aaa-0510.html
Christine Rose, CC, CCL, FASC
1474 Montelegre Drive
San Jose, California 9512O-4831
(408) 2682137
For:
Dr. Carmen J. Finley, C.G.
4820 Rockridge Ln.
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Finley Family
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Report No.1: July 1993
Client is searching for a specific record, (which was said to be in Orphan's Court Book A p 417
November 1753, no county shown) . Presumably this was in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
However, client has searched to no avail for this record, and suspects it could be a Franklin
County record because of it mentions "Greens" twp., and Letterkenny, both of which she has
found were not formed that early.
With this problem in mind, a trip was scheduled for the Cumberland County Courthouse.**
Though an attempt was made not to overlap what she already had, in some instances the items
were re-checked to see if they contained further data.
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
REGISTER OF WILLS OFFICE [ground floor]
Registers's Index [Estates]
Finley, John, A p 25, Inv. #3/1: James Finley, Martha Finley [1758]
Finley, John, 1758, A p 30, 1760, Inv. #5, Acct A p 2
Finley, John, Littlekenney, 1783, Wills #6 Bk 0 p 178: James Finley & Mary Fulwiler, Michael Fulwiler, William Richardson, adm., Nov. 18, 1783, Inv. #15,
Acct Apr. 26, 1791 Bk A p 14
Finley, John, 1783, Inv. #15, Acct. 1791, A #14
Finley, Robert, 1759, A p 31, 1760, Inv. #6
Finley, Robert, Vendue List #2 1765; Acct 1765 A #4
IN BASEMENT
Docket A [In basement, a small volume1 not to be confused with Orphans court
Docket 1 in Register of Wills office on ground floor]
Abstracts:
Bk A p 25, 18 Aug. 1758, Let Adm. granted to Martha Finley and James Finley on est. of John
Finley decd, Inv. to be Exh. on or bef. 18 Sept. next
Bk A p 30, 25 July 1759, Let. Adm. granted to Gavin? Morroni? and Joseph Elliott on estate of
John Finley decd, Inv. to be exh. 25 Aug. next
Bk A p 31, 24 Aug. 1759 - Let. adm. granted to Jane Finley and Thomas Finley on Robert Findley
decd. etc.
Note: Client is being supplied with photocopies of some of the original loose records. However,
they are in fragments and client will probably need to cut them apart and try to put them in the
right order. It was impossible to put them in proper sequence for the photocopying, but time was
taken to piece them together for abstracting to assist client when examining the fragments.
Index to Accounts [old index, in basement]
John Finley, No. 2*
Robert Finley, No. 4*
Alex Finney, No. 6*
John Finley, No. 14*
ABSTRACTS
Account Box F #1 to 160
File No. 4 [see photocopy]
Adm. Acct, est. of Robert Finley decd, filed Aug. 21, 1765
Accompts of Jane Wales & Thomas Finley, admrs of est. of Robert Finley late of Cumberland Co. decd, which were of deceased at time of death, 118.l5.10 To Regr for Let Adm. and Inv. 0.19.6
to Abr'm Weere Acct 0.13.6
To Sami Armstrong 0.12.9
to Sam'l Perry 1.6.0
to Francis Campbell 0.19.2
To cash pd 0.12.0
to George Finley proven acct 12.15.0
to James Dunlap 0.19.0
to Sami Montgomery 1.8.0
to Robert Miller 0.5.6
to Seth Miller 0.5.6
to Seth Duncan 1.3.9? [torn]
To reg 0.l5--? [torn]
to a Decree Record & Copy O.C. 0.12.-? [torn]
[line torn]
[Total] 37.15.2
[Paid out]
To Widow's Share 12.15.0 1/2 [torn line]
to Joseph Elliot for Crying vendue
to Joseph Boogs? 0.14.2
to John Commins for bawling 0.7.6
to Sami Montgomery 0.7.6
To cash pd George Finley on proven Acct
To cash pd Thomas Finley 45.0.0?
