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Finley, John B. letter, July 5, 1862, Lewis County, Kentucky to Lyman Draper.
Draper Manuscripts [Calendars and documentary series] (Samford, N.C.: NYT
Microfilming Corp. of America, 1981; 5E20.
Lewis County Kentucky July 5, 1862
Dear Sir. I received your letter under date of June 14 on the 3rd of this instant which I hasten to
answer to give you some information of my father's life. He was born in Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, in the year 1748, and graduated at Princeton College New Jersey & studied Divinity
for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. The war commenced and he entered the army as a
first lieutenant then made Captain, then Adjutant. At the close of the war he was Breveted Major.
He was at the Battle of Trenton, Yorktown, Stoney Poynet, Paoli. General Wayne requested
General Washington to give him six hundred men to storm Stoney Point of his own choosing my
father was one of them; he made them take the flints out of their guns for fear to make alarm.
They made scaling ladders and mounted the walls, Wayne was the first man up - his watch word
was my boys, "Remember the Paoli." My father was about five feet 8 inches in height, square
built, black hair & black eyes. He moved from Lancaster to Westmoreland County in the year '90
- was appointed state surveyor, moved to Ohio in the year 1800, moved to Kentucky in 1808, and
was President of a College 4 years, then moved back to Ohio near West Union where he lived
until his death - his age was ninety one, he died in May, 'thirty nine. The John Finley you speak of
was a relation to my father; its thought he was kild at the Battle of the Lower Blulicks by the
Indians. As to Captain Brady I have often heard my father speak of him, he was at the Paoli. My
father & mother had twelve children they are all dead but myself. I was born in Westmoreland
County Pennsylvania in the year '91. I served in all the Creek War with old Hickory, was
wounded in Battle at the Horseshoes, served 19 months in the Florida War, and yet by the mercys
of God my life is spared though I been in 16 hot battles wounded twice. If I can be of any service
to you please inform me.
Yours Respectfully
J. B. Finley
My address is Majr J.B. Finley
Post Office Mount Carmel, Flemming County
N.B. I have heard my grand Father say at the Battle of Trenton he saw my fathe ride between the
two lines of the enemy.
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