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JOHN AND MARY FINLEY

OF MONTGOMERY (WYTHE) COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Carmen J. Finley, C.G., Ph.D.

[Published in The Virginia Genealogist, 1990, v. 34, pp. 243-55;

1991, v. 35, pp. 18-33, 122-35, 173-85, 251-62.]

Most, if not all, early immigrants of the name Finley were Scotch-Irish who arrived in America either from Northern Ireland (Ulster) or Dublin between 1720 and the early 1730s.⁽¹⁾ They were a part of Great Britain's massive plantation of Scotsmen in Ulster during the reign of King James I in the early 1600s. They were primarily lowland Scots and primarily Presbyterian in faith.⁽²⁾ By the early 1700s, religious persecution and unfavorable economic conditions provided the impetus for increasing numbers of Scotch-Irish to turn to the American wilderness.

Their first stop in the New World was Pennsylvania. But to the early settlers of that area the Scotch-Irish were late comers and not particularly welcome. The Quakers, in particular, cared naught for the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and restrictive measures adopted by the government soon encouraged them to seek homes elsewhere.⁽³⁾ The natural migration path was up the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The Quakers and Germans had already begun to settle in the northern most part of the Valley, so the Scotch-Irish went to the most extended frontier in order to insure freedom in religion and their life.⁽⁴⁾ One historian refers to them as people "who constituted the skirmish line of civilization."⁽⁵⁾

John Lewis lead the movement when he settled, in 1732, near the present city of Staunton in Augusta County. These early pioneers were deeply religious. During the French and Indian War, the Scotch-Irish stood as a bulwark against Indian incursions east of the Blue Ridge. During the Revolution, the sons and grandsons of the original settlers were almost unanimously in favor of American independence and were found in battles from Saratoga to Yorktown.⁽⁶⁾

The Finleys presented here almost certainly come from the group of early settlers in Augusta County, but the exact order of ascendancy has not been adequately proven to date. Pioneer research on the Finleys was done by Major Albert Finley France in the 1930s and 1940s.⁽⁷⁾ His work was expanded by Admiral Herald F. Stout in the 1950s through the 1970s.⁽⁸⁾ Robert M. Torrance has also published extensively on his branch of the Finleys, giving early history similar to that presented by France and Stout.⁽⁹⁾

The present paper begins with John and Mary Finley, in Montgomery (now Wythe) County, Virginia, just prior to the start of the Revolution.

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GENERATION ONE

In November 1773, John Finley bought 327 acres in Montgomery County, Virginia on Salley Run, waters of Reed Creek, from John McFarland.⁽¹⁰⁾ Two previous papers demonstrate John and his wife, Mary, came from Prince Edward County where they resided from approximately 1765 to 1772/1773⁽¹¹⁾ and before that most likely from Augusta County.⁽¹²⁾ While there are other adult Finleys in their immediate vicinity, both in Prince Edward County and in Montgomery County, there is proof of only three sons.

During their residence in Prince Edward County, John and his family lived on 400 acres on Vaughans Creek.⁽¹³⁾ The deed is dated 15 June 1765. Within two months of the time John bought this property, William Finley bought 430 acres on Vaughans Creek.⁽¹⁴⁾ On 28 April 1769, George Finley bought 200 acres on Vaughans Creek from his father-in-law, Thomas Fulton.⁽¹⁵⁾ All three of these Finleys moved on to Montgomery County, but no records have been found in either location that show their relationship. In 1773, the New River tithables show "John Finley and sons David and Thomas."⁽¹⁶⁾ Six years after John made the move to Montgomery County, he and his wife, Mary, deeded their 327 acres on Salley Run to David and Samuel Finley in exchange for life care.⁽¹⁷⁾ While these documents do not name David and Samuel as sons, subsequent documents regarding the sale of the property do refer to their deceased father.⁽¹⁸⁾ John died prior to 19 August 1782;⁽¹⁹⁾ and on 13 January 1783, 140 acres were surveyed for Thomas Finley adjacent to "John Finley's decd patent land" on Sally Run.⁽²⁰⁾

No evidence has been found as to what happened to John's wife, Mary. However, a persistent message that is found in the literature of Finley family researchers follows:

Eliz. Mounts' Bible is still in existence and on fly leaf written by her dau., Jane Ann (Finley) Smith, is statement (apparently addressed to next generation): "Your grandfather was David Finley and he married Elizabeth Mounts his father was John Finley who married Mary Caldwell, a cousin of Martha Caldwell who was the mother of the famous Statesman John C. Calhoun." (Unpublished data in D.A.R. Library, compiled & certified by Maj. Albert Finley France).⁽²¹⁾

Interestingly, this message is a modification of information provided by France in a 1943 manuscript:

On fly leaf of old bible of Jane (Finley) Smith appears following: Your grandfather was David Finley, born Jan. 10, 1748⁽²²⁾ who married Elizabeth Mounts. His father was John Finley and he married Mary Caldwell, daughter of Thomas Caldwell and a cousin to Martha Caldwell who was the Mother of the famous statesman, John C. Calhoun.⁽²³⁾

The critical difference between these two passages is the presence of the birth date of David Finley in the second one. This birth date differs by more that six years from that given by David's cemetery records.

It has already been demonstrated that the David Finley referred to above is the one who settled in the Dicks River area of Kentucky, with wife Elizabeth Mounts and daughter Jane Ann, and is the son of John and Mary Finley of Montgomery County.⁽²⁴⁾

Known children of John and Mary (Caldwell) Finley are:

+2 i. David² Finley, born 1 June 1754,⁽²⁵⁾ probably in Augusta County, Virginia.

3 ii. Samuel Finley was named heir with brother, David, to his parent's plantation in Montgomery County in 1779, which they jointly sold in 1792. At that time both David and Samuel were "of Mercer County, Kentucky."⁽²⁶⁾ In 1785 a Samuel Finley signed a petition for the grant of land for a town site in Lincoln County.⁽²⁷⁾ In 1789 a Samuel Finley signed a petition for the repeal of the Act of Separation. David Finley also signed this petition.⁽²⁸⁾ In 1795 and 1796, Samuel Findley appeared on the Madison County tax list.⁽²⁹⁾ In 1796 a Samuel Finley was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Madison County.⁽³⁰⁾ He appeared on the Lincoln County tax list from 1797 at least through 1811.⁽³¹⁾ In 1801 he bought 100 acres in Lincoln County.⁽³²⁾ Evidence of his presence in Lincoln County continues at least through 1822 when the Rev. Samuel Finley served as President pro tem of Centre College in Danville.⁽³³⁾ It is tempting to believe this Samuel Finley is David's brother. The one disquieting fact is that in the 1810 census of Lincoln County he is placed in the 26-45 age group ... too young to have inherited property in 1779.⁽³⁴⁾

+4 iii. Thomas Finley, born 11 February 1757, probably in Augusta County, Virginia.⁽³⁵⁾

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GENERATION TWO

2. David² Finley (John¹ Finley) was born 1 June 1754, probably in Augusta County, Virginia and died 19 April 1848 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽³⁶⁾ He married Elizabeth Mounts, daughter of Matthias and Mary Mounce, sometime prior to 10 February 1781.⁽³⁷⁾ Elizabeth was born about 4 January 1763 and died 9 January 1835 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽³⁸⁾

David is first found in Montgomery County records in 1773 when the New River tithables list "John Finley and sons David and Thomas."⁽³⁹⁾ Then on 30 March 1779 he and his brother, Samuel, are deeded 327 acres by John and Mary Finley in exchange for life care.⁽⁴⁰⁾ Shortly after that, on 26 October 1779, he appeared in court to claim land he had staked out along the Dicks River in what later became Garrard County, Kentucky.

David Finley this day appeared and claimed a right of settlement and pre-emption to a tract of Land lying on the N.E. side of Dicks River about 3 or 4 Miles below the mouth of Falling Creek including two small Springs by building a Hut and raising a crop of Corn on the premises in the year 1776. Wm Frazer contested the claim by Joseph Frazer and alleged that the said Frazer has a prior improvement to the said land. Sundry Witnesses were sworn and examined in consideration of which the Court are of the Opinion that the said Finley has a right only to a pre-emption of 1000 Acres of Land including said improvement and that a Certificate issue for same and that the said Finley recover of the said Frazer his Costs.⁽⁴¹⁾

The records for David show he obtained a warrant for his 1000 acres on 10 March 1780 while the survey date was 5 April 1781 and the grant date was 14 January 1784.⁽⁴²⁾

It is not known precisely when David made the physical move permanently to Kentucky. Apparently it was not uncommon for many early settlers to claim their land, return to Virginia after putting in a crop of corn, and return to Kentucky later. The frequency of Indian raids in this area of Kentucky through at least 1783 made it extremely hazardous to live in the area unless protected by a fort or stockade. Also David and Samuel were obligated to care for their aging parents and as shown above, John died sometime before 19 August 1782. Prior to his move to Kentucky, David served with his brother, Samuel, in Captain Jehu Stephens' Company of the Montgomery County Militia. Since Stephens was promoted to Colonel in 1781, David's service had to precede that date.⁽⁴³⁾ In addition, while David was listed, along with James, Samuel, Thomas and William Finley in the 1782 tax list for Montgomery County, his record showed no tithes, slaves, horses or cattle,⁽⁴⁴⁾ suggesting he had moved on by that date.

In all likelihood, David was living in Kentucky by 10 February 1781, for on that date his wife, Betsey Finley and her sister, Polly Collier, made a deposition concerning the death of their father, Matthias Mounts. Mounts had been killed by "the limb of a tree" and his body was taken to Downing's Station, in the immediate neighborhood of David's property on the Dicks River. After the death of Elizabeth's father, her mother, Mary Mounce was appointed administrix. Apparently, the settlement was not handled in a manner to suit all heirs. A lengthy set of papers are on file including depositions and a quitclaim to Betsey and her sister, Polly by their brother, John. The final document involves a court case dated 17 June 1805 in which David Finley and Betsey, his wife along with Moses Collier and Polly, his wife are plaintiffs against Henry Mounts.⁽⁴⁵⁾

David did his share of defending the new frontier. The year 1782 was particularly bad and Indian attacks continued throughout the summer. Caldwell's attack on Bryan's stockade, barely 30 miles away, with 50 selected Tory Rangers and 300 Indians in August 1782 was the last straw.⁽⁴⁶⁾ In November, David joined 1050 mounted riflemen in a successful siege against the Shawnee. He served as a private in the company of Captain James Downing (whose daughter, Martha, later married David's son, Samuel).⁽⁴⁷⁾ In 1788, David was recommended ensign in Captain George Scott's Company.⁽⁴⁸⁾ While these, together with his militia experience in Montgomery County are the only documented service, family tradition also credits him with having served at the Battle of Cowpens⁽⁴⁹⁾ and at the massacre of Crab Orchard.⁽⁵⁰⁾

David joined also in petitioning the General Assembly of Virginia on at least two occasions to try to improve the lot of frontier living. In 1783 he was a signer with other inhabitants of Lincoln County in requesting laws to secure better military protection, care of orphans, civil marriage and stray stock.⁽⁵¹⁾ In 1789 he signed a request for the repeal of the Act of Separation saying, "it was not the will of the good people of said District that the same should be erected into an independant state."⁽⁵²⁾

On at least one occasion, in addition to his suit with his wife mentioned above, he went to court to provide bail for James and John Downing in a suit brought against them by James Smith (whose son, Edmond later married David's oldest daughter, Jane Ann).⁽⁵³⁾ Smith apparently did not hold this against David since he referred to him in his will as a "good and faithful" friend and named him along with others as an executor and trustee.⁽⁵⁴⁾

In 1782, the Forks of Dix River Baptist Church was established on land owned by David and Elizabeth.⁽⁵⁵⁾ The Finleys were among early members of the Church. This was unusual for a family strongly Presbyterian, but it may have been because of the proximity. In 1785, David and Elizabeth sold 300 acres of their original grant (the portion where the Church was located) to William Downing, older brother of John and James Downing. Two years later the Finleys sold another 300 acre piece of the original grant to Robert Singleton.⁽⁵⁶⁾ In 1792 he had 300 acres on Silver Creek in nearby Madison County surveyed⁽⁵⁷⁾ and the grant was made about a year and a half later, 9 May 1794.⁽⁵⁸⁾ In 1808 they sold 24 7/8 acres to Arthur Thompson of Mercer County.⁽⁵⁹⁾

Tax records exist in Garrard County⁽⁶⁰⁾ for David from 1797 through 1811, then David and all other Finleys near him disappear.⁽⁶¹⁾ David and Elizabeth had 10 children while living in Kentucky, the youngest of whom was about 6 when they moved to Orange County, Indiana.

David Fin(d)ley patented land in what is now Orange County, Indiana from October 1811 until April 1819 at the Land Office at Jeffersonville. This land was availabel under an Act of Congress providing for sale of lands of the United States in the Territory northwest of the Ohio, and above the mouth of the Kentucky River. Eight patents totaled 1266.38 acres.⁽⁶²⁾ On 15 August 1817, he and Elizabeth made deeds of gifts of 160 acres each to five children: Samuel, Jesse, Mary Maxwell, Cyrus and Harvey.⁽⁶³⁾ In addition, Samuel bought another 160 acres from his parents.⁽⁶⁴⁾ That, alone, totals 960 acres! Only two other land records were found for David during his life time. In 1819, there was an additional land entry for 110 acres⁽⁶⁵⁾ and in 1830 David and Elizabeth deeded 20 acres to their daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband John H. Sneed for $1.⁽⁶⁶⁾

In 1834, David wrote his will, at the age of almost 80.⁽⁶⁷⁾ He provided, first for his wife, Elizabeth and second, for the education of the heirs of his son, Jefferson, deceased. Specifically, he wanted any "over pluss of rents after giving to my wife what she may think proper and sufficient for her support," to be used to pay tuition until the two girls "shall each have two years ... and Samuel three years." He stipulated that his executors should not sell his land until the youngest of Jefferson's children came of lawful age. At that time, Jefferson's children, Josephine, Samuel and Elizabeth were to receive the proceeds of the sale. Son, Cyrus and son-in-law, Joseph Maxwell were appointed executors. His own children were left $1 each, "in as much as I have equally divided," to them. His wife, Elizabeth, died less that 10 months later, on 9 January 1835.⁽⁶⁸⁾

David still had a few good years ahead and in October 1845 at 91, he drew up an agreement with his son, Cyrus.⁽⁶⁹⁾ In the agreement, David leased his land, the southwest and northwest quarters of section three, to Cyrus until 9 April 1851 (when his granddaughter Elizabeth became 21). He also turned over to Cyrus, the notes he owned from the sale of personal property. Cyrus, in turn, promised to care for David and provide a comfortable living for him. He also agreed to 1) provide a year of school for David's grandchildren, Samuel and Elizabeth, Jefferson's two youngest children; 2) pay taxes on the leased land; 3) rotate the crops, planting corn one year and grain the next; 4) not destroy timber more than necessary for use of the farm; 5) not box or fence any sugar trees south of the most southern field; and 6) enclose with a brick wall the graves of his parents and his brother Jefferson.

David lived two and a half more years after his agreement with Cyrus, succumbing on 19 April 1848 at the age of almost 94.⁽⁷⁰⁾ In keeping with his wishes, Cyrus continued caring for David's land until Jefferson's youngest child, Elizabeth was 21 years of age. Cyrus then offered David's property (described as the west half of section 3 in township 2 north, range 1 east, less 20 acres ... presumably 300 acres) for sale. Samuel, Jefferson's son and one of David's principle heirs, purchased the property for $2700.⁽⁷¹⁾ The final settlement of David's estate was made 27 August 1851.⁽⁷²⁾ Named were his sons and daughters (or their heirs) as follows: John Findley. Jane Smith,

Edmund Findley, Samuel Findley's heirs, Jesse Findley, Harvey Findley's heirs, Polly Maxwell's heirs, Elizabeth Sneed, and the executor (Cyrus Findley), each of whom were allotted $1 as provided in the will. The remaining estate, valued at $2663.70 was divided equally among Jefferson's children, Samuel and Elizabeth Finley and Josephine Fisher.

Known children of David and Elizabeth (Mounts) Finley are as follows:

5 i. John³ Finley, born probably about 1782/1784, probably in Lincoln County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky). Because the name is so common and there were a number of John Finleys in the immediate vicinity of David both in Kentucky and Indiana, very little is known for sure about this son. A John Finley appears near David on the Garrard County tax lists beginning in 1797,⁽⁷³⁾ probably a nephew. In 1805 a second John Finley appears near David owning no land and recurs in 1806, 1807 and 1809, still owning no land,⁽⁷⁴⁾ probably David's son. In the 1820 census of Indiana, John Finley, age 26-45, is living next to David Finley in Lawrence County (Lawrence County was formed from Orange County in 1818).⁽⁷⁵⁾ These are the only John Finley records that can be reasonably expected to be those of David's son.

+6 ii. Jane Ann Finley, born 9 November 1785, Lincoln County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).⁽⁷⁶⁾

+7 iii. Edmund Finley, born about 1787,⁽⁷⁷⁾ in Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).

+8 iv. Samuel Finley, born 14 February 1790, in Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).⁽⁷⁸⁾

+9 v. Jesse Finley, born 17 May 1792,⁽⁷⁹⁾ Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).

+10 vi. Harvey Finley, born 11 February 1795, Mercer County, Kentucky (now Garrard County).⁽⁸⁰⁾

+11 vii. Mary (Polly) Finley, born 9 June 1797 in Garrard County, Kentucky.⁽⁸¹⁾

+12 viii. Cyrus Finley, born 25 November 1799 in Garrard County, Kentucky.⁽⁸²⁾

+13 ix. Elizabeth Finley, born 8 February 1802, Garrard County, Kentucky.⁽⁸³⁾

+14 x. Jefferson Finley, born 16 May 1805,⁽⁸⁴⁾ in Garrard County, Kentucky.

4. Thomas² Finley (John¹ Finley) was born 11 February 1757, probably in Augusta County, Virginia.⁽⁸⁵⁾ He is first found in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1773 on the list of Tithables with his father, John, and brother, David.⁽⁸⁶⁾ On 12 September 1782, he entered 140 acres on Sally Run, Montgomery County, (survey date, 13 January 1783) adjacent to property that had been owned by his father, John, now deceased.⁽⁸⁷⁾ A son, Reuben Jefferson, was born 31 March 1783 to Catherine Kinder.⁽⁸⁸⁾ After the birth of his illegitimate son, Thomas moved to South Carolina. Catherine Kinder married Andrew Swallow in the Spring of 1785 and Reuben was reared by his mother and Swallow.⁽⁸⁹⁾ About 1792, Thomas married Jeanne Gibert, daughter of Jean Louis Gibert, probably in Abbeville, SC.⁽⁹⁰⁾ On 7 November 1795, John Lewis, his only other known son, was born.⁽⁹¹⁾ Sometime before 1797, Thomas married Sarah (McLane) Stedman Pettigrew.⁽⁹²⁾ He married, for a third time, Jane Clark on 20 December 1808.⁽⁹³⁾

His will, written in 1823 in Abbeville, South Carolina and probated 2 January 1832, showed he had become a wealthy land owner and possessed many slaves.⁽⁹⁴⁾ His appraisement listed 23 slaves and was valued at $8935.40.⁽⁹⁵⁾ His will was unique in a number of ways. Basically, he left the bulk of his estate to his wife, Jane, and named specifically she should have his negroes named Finda, Tom, Jude, William, Caroline, Willey and Rose ... along with "all my other negroes." After her death, all property was to go to his son, "Reuben Finley of the State of Tennessee, Wheelwright, whose mothers maiden name was Catherine Kinder ... on the following conditions ... that he emancipate all the female children of my two negro women, Hanny and Jinney or cause them to be sent to the State of Indiana or Ohio where the laws of the State will liberate them. The said female children are to be set free as they respectively arrive at the age of twenty five years and all their children with them should they have any, as it is my wish and desire to put a stop to the slavery of the race of negroes belonging to me in future." He requested Reuben to erect marble headstones for him and Jane and gave their respective birth dates ... 11 February 1757 and 8 November 1765. He also directed Reuben to enclose his grave and his wife's "with a stone wall of five feet high with a shutter to the door of some durable materials, and that spot of ground to be reserved and never conveyed away with the tract of land." He further bequeathed to his niece, Ann Finley, his "negro boy, Franklin ... and ... negro girl Peggy." Peggy was to be set free at age 25 and Franklin was not to be bartered or sold out of the family "where I trust he will be well treated." Thomas Finley Mitchel, son of Francis Mitchel, was to receive his "negro boy Robert." The death of Reuben Finley prior to that of Thomas' wife, Jane, created some problems as will be seen in the following account of Reuben.