All'd Adm 2.0.0
Balance in hands of adm 37.5.2
Subject to Distribution
To atty 0.15.0
Court Clerk 1.4.0
120 .5.10
Cumberland Co., came Thomas Finley and made oath "that he Lost three Notes of Hand due by
Robert Finley each note for fifteen pounds" said Thomas Finley never received any part. Signed:
Thomas Fin~. Ack.: 21 Aug. 1765 by Wm Lyon
I acknowledge the above Sum of forty five pounds to be Justly due by my late husband Robert Finley deceased to Thos Finley the above Subscribed. Signed:
Jean Wealls
File No. 6
Adm. of Alex Finney decd filed Aug. 17, 1788 by James Lindsay exec.
Mentioned: Margaret Cummins Accompt, John Rannell, etc.
File No. 14
Adm. of est. of John Finley, decd, Apr. 26, 1791, account
Acct of James Finley sole exr of will of John Finley late of LetterKenney twp. in Cumberland co.
(now Franklin Co.) decd, Exh. 26 Apr. 1791. Signed: James Finley, exec.
File No. #2
Accompt of Ealie? Finley A--? Administrator of est. of John Finley decd
Accomptant Charges herself 119.15.5, exh 21 Feb. 1764
Item, prays an allowance
To the Regr for --? of Admrx Copy of Inv. etc. 0.19.6
To the Reg. for Settling this Acct 0.15.6
To a Decree Record & Copy of the O.C. 0.12.0
To the price of the plantation appr for Inv. 80.0.0
To allowed the Adm for her Trouble 4.0.0
To Exp at the Vendue 0.15.0
To Bal Remaining in hands of adm 32.13.5
[Total] 119.15.9?
Sheet in the above
The widows Share 10.7.9 1/2
Georges 5.8.10
Elnora 2.14.5 1/2
Janes 2.14.5 1/2
Johns 2.14.5 1/2
Elizabeths 2.14.5 1/2
Williams 2.14.5 1/2
Sarahs 2.14.5 1/2
[Total] 32.13.5
Appraisements [boxes: blue cabinet, basement]
No. 1, Inv. John Finley, 1760, in pieces [photocopied]
No. 3, same, Sale to widow Finley, James Finley, Micial? Finley, Clement/Clemin Finley, Ann
Finley, etc. Oct. 19, 17~8? [photocopied]
No. 5, Inv. Jno Findley, 1760, in pieces [photocopied] Mentions "Alles" Findly, etc., John Findly
decd, 1764
No. 6, Robert Finley, 1760 [photocopied]
Vendue List [Index] [basement]
Robert Finley, File #2
Orphans Court Docket 1 [Reg. of Wills Office]
Index
John Finley, 25
Findlay, John, Inq. Awarded, 60*
Findlay, John, 65*, 68, 69
Finly, John, Esq., 99*
Finlay, John, 107*, 109*
Abstracts:
O.C. 1 p 60, Court of 2 Apr. 1762, came into court James Findley eldest son of John Findlay late
of Cumberland Co. decd; John d. intestate, possessed of a plantation and tract being part in
Hopewell and part in Lurgan twp., about 217 acres, desirous to hold the same paying to the
younger children their respective shares, court to value same, appt Benjamin Blyth, Samuel
Rippey, John Pipes?, John Miller & William Duncan and John McClean to be an Inquest to value
property etc.
O.C. 1 pp 65-67, 25 May 1762, James Finlay eldest son and heir at law of John Finlay late of
Cumberland Co. who d. intestate, produced the report of the Inquest, sd dwelling plantation is
part in Lurgan and part in Hopewell twp., will not admit to a division [note: meaning here is that
the plantation is not well adapted to a division] appraised at 327 lb 9 sh and 10 pence, same James
is to pay to Martha Finlay widow and relict of sd decd 6 lbs 11 sh yrly during her natural life.. .in
lieu of her dower and 109.3.3 at death of sd Martha to be distributed among legal representatives
and James to retain his own right, and sd James to pay [certain sums listed] to Clement another
son, to John Thompson in right of his wife Mary a daughter of sd intestate, to Thomas Johnson in
right of his wife Ann? another dau, to grdn of Michael Finley a son, to grdn of Elizabeth Finley
another dau, to grdn of John Finley a son, to grdn of Andrew Finley a son, to grdn of Samuel
Finley a son, etc.
