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Finleys Found in the Draper Manuscripts
[Lyman C. Draper was a nineteenth-century history buff who collected original writings and oral histories over a sixty year period of time. The focus of his interest was a large geographical area covering the western areas of the Carolinas and Virginia, portions of Georgia and Alabama, the entire Ohio River Valley, and part of the upper Mississippi Valley. He targeted persons who could give him information about early American history from the frontier conflicts of the 1740s and 1750s through the American Revolution and the War of 1812. In many cases, this included colorful tales about our ancestors and anyone who had ancestors in America during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries should not overlook this rich source of genealogical information.
Draper's interest in early American history became apparent as a child and by the time he was in his teens he was writing letters to seek reminiscences of Kentucky pioneers. While in college, he was giving talks and writing articles on early American history. His ardor drew the attention of a well-to-do relative who was so impressed with his historical research that he subsidized Draper's travel for nine years in the 1840s and early 1850s. During this period of time Draper made nine trips through the southeastern and middle states, filling several thousand notebook pages with interview notes and copies of newspaper items and other archival records. When his benefactor died in 1852, Draper was forced to find other means of support. It was then he became the first secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. His historical research continued throughout his years in Madison, into his retirement in 1886, and until his death in 1891.
Draper's collection, which is composed of nearly 500 volumes, is housed at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin in Madison, but is available in microform in many larger libraries, including Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley. To use these materials effectively, you really need a road map and an excellent source is found in Josephine L. Harper's Guide to the Draper Manuscripts, which is available in the Sonoma County Library Annex. This source gives a brief description of each volume, an eighty page index of surnames, a ninety-five page index of individuals for whom there is additional personal data, and an item by item description of more than 575 maps contained in the collection.]
Draper notes, vol. 215, microfilm 49, reel 56, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. p. 211-218.
From David D. Finley, Tilton, Fleming Co. Ky - born in April, 1748, and died in April, 1837, within a few days of 89 years old. Can get the exact dates. He got a pension before 1832.
Capt. John Finley letters in Kentucky, 1773
Finley & others in Kentucky, 1773 - Capt. John Finley accompanied a party of land locators & surveyors from Pennsylvania in 1773 (1772, as David D. Finley erroneously had it, LCD), the party became very weary, rested a week on the northern bank of Licking, at the Upper Blue Licks - the Lick is on the south side: During this sojourn, Finley and two of the party crossed the river and went partly up the hill-side, & lay there watching the thousands of buffalo passing & re-passing to & from the brackish waters, intending each to select at his leisure & kill a fine animal, from which to take the choicest cuts of meat. While Finley was still watching the movements and antics of the almost innumerable herd, his companions, it being a warm and pleasant day, had fallen asleep. Hearing a crackling noise overhead as though caused by tramping on dry brush or sticks, & looking whence it proceeded, up a bluff bank some fifteen feet, Finley espied three stalwart and be-grimmed savages peering intently over the bank at him this companions - he quickly exclaimed "Boys, Indians!" & poised his rifle; they instantly jumped to their feet & treed; and were in the act of firing on the Indians, when Finley called upon them not to do so. As he had previously been an Indian trader, he now resorted to his knowledge of Indian character & languages; & after several efforts to speak to them in different native dialects, he finally hit up their own - when they desired him to come up to them. He declined. Each party was naturally enough suspicious of giving the other any undue advantage. Finally Finley & his comrades stacked their guns, & desired the Indians to come down trailing theirs which they did. They then commenced a regular parley - demanding of the whites to go away, for it was their country. They indicated on their fingers the number of the whites over the river, showing that they had been making close observations. As Finley intimated that he and his friends disputed their right to the soil, and gave no evidences of departing, the Indians concluded that in as much as there was a large number of whites within gunshop hearing, that discretion was the better part of valor, and so backed away, with thier faces to the whites, till they got around a point of the hill, and disappeared.
The surveying party now began to discover so many Indian signs in the country that they ceased their surveys, & returned to the mouth of Cabin Cree, where they had sunk their canoes, & buried a barrel of flour on the river shore, & burned a lot of brush over the cache; but all to no purpose, for the wily Indians had discovered the attempted blind, disinterred and appropriated it to their own uses. So the surveyors had to make their return trip up the Ohio without bread.