The child of Thomas Finley and Catherine Kinder was:

+15 i. Reuben Jefferson³ Finley, born 31 March 1783, Montgomery County (now Wythe), Virginia.

The only known child of Thomas Finley by his first wife, Jeanne Gibert was:

16 i. John Lewis³ Finley, born 7 November 1795, Abbeville, South Carolina.⁽⁹⁶⁾ He died in Columbia, on 7 September 1814, at the age of 18, while in his junior year at South Carolina College (now University of South Carolina).⁽⁹⁷⁾

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GENERATION THREE

6. Jane Ann³ Finley (David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was the eldest daughter of David and Elizabeth (Mounts) Finley, born 9 November 1785 in Lincoln County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).⁽⁹⁸⁾ She is also the only one of the children to have lived out her life in Kentucky; she died 12 May 1871 and is buried in the Burnt Tavern Graveyard at Bryantsville.⁽⁹⁹⁾ Jane Ann married on 15 May 1801,⁽¹⁰⁰⁾ Edmond Smith, born about 1779, the son of James and Magdalene (Woods) Smith.⁽¹⁰¹⁾ Edmond predeceased Jane Ann by more than 20 years and died prior to 15 December 1848.⁽¹⁰²⁾

Edmond's father, the Reverend James Smith, was a Separatist Baptist minister who came to Kentucky from Virginia in 1779 close to the same time the Finleys and Downings arrived. James, together with his brother Henry, and sons John and William built a station (or fort) called Smith's Station. It later became known as Smithtown, now Bryantsville. Edmond was but 6 months old when the family moved to the Dicks River area.⁽¹⁰³⁾ The Smith home was inherited by Edmond, who replaced the original log structure with a brick building around 1798-1800, and it became a tavern. The name, Old Burnt Tavern, was derived from two fires, in which the dining room was saved and added to. Edmond, Jane Ann and their son, David Finley Smith, operated the noted tavern, which was an important stopping-place for stagecoach and horseback travelers from the North on their way to Crab Orchard Springs, Danville, Nashville and Florence, Alabama. Here families stopped, ate and slept overnight while they rested from long and tiresome stagecoach trips. Prices for lodging and refreshments at Burnt Tavern in the 1830s and 1840s included: Breakfast 25 cents; dinner 37 1/2 cents; supper 25 cents, night's lodging 12 1/2 cents; whiskey per half pint 12 1/2 cents; cider per quart 6 1/4 cents; peach brandy per quart 12 1/2 cents; wine, rum or cognac brandy per half pint 25 cents; beer per quart 12 1/2 cents, and hay, grain and stablage for horse overnight 37 1/2 cents. Burnt Tavern also served as a mail stagecoach stop in the mid 1830s.⁽¹⁰⁴⁾

Jane Ann is the earliest family member for whom photographs have been found, along with two of their sons, Merrill and Edmund Finley Smith. Edmond's will, proved in 1848 named, in addition to Jane Ann, seven children (listed below with others) and four grandchildren, Mary Smith, Mary Virginia Smith, Presley Talbot and Charles Talbot. Executors were Jane Ann and their oldest son, Harold F. Smith.⁽¹⁰⁵⁾ During the Civil War, the Smiths were southern in their sympathies. However, they were located between two Union camps (Camp Dick Robinson and Camp Nelson), and the officers of both camps used the tavern for their entertainment to the inconvenience of its owners. It was in Federal possession for the greater part of the war, with the exception of the time of Bragg's invasion of Kentucky and his retreat from Perryville where the largest battle of the war in Kentucky was fought. According to one historian, the period during which this tavern existed was one of the most exciting of the history of Garrard County. He says, "A volume could be written about its guests [among them Jenny Lind, the 'Swedish Nightingale,' and Henry Clay], pleasure seekers, statesmen, men of business and travelers of every kind, so rich it is in legend and story."⁽¹⁰⁶⁾

Jane Ann lived through these exciting times to the age of almost 86. She is buried in the Burnt Tavern Graveyard at Bryantsville.⁽¹⁰⁷⁾ The tract of land on which Jane Ann and Edmond lived remained successively in the possession of their descendants until 1944, when it was sold by Mrs. Bourbon Dawes.

Known children of Jane Ann (Finley) and Edmond Smith are as follows:⁽¹⁰⁸⁾

17 i. Harold F.4 Smith, born 1803, married Catherine Brown.

18 ii. Almira Smith, born 1806, married Rice.

19 iii. Merrill Smith, born 1809, married Hannah Burnside.

20 iv. Elizabeth F. Smith, born 1811, married John G. Talbot, 11 August 1829; died 1842.

21 v. Mary Jane Smith, born 1814, married Nathan L. Smith.

22 vi. Sally Ann Smith, born 1816, married Bowie.

23 vii. Edmund Smith, born 1819, married Mary Myers, January 1835.

24 viii. David Smith, born 1821, married (1) Martha Kemper, (2) Mrs. Pauline Kennedy; died 1881.

25 ix. Anna Maria Smith, born 1825, died young.

26 x. Josephine Peachy Smith, born 1827, married Simon Drake.

7. Edmund³ Finley (David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born about 1787⁽¹⁰⁹⁾ in Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky). He married Catherine _____ sometime prior to 17 June 1819 and most likely before 1810.⁽¹¹⁰⁾ Most of what is known about Edmund had to be reconstructd from census and land records. No records were found for him in the Dicks River area, suggesting he had moved out before the rest of the family went to Indiana. In addition, his son John Findley (probably his oldest) gives his birthplace (about 1810) as Tennessee in 1850, 1860 and 1870 census records.⁽¹¹¹⁾ Tennessee records have been searched to no avail. The earliest record of any kind found for Edmund was a land entry for 160 acres (Range 2E, Township 2N, Section 10, SE 1/4) in Washington County, Indiana on 9 April 1813. Adjacent to him, in the SW 1/4 was an entry made by H. (Harvey) Findley on 16 January 1818.⁽¹¹²⁾ Edmond and Catherine, his wife, sold 40 acres of this property on 17 June 1819.⁽¹¹³⁾ They are not found in the 1820 Indiana census, nor have they been found elsewhere that year. However, in 1830 they are found in Wayne County, Missouri not far from brother, Jesse.⁽¹¹⁴⁾ By 1840, they had moved on to Van Buren County (renamed Cass County in 1849), Missouri.⁽¹¹⁵⁾ Bates County was formed from portions of Cass, Van Buren and Jackson Counties in 1841 and it is here that some of his nephews (sons of Samuel) are found in 1850. However, by 1850, Edmund and Catherine had moved on and were found living in the home of Lewis Findley in Hopkins County, Texas.⁽¹¹⁶⁾ In Cass County, Missouri there were sufficient land records to identify two additional probable sons of Edmund and Catherine. In 1845, and 1848, David and Margaret A. Finley, his wife sold property; while in 1852 Lewis and Letitia Finley, his wife and Edmund and Catherine each sold two parcels.⁽¹¹⁷⁾ In the 1840 census, David Findley is living next door to Edmund in Missouri.⁽¹¹⁸⁾ In the 1850 census, Edmund and Katherine, aged 63 and 65 are living with Lewis and Lettecia, aged 25 and 35; while near by are David and Margaret Findley, aged 35 and 32.⁽¹¹⁹⁾ No further information is available on Edmund. Probable sons of Edmund and Catherine Finley include the following:

+27 i. John⁴ Finley, born about 1810 in Tennessee.

+28 ii. David Finley, born about 1815 in Missouri.

+29 iii. Lewis Finley, born about 1825 in Missouri.

8. Samuel³ Finley (David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 14 February 1790 in Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).⁽¹²⁰⁾ He died 15 September 1835 in Macon County, Illinois at the age of 45.⁽¹²¹⁾ On 9 May 1809, he married Martha (Patsy) Downing, daughter of Captain James and Nancy Downing, long time friend and neighbor of David Finley.⁽¹²²⁾ Martha was born 18 January 1788,⁽¹²³⁾ probably in the Dicks River area of Kentucky. She died 15 November 1832,⁽¹²⁴⁾ probably in Orange County, Indiana. Samuel remarried Rachel Black on 21 November 1833 in Macon County, Illinois.⁽¹²⁵⁾

Shortly after the marriage of Samuel and Martha, the young couple moved to Orange County, Indiana. Samuel served in the Indiana Territory Militia during the War of 1812 in the same unit with his brother, Jesse.⁽¹²⁶⁾ Samuel was found on the payroll of Paddack's 5th Regiment, Captain Charles Busey's Company, as a private for the period 18 February to 19 March 1813 for which he received $8, one month's pay. In 1817, Samuel and Martha received a gift of 160 acres from his parents along with like gifts to four other siblings.⁽¹²⁷⁾ At that same time, Samuel bought an additional 160 acres adjacent to the property that was gifted to him (SW quarter in Range 1E, Township 2N, Section 2) for $500.⁽¹²⁸⁾ Samuel and Martha (Patsy) lived in Orange County where most, if not all, of their eight children were born. When Martha died 15 November 1832, at the age of 44, she left Samuel with children ranging in age from 3 years to 19 years. Martha may have been the victim of Cholera for about this time an epidemic swept through the Upper Lost River area where they lived.⁽¹²⁹⁾ (Samuel's brother, Harvey, had died in May of 1832 and Harvey's wife and two of their children died in July and August of 1833.)

Samuel and his children moved to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois where he remarried Rachel Black on 21 November 1833.⁽¹³⁰⁾ Less than two years later, Samuel died at the age of 45, leaving five minor children.

Samuel left a will and there are many court records concerning the disposition of his property and the guardianship of his minor children.⁽¹³¹⁾ His will, written in July 1835, about two months before his death, divided his property equally among his wife and his children, except that his son, James, was to receive "one certain yellow filley now one year old past." In the event Rachel remarried, his property was then to revert to his children and be divided equally among them. His list of goods and chattels contained 59 items including mostly household furnishings, tools, oxen, calves and cows, sheep, hogs, horses and farm supplies, including three bees stands and bees. Total value was appraised at $585.12 1/2. He owned a total of 360 acres which had been entered at the Land Office at Vandalia,⁽¹³²⁾ Illinois. Two parcels were timber land 4 miles from Decatur, a third was prairie land. Total value was set at $1600.⁽¹³³⁾ Alvin, Samuel's eldest son, was the executor for his estate.

Apparently, some difficulty arose in the division of the property, for on 29 August 1836, John Finley (son of Edmund above) and his wife, Mahala (oldest daughter of Samuel), petitioned the court for the division of Samuel's property.⁽¹³⁴⁾ In September, commissioners were appointed to divide the property.⁽¹³⁵⁾ On 3 November 1836, the commissioners reported to the court that "the said lands and tenements cannot be divided without manifest prejudice to the proprietors of the same." How the matter was resolved is not given in the existing records of Macon County.

Nor did the matter of the guardianship for the minor children of Samuel go smoothly. Josephus Hewett was appointed guardian for minor children Jefferson, James, John, Samuel and Elizabeth on 19 September 1836.⁽¹³⁶⁾ On 25 March 1837, brother, Alvin, was appointed their guardian and offered bond in the amount of $2600 jointly with Randall Davis.⁽¹³⁷⁾ Apparently, that arrangement was not permanent, for on 16 June 1837, a similar document was presented naming Alvin guardian, but the bond, in the same amount, was made jointly by Alvin and Jacob Black (presumably kin to the widow Finley).⁽¹³⁸⁾ However, the widow, Rachel (Black) Finley remarried Hugh McCully in August,⁽¹³⁹⁾ and on 18 October Hugh and Rachel McCully summoned Alvin to court, claiming he, as guardian for the children, owed Rachel $50 for the care of the minor children. An inventory of the services she provided included such items as making two pair of pantaloons, several shirts, two pair of socks, two bed quilts and one domestic sheet, washing and mending, and furnishing "victuals and drink at sundries times," for seven months between 15 September 1835 and 1 May 1836. The itemized list totaled $53 and a judgment was entered in favor of the plaintiff. Alvin filed an appeal and the McCulleys were ordered to appear in May 1838.⁽¹⁴⁰⁾ However, Alvin died before the appointed date,⁽¹⁴¹⁾ and Henry Snyder was officially appointed guardian on 3 November 1838.⁽¹⁴²⁾

One other item of interest was found in Samuel's probate records. Jacob Black testified on 14 March 1840 that John Finley and Mahala, his wife (formerly Mahala Finley), Jefferson Finley and James Finley, heirs of Samuel Finley are no longer residents of Illinois, but reside in the state of Missouri.⁽¹⁴³⁾

Known children of Samuel and Martha (Downing) Finley include:⁽¹⁴⁴⁾

30 i. Mahala⁴ Finley, born 22 May 1811, married her first cousin, John Findley, son of Samuel's brother, Edmund, 25 December 1831. After their suit involving the division of her father's property in 1836 and sometime before 1840, they moved to Missouri, taking younger brothers Jefferson and James with them. Since Jefferson and James appeared in court in Macon County in January and April of 1838 to choose Henry Snyder their guardian, that narrows the time of the move to Missouri. By 22 March of 1840, husband, John, had married Sarah Masters in Jackson County, Missouri.⁽¹⁴⁵⁾ Attempts to find either court records or death records involving Mahala have failed. Family tradition, as related by Ethel Work Balmer, granddaughter of this John Findley and Sarah Masters, says Mahala and John had nine children,⁽¹⁴⁶⁾ however, nothing has been found to substantiate this.

+31 ii. Alvin Finley, born 9 October 1811 in Orange County, Indiana.

+32 iii. Nancy J. Finley, born 25 February 1816 in Orange County, Indiana.

33 iv. Jefferson Finley, born 25 April 1818 in Orange County, Indiana; married Frances Foe, 1 February 1838 in Macon County, Illinois. Shortly after that, they went to Missouri with John and Mahala Findley. Nothing further is known of Jefferson.

34 v. James Finley, born 20 January 1821 in Orange County, Indiana. Went to Missouri with his older sister, Mahala and brother, Jefferson sometime between 1838 and 1840. A James Finley married Caroline Masters, 21 May 1840, in Jackson County, soon after John Findley married Sarah Masters.⁽¹⁴⁷⁾ It is tempting to believe it is this James Finley who married Caroline Masters, but no proof has been found. In 1845 in Cass County, he was appointed guardian for his brother, Samuel, then aged 19; David Findley (most likely his cousin and younger brother of brother-in-law, John) acted as surety.⁽¹⁴⁸⁾ About five years later, on 24 April 1850, James bought 33 acres⁽¹⁴⁹⁾ from Samuel, which he had entered in Bates County in 1847 (Bates County was formed from Cass, Van Buren and Jackson Counties in 1841; Cass County was organized as Van Buren County and renamed to Cass in 1849). In the 1850 census that year, James, aged 28 was found living alone not far away from his younger brother, John, Kesia and their two children.⁽¹⁵⁰⁾

+35 vi. John Finley, born 5 June 1823 in Orange County, Indiana.

+36 vii. Samuel Finley, born 6 March 1826, in Orange County, Indiana.

+37 viii. Elizabeth Finley, born 13 April 1829 in Orange County, Indiana.

9. Jesse³ Finley (David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 17 May 1792, Mercer County, Virginia (now Garrard County, Kentucky).⁽¹⁵¹⁾ He probably died before 1780 and probably in Dunklin County, Missouri.⁽¹⁵²⁾ Jesse married Rachel Colglazure, on 20 July 1815 probably in Washington County, Indiana.⁽¹⁵³⁾ She was born 28 December 1788 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jacob Colglazure who later moved to Washington County, Indiana.⁽¹⁵⁴⁾ Rachel probably died between 1850 and 1860, probably in Texas.⁽¹⁵⁵⁾

Jesse served in the Indiana Territory Militia during the War of 1812 in the same unit with his brother, Samuel.⁽¹⁵⁶⁾ He was found on the payroll of Paddack's 5th Regiment, Captain Charles Busey's Company, as a private for the period 18 February 1813 to 15 May 1813, for which he received $16, two month's pay. However, this does not agree with a later application for bounty land that Jesse made, 5 August 1853, while living in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas. In that document, he stated he enlisted in June 1814 and served for one year. He was mustered in at Paoli and discharged at Vincennes, but had lost his certificate of discharge.⁽¹⁵⁷⁾

In 1817, Jesse and Rachel received a gift of 160 acres from his parents along with like gifts to four other siblings.⁽¹⁵⁸⁾ They were still living in Orange County in 1820,⁽¹⁵⁹⁾ but by 1830 had moved on to Wayne County, Missouri where they were living near his brother, Edmund.⁽¹⁶⁰⁾ The move was probably made between March 1827 (when son, Edmond, was born) and October 1829 (when Joseph Jefferson was born) if the 1850 census in Hunt County, Texas correctly states the respective birth places of their sons, Edmond and Joseph Jefferson.⁽¹⁶¹⁾ However, the 1900 census for Edmond states he was born in Missouri,⁽¹⁶²⁾ so the family could have made the move a couple of years earlier. Unfortunately, the Wayne County Courthouse burned in 1854 with all land records, so it is impossible to get information on their land holdings. In 1840, Jesse was found in Stoddard County, Missouri,⁽¹⁶³⁾ adjacent to Wayne County. By 1850, they had gone on to Hunt County, Texas, where he, along with sons, Milton, George, Edmond, Joseph J. and Marion, and brother Edmond and his son, John, all settled in Mercers Colony.⁽¹⁶⁴⁾ Each received from Charles Fenton Mercer and Associates known as the Texas Association, a certificate issued either 6 or 7 May 1850. Married men received certificates for 640 acres (Jesse, Milton, George, Edmond, Sr., John); single men received certificates for 320 acres each (Edmond, Jr., Joseph J. and Marion). The description of a 320 acre survey for Jesse done the next month, places his property on Lake Fork Creek of the Sabine River.⁽¹⁶⁵⁾ By the time the 1850 census was taken, Jesse and Rachel and their unmarried sons owning Mercers Colony certificates were found living together, with married sons William, Milton and George nearby.⁽¹⁶⁶⁾ However, by the time the 1860 census was taken, Jesse had moved to Missouri and was living in the home of David and Margaret Finley in Dunklin County.⁽¹⁶⁷⁾ By 1870, Jesse had disappeared from the home of his son, David, and has not been found elsewhere. Presumably, Rachel died between 1850 and 1860 when Jesse moved to Missouri and Jesse died between 1860 and 1870, although no proof of this has been found to date.

Known children of Jesse and Rachel (Colglazure) Finley include:⁽¹⁶⁸⁾

+38 i. William⁴ Finley, born 6 March 1816, in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby.

+39 ii. Milton Finley, born 6 February 1818 in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby.

+40 iii. David Finley, born 1 September 1819 in Orange County, Indiana.

41 iv. Samuel Finley, born 22 May 1821 in Indiana.

+42 v. Elizabeth Ellen Finley,⁽¹⁶⁹⁾ born 10 March 1823 in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby.

+43 vi. George W. Finley, born April 1825 in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby.

+44 vii. Edmond Finley, born 27 March 1827⁽¹⁷⁰⁾ in Indiana or Missouri.⁽¹⁷¹⁾

+45 viii. Joseph Jefferson Finley, born 5 October 1829 in Missouri, probably Wayne County.

46 ix. Marion Finley, born 16 August 1830 in Missouri, probably Wayne County. He received a certificate for 320 acres in Mercers Colony on 7 May 1850.⁽¹⁷²⁾ Marion married Arminda Kerbo, 17 April 1862 in Hopkins County.⁽¹⁷³⁾

47 x. Mary Elizabeth Finley, born 11 March 1833, probably in Wayne or Stoddard County, Missouri.