O.C. 1 p. 99, court 24 May 1763, Elizabeth Finly a minor dau. of John Finly Esq of Cumberland
Co., is above the age of 14, prays that Samuel Montgomery be apptd grdn.
O.C. 1 p 107, Court 21 Feb. 1764, camed Ealice Adams and prays that James Adams be apptd
grdn of Elizabeth Finley and Sarah Finley, two minor daus. of John Finley late of Cumberland Co.
decd.
O.C. 1 pp. 109-110, Ealee [or Ealce?] Finley alias Adams adm. of John Finley late of Cumberland Co. who d. intestate
George, minor and eldest son
Elinora, minor
Jane, minor
John, minor
Elizabeth, minor
William, minor
Sarah, minor
Orphans Court Docket 2 Index [Reg. of Wills Office]
Finley, John, petn to dlv. & appr. real est, 10*
same, confirmation of his real est to eldest son, 13*
same, grdn apptd over minor ch., 15*
same, same over dau, 15*
same, same, 35*
same, grdn ppts over daus, 41*
same, adm. acct settled, 43*
Finley, Robert, grdn apptd dau Margaret minor, 58*
same, adm. to sell real est, 59*
same, adm. acct settled, 61*
Finley, John, grdn Eleanor, George & John Finley ack., 99*
same, his dau ack. receipt, 99*
Finney, Alexander, adm. acct, 100*
Finley, John, grdn apptd for minor daus, 122*
ABSTRACTS O.C. DOCKET 2
O.C. 2 p. 10, 22 Apr. 1762, came James Finley eldest son of John Finley late of Cumberland Co.
and set forth that John d. intestate possessed of a plantation and tract part in Lartin? twp and part
in [--?]gan twp., 250 acres, appraisers apptd.
O.C. 2 p 13-14, Court 25 May 1762, came James Finley eldest son and heir at law of John Finley
late of Cumberland Co. decd, dwelling partly in Lorgan and part in Hopewell twp. appraised at
327.9.2, etc.
O.C. 2 p 15, 25 May 1762, came Martha Finley widow of John Finley of Cumberland Co. decd, pray apptmt of grdn of estates of Michael, John, Andrew, Samuel Finley, minor orphan children, etc.
Next item: came Elizabeth Finley, minor dau. age of 14, chooses Samuel McClure as grdn
O.C. 2 p 35, court 24 May 1763, came Elizabeth Finley minor dau. of John Finley Esqr late of
Cumberland Co. decd, above 14, chooses Samuel Montgo[mery] [torn], grdn.
O.C. 2 p 41, court 17 Nov. 1763, AlIce Adams came, prays James Adams may be apptd grdn of
Elizabeth Findly and Sarah Finley two minor children of John Finley late of Cumberland Co.,
decd, under age of 14
O.C. 2 p 43, court 17 Nov. 1763, came "Alice Finley Alice Adams" adm. of John Finley etc.,
produced Accompt of her adm., bal. of 32.13.5, distributed to legal representatives, to wit the
widow and relict, 10.17.9, to George a minor & eldest son of sd decd, to Elinora, minor dau., to
Jane minor dau., to John minor son, to Elizabeth minor dau., to William minor son, to Sarah
minor dau.
O.C. 2 p 58, court 20 Aug. 1765, camed Jane Weals and prays grdn be apptd for est. of Margret
Finley minor dau. of Robert Finley, asks that Samuel Montgomery be considered [note that he is
also mentioned as grdn of a child of O.C. 2 p 35].
O.C. 2 pp 59-60, same court, petn of George Weals & Jane his wife late Findley and Thomas
Findley, admrs of Robert Findley, late of Lurgan twp., Cumberland Co. decd, died intestate,
possessed of 100 acres, petn to make sale.