The Indians subsequently informed Finley, that when the three Indians returned to their towns - probably the Shawnee - & reported the large number of surveyors they had discovered in Kentucky, they gathered two hundred prime warriors and hastened to the Dark and Bloody ground to expel the invaders of their favorite hunting country; but the white had already taken their departure. This party of three Indians were the only savages that Finley and his friends saw while in Kentucky.
Maj. John Finley (my informant's father) said he knew nothing of the John Finley who was the companion of Daniel Boone in the exploration of Kentucky, in 1769.
Paoli Massacre. - At Paoli, Col. Brodhead & Finley ran - Brodhead wanted to form his regiment into line, but the surprise was too sudden and complete, & couldn't; finally told all to save themselves as best they could. Many were bayoneted. Capt. Finley ran through a buckwheat field. Brodhead's horse fell on the fence trying to jump it, & the Colonel was precipitated to the ground, when the British Light Horse overtook him, & cut his arms considerably as he threw them up to protect his head & face. He gave up his watch. They then dashed on, & he escaped. (p. 215)
David Duncan & wife - Duncan was my informant' grandfather - he died before 1796; he kept a tavern in Pittsburg: He traded with the Indians, going to their towns, while Mrs. Duncan managed the tavern. Simon Kenton - then Butler - stopped there sometime.
Maj. Finley said Simon Girty boarded sometime at Duncan's, at Pittsburg, & had no means of paying his board. The American commandant of the garrison wished to send an express on a dangerous service, & promised a commission to anyone who would convey it safely to its destination, and bring back a reply. Girty took an Indian guide and companion - passed through a dangerous region - most likely to Detroit and back, and returned with the desired answer. But the promised commission never came; and Girty in time got ??? He finally got a canoe, & with Elliot or McKee, left - bidding Mrs. Duncan good-bye with tears, saying he couldn't stay & live on her; that he couldn't work, and he wouldn't steal, and added: I'll do all I can to save your family and kin if they should fall into my hands; but as for the rest, I'll make no promises," Maj. Finley spoke well of Girty.
Mrs. Duncan died in April, 1824, in her 85th year, at Dd Duncan Finley's at the Upper Blue Licks, Ky. Her memory was richly stored with incidents of border history.
Maj. Finley moved to Kentucky, & settled at the Upper Blue Licks, in April, 1796.
Dr. John F. Fleming, of Elizaville, Ky, took much interest in early border history - boarded awhile with Maj. Finley, & knew much of history.
Capt. Saml Brady - can give no facts - nor of Maj. Finley's services at Pittsburg. His pension papers may give desirable information. ( p. 217)
Kentucky MSS, vol. 12cc 238, microfilm 49, reel 84, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Samuel ? Finley - near the Upper Blue Lick. Elder in the Battle ?? Church. Since dead.
Dr. Jas Finley, formerly of Circleville, Ohio, now of Chicago was applied to for some information in relation to his father, Genl Saml Finley, of Chillicothe; which he'd not give; and Mr. John Finley of Upper Blue Licks, Ky. Genl Saml Finley was applied to, and furnished the information in a letter. Robt. Finley, the ??, a cousin. John Finley was here before the Revolution. Came out with a party to make claims. They agreed, when the surveys were completed, to draw lots. On the part which he surveyed, he erected a hut of poles; saying, it might be to some purpose. On the Co's return, he was employed in the Revolution, and committed the agency of drawing in his behalf, to a friend; who drew the lot he had improved. About this lot, he had a prolonged suit with Henry Clay. He had the earliest entry & improvement, Clay had the oldest patent. It was given in Clay's favour, ?? it was taken after the United States Superior Court where it was finally resolved, at a cost above the value of the land. The 1st Compass(?) act in Fleming Co, was at the fork of the Poplar ?? & Blue Lick road, where the road turns to the right to go up the river nearly opposite ??? Major John Finley nephew.
1773(?) Then called Upper Blue Lick, in contradiction of another larger lick, which had then been discovered by some of the Comp(?) lower down Licking.
1775(?) ??? Wm Lyman, and call(?) Big Blue Lick (some of the dates copied from papers conceited with the law suit).