10. Harvey³ Finley (David², John¹ ) was born 11 February 1795, Mercer County, Kentucky (now Garrard County).⁽¹⁷⁴⁾ He died 26 May 1832 at the age of thirty-seven and is buried in Trimble Cemetery.⁽¹⁷⁵⁾ Harvey married Elizabeth McKinney, born 1 May 1790, daughter of David and Margaret (Wallace) McKinney,⁽¹⁷⁶⁾ 24 January 1816.⁽¹⁷⁷⁾ Elizabeth died 3 August 1833 at the age of forty-three and is buried near Harvey.⁽¹⁷⁸⁾

Harvey was one of five children of David and Elizabeth to receive a quarter section of land gift from his parents in August 1817.⁽¹⁷⁹⁾ They are listed in the 1820 census in Washington County.⁽¹⁸⁰⁾ After Harvey's death in May 1832, his brother Cyrus was appointed guardian to his seven infant children.⁽¹⁸¹⁾ In July and August of the next year (1833), two of Harvey's children, David and Elizabeth Ann and his wife, Elizabeth died.⁽¹⁸²⁾ That was the time of a Cholera epidemic in Washington County that swept down into the upper Lost River valley where the family lived.⁽¹⁸³⁾ With five premature Finley deaths (including Samuel's wife, Martha) during a fifteen month period it seems likely Cholera could have been the cause.

Over the next nine years, the guardianship of Harvey and Elizabeth's children changed several times, but Cyrus was involved in all but the final assignment for William, if not as guardian, then as surety. On 10 February 1835, Joseph Maxwell, Cyrus' brother-in-law, was appointed guardian of the remaining five orphans of Harvey and Elizabeth.⁽¹⁸⁴⁾ On 8 May 1843, Cyrus was reappointed guardian of Thomas, Mary and William and William Montgomery was appointed guardian of Margaret.⁽¹⁸⁵⁾ While on 12 August 1844, Cyrus was again appointed guardian of Mary Jane and David McKinney was appointed guardian of William.⁽¹⁸⁶⁾ Known children of Harvey and Elizabeth (McKinney) Finley include:⁽¹⁸⁷⁾

48 i. Eliza Ann⁴ Finley, born 5 February 1817, died 22 August 1833, buried in Trimble Cemetery.⁽¹⁸⁸⁾

49 ii. James Harvey Finley, born 31 March 1820, died 11 January 1860, buried in Orleans Cemetery.⁽¹⁸⁹⁾

50 iii. David M. Finley, born January 1823, died 20 July 1833, buried in Trimble Cemetery.

51 iv. Thomas Jefferson Finley.

52 v. Margaret Emily Finley, born 9 August 1825, married William Montgomery 5 October 1842,⁽¹⁹⁰⁾ died 24 January 1870 and is buried in Trimble Cemetery.⁽¹⁹¹⁾ Known children of Margaret Emily and William Montgomery include:⁽¹⁹²⁾

(a) Ida Beatrice Montgomery, died 18 March 1863, buried in Trimble Cemetery.

(b) Louise J. Montgomery, buried in Trimble Cemetery.

(c) Theofilus Montgomery, born 27 February 1845, died 15 February 1866, buried in Trimble Cemetery.

(d) William F. Montgomery, born 14 August 1846, died 30 January 1879, buried in Trimble Cemetery.

(e) female Montgomery, born about 1849.

53 vi. Mary Jane Finley, was licensed to marry Thomas W. Riley,⁽¹⁹³⁾ 7 November 1844.

54 vii. William Alexander Finley,⁽¹⁹⁴⁾ born 5 January 1831, married Elizabeth C. Lewis 21 December 1854;⁽¹⁹⁵⁾ died 2 June 1870.⁽¹⁹⁶⁾

11. Mary³ (Polly) Finley (David², John¹ ) was born 9 June 1797⁽¹⁹⁷⁾ in Garrard County, Kentucky. She died 4 October 1842 in Orange County, Indiana at the age of forty-five. She married Joseph Maxwell, probably in Orange County, Indiana prior to 15 August 1817⁽¹⁹⁸⁾ for on that date she and Joseph received a gift of 160 acres from her parents.⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ Joseph Maxwell, son of James and ____ (Browne) Maxwell, was born 11 March 1795 in South Carolina. He died 26 January 1881 in Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas where he had been living with daughters Martha Jane Lindley and Mary Elizabeth Newlin.

 

The Maxwells removed to the Lost River area of Orange County in 1811 where Joseph grew to maturity and served with the Rangers to quell the Indians. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for many years. In 1832 when Cyrus was appointed guardian for the children of his brother, Harvey, Joseph acted as surety.⁽²⁰⁰⁾ In 1835, Joseph Maxwell became guardian of the five living orphans of Harvey and Elizabeth.⁽²⁰¹⁾ Mary (Finley) Maxwell was one of four children who predeceased her father for it is "Mary Maxwell's heirs" listed in David's final settlement.⁽²⁰²⁾ After Mary's death, Joseph remarried and had six more children. In 1866 he moved to Howard County, Indiana and in 1878 to Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas where he lived with his daughters noted above.

Children of Mary (Finley) and Joseph Maxwell, all born in Orange County, include:⁽²⁰³⁾

55 i. Almira⁴ Maxwell, born 1 December 1816; married John W. Tucker, 26 September 1833, Orange County.⁽²⁰⁴⁾

56 ii. Eliza Jane Maxwell, born 9 October 1818.

57 iii. James David Maxwell, born 14 February 1820, died 22 November 1831 in Orange County.

58 iv. America Ann Maxwell, born 25 January 1822, married William O. Jeter, 24 January 1850 in Orange County.⁽²⁰⁵⁾

59 v. Martha Jane Maxwell, born 23 September 1823; married Alfred Lindley, 9 January 1845.⁽²⁰⁶⁾

60 vi. Louiza Maxwell, born 25 September 1825, married Jonathan Dixon, 6 March 1845, Orange County.⁽²⁰⁷⁾

61 vii. Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, born 23 January 1828; married Mahlon H. Newlin, 15 January 1846.⁽²⁰⁸⁾

62 viii. Joseph Jefferson Maxwell, born 3 July 1830. He married Martha Jane Smith, 29 October 1852 in Paoli, Orange County. He died 12 May 1919 in Los Angeles, California.

63 ix. George Washington Maxwell, born 4 October 1832.

64 x. Cyrus Maxwell, born 1 January 1835; died 13 March 1873, Orange County.⁽²⁰⁹⁾

65 xi. Sarah Brown(e) Maxwell, born 16 September 1838.

66 xii. John Tucker Maxwell, born 1842.

12. Cyrus³ Finley (David², John¹) was born 25 November 1799 in Garrard County, Kentucky.⁽²¹⁰⁾ He died 14 December 1875,⁽²¹¹⁾ David's only son to remain in Orange County and survive him. He married Rachel Downey on 17 December 1818.⁽²¹²⁾ Rachel was born 15 September 1795 and died 10 August 1856, probably in Orange County.⁽²¹³⁾ Both are buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Orleans, Orange County.

 

At the time of his marriage he had already received a gift of 160 acres from his parents.⁽²¹⁴⁾ Cyrus was the one who assumed the family responsibilities when his brother, Harvey, died in 1832 leaving seven young children.⁽²¹⁵⁾ He was the one who made the somewhat unique agreement with his father in 1845 described above.⁽²¹⁶⁾ And he was the one who carried out David's wishes, administered his estate, and reported the final settlement in 1851.⁽²¹⁷⁾ Cyrus outlived his own three sons, James, David, and Merrill, so when Cyrus died 14 December 1875, intestate, his son-in-law, Gilead P. Lee, was appointed executor.⁽²¹⁸⁾ Named in his settlement were Eliza J. Lee, daughter; Cyrus E. Finley, grandson and son of Merrill Finley, deceased; Ellen R. Mahan and Merrill F. Finley, grandchildren and children of David Finley, deceased; Eliza Turley and Martha Mahan, grandchildren and children of James Finley, deceased. Known children of Cyrus and Rachel (Downey) Finley include the following:⁽²¹⁹⁾

67 i. James⁴ Finley, born 31 March 1820; married Amanda Johnson about 1847; died 11 January 1860,⁽²²⁰⁾ buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Orleans. Their children included:⁽²²¹⁾

(a) Eliza J. Finley, born about 1848, married Benjamin F. Turley, 19 March 1868 in Orange County.⁽²²²⁾

(b) Martha Finley, born about 1853, married Worth Mahan, 13 January 1870 in Orange County.⁽²²³⁾

68 ii. David Finley, born 24 August 1821; married Elizabeth Tegarden, daughter of John and Lucinda (Irvine) Tegarden, 30 September 1847;⁽²²⁴⁾ died 19 July 1854, buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Orleans.⁽²²⁵⁾ Their children, all born in Orange County, included:⁽²²⁶⁾

(a) Rachel E. Finley, born 21 November 1848⁽²²⁷⁾ in Orange County; married John W. Mahan.⁽²²⁸⁾

(b) Lucinda E. Finley, born 10 October 1850; died 2 February 1855;⁽²²⁹⁾ buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Orleans.

(c) Ellen R. Finley.⁽²³⁰⁾

(d) Merrill F. Finley, born 6 January 1853; died 27 August 1893/1896;⁽²³¹⁾ buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Orleans.

69 iii. Merrill Finley, born 25 March 1827; married Sarah Marilda Wright, 4 January 1849;⁽²³²⁾ died 28 July 1856, buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Orleans. Their children, all born in Orange County, included:⁽²³³⁾

(a) Cyrus E. Finley, born 25 October 1851; married Mary (Nannie) J. Monyhan, 27 March 1870 in Orange County.⁽²³⁴⁾

(b) Gilead E. Finley, born 18 December 1852; died 6 Janaury 1865; buried in Green Hill Cemetery.

(c) Henry L. Finley, died 26 July 1856; buried in Green Hill Cemetery.

(d) Eliza J. Finley, born 5 February 1855; died 5 September 1856; buried in Green Hill Cemetery.

70 iv. Eliza Jane Finley, married Gilead P. Lee, 16 September 1851.⁽²³⁵⁾ Their children included:⁽²³⁶⁾

(a) Sarah M. Lee.

(b) Merrill S. Lee.

(c) Carrie B. Lee.

13. Elizabeth³ Finley, (David², John¹) was born 8 February 1802, Garrard County, Kentucky and died 25 September 1889 in Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois.⁽²³⁷⁾ She married John Holman Sneed, son of John and Sarah (Johnson) Sneed, 2 September 1817, in Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky.⁽²³⁸⁾

Apparently, the Sneeds remained for a while in Garrard County after the Finleys had moved on to Indiana, for they are found there in the 1820 census.⁽²³⁹⁾ However, on 28 June 1830, Elizabeth's parents deeded to the Sneeds, 20 acres of the land they (David and Elizabeth) were living on in Orange County, Indiana.⁽²⁴⁰⁾ The Sneeds are also listed in the 1830 census of Orange County living near David and Elizabeth.⁽²⁴¹⁾ The known children of Elizabeth (Finley) and John Sneed are:⁽²⁴²⁾

71 i. John A.⁴ Sneed, born 1818, died 1818.

72 ii. Harvey F. Finley, born 26 September 1819, married Clarissa Kersey, died 15 April 1872.

73 iii. Rufus Sneed, married Mlle Lechene.

74 iv. Almira Sneed, born 8 January 1822, married S. Haley, died 4 November 1854.

75 v. Henry C. Sneed, born 26 May 1824, died 1863, buried at Ft. Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

76 vi. Benjamin Sneed, born 2 May 1826, married Elizabeth Boyd, died 27 June 1859.

77 vii. Isabella H. Sneed, born 29 October 1828, married John Dunks, died April 1871.

78 viii. John A. Sneed, born 10 December 1830, married Elizabeth Day, died 4 June 1877.

79 ix. Sarah E. Sneed, born 10 January 1833, married F. Wilson, died 2 October 1854.

80 x. James B. Sneed, born 10 March 1835, married Julia Taylor in 1864, died 30 May 1894.

81 xi. Mary J. Sneed, born 5 April 1837, married William McCoy, died 3 January 1899.

82 xii. David F. Sneed, born 10 August 1839, married Alice Hebden, died 18 August 1891.

83 xiii. Nathan Sneed, born 1842, married Adelaide Cannon.

14. Jefferson³ Finley (David², John¹), was born 16 May 1805,⁽²⁴³⁾ in Garrard County, Kentucky. He died 19 November 1829 probably in Orange County, Indiana.⁽²⁴⁴⁾ He married Miriam Brooks, 27 December 1825 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽²⁴⁵⁾ She was born 4/5 November 1803 in Kentucky, the daughter of John Clark and Hannah (Sharrow) Brooks and died 12 December 1848 probably in Orange County.⁽²⁴⁶⁾ After the death of Jefferson, Miriam remarried Andrew Tegarden in September 1832. He was born 15 March 1802, the son of Basil and Annie (Todd) Tegarden of Shelby County, Kentucky.⁽²⁴⁷⁾

Jefferson, David and Elizabeth's youngest child, died at the age of twenty-four, leaving three young children. David made these three grand children his major beneficiaries (see details above in discussion of David and Cyrus). Jefferson was the first person to be buried in the Finley Cemetery in Orleans. Although Miriam Brooks remarried after his death, she is buried beside Jefferson in the Finley Cemetery.

The children of Jefferson and Miriam (Brooks) Finley are:

+84 i. Josephine⁴ Finley, born 20 January 1827,⁽²⁴⁸⁾ probably in Orange County.

+85 ii. Samuel Finley, born 10 July 1828,⁽²⁴⁹⁾ in Orange County.⁽²⁵⁰⁾

+86 iii. Elizabeth F. Finley, born 10 April 1830,⁽²⁵¹⁾ probably in Orange County.

15. Reuben Jefferson³ Finley (Thomas² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 31 March 1783 in Montgomery County, Virginia (now Wythe County), the son of Thomas Finley and Catherine Kinder.⁽²⁵²⁾ He died on 9 August 1837 in Overton County, Tennessee.⁽²⁵³⁾ Reuben married Nancy (McCully) King in Hawkins County, Tennessee on 7 May 1807.⁽²⁵⁴⁾

Reuben was reared by his mother and Andrew Swallow whom she married in the Spring of 1785. Swallow saw Revolutionary War service, both in Pennsylvania, where he was born, and in North Carolina and Virginia after his move to Montgomery County (later Wythe) around 1780. After his marriage, the family moved to North Carolina and then to Overton County, Tennessee. He was living in Overton County in September 1832 when he made application for a pension. In those papers, Reuben is listed as the oldest child. They stated his birth date as 2 March 1783, somewhat at variance with existing bible records.⁽²⁵⁵⁾

In November 1814, Reuben was drafted in Hawkins County, for the War of 1812 and was discharged at Knoxville, 14 May 1815. He was a Sargeant under Captain Slaten in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Baley in General Colter's Brigade.⁽²⁵⁶⁾ Sometime between September 1818 (birth of daughter, Rhoda) and January 1821 (birth of daughter, Polly) the family moved to Overton County. Reuben obtained land grants in Overton County between 1825 and 1839 totalling 250 acres.⁽²⁵⁷⁾

After the death of Reuben's father, Thomas, in December 1831, Alexander Hunter, executor of the estate, apparently tried to locate Reuben. A letter written by Hunter, dated 19 June 1833 explained he had made inquiries of the deceased's brother in Kentucky, to no avail. However, word apparently did reach Reuben, for he wrote to the Ordinary at Abbeville Courthouse to make his whereabouts known. Hunter invited Reuben to visit his stepmother, Jane (Clark) Finley in Abbeville and expressed the opinion she might be willing to give him some of her property before her death. "She has more property than is really useful to her at present. She sometimes adressed a desire that youd move here & live near her."⁽²⁵⁸⁾ Whether Reuben made this visit is not known. However, Reuben never saw any of the property his father left him for he died soon after, on 9 August 1837 at the age of 54,⁽²⁵⁹⁾ and Thomas' widow, Jane (Clark) Finley was still living at that time. The confusion that ensued is continued in the section on Reuben's son, Thomas Milton Finley below. Nancy lived for some years after Reuben's death and on 16 August 1852, she made a deposition for the purpose of claiming bounty land to which she was entitled for his service in the War of 1812.⁽²⁶⁰⁾ She received a warrant for 80 acres. When a new act of Congress was passed in March 1855, she reapplied for additional bounty land to which she might be entitled.⁽²⁶¹⁾ Thus she was still alive and still a widow on that date, 23 June 1855. The children of Reuben Jefferson and Nancy (McCulley, King) Finley were:⁽²⁶²⁾

+87 i. Thomas Milton⁴ Finley, born 16 November 1808, Hawkins County, Tennessee.

88 ii. Isaac Newton Finley, born 6 June 1811, Hawkins County, Tennessee; married Elizabeth Conaster, 25 December 1835, Overton County, Tennessee; died 30 August 1890, Overton County.

89 iii. William Orville Finley, born 16 January 1814, Hawkins County; died 1 November 1832, Overton County.

90 iv. Granville Huston Finley was born 16 June 1816 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.⁽²⁶³⁾ On 3 April 1851 he married Mary Maxey in Jackson County, Tennessee.⁽²⁶⁴⁾ At some time after the death of his brother, Thomas Milton, he continued the quest for the family legacy and just prior to his marriage, 4 March 1851, he received a letter from Alexander Hunter urging him to get everything in order so that the estate could be settled.⁽²⁶⁵⁾ Finally, on 15 May 1851, Granville received a letter from Hunter instructing him to bring papers with him and plan to meet with the Court of Equity the second Monday in June.⁽²⁶⁶⁾ Final settlement is not apparent from the existing records. Granville was a doctor and served the Confederate cause during the Civil War.⁽²⁶⁷⁾ He died September 1862.⁽²⁶⁸⁾

91 v. Rhoda Finley, born 15 September 1818, Hawkins County, Tennessee; married Robert Oakley, 4 January 1838, Overton County; died 2 February 1890, Overton County.

92 vi. Mary Ann (Polly) Finley, born 29 January 1821, Overton County; married Ahi Deck, 2 April 1846, Overton County.

93 vii. Jane (King or Katherine) Finley, born 18 February 1823, Overton County; married William Walker; died 19 September 1891 possibly in Arkansas.

94 viii. Reuben Jefferson Finley, born 2 May 1826, Overton County; married Henrietta Lora Walker, 2 July 1846. He was a confederate soldier in the Civil War. He was shot by three Yankee Bushwackers and died 26 January 1865, Overton County.

95 ix. Nancy Ann Finley, born 5 March 1833, Overton County; died 29 September 1949, Overton County.

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GENERATION FOUR

27. John⁴ Fin(d)ley (Edmund³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was probably the eldest son of Edmund and Catherine Finley. He was born about 1810 in Tennessee.⁽²⁶⁹⁾ He married his first cousin, Mahala Finley, daughter of Samuel, on 25 December 1831⁽²⁷⁰⁾ probably in Orange County, Indiana. He married, second, Sarah Masters, on 22 March 1840 in Jackson County, Missouri.⁽²⁷¹⁾ He married, third, Elizabeth Finley, youngest sister of Mahala, his first wife.⁽²⁷²⁾ John died 7 August 1871 in Tulare County, California, the result of a shotgun wound.⁽²⁷³⁾ (See section 8. on Samuel Finley for information on Mahala; section 37. on Elizabeth).

John and Mahala moved on to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois about the time Mahala's father, Samuel, and his young family went there, or shortly after. At least, John and Mahala, are prominent in the court cases of Macon County, when it came time to settle Samuel's estate in 1836. On 29 August 1836, John and Mahala petitioned the court for the division of Samuel's property.⁽²⁷⁴⁾ There was also a John Finley who was an administrator of the estate of Daniel Porter with inventory made 17 March 1836,⁽²⁷⁵⁾ as well as a number of court cases involving a John Finley during this general time period.⁽²⁷⁶⁾ However, they were gone before March 1840, since Jacob Black made a statement to the effect that "John Finley and Mahala his wife (formerly Mahala Finley), Jefferson Finley and James Finley, heirs of Samuel Finley, dec'd, of the County of Macon are not residents of this state but reside in the State of Missouri."⁽²⁷⁷⁾ Mahala disappeared from the records about this time when John married Sarah Masters.

