Person:John Finley (55)

Watchers
m. 10 Jan 1705/06
  1. James FinleyEst 1708 - Bef 1785
  2. Robert Finley1710 - Bef 1763
  3. William Finley1711/12 - Bef 1789
  4. John Finley1724 - Bef 1782
m. Est 1738
  1. John Finley, Jr.Bef 1740 - Bef 1807
  2. William Finley1742/43 - Bef 1802
  3. Elizabeth FinleyEst 1745 -
  4. James FinleyEst 1747 - Bef 1749
  5. James Finley1749 -
m. 21 Apr 1741
  1. George Finley1742/43 - 1809
  2. Robert FindleyAbt 1745 - Aft 1820
  3. Margaret Finley1746 - Aft 1802
  4. Samuel FinleyEst 1748 -
  5. David Finley1754 - 1848
  6. Thomas Finley1757 - 1831
Facts and Events
Name John Finley
Alt Name John Finley _____, of Augusta, Prince Edward, Wythe and Montgomery County, Virginia
Gender Male
Birth? 28 Dec 1724 East Nottingham Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Marriage Est 1738 Prob. Virginiato _____ Thompson
Marriage 21 Apr 1741 to Mary Thankful Caldwell
Death? Bef 19 Aug 1782 Montgomery County, Virginia
Alt Death? Bef 19 Aug 1782 Augusta County, Virginia

John Finley was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

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Advisory on John Finley

This John Finley has been frequently confused with another John Finley that was also located in Augusta County, Virginia. This John Finley is known as "John Finley of Augusta, Prince Edward, Wythe and Montgomery County, Virginia". This John Finley's genealogy has been thoroughly researched by Carmen Finley, Ph.D., C.G., and was published in four parts in the Virginia Genealogist in 2002, entitled: "The John Finley's of Augusta County, Virginia - Correcting the Record".

There are many inaccurate genealogies posted on the internet regarding the Finley families of Virginia. It is suggested that extreme caution be used before changes are made to these families.

Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Image:FinleyJohnfromGeorgeRobinsonBeverleyNE.jpg

John Finley's land (Beverley Manor SE, 892 acres acquired from George Robinson in 1746, and 414 acres acquired from Charles Dalhouse (time of acquisition undetermined)) as shown on the map meticulously drawn by J.R. Hildebrand, cartographer. This map is copyrighted©, used by permission of John Hildebrand, son of J.R. Hildebrand, April, 2009.

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

  • Page 77.—13th May, 1746. George Robinson to John Finley, £100 current money Virginia; 892 acres, part of Beverley Manor, and granted by Beverley to George 21st February, 1738, on Shannandore River; lines of the Manor. Witnesses, Robert Rennick, Jno. Trimble, James Price, Silas Hart. Acknowledged, 13th May, 1746, and Martha, wife of George, released dower. (Note: this 892-acre tract was sold in three parts: 1) 298-acres to William Finley, Gent., in 1750; 2) 297-acres to Robert Finley, Gent., in 1750; and 3) 297-acres to Wm. Finley, Gent., in 1765; totaling 892-acres).
  • John Finley acquired the 414-acre tract of Charles Dalhouse, as listed in the following Chalkely's record:
Vol. 2 - SEPTEMBER, 1802 (N to Z). - Depn. John Dolass (Dolhouse), 1802; deposes he is about 52 years and son of Charles Dolass, to whom Wm. Beverley conveyed 414 acres originally run out for John Finley and sold by Finley to John McCullogh. Depn. Saml. Pilson, aged 62, between 40 and 50 years ago. Depn. John Hamilton, aged about 72 years.

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

  • Page 709.--__ _____, 1750. John Finley, Gent., to William Finley, Gent., 298 acres on So. River in Beverley Manor; corner Robert Finley (his house), Charles Dolway's line, Mary, wife of John. Teste: Wm. Henderson, Robert Patrick, John Black.
  • Page 713.--__ ____, 1750. John Finley. Gent., to Robert Finley, Gent., 297 acres. In Beverley Manor on South River, corner Israel Christian; Charles Dolway's line; corner Wm. Finley; Manor line, near Robert's houses.
  • Page 809.--18th March, 1765. John Finley, gent., to Wm. Finley, gent, £160, 297 acres in Beverley Manor on South River, Manor line; corner Wm. Finley. Charles Dalloway's line, John Ramsey's line. Teste: John Dividson. Francis Alexander, William Caldwell.


