Pennsylvania. He sends Finley $279.46 which is from Brother John F. Wright in Cincinnati. Abstract Number - 687
Letter from John C. Brooke to James B. Finley

John C. Brooke
June 05, 1823; Xenia

Finley's son-in-law John sends words of encouragement to Finley in his work at the Wyandot Mission. He then asks him for advice concerning his own plans for the future -- whether to locate, build, rent, or sell. He reports on the various relatives of Finley. He writes again about he possibility of Finley selling some property. Abstract Number - 688
Letter from Alvan Coe to James B. Finley

Alvan Coe
June 06, 1823; Mission House (Venice on Sandusky Bay??)

Alvan Coe, Presbyterian missionary, writes to Finley (from Venice on Sandusky Bay?), where he is running an Indian school under the care of the Western Missionary Society of Pittsburgh. The school was originally located in Greenfield. Alexander Clark, one of Coe's scholars, spent time with him last winter, and as he is acquainted with the Ottaways (Ottawa Indians), he was invited to stay and help in Coe's school. Coe is sending Clark to Malvern to get new Ottawa Indian students. He would like the Wyandot children to attend Finley's school. He hopes that what has taken place will cause Finley no hard feelings. Coe ends his letter as follows -- "Pray for us. The Wyandots appear civilized compared to these poor creatures." Abstract Number - 689
Letter from Alfred Brunson to James B. Finley

Alfred Brunson
June 11, 1823; Detroit

Brunson writes to clarify his feelings about Rev. Samuel Baker. Finley evidently believes that Brunson is displeased with Baker's work. Not so says Brunson -- He is supportive of Baker and wants the best for him. He then speaks of the charges against Brother John P. Kent, which have been dropped. Abstract Number - 621
Letter from Harriet Stubbs to James B. Finley

Harriet Stubbs
June 15, 1823; Georgetown (Washington City)

Harriet Stubbs speaks of the joy and satisfaction of doing missionary work. She wishes she could return to the Wyandot Mission as an assistant teacher, knowing full well that it is not possible. Her soul "would take delight in it." Harriet asks how the children at the mission are doing with regard to reading and writing, in particular Maria and Eliza. She will write back to them if they send her letters. Sister (Rebecca) and "Mr. McLean" (John) send their love and are hoping that James will come to Georgetown for a visit when he attends General Conference. Sister would love to stay in Baltimore with Hannah during the conference. Harriet asks to be remembered to her friends Between-the-Logs and Mononcue. [Harriet is living in Georgetown, outside Washington City, with Rebecca and John McLean. John has been appointed to serve as United States Postmaster General]. Abstract Number - 690
Letter from William Blair to James B. Finley

William Blair
June 19, 1823; Ridgeville, OH

Blair continues to feel pain about being expelled from his Society (Union Circuit), but will continue in the Christian life. He repeats what he told Finley in a previous letter -- that he confessed his crime (being at a tavern and drinking too much) to the members of the Society and the members accepted his confession and true repentance, but he was called before a committee and expelled anyway. Abstract Number - 11
Letter from Elizabeth Burge to James B. Finley

Elizabeth Burge
June 22, 1823; Mt. Vernon

Elizabeth Burge is answering a letter she received from Finley in 1814. She reports that her husband, Dr. Burge, left her in 1816. She received news of his death last winter. Through all her misfortune her belief in God has been a constant strength and consolation to her. She hopes to hear from Finley soon. Abstract Number - 23