An exhaustive search was made to try to determine what happened to Mahala, to no avail. Ethel Work Balmer, granddaughter of John, claims Mahala died and that John and Mahala had nine children.⁽²⁷⁸⁾ Since John and Mahala were married in December 1831, nine children would have been pushing the limits, unless there was at least one set of twins.⁽²⁷⁹⁾ However, no supporting documents have, as yet, been found concerning Mahala's disappearance or any indication of children they may have had.

While there were eight John Fin(d)leys in the 1840 Missouri census index, there was only one whose profile seemed to satisfy what was known about this John Finley. He was in Boone Township, Van Buren County in the general neighborhood of Edmund and his son, David.⁽²⁸⁰⁾ However, the oldest female in the household was 15-20, and Sarah would have been about 24 years old. Also living in the household were three males 20-30, 1 female under 5 and 1 female 5-10. The males could easily be accounted for as John himself (born about 1810), and Mahala's two younger brothers, Jefferson (born 1818) and James (born 1821). Jefferson had married Frances Foe on 1 February 1838 in Macon County, Illinois.⁽²⁸¹⁾ While her birth date is not known, she would need to be only 2 or 3 years younger than Jefferson to be in the age category 15-20. It is, of course, possible this is not the John Finley of interest.

John and Sarah were found in Hunt County in 1850, not far from Jesse and Rachel (Colglazure) Finley.⁽²⁸²⁾ They had five children ranging in age from 2 to 9. Birth place of the three oldest children was given as Arkansas, placing the family there for about the period 1841 to 1846. However, a part of North Texas extending to the Sabine River and the headwaters of the Trinity River was once claimed by Arkansas. This area of Texas was Miller County, Arkansas. The boundary dispute was not settled until 1838 when the lands south of the Red River were assigned to Texas.⁽²⁸³⁾ According to a published biography of William J. Findley, son of John and Sarah, he was born along the Sabine River 22 February 1851.⁽²⁸⁴⁾ In addition, John's uncle, Jesse Finley, was also placed on Lake Fork Creek of the Sabine River by a survey done in June 1850.⁽²⁸⁵⁾ That, coupled with the fact that Hunt County was formed in 1846 from Fannin and Nacogdoches Counties, makes one wonder if John and Sarah really moved or whether they were just living within the disputed area.

Also living in their household in 1850 was Elizabeth Finley, age 21, Mahala's youngest sister, who was destined to be John's third wife. It is not known precisely when John and Sarah parted, nor when John and Elizabeth married. However, John and Sarah's son, William, was born 22 February 1851,⁽²⁸⁶⁾ and a daughter, Mary, was born about 1852,⁽²⁸⁷⁾ while John and Elizabeth's first son, David, was born about 1855/1856. According to the 1860 census David was born in Texas, but the 1870 census gives his place of birth as Arkansas.⁽²⁸⁸⁾ This also lends credence to the theory that the Finleys were living within the disputed area. By 1860, both John and his new family and Sarah and her family were living near each other in Los Angeles County, California.⁽²⁸⁹⁾ John's daughter, Julia Ann, by Sarah, then about 16, had married Moses Hart and they were also living close to John and Elizabeth.⁽²⁹⁰⁾ On 6 April 1865, John bought 700 acres in Drumm Valley, Tulare County, California.⁽²⁹¹⁾ It was about this time that John's surname consistently took on the spelling "Findley." By 1870, John and Elizabeth had 5 children ranging in age from 1 to 14.⁽²⁹²⁾ The next year, on 7 August 1871, John was shot and killed.⁽²⁹³⁾ There are extensive records in Tulare County for John Fin(d)ley both in Probate Court and in a local history.⁽²⁹⁴⁾ A synopsis follows:

On 10 August 1871, the Visalia Weekly Delta, carried the following:⁽²⁹⁵⁾

HORRIBLE MURDER: -- We understand that Mr. John Findley, an old resident and a well known citizen, was murdered at his residence on Monday evening last. The old man was at home, in bed, when, just as the moon was rising, he heard someone call for him in the direction of the dooryard fence. He arose and went to the fence, some three rods from the door, when two men came up out of the creek bed, from the other side, and when within a few feet, one of them discharged what seems to have been a double-barreled shotgun in Mr. Findley's forehead, carrying away the whole top part of the head, and leaving the brains scattered about the dooryard. Whatever of clues there may be to this fiendish act, is a matter that we feel bound to forebear discussing for the present.

The County Coroner moved very quickly. A jury of six persons⁽²⁹⁶⁾ was assembled on 9 August and statements were obtained from John's widow, Elizabeth, and their oldest daughter, Catherine.⁽²⁹⁷⁾ Elizabeth testified that on the night her husband was killed she heard him talking to someone about a sick horse. She asked who it was to which he replied that he talked like Thomas Woody. Elizabeth heard the voice and stated she believed it to be Tom Woody. She heard her husband ask who else was present to which the answer was "a boy." She heard two gunshots and ran out to find her deceased husband. Catherine's testimony included the following:

That on the night of the 7th inst. I woke up and heard mother inquiring of father who he was talking to; he said the person talked mighty like Tom Woody. I heard father say, you talk mighty like Tom Woody. You are not allow_ over here. The man said, yes sir. I saw two person_ on horseback close up to the fence; they looked like well-grown men; father asked them where they come from; one of them said from the Old Mill Road; father asked them how they got off the Old Mill Road in here; the man did not answer this last question ... Immediately after the last question and answer, there were two gunshots fired, and father fell dead. I believe that I could tell whose voice it was that was talking with father. I am almost certain that it was Tom Woody.⁽²⁹⁸⁾

The coroner's jury stated:

We, the undersigned jurors impaneled to hold an inquest upon the body of a man killed at John Findley's residence, find that the deceased is John Findley; that he is a native of the State of Tennessee and that he is 61 years old, and that he came to his death on the night of the 7th inst. at his own residence, by a gunshot or gunshots in the head of some person or persons unknown to this jury. We find the homicide was done with criminal intent.

A grand jury investigation followed and in the County Court of Tulare on 11 November 1871, Thomas Woody and George Reeves were accused and indicted for the murder of John Findley. The trial took place during 1872 and 1873. Woody entered a plea of not guilty, but was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to death. The case was appealed, the jury returned a verdict of second degree murder, and Woody was sentenced to State Prison for 25 years. Reeves entered a plea of not guilty and, on motion of the District Attorney, was discharged.

John had written his will 29 August 1868.⁽²⁹⁹⁾ In it he excluded his children by his former marriage and left everything to Elizabeth and her children justifying it by saying, "I have made and accumulated nearly all my present property by and with the assistance of my present wife." He also named Elizabeth executrix and guardian of the children. However, if she remarried, then she would lose her right to guardianship and another "proper administrator and guardian" should be appointed.

Settlement of his estate began on 4 September 1781, when Elizabeth made a statement in court as to his family. They included: "John Findly, Julia Ann Hart, Nancy Work, William Findly and Mary Hart by his first wife." Her own children included David, 14; Catherine, 11;, Elizabeth, 9; Samuel, 5; Harvey, 2; and Jefferson, 3 months. On the same date, James Boyd signed a statement concerning the personal property of John. He left cattle, horses, hogs, and improvements on public lands, notes, accounts, debts, etc. Total value was set at about $14,401. However, a detailed inventory prepared two weeks later, set the value of the property at $22,941.18. About two months later on 7 November, John Findley, half brother of Elizabeth's children, petitioned the court for a legal guardian to be appointed for the minor children. Interestingly, his petition states that "Samuel Findley of the County of Sonoma in this state is now busily engaged in collecting the money belonging to said infant children and as petitioner is informed and believe is sending the same out of this county beyond the jurisdiction of the court and think there is reason to fear the said infants will loose most if not all their property by reason thereof." In 1871, there were two Samuel Finleys listed in the Great Register of Sonoma County. One was Samuel Emanuel, Elizabeth's nephew and son of her brother, John. The other was Samuel Joseph, brother to Elizabeth.⁽³⁰⁰⁾ Whichever Samuel was referred to in the petition, it appears to have been a family matter with Elizabeth's family interceding. The petitioner urged that a resident of Tulare County be appointed guardian to Elizabeth's minor children. This included, in addition to himself, his brother William and his sister, Mrs. William Work. On 23 November, Elizabeth petitioned the court as executrix saying:

That said deceased and family at the time of his death resided in the foothills in Tulare County and so removed from School facilities that the education of said minor children had been greatly neglected. That in order to get said children to some place convenient to School she has been obliged to remove from her said home in the foothills and establish a residence elsewhere.

Because of the necessary expenses incurred she further asked for $125 per month out of the proceeds of the estate due her and her children until the final settlement of the estate. Her request was approved. Elizabeth filed the final account of her administration on 3 March 1873. At that time the total value of the estate was $23,291.18. She also stated that while she had been appointed both executrix and guardian of her minor children, more recently and at her request her brother, John, of Sonoma County had been duly appointed guardian by the Probate Court of Sonoma County on 10 February 1873. Meanwhile, in January 1872, Elizabeth bought 160 acres in Sonoma County, near her brothers, John and Samuel.⁽³⁰¹⁾ On 23 March 1873, Elizabeth married Franklin Hutchinson in Tulare County.⁽³⁰²⁾

Known children of John and Sarah (Masters) Findley include:

96 i. John⁵ Finley, born about 1841 in Arkansas.⁽³⁰³⁾ As eldest son of this family, it was he who tried to protect the interests of his full brothers and sisters in the petition mentioned in the preceding section.

97 ii. Julia Ann Finley, born 18 December 1843⁽³⁰⁴⁾ in Arkansas; married Moses Hart 15 July 1859;⁽³⁰⁵⁾ died 21 January 1908, Kern County, California.⁽³⁰⁶⁾ Moses Hart was born 1 December 1833 in Conway County, Arkansas, the son of Josiah Hart.⁽³⁰⁷⁾

98 iii. Edmund Finley, born about 1846 in Arkansas.⁽³⁰⁸⁾ Edmund is not listed as an heir of his father so probably preceded him in death. In fact, he is not living with his mother in the 1860 census, so possibly died before that time.

99 iv. Nancy Caroline Finley, born 13 May 1849 in Texas.⁽³⁰⁹⁾ She married Will Work in 1864,⁽³¹⁰⁾ and died November 1923 in Mt. View, Fresno County, California.⁽³¹¹⁾

100 v. Martha Finley, born about 1848 in Texas.⁽³¹²⁾ She is said to have died on the way from Texas to California, about 1857.⁽³¹³⁾

101 vi. William J. Finley, born 22 February 1851, Sabine, Texas.⁽³¹⁴⁾ He married Ellen L. Woody, 24 February 1869 at Sand Creek, Tulare County, California.⁽³¹⁵⁾ It was his brother-in-law, Thomas Woody, who was convicted of killing his father, John Findley. William died 15 November 1917⁽³¹⁶⁾ in Dinuba, Tulare County.

102 vii. Mary Finley, born about 1852.⁽³¹⁷⁾

Children of John and Elizabeth (Finley) Findley include:⁽³¹⁸⁾

103 i. David⁵ Finley, born about 1855/56.

104 ii. Catherine M. Finley, born 1 October 1859, San Bernardino, California.⁽³¹⁹⁾ She married William Alburtus Akers, 12 September 1874 at Squaw Valley, Fresno County, California; died 4 December 1942 in Coalinga, Fresno County.⁽³²⁰⁾ Several pages of biographical material are given in Hull's And Then There Were Three Thousand. (See footnotes for complete reference)

105 iii. Elizabeth Finley, born about 1862 in California; married (1) Seaborn N. (Zebe) Lashley, 25 April 1876 in Centerville, Fresno County, California; (2) Frank Humphrey after March 1883.⁽³²¹⁾

106 iv. Samuel F. Finley, born about 1864 in California. Married Emma Chambers.⁽³²²⁾

107 v. Harvey Finley, born about 1869 probably in Drumm Valley, Tulare County, California. He married Minnie Hunsaker, daughter of George and Nancy Ann Hunsaker.⁽³²³⁾

108 vi. Jefferson Finley, born June 1871, was but 2 months old when his father died.

28. David⁴ Finley (Edmund³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born about 1815 in Missouri.⁽³²⁴⁾ David is first found in the 1840 census in Van Buren County, Missouri, living next door to his parents. At that time there was one female 20-30 and one female under five years living in his household.⁽³²⁵⁾ David and Margaret A., his wife, sold property in Cass County in 1845 and 1848.⁽³²⁶⁾ In 1850 they were found in Hopkins County living near Lewis and Lettecia Findley.⁽³²⁷⁾ David and Margaret were founding members of the Harmony Presbyterian Church at Mt. Zion in 1849.⁽³²⁸⁾ From the 1850 and 1860 census,⁽³²⁹⁾ it is possible to partially construct their family. Their children included:

109 i. Rachel⁵ Finley, born about 1838 in Missouri.

110 ii. John Finley, born about 1842 in Missouri.

111 iii. Katherine Finley, born about 1846 in Missouri.

112 iv. Marlena Finley, born about 1851 in Texas, married John N. Harris in Hopkins County, 11 September 1868.

113 v. Harvey Finley, born about 1853 in Texas.

114 vi. Thomas Finley, born about 1855 in Texas.

29. Lewis⁴ Finley (Edmund³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born about 1825 in Missouri.⁽³³⁰⁾ He married Leticia Wade, 13 April 1849 in Hopkins County, Texas. They were also founding members of the Harmony Presbyterian Church at Mt. Zion.⁽³³¹⁾ They were found in both the 1850 census of Hopkins County⁽³³²⁾ and 1860 census in Hunt County.⁽³³³⁾ Known children include:

115 i. Edmund⁵ Finley, born 1850 in Hopkins County, Texas.

116 ii. Nancy Finley.

117 iii. Mary Ann Finley.

31. Alvin⁴ Finley (Samuel³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 9 October 1811 in Orange County, Indiana,⁽³³⁴⁾ and married Hannah Black, 12 November 1835 in Macon County, Illinois.⁽³³⁵⁾ He died in 1838 at the age of about 26.⁽³³⁶⁾ Alvin was the eldest son when his father died in September of 1835. As related above in his father's probate records, he had a somewhat stormy time settling his father's estate and providing for his underage siblings, before his own premature death. Further information on Alvin is fragmentary. Correspondence with the Macon County Circuit Clerk, indicates a probate file exists for Alvin, but the file papers are missing.⁽³³⁷⁾ Court abstracts also list, in June 1839, the case of The President, Directors and Company of the State Bank of Illinois vs. Jacob Black, Jr.⁽³³⁸⁾ and Hannah Finley, Administrators for Hannah Finley and Mary Elisabeth Finley, heirs at law of Alvin Finley, deceased.⁽³³⁹⁾ From this, one would conclude that Alvin and Hannah (Black) Finley had one child:

118 i. Mary Elisabeth⁵ Finley, probably born between 1836 and 1838, probably in Macon County, Illinois.

32. Nancy J.⁴ Finley (Samuel³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 25 February 1816 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽³⁴⁰⁾ She married George Marbern Braden, son of Irish immigrant Samuel and Nancy (Young) Braden,⁽³⁴¹⁾ 26 December 1833 in Decatur.⁽³⁴²⁾ Nancy and George appear in the 1840 census of Macon County, with one son and one daughter under 5 years of age.⁽³⁴³⁾ George died 15 November 1853.⁽³⁴⁴⁾ Nancy moved to Sonoma County, California near her younger brothers, John and Samuel, for she married George G. Gager there 25 March 1860.⁽³⁴⁵⁾ Nancy and George are found in the 1860 and 1870 census of Sonoma County living near Nancy's brothers, John and Samuel.⁽³⁴⁶⁾ Nancy died 15 September 1886 at The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. Known children of Nancy J. Finley and George Braden include:⁽³⁴⁷⁾

119 i. William⁵ Braden, born about 1842.

120 ii. Elizabeth Braden, born about 1845.

121 iii. Julia Ann Braden, born about 1848.

122 iv. Almyra J. Braden, born about 1852.

35. John⁴ Finley (Samuel³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 5 June 1823 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽³⁴⁸⁾ He married Keziah Head, 5 September 1844; she was born 14 January 1828 in Tennessee.⁽³⁴⁹⁾ Keziah died of tuberculosis 8 November 1903 in Graton, Sonoma County.⁽³⁵⁰⁾ John died 29 November 1910 in Bodega, Sonoma County.⁽³⁵¹⁾ They are buried at Spring Hill Cemetery, Sebastopol, Sonoma County.⁽³⁵²⁾

John was 9 year old when his mother died and the family moved to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. His father, Samuel, died about three years later.⁽³⁵³⁾ The details of at least three guardians, including his brother, Alvin, who also died when John was but 15 in 1838, are given the preceding section on his parents. John's two older brothers, Jefferson and James, went to Missouri with their oldest sister, Mahala and her husband John Findley sometime prior to 1840.⁽³⁵⁴⁾ But the whereabouts of John and his younger siblings at that time has not been determined; possibly they remained in Decatur.

There is also some confusion as to where he and Keziah were married and lived between1844 and 1850. Family records say the marriage took place in Pine Ridge, Arkansas and their first four children were born there (with the possible exception of James William whose birth place is given as Buffalo Springs, Missouri or Pine Ridge, 17 January 1848). However, this is contrary to census record information found in 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1900. John and Keziah are found in Bates County, Missouri in 1850. Only sons Samuel, 5, and John, 1/2 were living with them (James William had died 17 July 1850). Their birth places were both given as Missouri.⁽³⁵⁵⁾ Successive census records in California all give the birth place of Samuel, born 1846, John, born 1850, and Henry, born 1852, as Missouri.⁽³⁵⁶⁾ All other children were born in California.

In 1852, the young family joined a wagon train heading west from St. Joseph, arriving in Sonoma County, California late that year. At first they leased farming land in the Tomales-Bloomfield (also Valley Ford and Irish Hill) area and raised potatoes. It was not until February 1863 they made their first land purchase ... 486.12 acres in Bodega at the head of Salmon Creek.⁽³⁵⁷⁾ This was part of the original Bodega Rancho which had been granted to Capt. Stephen Smith in 1843 by the Mexican Government before California was ceded to the United States. John and Keziah bought this property from Tyler Curtis, guardian and stepfather of Stephen, Manuel and James Smith, heirs of Capt. Stephen Smith.⁽³⁵⁸⁾ Here they settled, continued farming, established a dairy, raised their family and bought more land. John left a great many legal and other documents which are still in the possession of family members.⁽³⁵⁹⁾ From these it has been possible to reconstruct a fairly detailed history of the family.⁽³⁶⁰⁾

John became the patriarch of this branch of the Finley family in Sonoma County. The Finley "clan" in Bodega included John's younger brother, Samuel Joseph, who came with him (or possibly a bit earlier) from Missouri; nephew, Joseph Jefferson, son of Jesse and Rachel (Colglazure) Finley, who arrived prior to the 1860 census; youngest sister, Elizabeth, for a brief period in the early 1870's; and John's children as they became of age. From 1873 through 1894 there were from 5 to 7 adult male Finley registered voters in Bodega.⁽³⁶¹⁾ In 1892 physical descriptions, including height, complexion, eye and hair color were given. The Finleys were not tall; John was 5'8" and his sons ranged from 5'3" to 5'10". John's complexion was described as "fair," but all sons except Henry were described as "dark." John's eyes were "blue," all sons were "brown," or "dark." John's nephew, Joseph Jefferson, was the only other blue-eyed Finley. John's hair was "gray," all sons were either "brown," or "black." Family tradition that Keziah was part Cherokee, may well have some foundation.