Boone Papers, vol. 5C, reel 3, microfilm 49. p. 29 [extremebly light copy]
Columbus, O - Dec 11th '48
???? of the 7th instance to ??? My history of the Wyandott Indians ??????? of New York at the ???but think you can obtain if??? I know I can ??? at New York for I have been ??? there ???you can obtain one in your City by applying to the ??? If you should ??? please let me know and I will with pleasure furnish you one. I have another work furnished by an ? Pionier let John Mconet that you may not have seen which I can send you in the Spring by one of our men?? ?? This is an interesting ??? I can give you but little information Gen Samuel Finley of Chillicothe was a ??? to my Folks. ???near Carlisle and ?? at Princeton Village known for Weatherspoon and for Finley before the American revolution. John Finley who was the first white man that explored Kentucky was a distant relation of my fathers; and went from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and then to Kentucky and at his first return from North Carolina Gen Daniel Boon went with him. The returned home and left him and he was never heard of after ?? My father immigrated to Kentucky in the year 1788 and then to Ohio 1796 so that I have had but little opportunity of being much acquainted with the history of my ancestors only what I have learned from General Samuel Finley of Chillicothe. Gen James Finley of Cincinnati I have been in this County 60 years and have never had the pleasure of acquaintance with my ??? but know they were Pennsylvanians and near Carlisle.????
J.B.(?) Finley
p. 30
Baltimore March 31st 1849
Dear Sir -
Your letter of the 29th instance ??? received from monthly since, came to ??in due course of mail, on the receipt of the first handed it to one of my nephews with a request that he would reply to it, and was not aware that he had not done so until I received a visit from a niece of yours I then made an effort to obtain the letter but it was ??? that your letter was ???
John Finley the early explorer of Kentucky was no relation of our family nor have we any doubts of my Father, who left six sons that grew up to the ??? of manhood. John who commanded a regiment of Penn Volunteers at the defence of Baltimore in 1814, had for many years Prothonotary register of wills in Franklin Co and afterwards ??? that district ?? Congress. William who was Governor of the state, and ???? James who settled in Cincinnati in 1792 or 93 was a Major General of Militia and for many years receiver of public money fro that Land district and afterwards representative in Congress. Jonathan with who emigrated to Missouri about 1818 was a member of the Convention that formed the Constitution of the State and afterwards a register of the Land office at Lexington. Nathan who settled in Jamesville, Ohio and represented Muskingum County in the State Legislature and the writer of this who is the only survivor . I have long been under the impression that John Finley the early Pioneer of Kentucky was from North Carolina hence ??? early history of Kentucky ??? I would refer you to George A. Lyon who se father was Prothonotary of the County from the Commencement of the revolution to the close of the last Century. ?? Bedford I would refer you to Gen William Piper(?) whose father was an early settler in that County. Gen Samuel Finley ??? from Cumberland Co to Chillicothe some fifty years & since he was a relation of Rev Wm Finley who was President of Princeton College before the Revolution. This is a very numerous family and branches of it are to be found in six or eight states of the Union. Judge Calvin Blythe formerly Collector of Chillicothe is a relative of this family as is also Samuel McCracken of now Lancaster Ohio. These are intelligent men from whom you may derive useful information on your ???
Very respectfully your ???
Tho Finley
signed Lyman C. Draper, Philadelphia, Pa.
p. 31
Apr 1st 1849
Mr. Lyman A. Draper
My uncle Mr. Thomas Finley record - some months since a note from you asking some ???a Mr. Thos Finley on of the ??? of Ky. The letter at the time?? was given to me to answer in this??? he was mislaid any one address for other which predicted the possibility of my going you the courtesy due you. The old gentleman ??? as he is punctilious in matters of courtesy. He intends writing you soon on the subject matters of your enquiries and I only trouble you to remove my many impressions you may have record from his seeming neglect and so suggest that as uncle seems to think the Mr. Finley your are interested in ??? from North Carolina but in that case you could probably learn something definite of his history.