O.C. 2 p 61, Jane Wales and Thomas Finley administrators of Robert Finley late of Cumberland
co. decd, produced Accompt of adm., subject to distribution to widow and legal heirs, to Margret
minor dau. [no other heirs mentioned here].
O.C. 2 p 99, court 16 Aug. 1768, recd from James Adams 2.14.5 1/2 in full of my share of my
rights the plantation only excepted of my father John Finley at his deceased. Dated: 24 July 1766.
Signed: Jane (her mark) Finley. Wit.: William Kirkpatrick.
O.C. 2 p 99, recd 17 Aug. 1768 of Alice Adams adm., etc., 10.17.9 in full for George, Elinora,
John Finley legatees of est. [of John Finley] . Signed: Daniel (his mark) McCay. Wit.: Edmond
Moran.
O.C. 2 p 100, court, 18 Aug. 1768, came John Reynolds Esqr and James Lindson Executors of
Alexander Finney late of Cumberland Co. decd, produced Accompt, sun of 53.19.9 1/2, executor
stands accountable for 85.14 and account due to Margaret Cummings, etc.
O.C. 2 p 122, court 17 Aug. 1769, came Allice Findley and prays grdn be apptd over Elizabeth
and Sarah Findley minor children of John Findley of LittleKenney twp., asks consideration of John
Beard and William Beard as grdns.
O.C. 3 p 87, court 2 Apr. 1791, came James Finley, exec. of John Finley late of Littlekenney twp.
decd, produced acct.
Since there had been no success in finding the item that client specifically wanted, an effort was
made to find a substitute item by checking for partitions. There were a box marked "early
partitions" and this was thoroughly examined for anything on Finley. Then, a visit was made to
the Recorder of Deeds hoping their index would disclose a partition deed. Client already has some
data from deeds, but some selected items were quickly examined, specifically those that had
names that were in the missing document, i.e., Samuel Finley, James Finley, etc. Brief notes were
made on some.
Samuel Finley to William Douglas, P/A, 1800, 15 pp 133, 123 [Newton twp., 150 acres]
Samuel Finley to James Brown, 1-U p 275, Cert, 1811, mentions Samuel Finley of Chillicothe, Ohio, etc.
John Finlay to Daniel McCoy, lC p 220, 1771, P/A heir to John Findlay late of Littlekenney twp
decd, May 10, 1771
Index to Surveys Books 1, 2, 3 [Recorder's Office]
Geo. Finley 3 p 50 [took a hasty look at this to see if Samuel or James Finley was mentioned in
the record too; they were not]
A visit was also made to the Prothonotary's office, in the hope that they would have record of a
court action originated on the partition. Nothing was found.
PROTHONOTARY' S OFFICE
Mechanic's Lien Docket [begins 1837]
no early Finley
Quarter Session Docket #6 1777-1789
no Finley
Next, a visit was made to the Cumberland County Historical Society. This group does have some
original records of the county that have been transferred. Their catalog of holdings was examined,
and a couple of items searched, but nothing could be found that could be the missing document.
While there some random items were noted in case client wishes to pursue these with the society.
CUMBERLAND CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Index Church/Ceme. Vol. 1 [p 84]
Finley, Charles, 1768, Ref. 20 #22, Code M
Finley, Charles, 12, 7, M
Finley, Elizabeth, 1768, 29, 7, M
Finley, Samuel, 1789, 12, 7, M
Finley, William, 1862, 108, 177, M
M = Mar.
The above items are referred to the following items held by the Society.
#7 = Cbrld Co. Mar. CE/CUM 1761-1800
#22 = CR/BUC 1st United Ch of Christ, see 1st Ref. Ch Carlisle
#22 CR/BUC Pt 1 1st Ref. C (U Ch of Christ, 1763-1768 Rev. Bucher, Carlisle
177 = CE/KIS, Mechanicsburg. Mar. 1837-1873 by Jacob Kister
Manuscript Index
1788 Finley, John 9-11
Dec. 22 Rec. of John Finley for negro woman Rachel
1797, Sept. 28, also shows 1798, Apr. 12, Finley, John 2-13-6
McCrea, Elijah, Art. of Agreement between Elijah McCrea & John Finley & Robert Patterson &
Arnold Duncan, Sept. 28 1797 18 bastardy case Settlement etc.