At least two family crises can be surmised from existing documents. In 1871, John's youngest sister, Elizabeth, was abruptly widowed when her husband, John, was killed in Tulare County, California. Brother, Samuel, was named in the probate records and according to Elizabeth's stepson, John, was taking charge of the assets of the heirs.⁽³⁶²⁾ About a year before Elizabeth remarried in March 1873,⁽³⁶³⁾ she had purchased property in Sonoma County,⁽³⁶⁴⁾ and had asked her brother, John, to become guardian of her five children.⁽³⁶⁵⁾ An extensive file of guardianship papers, show John served in this capacity until 1891 when the youngest child came of age.⁽³⁶⁶⁾

In July 1876, brother Samuel was shot to death in the streets of Guerneville (a small community near Bodega). Details of this event are given in the section on Samuel Joseph Finley, following. Samuel's oldest daughter, Martha, had married James F. Oliver about 10 years earlier and Oliver figured quite prominently among the protesters in the handling of Samuel's assailant. Oliver also had a history of mortgages and unpaid promissory notes, in which John Finley became a cosigner on at least one occasion in November 1876.⁽³⁶⁷⁾ In April 1879, John was named jointly with the Olivers in a complaint of foreclosure.⁽³⁶⁸⁾ Eventually, the Olivers deeded their property to John,⁽³⁶⁹⁾ and gave John's son, Henry, their power-of-attorney from Madison County, Montana.⁽³⁷⁰⁾

By 1899, Keziah's health required a dryer climate, so John bought "the fruit ranch," near Graton, where the weather was warmer.⁽³⁷¹⁾ Keziah lived there with her youngest son, Alvin and granddaughter, Clara Keithly until her death in 1903.⁽³⁷²⁾ John remained on the Bodega property and when he died 7 years later he had an estate of 1000 acres.⁽³⁷³⁾

Children of John and Keziah (Head) Finley include:⁽³⁷⁴⁾

123 i. Samuel Emanuel⁵ Finley, born 20 February 1846, Arkansas or Missouri. He married Mary Jane Stanley, 2 August 1875, Gualala, Mendocino County, California. He died 9 August 1917, Petaluma, Sonoma County.

124 ii. James William Finley, born 17 January 1848, Arkansas or Missouri. Died 17 July 1850, probably in Bates County, Missouri.

125 iii. John Jay Finley, born 30 May 1850, probably Bates County, Missouri; died 19 March 1931, Bodega, Sonoma County, California.

126 iv. Henry Head Finley, born 17 April 1852, probably Bates County, Missouri; died 18 April 1918, Bodega, Sonoma County, California.

127 v. Nancy Caroline Finley, born 4 May 1854, Irish Hill, Sonoma County, California; married Calvin Harrison Keithly, 3 February 1875, Bodega, Sonoma County; died 5 March 1953, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California.

128 vi. Elizabeth Finetta Finley, born 11 January 1858, English Hill, Sonoma County, California; married Albert Pike Head, 12 December 1880, Bodega; died 23 November 1887, Santa Rosa.

129 vii. James Preston Finley, born 18 January 1860, Bodega; died 24 March 1934, Bodega.

130 viii. Marenda A. Finley, born 18 January 1860, Bodega; died 18 January 1860, Bodega.

131 ix. Jefferson Davis Finley, born 10 July 1862, Bodega; married Carried Ann McCready, 30 July 1892, Santa Rosa; died 26 January 1918, Sonoma County.

132 x. Andrew Jackson Finley, born 21 July 1863, Bodega; married Alfaretta Isadore Stemple, 27 April 1887, Santa Rosa; died 28 May 1929, Oakland, Alameda County, California.

133 xi. William David Finley, born 30 October 1866, Bodega; died 17 December 1890.

134 xii. Martha E. Finley, born 31 October 1868, Bodega; died 11 November 1868, Bodega.

135 xiii. Alvin Wesley Finley, born 18 August 1870, Bodega; married Frances Gertrude Head, 5 September 1901, Santa Rosa; died 27 November 1950, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California.

36. Samuel Joseph⁴ Finley (Samuel³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 6 March 1826, in Orange County, Indiana.⁽³⁷⁵⁾ He married Prudence Brians, daughter of Jackson Brians⁽³⁷⁶⁾ probably in the late 1840s.⁽³⁷⁷⁾ He most likely remarried, after Prudence's death, Mrs. Maria Wilkes of Tulare County, 14 December 1871.⁽³⁷⁸⁾ Samuel died 22 July 1876 in Guerneville, Sonoma County, the result of a gunshot wound.⁽³⁷⁹⁾

Samuel was about 6 years old when his mother died and the family moved to Decatur, Illinois and but 9 when his father died. After a series of adoptive parents in Decatur, as reported above, he was adopted by his brother, James, in Cass County, Missouri in 1845.⁽³⁸⁰⁾ As soon as Samuel was of age, in 1847, he entered 33.25 acres (Range 22, Township 39, Section 11) in Bates County, for which he paid $41.⁽³⁸¹⁾ It was probably about this time or soon afterwards he married Prudence Brians. At least the first census in which they are found (1860 in Sonoma County, California), gives the birth place of their two oldest children, Martha, 10, and Washington, 8, as Missouri.⁽³⁸²⁾ On 4 April 1850, they sold their property to Samuel's brother, James, for $100.⁽³⁸³⁾ According to a biographical sketch on their son, the Honorable James Buchanan Finley, Samuel Joseph was attracted by the California gold rush of 1849. He traveled via the Panama Canal and engaged in mining for a short while. In 1851 he returned for his family and brought them across the plains via the Platte River.⁽³⁸⁴⁾ They settled in Bodega, Sonoma County in 1852, where they were found in both the 1860 and 1870 census living near brother, John and his family.⁽³⁸⁵⁾ There they raised their family, farmed and raised stock⁽³⁸⁶⁾ until Samuel met his untimely death 22 July 1876 in the streets of Guerneville, at the hands of Hi Epperly.

Local newspapers carried a number of conflicting reports. One of the two most popular beliefs was that one of Sam's sons owed money to Hi Epperly, Sam's assailant; that Epperly "threatened to have notices printed all over the county about the young man not paying his bill."⁽³⁸⁷⁾ The other theory was that the two men had had hard words about a horse trade several days before the shooting.⁽³⁸⁸⁾ The account of the shooting also varied from one report to another. The Sonoma Democrat printed the following:

Sam Findley abused him [Epperly] with high words for spoiling the reputation of his young boy, and told him as soon as he was able he would pay him. On the evening of the killing, Epperly, while under the influence of liquor, hunted Findley all over town, and finally called him out of Rube Williams' saloon. Findley said he would be out as soon as he had finished his game of cards. Epperly then dared him to come out. He stepped out and told Epperly that he did not have anything, but he Epperly could shoot if he wanted to. Hi called out I have no pistol, and slipped up and fired the fatal shot which sent one of his fellow creatures to his grave. On demand of a citizen our brave constable, Tom Pippin, was afraid to arrest the guilty party, and only after repeated demands was prevailed upon to do so. After being shot, Findley pulled out a small pocket knife and ran after his assailant and cut him slightly in one or two places upon the breast.

Another account from parties who claim to have witnessed the difficulty is that the parties had had sharp words through the day about the matter in controversy, and that Findley dared Epperly to meet him half way in the street; that Epperly advanced half way and Findley then dared him to come across, which he did, with a pistol in his hands. It is said that Findley then jumped at Epperly and attempted to knock his arm up in which was the pistol and at the same time cut him with his pocket knife; about this time the pistol fired. That Findley stood a few seconds and fell dead at his feet, shot through the heart.⁽³⁸⁹⁾

James F. Oliver, Samuel's son-in-law, apparently was one of the concerned citizens who sought the arrest of Epperly and, not being satisfied with the local constabulary, sent for the County Sheriff. This clearly added more fuel to the fire, for Sheriff Joseph Wright was called upon to justify his interference in what some considered the jurisdiction of the local Guerneville law enforcement group.⁽³⁹⁰⁾ In the same issue, came a response from T.U. Pippin, the Guerneville Constable.⁽³⁹¹⁾ Before the matter was over, there appeared two more articles by James F. Oliver and an editorial that was signed simply, "JUSTICE."⁽³⁹²⁾

It is difficult to reconstruct the family of Samuel Joseph Finley. One article states, "Finley will be buried today at Pleasant Hill cemetery by the side of his wife.⁽³⁹³⁾ He leaves a family of 7 children. Five days ago word came that the eldest son S.W. Finley had been found by the roadside in Tehama Co. with his neck broken by a fall from his horse."⁽³⁹⁴⁾

In a biography of his son, James Buchanan Finley, the following is stated, "Mrs. Finley, who died in Santa Rosa, was the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living. Those besides James B., are: Alvira, who is now Mrs. C.F. Richardson, of Tucson; Samuel W., who is engaged in freighting at Naco, Ariz.; George T., who is living at Lordsburg, N.M.; Alice, who is married to Arthur Oman, of Palestine, Texas; John L., who is a mining engineer in Sonora, Mexico; and Martha, who is now the wife of James F. Oliver, of Helena, Mont."⁽³⁹⁵⁾ The census records of 1860 and 1870 show the following:

1860⁽³⁹⁶⁾ 1870⁽³⁹⁷⁾

S.J. Findly 45 Ind. 45 Ind.

Prudence 40 Mo. 40 Mo.

Martha 10 Mo.

Washington 8 Mo.

Samuel W. 15 Calif.

James (B.) 6 Calif. 13 Calif.

Victoria 4 Calif.

Elvira 12 Calif.

Nancy V. 6 Calif.

John L. 5 Nev.

Thomas 3 Nev.

Prudence 1 Nev.

Prudence preceded Samuel in death, if the newspaper account is correct. In addition, a marriage record was found in Tulare County for S.J. Findley of Sonoma County and Mrs. Maria Wilkes, 14 December 1871.⁽³⁹⁸⁾ This was during the period when Samuel's youngest sister, Elizabeth, was settling her husband's estate after his death. Samuel was named in those probate records; (see section on John⁴ Fin(d)ley (Edmund³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley). In the census records note that none of the birth dates are what might be expected 10 years later. In support of this obvious problem, Elvira was found living in Pima County, Arizona in 1900, the wife of Charles F. Richardson and her birth date is given there as August 1862.⁽³⁹⁹⁾ Also it would appear middle names may have been used for either 1860 or 1870. Is the George T. in the biography Thomas in the census? Is the Alice in the biography Prudence in the census? Clearly, there is a lot of misinformation in these various records. Considering these problems, here is a list of probable children of Samuel Joseph and Prudence (Brians) Finley:⁽⁴⁰⁰⁾

 

136 i. Martha⁵ Finley, born about 1850 in Missouri. She married James F. Oliver about 1866.⁽⁴⁰¹⁾ The Olivers appear in various mortgage records and promissory notes between September 1874 and May 1879, including foreclosures.⁽⁴⁰²⁾ On 26 March 1880, James F. Oliver of Meadows Creek, Madison County, Montana, gave power of attorney to Henry Finley, his uncle by marriage, of Sonoma County.⁽⁴⁰³⁾ Known children of Martha (Finley) and James F. Oliver include:⁽⁴⁰⁴⁾ (a) Charles F. Oliver, born about 1868 in California.

(b) Mary E. Oliver, born about 1870 in Nevada.

(c) John Oliver, born about 1872 in Missouri.

(d) James Oliver, born about 1872 in Missouri.

(e) Nellie Oliver, born about 1874 in Missouri.

(f) William Oliver, born about 1876 in California.

(g) Eva Oliver, born about 1878 in California.

137 ii. Washington Finley, born about 1852; died July 1876 in Tehama County, CA in a fall from a horse.⁽⁴⁰⁵⁾

138 iii. Samuel Washington Finley, born about 1855 in California.

139 iv. James Buchanan Finley, born 22 November 1856 in Sonoma County, California.⁽⁴⁰⁶⁾ From 1877 until October 1882, he raised cattle and mined near Winnemucca, Nevada; then moved to Deming, Grant County, New Mexico. For several years he was a contractor and builder. Then he went to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at Deming, as manager of the Pullman repair shop. He advanced through the company's Tucson repair division and eventually became Vice President and General Manager of Southern Pacific de Mexico. He retired 1 December 1925.⁽⁴⁰⁷⁾ While in Tucson he married, about 1895, Clara Letts, born March 1873 in Burlington, Iowa.⁽⁴⁰⁸⁾ In 1896 he was elected to the Democratic ticket to the nineteenth legislative assembly and in 1898 and 1900 to the territorial council. During this time his opposition is said to have been largely responsible for the defeat of the women's suffrage bill. He also helped secure passage of the poll tax law. His only known child is a daughter, Clara Eva Finley. James Buchanan died 25 October 1930 and is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.⁽⁴⁰⁹⁾

140 v. Victoria Finley, born about 1856 in Sonoma County, probably died before 1870.

141 vi. Elvira Finley was born August 1862 in Sonoma County, California.⁽⁴¹⁰⁾ She married Charles F. Richardson of Tuscon, probably before 1880. Living with them in the 1900 census in Tuscon are a daughter, Beryl, born January 1881 in California and a son, Charles F., born 1883 in New Mexico.

142 vii. Nancy V. Finley, born about 1864 in Sonoma County, California. She is not mentioned as a living sibling to James Buchanan in his 1901 biographical sketch.

143 viii. John Lee Finley, born about 1865 in Sonoma County, California. Listed in biography of brother, James, as a mining engineer in Sonora, Mexico in 1901.

144 ix. George (Thomas?) Finley, born about 1867 in Sonoma County, California. Listed in biography of brother, James, as living in Lordsburg, New Mexico in 1901.

145 x. Prudence (Alice?) Finley, born about 1869. Married Arthur Oman, listed in biography of brother, James, as living in Palestine, Texas in 1901.

37. Elizabeth⁴ Finley (Samuel³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 13 April 1829 in Orange County, Indiana.⁽⁴¹¹⁾ She married her first cousin, John Fin(d)ley, son of Edmund and Catherine Finley, in the early 1850s.⁽⁴¹²⁾ After John's death in 1871, she remarried Franklin Hutchinson, 23 March 1873 in Tulare County.⁽⁴¹³⁾ Elizabeth died 17 March 1883 near Centerville, Fresno County, California.⁽⁴¹⁴⁾

The youngest member of the family, Elizabeth was only 3 when her mother died and 6 when her father died. Her succession of adoptive parents after Decatur is less clear than that of her older brothers. Whether she ever lived in Missouri cannot be documented, however, it seems likely she did. Her first appearance is in the 1850 census of Hunt County, Texas living in the home of her cousin, John Finley who had first been married to Elizabeth's oldest sister, Mahala.⁽⁴¹⁵⁾ John and his second wife, Sarah (Masters), then 34, had five children ranging in age from 2 to 9 years. Elizabeth was 21. Some time between 1851 and 1856, cousin John and his second wife, Sarah, reached a parting of the ways, and John married Elizabeth. In 1860, John and Elizabeth are found living in Los Angeles County, California, with two children aged 5 and 1 year; wife number 2, Sarah (Masters) Finley was living nearby.⁽⁴¹⁶⁾ In 1870, John and Elizabeth were found living in Tulare County, California.⁽⁴¹⁷⁾ John was shot and killed 7 August 1871, by Tom Woody; details are treated more extensively in the section on John Findley (#27) above. In January 1872, Elizabeth bought 160 acres) Sonoma County on Estero Americano near her brothers, John and Samuel.⁽⁴¹⁸⁾ In November, her brother, John, made application for the guardianship of her children⁽⁴¹⁹⁾ and he was appointed guardian in February 1873.⁽⁴²⁰⁾ Shortly thereafter, Elizabeth married Franklin Hutchinson in Tulare County.⁽⁴²¹⁾ Less than three months later, Elizabeth and her new husband, sold their Sonoma County property to John Finley.⁽⁴²²⁾ Brother, John, officially continued as guardian for her children through February 1891, when the last entry was made in a large probate file.⁽⁴²³⁾ The Hutchinsons lived in Squaw Valley, Fresno County.⁽⁴²⁴⁾ Elizabeth died in 1883 shortly before her 54th birthday, at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Lashley on her ranch near Centerville in Fresno County. She was buried at the Kings River Cemetery and Centerville Cemetery in Fresno County.⁽⁴²⁵⁾ Children of Elizabeth and John Findley are listed above under his entry (#27).

38. William⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 6 March 1816,⁽⁴²⁶⁾ in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby. He married Elizabeth about 1841 and they are found living next door to Jesse and Rachel in Hunt County in 1850.⁽⁴²⁷⁾ They were clearly residents of Hunt County by 1846 since William was found on the Poll List for that year.⁽⁴²⁸⁾ William died before 9 April 1855, when Elizabeth remarried Elias Dorris.⁽⁴²⁹⁾ Known children of William and Elizabeth Finley include:

146 i. Eliza C.⁵ Finley, born about 1842 in Texas.

147 ii. Manna Finley, born about 1844 in Texas.

148 iii. David M. Finley, born about 1848 in Texas; married Phoebe Hodges in Hopkins County, Texas, 23 September 1875.⁽⁴³⁰⁾

39. Milton⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 6 February 1818⁽⁴³¹⁾ in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby. He was first found on public records in Hunt County, Texas in 1846 when he appeared on the Poll List that year.⁽⁴³²⁾ He married Orinda Davis in Hopkins County, 6 December 1847.⁽⁴³³⁾ Milton was issued a certificate for 640 acres in the Mercer Colony on 6 May 1850.⁽⁴³⁴⁾ They are listed in the 1850 census in Hunt County⁽⁴³⁵⁾ and in Hopkins County, Texas in 1860.⁽⁴³⁶⁾ Milton and Orinda (Davis) Finley had the following children:

149 i. Jesse⁵ Finley, born about 1849 in Texas.

150 ii. Philena Finley, born about 1852.

151 iii. Polly Finley, born about 1858.

152 iv. Aaron Finley, born about 1860.

40. David⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 1 September 1819⁽⁴³⁷⁾ in Orange County, Indiana. He married Margaret McDaniel about 1841.⁽⁴³⁸⁾ She died about 1865 of small pox and David remarried Julia Hite of Tennessee, the next year.⁽⁴³⁹⁾ He died 17 October 1884 in Dunklin County.⁽⁴⁴⁰⁾

According to one historian, David moved to Dunklin County about 1834.⁽⁴⁴¹⁾ Since he would have been only about 15 years old, this implies that perhaps his parents, Jesse and Rachel, found in Stoddard County in 1840, lived in that part of the County that became Dunklin County in 1845. David and Margaret were found in Dunklin County in the 1850 and 1860 census.⁽⁴⁴²⁾ In 1860, David's father, Jesse, age 69, was living with them. According to one historian, Margaret and three of their four children died of smallpox about the close of the Civil War, the other child having died prior to this time.⁽⁴⁴³⁾

 

David and Margaret (McDaniel) Finley had the following children:⁽⁴⁴⁴⁾

153 i. William⁵ Finley, born about 1842 in Missouri, died about 1865.

154 ii. Moses Finley, born about 1844 in Missouri, died about 1865.

155 iii. Jesse Finley, born about 1846 in Missouri, died February 1860.

156 iv. Eliza Finley, born about 1848 in Missouri, died about 1865.

David and Julia (Hite) Finley had the following children:⁽⁴⁴⁵⁾

157 i. David Edwin⁵ Finley, born about 1868 in Missouri.

158 ii. Ellen Finley, born after June 1870 probably in Missouri.

42. Elizabeth Ellen⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 10 March 1823⁽⁴⁴⁶⁾ in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby. She married Merit Branom (Branum), born 18 February 1820, New Madrid County, Missouri, on 1 December 1842.⁽⁴⁴⁷⁾ He died 24 January 1900, Cumby, Lamar County, Texas. She was a founding member of the Harmony Presbyterian Church at Mt. Zion. Elizabeth Ellen died 14 March 1904 and is buried with her husband in Cumby Cemetery, Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁴⁸⁾ Elizabeth Ellen (Finley) and Merit Branom had the following children, all born in Hopkins County:⁽⁴⁴⁹⁾

159 i. Mary (Polly) Ann⁵ Branom, born 17 August 1843; married 18 October 1861, William Wesley Young;⁽⁴⁵⁰⁾ died 15 July 1915, Oakland Community, Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁵¹⁾

160 ii. William J. Branom, born 7 November 1844; married (1) Nancy A. Chaffin, 27 July 1865,⁽⁴⁵²⁾ (2) Sarah Francis Griffith; died 8 October 1935 in Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁵³⁾

161 iii. Rachel Elizabeth Branom, born 29 October 1846; married Dr. J. E. McFarlin on 12 August 1875;⁽⁴⁵⁴⁾ died 18 October 1900, Cumby, Hopkins County.