History from Col. Richard Simpson now residing in Westport(?), Jackson County Mo. He is a gentleman of ??? of remarkable vision of ?? and intellect. He was born and raised in Mecklenburg, NC and removed when a young man to Ky where he raised a large family and then removed to Missouri. Hie is one of those men precisely constituted fro collection and retaining the family history of all those with whom he comes in contact and I have no doubt can give you interesting facts connected with prominent men of his times and places. He?? and a first cousin of his ?? "Jno Tyler"
Uncle Thomas Finley is a brother of the late Gen James Findlay of Ohio and of Gov. Wm Findley of Penn and an Uncle of Mr. Francis R. ???k
Respect yours
Wm Findlay
p.32
No 1 S. 6th St. Philadelphia
May 25th 1849
Dear Sir:
Your letter to Judge Blythe had come under my notice this morning. Judge Blythe has been absent from Phila since Feb. He is suffering from an attack of paralysis & is with his brother in Adams Co. Pa
I think it doubtful if he could give you the information you desire were he here & in good health, for I believe he has not paid much attention to the early history of his family. As I belong to the family of Finleys referred to by Mr. Finley, I can refer you to some other members of the family who may possibly possess some tradition of the "Explorer." I think it likely he was one of the family. I think their ancestor?? on his arrival in America in Lancaster Co Pa. There Dr. Finley, the President of Princeton College was born. One or two of his brothers removed to Cumberland Co. on to N.C. & one, I think, went west. Professor Morse of the Telegraph, is a grandson of President Finley & may have some record of the family. Joseph Finley, son of Ebenezer, who was once a merchant in Baltimore. I think could give you more information on the??? than any person I know. He has, I know, been here endeavoring to trace the family. He resides in Baltimore, whose at home but as his?? is that of "Super cargo," he is very often out of the country. His brother John Finley also lives in Baltimore. Their sister, Mrs. George, who lives in Baltimore, could possibly inform you if the brothers are at home. John is a Super Cargo also. My mother has some knowledge of the early history of the family - but I do not recollect to have heard her speak of John Finley of Kentucky.
I Think that Joseph Finley can be of more service to you than any one else. Mrs. McCalla(?), wife of Rev. W.M. McCalia(?) is a daughter of Saml Finley of Chilicothe. I do not know now where Mr. Mcalla lives. He went to Bedford Pa last year - but I am under the impression that he has left that place.
Very Respectfully yours
D. Blythe McGinley
Lyman C. Draper Esq.
p. 33
Finleyville May 20, 1849
Lyman C. Draper Esp
Dear Sir:
I received your letter this day. I am the son of John Finley formerly from Miriland(?) nere haverdegras(?) he was an early settle here. he was a volunteer in what was called in the revolution the flying Camp - he ???The Ohio river to New Orleans in early times in a trading voyage and returned through the wilderness with the crew. I have been sick since last January and have not entirely recovered yet. I am therefore unable at present to give you a detailed account, but will refer you to my Brother James Finley who lives in Philadelphia he will give you a full account I know with pleasure. My Brother done business in Strawberry Ally last August and presume he is there yet. Please say to him my health is improving and that of the family is good and that I wish him to write me soon let me know how his family is - and also statement of the prospects of wool this season
yours truly
Livi Finley
p. 34
Pokeepsie June 1st 1849
Dear Sir:
Yours of the 26th ??? forwarded from Washington is just received and in reply, I must refer you for more information respecting the Finley family to the Rush family of Philadelphia particularly to Mrs. Henry Williams of Walnut Street who is a daughter of Dr. Benj Rush, and a relative of my great grandfather Pres. Sam. Finley.
Upon looking over some family memoranda, I find the following notices referring, however, more to the descendants of President Finley, than to his ancestors.
President Samuel Finley was one of seven sons, all of whom were esteemed pious men. His parents were Scots who fled from persecution in Scotland to Ireland and President Finley was born in the County of Armagh the day after their arrival in Ireland.
I have no record of the six brothers of Pres. Finley, He married for his first wife Sarah Hall, whose sister was the mother of Dr. Benjamin Rush. Dr. Rush was educated by Dr. Finley.
The children of Pres Finley were eight; to wit:
Joseph,
Samuel,
John,
Ebenezer,
James Edwards Burr,
Mary,
Rebecca,
Susan,
of these children John bears the name of the person whose history you wish to know, but I think he could not have been the John Finley, the explorer of Kentucky, and yet he may have been. There is a son, however, of this John Finley, son of Pres. Finley now living at Eastern Penn. A worthy man who I believe is a barber, and who could give you facts that would at least settle that point.