1792, Sept. 25, Finley, Samuel 13-i?
Giffin, William, Bill of sale from Giffin of West Pennsborough twp., for lot of ground, etc.
1794, July 28, Finly, Samuel Flat ms 4-2
Deed in Newton twp by Alexander McNickler? to Samuel Finley, Alexander Brown &
Daniel Brown
1811, Apr. 25, Finley, Samuel Fiat ms 4-2
Deed Lot 28 Newville by Samuel Finley & Co. to James Brown
[Noted because it mentions Samuel Finley)
Prothonotary [from Cumer1and Co. Hist. Society]
Box 68
Cases at Law MS Index July 1760-Oct. 1764 [no Finley]
Clerk of Orphans Court Writs of Partn, Index A-Z [checked this, no Finley]
Warrants etc., Vol. 1 A-G [original book]
p 305, William Finley of Cumberland Co. to take up 25 acres including his own improvements adj.
his other lands, William Bleakley, John McClanahain and Thomas McClanahain, near Antietan
Church in Antrim twp., co. Cumberland, 17 Feb. 1775. Signed: John Penn
p. 315, John Finley, 400 acres, adj. land this day appl. for by Wm. M. Biddle in Dickerson twp.,
24 Feb. 1794.
A trip was made to the Franklin County Courthouse in the hope that the missing document would
be in their records.
An additional note was taken in the basement in the estate records. However, it is now noted that
this was not followed up. If client establishes that Alexander Finney (mentioned elsewhere in this
report) is also connected, she may want to follow this up. His name seems to be consistently
Finney throughout.
Old Index: Will Bk 1 p 3, Alexander Finney, 1757
Next, a trip was made to the Franklin County Courthouse. No attempt was made to list all of the
Finley deeds; client already has information from some of them and it would have taken
considerable time. However, some attention was put into the earlier ones, particularly any with
the names mentioned in the missing document that might supplement the data from that
document.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Item Grantors
254 Findley, Samuel to John Gay, 1785/1786, p 196
266 John Finley to Martha Jack, 1788/1789, 2 p 65
269 Samuel Finley to James Johnston, 1791/1791, 2 p 261, P/A
271 Joseph Finley to Thomas Wilson, 1791/1791, 2 p 322
273 Robert Finney to George Clark, 1783/1792, 2 p 453
274 Joseph Finley to John Herron, 1790/1792, 2 p 467
277 John Sr. to John Meyer, 1794/1794, 3 p 119
288 James Finley to William Rippy, 1796/1796, Transfer, 4 p 41
290 William Findlay to Saml Flndlay, 1796/1796, 4 p 82
294 John Findlay to John Findlay Sr., 1798, 4 p 275
295 John Finley to Geo. Hetich al, 1798/1798, 4 p 286
297 James Finley to John Findley, 1793/1798, 4 p 354
301 John Finley to James Finley, 1768/1799, P p 484
[to 301] [also 4 p 491, 4 p 499, 5 p 89, also 313 John Findlay A of A 5 p 230]
Grantees - did not list but did examine the book briefly.
Index to Miscellaneous Dockets
Findley/Finley
1847 John grantee A p 44
1848 James " A p 57
1851 James deft A p 174
[did not check above because of later dates]
Register of Wills Office
Note: It was noted in this office that Will Bk A does not go to page 417, 50 the will register
cannot be the book with the missing document. Just to be sure, the index was examined. Very
briefly a will in Bk B was noted.