162 iv. Albert Branom, born 30 January 1848; married (1) Sarah M.E. Ward on 16 December 1874,⁽⁴⁵⁵⁾ (2) Belle Kennemer Weaver; died 2 May 1938, Cumby, Hopkins County.

163 v. Joseph Harvey Branom, born 17 June 1849; married Susan Thereda Butler on 27 February 1879;⁽⁴⁵⁶⁾ died 19 June 1929, Branom Community, Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁵⁷⁾

164 vi. Julia Ann Branom, born 7 November 1850; married Henry E. Smith on 15 May 1869;⁽⁴⁵⁸⁾ died in Antlers, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, 31 August 1940.⁽⁴⁵⁹⁾

165 vii. Eliza Jane Branom, born 18 March 1852; married James R. Ingram on 2 October 1887;⁽⁴⁶⁰⁾ died 23 October 1945, Austin, Travis County, Texas.⁽⁴⁶¹⁾

166 viii. Victorine Branom, born 2 January 1854; married Norman A. Gillis on 3 September 1874;⁽⁴⁶²⁾ died 30 September 1910, Cumby, Hopkins County.

167 ix. Tecumpseh C. Branom, born 13 December 1856; married Mattie Welch in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma; died 22 April 1935, Cumby, Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁶³⁾

168 x. Milton Branom, born 13 December 1857; married Beulah Newell 27 April 1885;⁽⁴⁶⁴⁾ died 16 December 1937, Cumby, Hopkins County.⁽⁴⁶⁵⁾

169 xi. Malona Ellen Branom, born 5 January 1860; died 13 February 1905.

170 xii. David Merit Branom, born 23 June 1862; married Mary Rue Moore on 27 January 1898;⁽⁴⁶⁶⁾ died 11 January 1930, Commerce, Hunt County, Texas.⁽⁴⁶⁷⁾

171 xiii. Lucy Ardena Branom, born 29 June 1864; died 28 April 1946, Cumby, Hopkins County.

43. George W.⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born April 1825⁽⁴⁶⁸⁾ in Indiana, probably Orange County or nearby. He married Jane (Jinny) Odell, daughter of Simon Odell, on 12 March of 1848 in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas.⁽⁴⁶⁹⁾ He was issued a certificate for 640 acres in Mercer Colony on 6 May 1850.⁽⁴⁷⁰⁾ In the 1850 census, they were living next door to brother, Milton.⁽⁴⁷¹⁾ George died intestate in October 1853 in Hunt County at the age of about 28. The petition to administer his estate is dated 10 October 1853; he left considerable property.⁽⁴⁷²⁾ George and Jane (Odell) Finley had one child:

172 i. Elizabeth⁵ Finley, born about 1848 in Texas.

44. Edmond⁴ Finley, (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 27 March 1827⁽⁴⁷³⁾ in Indiana or Missouri.⁽⁴⁷⁴⁾ He received a certificate for 320 acres in Mercers Colony on 7 May 1850.⁽⁴⁷⁵⁾ He served in the Texas 23rd Confederate Cavalry, Company I, from the later part of 1861 to April 1865.⁽⁴⁷⁶⁾ Edmond married Mary (Polly) Ann Kerbo in Hunt County, about 1864⁽⁴⁷⁷⁾ in Hopkins County, Texas. In 1876, they obtained a land grant of 160 acres.⁽⁴⁷⁸⁾ Edmond and Polly had 9 children and lived out their lives in Hopkins County. Edmond died 4 November 1917⁽⁴⁷⁹⁾ in Ruff, Hopkins County and is buried beside his wife (who died 6 January 1921), in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Hopkins County. Children of Edmond and Mary (Polly) Ann (Kerbo) include:⁽⁴⁸⁰⁾

173 i. Mary Ellen⁵ Finley, born 10 October 1864; married J.B. McDonald.

174 ii. Joseph Jefferson Finley, born 14 April 1866 in Texas; married Easter Hill; died 21 September 1917.

175 iii. Frances Elizabeth Finley, born 10 February 1869;⁽⁴⁸¹⁾ died 8 June 1941.

176 iv. Laura Ann Finley, born 7 August 1870;⁽⁴⁸²⁾ died 11 September 1943.

177 v. Emma Ardena Finley, born 22 May 1872; died in infancy.

178 vi. Lucy Lavenia Finley, born 24 February 1874 in Texas; married Edward Sampson Sloan on 12 June 1892;⁽⁴⁸³⁾ died 9 April 1947 and is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Hopkins County.

179 vii. Nancy Ada Finley, born 10 August 1878, Hopkins County; married Chester Clyde Ross on 15 July 1911; died 14 November 1967 and is buried at Ridgeway Cemetery, Hopkins County.

180 viii. David Merrit Finley, born 30 March 1880, Ruff, Hopkins County; married Mary Lillie Stewart, daughter of Edward M. and Martha A. (Burns) Stewart, 13 October 1907; died 8 June 1932 and is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Hopkins County.

181 ix. James Otis Finley, born 26 July 1882; married Kate Johnson on 23 June 1901 in Hopkins County;⁽⁴⁸⁴⁾ died 1951.

45. Joseph Jefferson⁴ Finley (Jesse³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 5 October 1829⁽⁴⁸⁵⁾ in Missouri, probably Wayne County. He married Nancy Southerland, 5 February 1857 in Hopkins County, Texas.⁽⁴⁸⁶⁾ Joseph Jefferson died of throat cancer 14 June 1899 in Sonoma County, California.⁽⁴⁸⁷⁾

Joseph Jefferson is first found in public records when he received a certificate for 320 acres in Mercers Colony near Greenville, Hunt County, 7 May 1850.⁽⁴⁸⁸⁾ He is also shown as a member of his parents household that year.⁽⁴⁸⁹⁾ A Jeff Finley is listed as a member of Company D, 13th Texas Cavalry, which was organized at Greenville, Hunt County in October, 1861 with J.G. Stevens, Captain, and was disbanded in 1864.⁽⁴⁹⁰⁾ However, there is some question as to whether this is the same person, since he is found in the 1860 census living in Bodega Township, Sonoma County, California⁽⁴⁹¹⁾ near his cousins, John and Samuel Finley, sons of Samuel. There is little doubt that the Joseph Jefferson Finley found in Sonoma County is the son of Jesse and Rachel (Colglazure) Finley. A book in the possession of descendents of Joseph's brother, Edmond, carries the following inscription:⁽⁴⁹²⁾

 

A. Present(ily?)

By Joseph J. Finley

Sonoma Co. California

To his naim saik

Joseph Jefferson Finley

Hopkins Co

Texas

Oct the 19 1870

Jo Finley"

 

On 23 April 1866, he also served as a witness at a Coroner's inquest, in Sonoma County.⁽⁴⁹³⁾ A patent for 58.19 acres is recorded for him in Sonoma County, Bodega Township, on 20 May 1872.⁽⁴⁹⁴⁾ He sold this property on 18 April 1877⁽⁴⁹⁵⁾ and bought property from T.J. Sutherland (an in-law?) in Guerneville, the next year.⁽⁴⁹⁶⁾ Joseph Jefferson appeared as a registered voter in Sonoma County from 1867⁽⁴⁹⁷⁾ through 1898, having moved from Bodega to nearby Redwood Township (Guerneville) between 1875 and 1879. His physical description, obtained from the Great Register of 1898, describes him as "5'10", fair complexion, blue eyes, gray hair, right eye gone."⁽⁴⁹⁸⁾ Children of Joseph Jefferson and Nancy (Southerland) Finley include:⁽⁴⁹⁹⁾

 

182 i. Mary E.⁵ Finley, born about 1859.

183 ii. Sarah J. Finley, born about 1862 probably in California.

184 iii. Emma Finley, born about 1871 probably in California.

185 iv. Ada Finley, born about 1875 probably in California.

84. Josephine⁴ Finley (Jefferson³, David², John¹) was born 20 January 1827,⁽⁵⁰⁰⁾ probably in Orange County. She married James Fisher 20 January 1848,⁽⁵⁰¹⁾ shortly before the death of her grandfather, David. When David's estate was settled in 1851, James Fisher received $887.90 on behalf of his wife.⁽⁵⁰²⁾ Josephine died 29 March 1867 at the age of forty and is buried in Trimble Cemetery.⁽⁵⁰³⁾ Josephine (Finley) and James Fisher had six children:⁽⁵⁰⁴⁾

186 i. Miriam E.⁵ Fisher, born about 1849.

187 ii. Amanda Fisher, born about 1851.

188 iii. John F. Fisher, born about 1854.

189 iv. Lydia Fisher, born about 1857.

190 v. Laura Fisher

191 vi. Clara J. Fisher

85. Samuel⁴ Finley (Jefferson³, David², John¹) was born 10 July 1828,⁽⁵⁰⁵⁾ in Orange County.⁽⁵⁰⁶⁾ He married Elizabeth Elliott,⁽⁵⁰⁷⁾ 7 December 1848,⁽⁵⁰⁸⁾ five days before the death of his mother, Miriam (Brooks, Finley) Tegarden.⁽⁵⁰⁹⁾ Elizabeth was born 5 March 1830 in Washington County, Indiana, daughter of Ludwell Elliott.⁽⁵¹⁰⁾

When the provisions of his grandfather David's will were settled in 1851, Samuel purchased for $2700, the 340 acre property David had owned.⁽⁵¹¹⁾ Samuel's share of David's estate, as one of three major heirs, was $887.90.⁽⁵¹²⁾ He then deeded 1/3 of that property to Elizabeth Findley, presumably his sister, for $900.⁽⁵¹³⁾ All three transactions, Samuel's purchase, David's final settlement and the sale to Elizabeth took place on 27 August 1851. In 1889, Samuel and Elizabeth (Elliott) Finley sold the northwest quarter and part of the southwest quarter of their property to George W. Tegarden and the remaining part of the southwest quarter to their son and daughter, Charles S. and Sarah J. Finley.⁽⁵¹⁴⁾ According to one local historian, Samuel was a "Republican and a prominent and useful citizen."⁽⁵¹⁵⁾

Samuel and Elizabeth (Elliott) Finley had 10 children:⁽⁵¹⁶⁾

192 i. Jefferson L.⁵ Finley, born 25 April 1850.

193 ii. Sarah J. Finley, born 11 February 1852.

194 iii. William J. Finley, born 18 June 1854; married Eliza J. Edwards, 12 November 1872 in Orange County.⁽⁵¹⁷⁾.

195 iv. Susan Finley, born 27 January 1856; married William A. Hardman, 7 March 1886, Orange County.⁽⁵¹⁸⁾.

196 v. Charles S. Finley, born 8 January 1858; married Mary J. Bishop, 26 December 1887⁽⁵¹⁹⁾; died about 1936; buried in Orleans Cemetery..

197 x. Baby girl Finley, born 13 February 1860.

198 vi. Preston T. Finley, born 25 March 1861.

199 vii. Oliver P.M. Finley, born 24 October 1863.

200 viii. Ulysses S.G. Finley, born 9 February 1868; died 17 May 1869; buried in Finley Cemetery, Orleans.

201 ix. Reed Finley, born 14 November 1869.

86. Elizabeth F.⁴ Finley (Jefferson³ Finley, David² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 10 April 1830,⁽⁵²⁰⁾ probably in Orange County. When her grandfather David's estate was settled in 1851, she received $887.90 and reinvested it immediately by purchasing 1/3 of his property from her brother, Samuel.⁽⁵²¹⁾ She married William R. Walker 9 December 1853.⁽⁵²²⁾ Elizabeth died 23 March 1882 at the age of 51 and is buried at Trimble Cemetery.⁽⁵²³⁾

Elizabeth (Finley) and William Walker had two children:⁽⁵²⁴⁾

202 i. William H.⁵ Walker.

203 ii. Mary Walker.

87. Thomas Milton⁴ Finley (Reuben Jefferson³ Finley, Thomas² Finley, John¹ Finley) was born 16 November 1808 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.⁽⁵²⁵⁾ He married Lutecia Horne in Overton County, Tennessee on 25 December 1832.⁽⁵²⁶⁾ He died in September 1849 shortly before his 41st birthday in Overton County.⁽⁵²⁷⁾

After his father, Reuben, died in 1837, he took over the quest for property left to Reuben by his father. In a letter written to Thomas Milton by Jane (Clark) Finley, his step-grandmother, dated 20 December 1842, she refers to his having been in Abbeville. Apparently he had asked her if she wished to dispose of a part of her negroes. Her answer was, "I believe not, they are much attached to me & would be exceeding loth to part [from?] me while I live, and as that by the course of nature cannot be long I think it my duty to grattify their wishes in that respect." She signs it, "I remain yours with affection till death."⁽⁵²⁸⁾ In a letter from Alexander Hunter, executor, to Thomas Milton, dated 20 September 1845, he advises Thomas that the estate of Thomas, Sr. must remain undisturbed until after the death of Jane (Clark) Finley.⁽⁵²⁹⁾ Scarcely a month later, on 26 November 1845, Jane Findley wrote her own will leaving nine negroes to her sister Mary Mackey and her children; seven negroes to her grand nephew, Thomas Findley Mitchell; and cash from sale of her estate also to Thomas Mitchell.⁽⁵³⁰⁾ Three days later, she died.⁽⁵³¹⁾ Alexander Hunter immediately wrote informing Thomas Milton of her death, saying, "there is no obstruction now in the way to prevent the heirs of Reubin Findley prosecuting their claims to the Estate of Thomas Findley decs'd."⁽⁵³²⁾ If he knew of the will of Jane, he did not mention it. However, by March of 1846, Dr. Mitchell (presumable the grand nephew) had given written notice to Hunter not to disperse any funds and claiming his interest because of Jane's will. The matter was to be taken before the Abbeville Court of Equity whose next meeting was the second Monday in June.⁽⁵³³⁾ In May 1847, Thomas Milton petitioned the court in Abbeville concerning his interest in the estate of Thomas Finley. He listed himself as eldest son and administrator of Reuben Finley, deceased.⁽⁵³⁴⁾ The estate was finally sold in February 1849 and Nancy Finley, Reuben's widow, received $25 from the estate in March 1849.⁽⁵³⁵⁾ In September 1849, Thomas Milton Finley died in Overton County.⁽⁵³⁶⁾ The story continues as brother, Granville Huston, takes up the pursuit of the legacy to his father, Reuben. (See Granville Huston Finley, under section on his father, 15. Reuben Jefferson Finley)

Know children of Thomas Milton and Lutecia (Horne) Finley are:⁽⁵³⁷⁾

204 i. Nancy J.⁵ Finley, born 11 October 1833, Overton County, Tennessee; married Felix G. Osborne, 2 August 1872, Dallas County, Texas; died 12 August 1921, Dallas County, Texas.

205 ii. Amanda M. Finley, born 11 April 1835, Overton County; married Jess Ramsey; died after 1908.

206 iii. Reuben Oscar Finley, born 11 April 1835, Overton County; died after 1878.

207 iv. William Orville Finley, born 4 January 1837, Overton County; married Mary C. Alford, 22 February 1872; died 9 June 1895, Dallas County, Texas.

208 v. Stephen Horne Finley, born 15 September 1838, Overton County; married Margaret L. Daniel, 23 April 1879, Dallas County, Texas; died 2 February 1912, Dallas County.

209 vi. Sarah Ann Finley, born 25 January 1840; married James Carder, 20 September 1869; died 23 January 1924.

210 vii. Lucy W. Finley, born 14 February 1842, Overton County; married Albert M. Roberts, Dallas County, Texas; died 20 October 1926, Dallas County.

211 viii. Granville Houston Finley, born 8 February 1844, Overton County; married Fannie Daniel, 18 April 1875, Dallas County, Texas; died 21 March 1900, Buffalo Gap, Taylor County, Texas.

---

CONCLUSION

This branch of the Finley family certainly lived up to the descriptive phrase of the Scotch-Irish that they were people "who constituted the skirmish line of civilization." John and Mary (Caldwell) Finley were among the earliest settlers in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Their sons, David and Samuel were in Kentucky in the late 1770s or early 1780s, years before that area attained statehood. David, with much of his family intact, pushed on to Indiana by 1812, four years before that area attained statehood. From there on the family split. Jesse and Edmund forged ahead to Missouri between 1820 and 1830, early in the statehood of that area. Samuel went to Illinois about 1832 and died there a few years later, but a number of his children went on to Missouri between 1840 and 1850. Again the family branched, with Jesse and Edmund and a number of their children going on to Texas, probably in the early 1840s; Texas attained statehood in 1845. Several of Samuel's children made their way to California by 1852, just three years after the Gold Rush and two years after California became a state.

At least two of the sons of Jesse and Edmund relocated in California. John, son of Edmund, went to Southern California in the early 1850s; Joseph Jefferson, son of Jesse, joined his cousins in Northern California at least by 1860.

The primary theme underlying this family is one of the pioneer spirit. They were at the forefront of the Western Movement in a young and growing America. They were movers, land owners and hardy people. This is entirely in keeping with the recollections of this writer of the 5th and 6th generation descendants of these Finleys.

---

References

1. These were the Finleys traced by Major Albert Finley France and expanded by Admiral Herald F. Stout, pioneer Finley researchers, cited following.

2. Carol Burdick Holderby, "Protestants in Ireland: Their Impact on Society and the Family," in World Conference on Records, Preserving Our Heritage, Aug. 12-15, 1980, vol. 6 of 12, "British Family and Local History," Part 2, #434.

3. Howard McKnight Wilson, The Tinkling Spring: Headwater of Freedom, A Study of the Church and Her People, 1732-1952 (Fisherville, Va.: Tinkling Spring and Hermitage Presbyterian Churches, 1954), pp. 26-29.

4. Ibid., 30.

5. William Fletcher Boogher, comp. Gleanings of Virginia History, An Historical and Genealogical Collection, Largely from Original Sources (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1976), p. 113.

6. Ibid., pp. 113-114.

7. Albert Finley France, The Clan Finley (manuscript, 73 pp. 1942, Historical Society of Indiana County, Pa.), filmed by Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU) in 1966, film #0481791, item 3. Also Albert Finley France, untitled 54-page compilation (Annapolis, Md., 1940).

8. Herald F. Stout, The Clan Finley, 2nd ed. (Dover, Oh.: Eagle Press, 1956).

9. Robert M. Torrence, Torrence and Allied Families (Philadelphia: Wickersham Press, 1938).

10. Montgomery Co., Va., Order Book 1:142.

11. Carmen J. Finley, "David Finley (1754-1848): Correcting the Record," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 76 (June 1988), pp. 112-120.

12. Carmen J. Finley, "The George Finleys of Augusta County, Virginia," The American Genealogist, 64 (October 1989), pp. 216-225.

13. Prince Edward Co. Va., Deed Book, 3:1.

14. Ibid., 3:21.

15. Ibid., 3:487.

16. Mary B. Kegley, New River Tithables (Wytheville, Va.: author, 1941), p. 27.

17. Montgomery Co. Va., Deed Books A:283, A:258.

18. Lincoln Co., Ky., Deed Book A:338.

19. Montgomery Co., Va., Deed Book A:284 states that heirs of John Finley gave legal notice on 19 August 1782.

20. Montgomery Co. Va., Record of Plats, reel 22, B:57.

21. Query, Genealogy and History (Washington, D.C., 15 December 1943), #8347. Available at the Filson Club, Louisville, Ky. The unpublished data in the DAR Library, cannot be located there.