Rebecca Finley, was my grandmother, she married Samuel Breese, by who she had my mother, and soon after died at the age of 19.
Ebenezer Finley was a Colonel in the Revolutionary army.
James Edwards Burr Finley, was a physician of eminence in Charleston So Car. President for may years of the So Car. Medical Society; died about 30 years since, has a son now living in Charleston, Peronneau Finley, an excellent man President of the So. Carolina College. From him you may possibly know more of the Finleys. Dr. Robert Finley, I have always had the impression was a relative, but am not able at this moment to trace the connexion.
I shall be happy to know when your work is published.
In the mean time I am Sir,
With Sincere respect
????????????
Samuel Finley Breese Morse
p. 35
Lyman C. Draper Esq
Dear Sir:
I have read yours of the 5th inst requesting some account of John Finley, the Kentucky Pioneer. In reply, I have to regret that it is entirely out of my power to give the desired information. The fact is that I know but little either by the way of document or tradition of my paternal relations - The book of Dr. Alexander published in 1845 entitled "Biographical Sketches of the Founder & principal Alumni of the log College" which you have doubtfully seen, many afford most of the information I have been able to obtain of my Grandfather Dr. Samuel Finley, one of the Presidents of Princeton College - I never heard before the receipt of your letter of John Finley, one of the early explorers of Kentucky & the precursor of Boone in that region - There is a Gentleman of the name of Finley, a nephew I think of my Grandfather, in Rockbridge County Virginia, who may be able to inform you in this subject. I am not able to give you his address but he was living a few years since I think in the neighborhood of Lexington.
Dr. Robert Finley formerly President of Athens College, Georgia. I have always understood was a relation of our Family.
????????????
Your most obed serv
Dr. Peronneau Finley
p. 36
Memphis, 23rd Nov. 1849
My dear Brother
Your esteemed favs of the 12th is before me - On taking up my pen to reply, I hesitated, thinking it proper to tax you with postage for a letter that could be of no possible advantage to you. On reflection, I think it best to respond, as a matter of Christian civility, as you could not know my motive for keeping silent.
I know nothing of the John Finley you speak of save & except, that such a name is recorded in the annals of the times alluded to.
About 30 years since, when traveling in Georgia, I saw a widow lady & family, at Cherokee Corner, the husband & father had been a Pres of a College in that state. Dr. Finley was originally, as I understand it, from N. Jersey. Perhaps, some information might be recd from that source.
As to my own Genealogy - If I could give it, perfectly, to the days of Noah, it could have no bearing on your Antiquarian researches; as I am a native of the "Land 'O Lakes"; and have no relations, in this western world, but my own immediate descendants - I am totally ignorant of the ties that bind me, genealogical, to the "'Explorer of Kentucky" -
In conclusion, I wish you great success in your endeavors to enrich the world, by a faithful, truthful history of those early events - If not seized now & fixed permanently on the page of well written history.
[no signature]
p. 37
Baton Rouge, La
Oct. 30, 1848
Dear Sir:
My absence from this place for some weeks and numerous engagements since my return are my apologies for not sooner replying to your esteemed letter of the 15th of August, which was handed me by our friend Col. Croghan. You allude to a previous communication written some months since on the same subject. I am not aware that the letter referenced to ever reached me, as I have no recollection of it and am satisfied that its receipt would have been acknowledged if I ever have done no more.
Its now more than forty years since I entered the army, the greater portion of which time has been passed on our Indiana frontier and at other places distant from my family and relations; nor have I any documents to refer to, to enable me to refresh my memory. I fear therefore that the information I can give you touching the matters of your inquiry will be very meager and unimportant. But I will still endeavor to answer your queries to the ??? they will be lost forever - I bid you "Godspeed" in the hope that lasting good may result from your investigations - When you are out, I should be glad to know -
May the Good Lord bless you, enlighten your path, make you abundantly useful to society and finally, glorify you with Himself, is now my prayer. I am glad to think that a brother Baptist is capable of Executing such a work
I ever remain, Br. Draper
you obt servt
John Finley