Bk B p 231, will of Samuel Findlay of Peters twp., has land Northumberland Co. and
Westmoreland Co., sons John, William, James, Jonathan, Thomas, Nathan; Elizabeth Findlay
niece
Since the missing document was said to be Orphan's Court, a visit was made to that office on
another floor. From the index:
Orphan' S court Docket Index
James Findlay, Petn and Award of Writ, 1817, Vol. 13 p 271 (? this may be Book
B p 471*)
1813, Bk A p 416*
It was immediately noted that indeed, Bk A not only goes through the cited page of 417 (the
missing document), but that an item was listed for Finley on p. 416. This however proved
disappointing as far as locating the document. This record is abstracted here:
O.C. A p 416-417, petn of James Findlay one of sons of James Findley Esq late of Green twp. in
co. of Franklin decd, setting forth that sd James Finley lately d. leaving a widow Jane and eight
children, to wit Samuel, John, James the Petitioner, William, Elizabeth wife of Stephen Duncan,
Isabella wife of James Gaibreath, Molley wife of Joseph Culbertson and Jane the wife of Samuel
Armstrong Rippey, and that ptnrs father died seized of a tract in twp of Letterkinney in sd county,
bounded by Frederick Hess, lands of heirs of John Findley decd and other lands that were of the
sd James Findley Esq decd, 27 acres and allow, that ptnrs father did on 4 Feb. 1809 make last
will etc. [see photocopy included.] (Court 12 Apr. 1813)
It should be noted that the wording is similar to the missing document, but clearly, is not the same
family though of course are related.
Another document relating to the above:
O.C. B p 473, petn of James Finley "one of the children and heirs at law of James Finley Esq late
of Green township decd" petns that late father James Finley died leaving a widow since decd and
issue eight children, viz, "Samuel, John, James (the petitioner) William since deceased without
issue, Elizabeth now deceased (leaving two children by her late husband Stephen Dunear?) viz
Jane intermarried with Moses Moore & Polly intermarried with Edmund Wailer?) Isabella
intermarried with James Gaibreath, Molly (late wife of Joseph Cuibertson) which sd Molly is since
decd leaving five children to wit Robert, James, Alexander, Cyrus and William all of whom are
minors) and Jane late wife of Samuel Armstrong Rippey? which sd S. A. Rippey is since decd the
sd James Finley d. seized of tract in LittieKenney twp adj. Frederick Hess, land of heirs of John
Finley decd and other lands that belonged to sd James Finley, 27 acres and allow, sd James Finley
did on 14 Feb. 1809 make will, etc. etc. [photocopied]
After examining everything that was available in the early records in this office, the head Clerk of
the Court was consulted. Specifically, he was asked about the original packets of Franklin County
which were not in the office. This researcher was told that all such items are in storage and not
accessible to searchers. He however felt that any packets would be referred to the indexes that are
available. He was shown the problem, and could not offer an explanation.
Then a visit was made to the Prothonotary's office. Here various early indexes were examined for
any possible actions involving the Finley family. None were found in the available indexes. As they
were closing, one of the clerks suggested a return visit to check on equity court items.
The following day a return trip was made to both Cumberland County and Franklin County
Courthouses, and further examination was made of various indexes and miscellaneous books.
While at the Franklin County courthouse, an examination was made page by page of Orphan's
Book A. It was felt that possibly an item had been mis-indexed, and had been happened into by a
previous researcher. The book is in the right time period, and contains a number of "Inquisitions"
which are similar to the missing record. Because it would have taken several hours to actually
read each item in the book, and time by now had been exhausted, it was not possible to devote
time to read each item. However, knowing the format of inquisitions, an attempt was made to
scan each page for an Inquisition and then check the name. None were noted for Finley other than
the one already mentioned.
Some other items were noted (which were in the index)
O.C. A p 143, court 17 May 1802, appt. Col. Joseph Armstrong of Hamilton twp. grdn of John,
Mary and Samuel Finley minor orphan children of John Finley late of Green twp decd.