22. This date does not agree with the cemetery records for David Finley, cited later in this paper. However, there was another older David Finley, with estimated birth date 1748, probable son of James Finley. See Carmen J. Finley, "Robert and James Finley of Augusta County, Virginia," The American Genealogist 66 (October 1991), 239-246.

23. France, untitled compilation, p. 1 of section on Finleys in Virginia.

24. Finley, "David Finley," pp. 112-120.

25. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records (Paoli, Ind.: Lost River Chapter, DAR, 1943), 3 (Orleans, Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

26. Wythe Co., Va., Deed Book 1:95.

27. James Rood Robertson, Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky (Louisville: John P. Morton & Co., 1914), p. 82.

28. Ibid., p. 121.

29. Madison Co., Ky., Tax Lists, LDS film #0008126.

30. Madison Co., Ky., Order Book B:356.

31. James F. Sutherland, comp., Early Kentucky Householders, 1787-1811 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986), p. 62.

32. Lincoln Co., Va., Deed Book D:200.

33. Robert E. Glass, Special Collections, Grace Doherty Library, Centre College, Danville, Ky. to Carmen J. Finley, 15 December 1987.

34. Lincoln Co., Ky., 1810 federal census, population schedule, p. 116.

35. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley, 2320 Cheyenne Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

36. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans, Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

37. Garrard Co., Ky., Circuit Court, Box 2, Suit 39, Order Book 1:407. Also Anderson & Mounce, Order Book 10:224, Box 22, Bundle 86, Suit 633.

38. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans, Finley Cemetery), 224. Age at death given as 72 years, 5 days.

39. Kegley, New River Tithables, p. 27.

40. Montgomery Co., Va., Deed Books A:258, A:283.

41. H.V. McChesney, ed., "Certificate Book," Kentucky State Historical Society Register 21 (January, 1923), p. 20.

42. Virginia State Land Office, Richmond, Va. Grant I, 1783-1784, reel 50, 322-324.

43. Mary B. Kegley, comp., Militia of Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1790 (Wytheville, Va.: author, 1975), pp. 2, 39.

44. Mary B. Kegley, comp. Tax List of Montgomery County, Virginia, 1782 (Wytheville, Va.: author, n.d.), p. 12.

45. Garrard Co., Ky., Circuit Court, Box 2, Suit 39, Book 1:407. Also Anderson & Mounce, Book 10:224, Box 22, Bundle 86, Suit 633.

46. Dave Van Every, A Company of Heroes: The American Frontier, 1775-1783 (New York: William Morrow and Co., 1962), p. 296.

47. Carmen J. Finley, "Identifying the Revolutionary Soldier: James Downing of Lincoln County, Virginia (Kentucky)," National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 77 (Sept. 1989), pp. 169-185.

48. John Frederick Dorman, comp., "Mercer County Officers Before 1792," Kentucky Genealogist, 16 (Oct.-Dec., 1974), 135.

49. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

50. Eliza J. Turley to Pension Department, Washington, D.C., 30 January 1932, letter filed incorrectly under David Findley, W25577 in Revoltuionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Application Files, microfilm M-804, roll 0975, Nation Archives. Eliza J. Turley, of Orleans, Ind., was a granddaughter of David by son, Cyrus.

51. Robertson, Petitions of Early Inhabitants, p. 68.

52. Ibid., 121.

53. "Lincoln County Order Books, 1781-1791," Kentucky Genealogist, 12 (Oct.-Dec., 1970), p. 138.

54. "Garrard County Wills," Kentucky Genealogist, 2 (Apr.-Jun., 1962), pp. 54-55.

55. Forest Calico, History of Garrard County, Kentucky, and Its Churches (New York: Hobson Book Press, 1947), p. 307.

56. Lincoln Co., Ky., Deed Book A:329.

57. Madison County, Ky. Survey Book 1:326, warrant #3624, survey #506.

58. Ibid., Survey #506, p. 554.

59. Garrard Co., Ky., Deed Book C:367.

60. Records were found for David in Virginia, and in Lincoln, Mercer, Madison and Garrard Counties, Kentucky. This reflects formation of new counties; David lived only in the Dicks River area of what is now Garrard County.

61. Garrard Co., Ky., Tax Records, LDS films #007988 and #007989.

62. David Findley patents FC 170, 8 Oct. 1811, Credit Volume 14, p. 175; FC 190, 13 Aug. 1812, Credit Volume 15, p. 207; FC 263, 27 Dec. 1811, Credit Volume 15, Credit Volume 15, p. 406; FC 429, 3 Sept. 1813, Credit Volume 19, p. 268; FC 499, 15 March 1814, Credit Volume 20, p. 435; FC 551, 25 March 1814, Credit Volume 21, p. 17; FC 1851, 2 April 1818, Credit Volume 38, p. 419, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office, Alexandria, Va.

63. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book A:72-75.

64. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book A:70.

65. Orange Co., Ind., Tract Book #2, section 35, 4 December 1819.

66. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book D:235.

67. Orange Co., Ind., Will Book 1:147.

68. Orange Co., Ind., Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Ginley Cemetery), p. 224.

69. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 13:205.

70. Orange Co., Ind., Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

71. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 14:226-227.

72. Orange Co., Ind., Probate Order Book 4:111.

73. Garrard Co., Ky., Tax Lists, LDS film #007988.

74. Garrard Co., Ky., Tax Lists, LDS films #007988 and #007989.

75. Lawrence Co., Ind., 1820 federal census, population schedule, p. 97.

76. "Burnt Tavern Cemetery at Bryantsville, Garrard County," Kentucky Cemetery Records (Frankfort?, Ky.: Kentucky Society, DAR., 1960), p. 171.

77. Estimated from age given on 1850 federal census, population schedule, Hopkins County, Texas, 22, dwelling #165, family #165; residence of Lewis Finley.

78. Bible record in possession of author.

79. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom, 1310 Aldridge Street, Commerce, Texas, 75428.

80. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records (Trimble Cemetery), p. 245.

81. Family records in possession of Josephine Williams, 43570 Lake Hughes Road, Lake Hughes, CA 93532-1007.

82. Green Hill Cemetery at Orleans, Orange County, Ind.; data read from tombstone marker described as "tall, substantial stone ... letters very clear," by Pearl Wilson, records searcher, Route #3, Box 51, Paoli, Ind. 47454, November 1987. DAR reading of this marker in error.

83. Information provided by Robert Morton, 2307 West 299th Place, Torrance, CA 90501, who has picture of tombstone marker; verified by author.

84. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), 224. Also History of Orange County (Paoli, Ind.: Stout's Print Shop, 1965), reprinted from History of Lawrence, Orange & Washington Counties (n.p., n.pub., 1884), p. 607.

85. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley, 2320 Cheyenne Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

86. Kegley, New River Tithables, p. 27.

87. Montgomery Co., Va., Record of Plotts B, 1782-83, p. 57.

88. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley. Andrew Swallow pension papers, file W61, National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C. Also in Thomas' will, Abbeville, S.C., Probate Box 34, Pack 732.

89. Andrew Swallow pension papers.

90. Larry E. Pursley, comp., 7500 Marriages from Ninety-Six & Abbeville District, S.C., 1774-1890 (Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1980), p. 65.

91. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley.

92. Pursley, 7500 Marriages from Ninety-Six, p. 65.

93. A Register of Marriages Celebrated & Solemnized by Moses Waddel in South Carolina and Georgia, 1795-1836 (S.C.?: Historical Markers Service of S.C., 1943), 6. Also Pursley, 7500 Marriages, p. 65.

94. Abbeville, S.C., Will Book 2:301.

95. Abbeville, S.C., Probate Box 34, Pack 732.

96. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley.

97. Allen H. Stokes, Manuscripts Division, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, to James D. Finley, 17 February 1977.

98. "Burnt Tavern Cemetery," p. 171.

99. Ibid.

100. Garrard Co., Ky., Marriage Records, Bond #198.

101. Calico, History of Garrard County, p. 80.

102. Annie Walker Burns, Record of Wills in Garrard County, Kentucky, 1796-1851 (n.p., 1933), pp. 105-106.

103. Calico, History of Garrard County, pp. 40, 80.

104. J. Winston Coleman, Jr., Historic Kentucky (Lexington: Henry Clay Press, 1967), p. 31.

105. Burns, Record of Wills in Garrard County, pp. 105-106.

106. Calico, History of Garrard County, pp. 82-83.

107. Kentucky Cemetery Records, p. 171.

108. Stout, Clan Finley, p. 5.

109. Estimated from age given on 1850 federal census, population schedule, Hopkins County, Texas, 22, dwelling #165, family 165, residence of Lewis Findley.

110. Washington Co., Ind., Deed Book, B:247.^. Their son, John, was born in 1810 according to census records of 1850, 1860 and 1870.

111. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169; Los Angeles County, Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 537, dwelling #515, family #504; Tulare County, Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 276, dwelling #65, family #64.

112. Washington Co., Ind., Record of Land Entries, p. 13.

113. Washington Co., Ind., Deed Book B:247.

114. Wayne Co., Mo., 1830 federal census, population schedule, pp. 38, 41.

115. Van Buren Co., Mo.,1840 federal census, population schedule, p. 138.

116. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 22, dwelling #165, family #165.

117. Cass Co., Mo., Deed Books C:389, F:10, F:127, F:148, F:448, F:456, G:127.

118. Van Buren Co., Mo., 1840 federal census, population schedulel, p. 138.

119. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 22, dwelling #165, family #165; 20, dwelling #156, family #156.

120. Bible record in possession of author.

121. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Court, case #17, box 1, LDS film #983,281.

122. Finley, "Identifying the Revolutionary Soldier," p. 169-185.

123. Bible record in possession of author.

124. Ibid.

125. Macon Co., Ill., Marriages, p. 7.

126. "Muster Roll of Captain Charles Busey's Company of 5th Reg't Indiana Militia Infantry," 18 February to 19 March 1813, National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C.

127. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book, A:72.

128. Ibid., A:70.

129. Pearl S. Wilson, records seracher, Paoli, Ind. 47454 to Carmen J. Finley, 2 June 1984.

130. Macon Co., Ill., Marriages, p. 7.

131. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Court, case #17, box 1, LDS film #983,281.

132. Illinois State Land Grants 2146, 2410, 24 April 1820, Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Records Group 49, National Archives and Record Service, Washington, D.C.

133. Jean Parks Hauffe, Abstracts of Macon County, Illinois, Probate Court Records, 1831-1847 (n.p.: n. pub., 1 October 1968), p. 4.

134. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Book A:76.

135. Macon Co., Ill., Court Records, 1831-1848, 19 September 1836, 102-103, LDS film #985,746.

136. Hauffe, Abstracts of Macon County, p. 16.

137. Macon Co., Ill., Probate File #11.

138. Ibid.

139. Macon Co., Ill., Marriages, p. 12.

140. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Book A:233.

141. Macon Co., Ill., Abstracts of Circuit Court Records, p. 26.

142. Hauffe, Abstracts of Macon County, p. 5.

143. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Court, case #17, box 1, LDS film #983,281.

144. Bible record in possession of author.

145. International Genealogical Index (IGI), LDS records for Mo.

146. Handwritten, undated letter obtained from Michelle Yahnian, Visalia, Calif. 93291, 10 June 1988.

147. Jackson Co., Mo., Marriage Book 1-2, p. 153.

148. Cass Co., Mo., Circuit Court Book A:49.

149. Bates Co., Mo., Deed Book B:178.

150. Bates Co., Mo., 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 265, dwellilng #512, family #512; 271, dwelling #605, family #605.

151. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

152. Jesse was found living with son, David, in 1860 in Dunklin County, Missouri and had disappeared from this household in 1870..

153. Washington Co., Ind., Marriage Records, v. A, p, 2. Rachel Findley was named in her father's will, 10 November 1822 (Lulie Davis, "Abstracts of Wills of Washington County, Indiana, 1808-1902 [Salem, Ind., Christopher Harrison Chapter, DAR, 1971], p. 4).

154. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

155. Jesse and Rachel were found together in the 1850 census in Hunt County, Texas. Jesse was found without Rachel living in household of son, David in Dunklin County, Missouri in 1860.

156. "Muster Roll of Captain Charles Busey's Company of 5th Reg't Indiana Militia Infantry," 18 February to 19 March, 16 April to 15 May, 1813, National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C.

157. Bounty Land Warrant Application, National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C.

158. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book A:72.

159. Orange Co., Ind., 1820 federal census, population schedule, p. 136.

160. Wayne Co., Mo., 1830 federal census, population schedule, pp. 38, 41.

161. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 425, dwelling #232, family #243.

162. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1900 federal census, population schedule, ed 53, sheet 10, dwelling #184, family #189.

163. Stoddard Co., Mo., 1840 federal census, population schedule, p. 7.

164. Gifford White, Mercer Colonists (n.p.: n. pub., 1984), p. 21.

165. Hunt Co., Texas, Deed Book B-3:378, Surveyors Record, vol. A:468.

166. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 425, dwelling #232, family #243; 429, dwelling #260, family #274; 429, dwelling #261, family #275.

167. Mrs. Jeff Wade, Jr., trans., 1860 Federal Census Dunklin County, Missouri, also 1860 Mortality Schedules, Microcopy No. M-653, Roll No. 618, National Archives (Bragg City, Mo.: author, 1975), p. 47.

168. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

169. Ibid.

170. Bible record in possession of Peggy Harding, Kilgore, Texas 75662.

171. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1880 federal census, population schedule, p. 182, dwelling #218, family #218; Hopkins County, Texas, 1900 federal census, population schedule, ed 53, sheet 10, dwelling #184, familhy #189.

172. White, Mercer Colonists, 21.

173. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 2:153.

174. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), p. 245.

175. Ibid.

176. Information provided by Carolyn Kraemer, Milwaukee, Wis., 23 December 1982. The McKinneys were an old Augusta County, Va., family found both near Staunton and Middle River.

177. Washington Co., Ind., Marriage Bk. A, p. 5, in Ruth M. Slevin, comp., Washington County, Indiana, Marriage Records, 1815-1847, (Salem, Ind., 1970), pt. 2, Index of Brides, p. 27.

178. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), p. 245.

179. Orange County, Ind. Deed Book A:75.

180. Washington County, Ind., 1820 federal census, population schedule, p. 214.

181. June Voyles, Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana (Salem, Ind.: Washington County Historical Society, 1989), pp. 24-25.

182. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), p. 245.

183. Pearl S. Wilson to Carmen J. Finley, 2 June 1984.

184. Washington Co., Ind., Probate Book 6:242.

185. Voyles, Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana, p. 61.

186. Ibid., p. 65.

187. Ibid., p. 24. Vital data from Trimble Cemetery, 245, except as otherwise noted.

188. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), 245.

189. Tombstone marker read by local researcher, Pearl S. Wilson, November 1987.

190. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Book C2:118.

191. Orange Co., Ind., Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), p. 248.

192. Trimble Cemetery, p. 248.

193. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Book C2:136.

194. There is a William A. Finley listed in the Cemetery Index, Orange County Library, Paoli, born January 1831, died 2 June 1870.

195. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Book C4:36.

196. Liberty Cemetery, p 7.

197. Information provided by Josephine Williams, Lake Hughes, Calif., gr-gr granddaughter of Mary, from family bible records and notes, except as otherwise indicated.

198. According to a newspaper account, no date, no source, abstracted by Josephine Williams and titled, "Another Pioneer Gone," they were married in late 1815.

199. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book A:73.

200. Voyles, Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana, pp. 24-25.

201. Washington Co., Ind., Probate Book 6:242. Also Voyles, Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana, p. 33.

202. Orange Co., Ind., Probate Order Book 4:111.

203. Unsigned, undated letter in possession of Josephine Williams. Letter includes reference to "Papa's (Joseph Jefferson Maxwell, Mary's son) Family record copied from Granfather Maxwells old Bible which Aunt has.

204. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Record Index, 1816-1920.

205. Ibid.

206. Ibid.

207. Ibid.

208. Ibid.

209. Orange Co., Ind., Probate Book 7:388.

210. Green Hill Cemetery at Orleans, Orange Co., Ind.; data read from tombstone by Pearl S. Wilson, Orange County researcher, November 1987. Stone marker described ass "tall, substantial stone . . . letters very clear." DAR reading of this marker in error.

211. Lawrence Co., Ind., Probate Box 42, file 30.

212. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Record Index, 1816 to 1920.

213. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Green Hill Cemetery), p. 158.

214. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book A:74.

215. Voyles, Guardianships, 1820-1859, Washington County, Indiana, pp. 24-25.

216. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 13:205-206.

217. Orange Co., Ind., Order Probate Book 4:111.

218. Lawrence Co., Ind., Probate Box 42, file 30.

219. Birth and death dates for James, David and Merrill in Orange County Cemetery Records, 3 (Green Hill Cemetery), 158. Data in History of Orange County (reprinted from History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington Counties [1884]; {Paoli, Ind., 1965) are not in total agreement.

220. Date read from tombstone by local researcher, Pearl Wilson, November 1987.

221. Birth dates estimated from 1850 federal census, Orange County, Ind., p. 414.

222. Orange Co., Ind., Marriages C5:422.

223. Orange Co., Ind., Marriages C5:555.

224. Orange Co., Ind., Marriages C3:148. History of Orange County, p. 607, gives 3 September 1847 as date of marriage.

225. Read from tombstone by local researcher, Pearl Wilson, November 1987. History of Orange County, p. 607, gives birth date as 2 Septmeber 1821.

226. History of Orange County, p. 607 except as otherwise noted.

227. Ibid, p. 607.

228. Orange County Marriages C5:226.

229. Green Hill Cemetery, p. 158. History of Orange County, p. 607 gives date of death as 27 February 1856.

230. Named in executor's report of her grandfather, Cyrus Finley, 14 December 1875 (Lawrence Co., Ind., Probate Box 42, file 30).

231. Ibid. History of Orange County, p. 607 and Green Hill Cemetery records in conflict.

232. History of Orange County, p. 634.

233. Vital records taken from Green Hill Cemetery records except as otherwise noted, p. 158..

234. Orange Co., Ind., Marriages C5:573. History of Orange County, p. 634.

235. Orange Co., Ind., Marriages C3:384.

236. History of Lawrence County, Indiana, p. 258.

237. Information provided by Robert Morton, Torrance, Calif., who has picture of tombstone marker; verified by author.

238. Garrard Co., Ky., General Index to Marriages, 1797-1958, Box 5, Bond 1092, LDS film #0183255.

239. Garrard Co., Ky., 1820 federal census, population schedule, p. 109.

240. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book D:235.

241. Orange Co., Ind., 1830 federal census, population schedule, p. 13.

242. Data provided by Robert Morton.

243. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224. Also some biographical material in History of Orange County, under son, Samuel Finley, 607.

244. Ibid.

245. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Record Index, 1816 to 1920.

246. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

247. History of Orange County, p. 638.

248. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Trimble Cemetery), p. 5.

249. Orange County, Indiana, Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224. Birth date given, but no date of death.

250. History of Orange County, p. 607.

251. Ibid., p. 639.

252. Andrew Swallow pension papers. Bible record in possession of Bonnie F. Sells, Livingston, Tenn. Also in will of Thomas Finley, Abbeville, S.C., Will Book 2:301.

253. Bible record in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance, Dunlap, Tenn.

254. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley.

255. Andrew Swallow pension papers.

256. Information provided by James D. Finley.

257. Overton Co., Tenn., Books 1:731; 1:180; C:241; R:82.

258. Letter addressed to Reubin Findley from Alexr. Hunter Acting Executor of Thos Findley, dec'd., dated 19 June 1833. Originals in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

259. Bible record in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

260. Information provided by James D. Finley.

261. Ibid.

262. Vital dates come from a Bible record in the possession of James D. Finley.

263. Bible record in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

264. Ibid.

265. Letter from A. Hunter to Granville H. Finley, 4 March 1851, in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

266. Letter from A. Hunter to Granville H. FInley, 15 May 1851, in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

267. Diary kept by Mary Ann Hulsey, granddaughter of Reuben J. Finley, Jr. Copy in possession of Rex Hulsey, Walnut Creek, Calif.

268. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley.

269. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169; Los Angeles County, Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 537, dwelling #515, family #504; Tulare County, Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 276, dwelling #65, family #64.

270. Bible record in possession of author. Also Ethel Work Balmer, Garold's Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother, written about 1916. Balmer was a granddaughter of John Findley through second wife, Sarah Masters.

271. Jackson Co., Mo., Marriage Book 1-2:153.

272. Tulare Co., Calif., Probate Court, Estate #118. Also Ethel lWork Balmer, paper is possession of author.

273. Arba A. Frost, Tulare County Killings, vol. III (n.p.: n. pub., 1943), pp. 385A-1 through 392.

274. Macon Co., Ill. Probate Book A:76.

275. Hauffe, Abstracts of Probate Records, p. 14.

276. Macon Co., Ill. Abstracts of Circuit Court Records, pp. 21-24, 30.

277. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Box #1, case #17, LDS film #983,281

278. Ethel Work Balmer, granddaughter of John Findley by Sarah Masters, was born 16 June 1894, died 12 November 1978.

279. Mahala's brother, John, did have a set of twins.

280. Van Buren Co., Mo., 1840 federal census, populatin schedule, p. 129.

281. Macon Co., Ill., Marriages, p. 13.

282. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169.

283. William Thorndale & William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S.Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 (Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987), p. 34.

284. Eugene L. Menefee & Fred A. Dodge, History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California (Los Angeles: Historic Record Co., 1913), p. 840.

285. Hunt County, Texas, Surveyors Record, vol. A:468.

286. Menefee, History of Tulare & Kings County, p. 840.

287. Los Angeles Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 538, dwelling #523, family #512.

288. Los Angeles Co., Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 538, dwelling #65, family #64.

289. Los Angeles Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 537, dwelling #515, family #504; 538, dwelling #523, family #512.

290. Ibid.

291. Tulare Co., Calif., Deed Book F:494-495.

292. Tulare Co., Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 276, dwelling #65, family #64.

293. Frost, Tulare County Killings, 385A-1 through 392.

294. Ibid.

295. On 12 August 1871, the Tulare Times carried a similar item.

296. Three of the six included R.M. Work, J. Work, Wm. Work. John Findley's daughter, Nancy Caroline had married Will Work in 1864.

297. Tulare Co., Calif., Coroner's Inquest No. 11.

298. Tom Woody's sister, Ellen, had married John's son, William; hence Woody was a brother to John's daughter-in-law.

299. Tulare Co., Calif., Probate Court, Estate #118.

300. Sonoma Co., Calif., Great Register, 1871, p. 23.

301. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 39:302-303 gives date of deed as 15 June 1872; however, papers in possession of the family indicate a mortgage was taken on 5 January 1872.

302. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriage Book A:328.

303. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169.

304. Death certificate for Julia Ann Hart, local registered no. 10, Kern County, Calif., County Recorder, Bakersfield, Calif. Certified copy in possession of author.

305. Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern, California (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., n.d.), p. 727.

306. Death certificate, loc.cit.

307. Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California, p. 727.

308. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169.

309. Death certificate for Nancy Caroline Work, local registered no. 94, Tulare County, Calif., County Recorder, Visalia, Calif. Certified copy in possession of author.

310. Sequoia Genealogical Society, Tulare County, California, Marriage Records, Index, 1853-1892 (Visalia, Calif., n.d.), p. 53.

311. Nancy Caroline Work death certificate.

312. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169.

313. Menefee and Dodge, History of Tulare and Kings Counties, p. 840.

314. Read from tombstone marker, Smith Mountain Cemetery, Dinuba, Tulare County, Calif. by Michelle Yahnian, Visalia, Calif.

315. Tulare County, California, Marriage Records, Index, 1853-1892, p. 16.

316. Read from tombstone marker by Michelle Yahnian.

317. Los Angeles Co., Calif., 1860 census, p. 538 says she was born in California; however, it also says her half-brother, David, who was 3 years younger, was born in Texas.

318. Birth information estimate from census records. Los Angeles County, Calif., 1860 census, p. 537; Tulare County, Calif., 1870 census, p. 276 except for Catherine and Elizabeth

319. Donna M. Hull, And Then There Were Three Thousand (Fresno: author, 1975), p. 236.

320. Ibid.

321. Ibid., p. 448.

322. Ibid., p. 149.

323. Ibid., p. 447.

324. Calculated from Hopkins Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 22, dwelling #156, family #156.

325. Van Buren Co., Mo., 1840 federal census, population schedule, p. 138.

326. Cass Co., Mo., Deed Books C:389, F:10, F:148.

327. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 20, dwelling #156, family #156.

328. Information supplied by Jeanne Branom.

329. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 602, dwelling #721, family #716.

330. Calculated from Hopkins County, Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 22, dwelling #165, family #165.

331. Information supplied by Jeanne Branom.

332. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 22, dwelling #165, family #165.

333. Lorraine Dodson Story, trans., 1860 Census of Hunt County, Texas (Farmersville, Texas: Search-N-Print, 1979), dwelling #56, family #50.

334. Bible record in possesion of author.

335. Macon Co., Ill., Marriage Records, p. 10.

336. Macon Co., Ill., Abstracts of Circuit Court Records, p. 26.

337. Paul M. Hogan, Circuit Clerk of Macon County to author, 20 April 1981, claims estate file #43 for Alvin exists, but there are no file papers.

338. A marriage record is shown for Jacob Black, 12 November 1835, the same day Alvin Finley and Hannah Black were married.

339. Macon Co., Ill., Abstracts of Circuit Court Records, p. 32.

340. Bible record in possession of author.

341. John W. Smith, History of Macon County, Illinois, from its Organization to 1876 (Springfield: Rokker's Printing House, 1876),p. 81.

342. Macon Co., Ill., Marriage Records, p. 7.

343. Macon Co., Ill., 1840 federal census, population schedule, p. 6.

344. Nancy Braden family Bible in possession of Susie Grohs, Medford, Ore.

345. Nancy Braden family Bible.

346. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Analy Township, p. 491, dwelling #87, family #88; Sonoma County, Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 259, dwelling #167, family #166.

347. Estimated from 1860 and 1870 census records.

348. Bible record in possession of author. His death certificate gives birth date as 6 June 1822, but photograph of tombstone is consistent with Bible record.

349. Bible record in possession of author.

350. Sonoma Co., Calif., Death Records Book 43:44. Also tombstone picture in possession of author.

351. Death certificate for John Finley, Sonoma County, Calif., State Index, 503.

352. Photographs of tombstone markers in possession of author.

353. Macon Co., Ill., Probate Records, case #17, box #1, LDS film #983,281.

354. Ibid.

355. Bates Co., Mo., 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 265, dwelling #512, family #512.

356. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 531, dwelling #381, family #381; 1870 federal census, p. 257, dwelling #151, family #148; 1880 federal census, p. 255, dwelling #287, family #287.

357. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 13:627-629.

358. Nettie McDonald, John and Keziah (Head) Finley, Sonoma County, California (Santa Rosa, Calif.: author, 1981), p. 4, on file in special collections, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, Calif. Nettie was a great granddaughter of John and Keziah; born 11 April 1906, died 19 February 1993, daughter of Clarence Elmore and May Lena (Bruce) Head.

359. Copies in possession of author.

360. McDonald, John and Keziah (Head) Finley.

361. Sonoma Co., Calif., Great Registers, 1873, p. 20; 1875, #1815 to #1823; 1879, p. 18; 1880, p. 19; 1884, p. 27; 1888, #2256 to #2262; 1890, p. 29; 1892, p. 45; 1894, p. 50.

362. Tulare Co., Calif., Probate Court Estate #118.

363. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriage Book, A:328.

364. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 39:302-303. Also papers in possession of the author.

365. Sonoma Co., Calif., Probate File #584.

366. Ibid.

367. Sonoma Co., Calif., Civil Court File #345.

368. Ibid.

369. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 73:13.

370. Sonoma Co., Calif., Liber "B" of Powers of Attorney, 309.

371. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 188:201.

372. McDonald, John and Keziah (Head) Finley, p. 11.

373. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 287:116.

374. Bible record in possession of author.

375. Ibid.

376. Portrait and Biographical Record of Arizona (Chicago: Chapman Publising Co., 1901), pp. 214-215.

377. Their oldest child, Martha, was born about 1850, according to Sonoma County, Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 532, dwelling #382, family #382.

378. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriage Record Index, p. 16.

379. The Sonoma Democrat (Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., Calif.) 29 July 1876.

380. Cass Co., Mo., Circuit Court Book A:49.

381. Bates Co., Mo., Deed Book B:178.

382. Sonoma Co., Calif.,1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 532, dwelling #382, family #382.

383. Bates Co., Mo., Deed Book B:178.

384. Portrait and Biographical Record of Arizona, pp. 214-215.

385. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 532, dwelling #382, family #382; 1870 federal census, p. 254, dwelling #99, family #97.

386. Portrait and Biographical Record of Arizona also claims he was a sheriff of Sonoma County, but no record has been found to substantiate this claim.

387. The Sonoma Democrat (Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Calif.), 29 July 1876.

388. The Santa Rosa Times (Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Calif.), July 1876.

389. The Sonoma Democrat (Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Calif.), 29 July 1876.

390. Ibid.

391. Ibid.

392. The Sonoma Democrat (Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, Calif.), 5 August, 12 August, 19 August 1876.

393. Pleasant Hill cemetery has no record of the burial of either Samuel or Prudence.

394. Petaluma Argus (Petaluma, Sonoma County, Calif.), 28 July 1876.

395. Portrait and Biographical Record of Arizona, pp. 214-215.

396. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 532, dwelling #382, family #382.

397. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, Bodega, p. 254, dwelling #99, family #97.

398. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriage Record Index, p. 16.

399. Pima Co., Ariz., 1900 federal census, population schedule, Precinct #1, Pima County, Ariz. ed 46, sheet 11, dwelling #196, family #204.

400. Birth dates are estimated from the 1860 and 1870 census, except as otherwise noted.

401. Bodega, Sonoma Co., Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 258, dwelling #164, family #163.

402. Sonoma Co., Calif., Liber Z of Mortgages, p. 513, Biver 13 of Mortgages, p. 36, Liber 22 of Moertgages, p. 216 and papers in possession of author.

403. Sonoma Co., Calif., Liber B of Powers of Attorney, p. 309.

404. Birth dates estimated from Madison County, Mont., 1880 federal census, population schedule, District #27, ed 27, sheet 4, dwelling #4, family #5.

405. Petaluma Argus (Petaluma, Sonoma County, Calif.), 28 July 1876.

406. Portrait and Biographical Record of Arizona, pp. 214-215. Most of the rest of James' information is also from this source except as otherwise noted.

407. T.P. Cox, Personnel Division, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, One Market Plaza, San Francisco, Calif., 94105, to author 28 August 1980.

408. Pima Co., Ariz., 1900 federal census, population schedule, Tuscon, ed 47, sheet 7, 341 S. 3rd Avenue, dwelling #139, family #150.

409. Obituary provided by Department of Library Archives and Public Records, Phoenix, Ariz., 85007. Also, Arizona Historical Review, January, 1931.

410. Pima Co., Ariz., 1900 federal census, population schedule, Precinct #1, ed 46, sheet 11, dwelling #196, family #204.

411. Bible record in possession of author.

412. Their first child was born about 1855-56.

413. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriages Book A:328.

414. Donna M. Hull, And Then There Were Three Thousand, p. 447.

415. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 416, dwelling #163, family #169.

416. Los Angeles Co., Calif.,1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 537, dwelling #515, family #504; 538, dwelling #523, family #512.

417. Tulare Co., Calif.,1870 federal census, population schedule, p. 276, dwelling #65, family #64.

418. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 39:302-303. While the officially recorded deed is dated 15 June 1872, personal papers show a mortgage was taken on this property on 5 January 1872.

419. Sonoma Co., Calif., Probate File #584.

420. Ibid.

421. Tulare Co., Calif., Marriages Book A:328.

422. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 42:257.

423. Sonoma Co., Calif., Probate File #584.

424. Donna M. Hull, And Then There Were Three Thousand, p. 236.

425. Akers Cemetery, also known as Kings River Cemetery & Centerville Cemetery, on Trimmer Spring Road, Fresno Co., Calif. Listing provided by Donna M. Hull (now Agegberto), Frazier Park, Calif..

426. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

427. Hunt County, Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 425, dwelling #233, family #244.

428. Marion Day Mullins, comp., Republic of Texas: Poll Lists for 1846 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1974), p. 54.

429. Frances Terry Ingmire, comp., Marriage Records of Hopkins County, Texas, 1846-1880 (St. Louis: author, 1979), p. 7.

430. Ibid.

431. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

432. Marion Day Mullins, Republic of Texas: Poll Lists for 1846, p. 54.

433. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 1:8.

434. White, Mercer Colonists, p. 20.

435. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 census, p. 429, dwelling #260, family #274.

436. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1860 federal census, population schedule, p. 105/162, dwelling #755, family #747.

437. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

438. Mary F. Smith-Davis, History of Dunklin County, Mo., 1845-1895, II (1896 Rpt. St. Louis: Nixon-Jones Printing Co., Kennett, Mo.: Thrower Printing Co., 1962), pp. 191-193.

439. Ibid.

440. Ibid., p. 193.

441. Ibid., p. 191.

442. Downing & Wade, Jr., 1850 Dunklin County Census, 3. Wade, 1860 Federal Census, Dunklin County, p. 47.

443. Smith-Davis, History of Dunklin County, Mo., p. 192.

444. Birth dates estimated from 1850 census records. Death dates estimated from Smith-Davis, History of Dunklin County, Mo., p. 192.

445. Smith-Davis, History of Dunklin County, Mo., pp. 191-193.

446. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

447. Lamar Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 1:20.

448. Hopkins Co., Texas, Death Certificate, vol. 1:7.

449. Bible records in possession of Jeanne Branom.

450. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 2:144.

451. Oakland Cemetery, Oakland Community, Hopkins Co., Texas

452. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 2:258.

453. Emblem Cemetery, Emblem Community, Hopkins Co., Texas

454. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 4:140.

455. Ibid., vol. 4:102.

456. Ibid., vol. 4:356.

457. Death Certificate, #31207, Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics.

458. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 3:228.

459. Funeral Home Records, Antlers, Okla.

460. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 6:171.

461. Confederate Cemetery, Austin, Travis Co., Texas.

462. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 4:76.

463. Hopkins Co., Texas, Death Records Vol. 2-A:21.

464. Reeves Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 1:1.

465. Hopkins Co., Texas, Death Records vol. 2-A:454.

466. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 9:517.

467. Hunt Co., Texas, Death Records vol. 3:82.

468. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

469. Hunt Co., Texas, Marriage Records DA:404.

470. White, Mercer Colonists, p. 19.

471. Hunt Co., Texas, 1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 429, dwelling #261, family #275.

472. Hunt Co., Texas, Probate Records, vol. A:93.

473. Bible record in possession of Peggy Harding.

474. Hopkins Co., Texas, 1880 federal census, population schedule, p. 177b, dwelling #218, family #218; Hopkins County, Texas, 1900 federal census, population schedule, ed 53, sheet 10b, dwelling #184, family #189.

475. White, Mercer Colonists, p. 21.

476. Confederate Pension Application, #25189, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas

477. Confederate Pension Application, #34761 (widow), Texas State Archives, Augstin, Texas, statement appended, signed by M.A. Finley, dated 1 December 1917 in Hopkins County, Texas..

478. Abstract of All Original Texas Land Titles Comprising Grants and Locations to August 31, 1941 (Austin: General Land Office, Bascom Giles Commissioner, n.d.), p. 461.

479. Confederate Pension Application, #25189, Texas State Archives, Austin, Texas.

480. Bible records in possession of Peggy Harding.

481. Death Certificate, #543, Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics gives date of birth as 12 February 1868.

482. Death Certificate #177, Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics gives date of birth as 15 August 1870.

483. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 8:139.

484. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records, vol. 10:525.

485. Bible record in possession of Jeanne Branom.

486. Hopkins Co., Texas, Marriage Records vol. 3:31.

487. Sonoma Co., Calif., Death Register Book 42:41.

488. White, Mercer Colonists, p. 21.

489. Hunt Co., Texas,1850 federal census, population schedule, p. 425, dwelling #232, family #243.

490. Frances Terry Ingmire & Robert Lee Thompson, comp., Johnny Rebs of Hunt County, Texas (n.p.: comps., 1977), p. 121.

491. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1860 federal census, population schedule, Bodega Township, p. 536, dwelling #428, family #428.

492. Originial in possession of Peggy Harding; copy in possession of author.

493. Sonoma County Coroner's Inquests During the 1800's (Santa Rosa, Calif.: Sonoma County Genealogical Society, 1989), p. 108.

494. Sonoma Co., Calif., Patents Book B:60.

495. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 59:329.

496. Sonoma Co., Calif., Deed Book 65:393-394.

497. Great Register, Sonoma Co., Calif. began in 1867 and lists all registered voters in the county.

498. Sonoma Co., Calif., Great Register, 1898, p. 117.

499. Sonoma Co., Calif., 1870 federal census, population schedule, Bodega Township, p. 257, dwelling #159, family #156; 1880 federal census, population schedule, Redwood Township, ed 130, sheet 18, dwelling #141, family #78. The 1870 and 1880 census records are not consistent in the reporting of birth place for the children. 1870 gives birth place of Mary and Sarah as California; 1880 shows all cildren born in Texas.

500. Orange County, Ind. Cemetery Records (Trimble Cemetery), p. 5. There is another conflicting report on p. 245 that gives her date of death as as 16 March 1868; both give her age as 40y/2m/9d. If the age at death is correct, then the calculated date of birth as 20 January 1827 is more reasonable considering her brother, Samuel, was born 10 July 1828.

501. History of Orange County, p. 634; also Orange County, Ind., Marriages C3:170.

502. Orange Co., Ind., Probate Order Book 4:111.

503. Orange County, Ind., Cemetery Records (Trimble Cemetery), p. 5.

504. History of Orange County, p. 634. 1860 federal census, Orange County, Ind. p. 60.

505. Orange County, Ind., Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224. Birth date given, but no dte of death.

506. History of Orange County, p. 607.

507. Identified in will of her grandmother, Rachel Elliott, probated 14 May 1868. Will Abstracts of Washington County, Ind., p. 92. Washington County, Ind. Will Book C:500-502, dated 8 April 1868.

508. History of Orange County, p. 607.

509. Orange Co., Ind., Cemetery Records, 3 (Orleans: Finley Cemetery), p. 224.

510. Identified in will of her grandmother.

511. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 14:226-227.

512. Orange Co., Ind., Probate Order Book 4:111.

513. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 14:227.

514. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 39:402-404.

515. History of Orange County, p. 607.

516. Ibid.

517. Orange Co. Ind., Marriage Records C6:173.

518. Ibid., C7:532.

519. Ibid., C8:94.

520. Ibid., p. 639. Also Orange County, Ind. Cemetery Records (Trimble Cemetery).

521. Orange Co., Ind., Deed Book 14:227.

522. Orange Co., Ind., Marriage Records C3:512.

523. History of Orange County, p. 639. Also Orange County, Ind. Cemetery Records (Trimble Cemetery).

524. History of Orange County,p. 639.

525. Bible record in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

526. Ibid.

527. Abbeville, S.C., Probate Box 34, Pack 732.

528. Letter addressed to Dr. Thomas from Jane Findley, Abbeville, 20 December 1842. Original in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

529. Letter to Thomas M. Findley from A. Hunter, 29 November 1845. Original in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

530. Abbeville, S.C. Probate Box 34, Pack 732.

531. Bible record in possession of James D. Finley. Also letter from A. Hunter to Thomas M. Findley, 29 November 1845, in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

532. Letter from A. Hunter to Thomas M. Finley, 29 November 1848, in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

533. Letter from A. Hunter to Thomas M. Findley, 23 March 1846, in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.

534. Abbeville, S.C., Probate Box 34, Pack 732.

535. Ibid.

536. Ibid.

537. Bible record in possession of Sally (Finley) Nance.