O.C. A p 327, 17 Sept. 1811, court apptd Edward Crawford Esq. of Chambersburg grdn of est.
of Samuel A. Findlay, minor orphan of John Findlay decd, aged 14 and upwards
O.C. B p 4, 8 June 1813, court apptd John Findlay grdn of est. of his children to wit Rebecca
Smith Findley, John Findley, Samuel Findley and Eleana Johnston Findley for the purpose of
releasing their Interest in the real estate of their grandfather Doctor Richard Brownson decd.
The indexes of the Orphan Court books were examined through about 1825. Some miscellaneous
items noted in Franklin County records:
Land Lien Docket
Town of Lancaster, Warrant #127, John Finly, 5 July 1745, 100 acres applied for, Lurgan twp.,
247 acres, "also Cumberland Co"
Town of Cumberland, Warrant #9, John Findley, 20 Jan. 1753, 100 acres applied for, Lurgan
twp., Quantity of Acres 148, Acct found [Bk] F p 172, etc.
A survey book was noted just before leaving Franklin County Courthouse and some Finley items
quickly photocopied in the hope that they would assist. However, though page number are shown
on most pages, inadvertently the actual citation was not obtained, pages are 12, 514, 264, 221,
217, 174, 111, 167.
The document cited as O.C. Book A p 417 has not been located in either Cumberland County or
Franklin County. It should be in one of the large copied volumes of the clerk in order to have such
a designation, and those books do seem to be available. If it was in a packet of loose papers, it is
possible that indeed the citation of "Bk A p 417" would appear, probably on the reverse where
often it is noted where the clerk has copied the record. It is unfortunate that in Cumberland
County records the drawer with partitions did not reveal any for Finley. Often when packets are
pulled by the clerks during the years to make copies, they do not make their way back into the
drawer (or into the right drawer) and this could have happened. However, the indexes did not disclose such a packet. There was however one whole drawer of "F" items that was not there and
not to be found, though it did not seem to be among the type of documents for which we are
searching.
There is a possible explanation. Is it possible that this document is not in either Cumberland or
Franklin County? It is noted that Samuel Finley had some interest in land in Northumberland and
Westmoreland Counties. Is it possible that this document is in one of those two counties? A brief
item was noted (as shown previously) in Franklin County, concerning the estate of Samuel Finley.
Unfortunately, the date was not noted but was likely in the 1810-1835 period. This was in Book
B p. 231, will of Samuel Findlay of Peters twp., has land Northumberland Co. and Westmoreland
Co., sons John, William, James, Jonathan, Thomas, Nathan; Elizabeth Findlay niece. If this is the
same Samuel Finley, it is possible that a pursuit of all papers involving him would lead to the
missing record.
**lt should be noted here that during the search at the Courthouse, this researcher phoned
client to alert her that there were a number of important early records on Finley that were
not in the material she had supplied. Some of this was in very poor shape and deteriorating
rapidly. She authorized the photocopying of whatever could be obtained, and asked for any
data on early Finley up to 1780 and possibly to 1800.
Also, in this report the use of * means that the item has been abstracted elsewhere in this report.
Enclosures:
Cumberland Co., Pa.
Appr. Drawer 1 to 230: #1 Inv. John Finley - 2 pp
Acct. Drawer F 1 to 160, #6, adm. Alex Finney, 1788 - 2 pp
O.C. Dkt 1 pp 65-67 - 3 pp
Acct. Drawer 1 to 160, Adm. #14, John Finley - 2 pp
Acct. Drawer 1 to 160, #2, adm. John Finley - 2 pp
Acct. Drawer 1 to 160, #4, adm. Robert Finley, 1765 - 3 pp
Appr. Drawer 1 to 230, Inv. Robt. Finley, 1760, #6 - 1 p
Appr. Drawer 1 to 230, Inv. John Finley #3 - 2 pp
Appr. Drawer 1 to 230, Inv. John Findley #5 - 7 pp
Appr. Drawer 1 to 230, Inv. John Finley, 1783 *15 - 3 pp
Franklin Co., Pa.
O.C. Bk A pp 416-417 - 2 pp
O.C. Bk B p 271 - 1 p
Surveys - pp 12, 514, 264, 221, 217, 174, 111, 167 - 8 pp
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