Processioning List of 1755

"Processioning" was the periodic review and agreement of property lines between settler's lands. Processioning Lists are useful in determining the general area of a settlers lands and their neighbors at specific time periods:
  • Vol. 2 - Page 152.-[1755]-Jno. Finley, Wm. Thompson processioned in Cap. Thompson's Company as follows, viz: For Samuel McCune, for Wm. Logan, for Wm. Johnston, for Widow Thompson, for Thos. Thompson; Widow Frazer, present Robert Modey; for Rob. Moody; for Andw. McClure, present Jno. Hutchison; for Jno. Hutchison; for Hugh McClure, for Richard Pilson, for Zechoriah Smith, for Widow Sayre, for Andw. McClure, for John Campbell, for John Black, for Archd. Stewart, for Rob. Finley, for Alex. Henderson, for Wm. Patterson, for Jno. McClure, for George Caldwell, for John Thompson, for Wm. Palmer, for James Gillespey, for James Hamilton, for Saml. Steele, for James McClure, for Widow Campbell, for Robert Patrick, for John Ramsey, for Wm. Finley, for John Finley, for David Henderson, for Isaac White, for Adam Morow, for Alex. Thompson, for Wm. Thompson, for Wm. Caldwell.


Records of John Finley

  • Page 444. January, 1747. £15. William Thompson and wife Jean to the inhabitants of the Presbyterian congregation1 of Tinkling Spring, viz., James Patton, John Christian, John Finley, James Alexander, William Wright chose commissioners and trustees for the congregation, 110 acres called and known by the name of Tinkling Spring in Beverley Manor, and part of 944 acres (deed by Beverley to Thompson, 1744, in Orange) adjoining George Caldwell. Acknowledged, 19th November, 1747, by William.
  • Page 412.--21st August, 1760. Robert Gibson's appraisement, by Jno. Finley, Geo. Caldwell, Wm. Caldwell.
  • John Finley witnessed marriage bond of sister Elizabeth to James Gillespy, 5 January 1764, in Prince Edward County, VA (Prince Edward Co., VA, Marriage Bonds, 1754-1850, LDS film #0033254).
  • Page 524.--23d August, 1770. William Finley to son, John Finley, £53.6.8, 215 acres in Beverley Manor, part of 297 acres laid off for John Finley, Sr part of 892 acres on Shannandore surveyed for John Finnley, Jr., manor line; William Finley's line; Ramsey's line Teste: Wm. Marshal, Wm. Armstrong. Delivered: John Finley, 15th December, 1773. [Note: William Finley appears to be the brother of John Finley).


Notes on John Finley of Augusta, Prince Edward, Wythe and Montgomery County, Virginia

From Rootsweb.com database:

Research of Claude B. Finley, Jr., Damian L Dietlein and others - Compiled by Lee Ann Aigner Entries: 11624 Updated: Sun Mar 24 20:31:13 2002 Contact: Lee Ann Aigner


A work in progress. Some information and sources have not been confirmed.


ID: I10112 Name: John FINLEY Given Name: John Surname: Finley Sex: M Death: BEF 19 AUG 1782 in Montgomery Co., VA

Father: James FINLEY b: 4 DEC 1688 in Dublin, Ireland Mother: Elizabeth PATTERSON b: 16 MAR 1690

Marriage 1 Mary CALDWELL b: 1728 in Lancaster Co(?),PA Married: BEF 1750 in Virginia Children

David FINLEY b: 1 JUN 1754 in Augusta Co,VA

http://www.wkc3.com/finley.htm

Descendants of John Finley

Any comments, corrections, questions, additions, discussions, etc… may be directed to Walter K. Crawford, III.

All of the older information on this page comes from Carmen J. Finley at Sonoma State University. She has an excellent site with her family history.

This page last updated March 2, 2001.


1. John Finley ref: 64, m. (1) Bef 1740, in VA, _____ Thomson, d. Bef 1750, Augusta Co., VA, m. (2) Bef 1750, in VA, Mary Caldwell, b. 1728, Lancaster Co(?), PA, (daughter of T. Caldwell and Mary J. Parks) ref: 65, d. Abt 1787, Montgomery Co(?), VA. John died Bef 19 AUG 1782, Montgomery Co, VA. !Parentage speculative ... not in agreement with Stout. Married, 1st, a daughter of Rev. John Thomson (about 1740-1748); married, 2nd, Mary Caldwell (prior to 1750). Purchased the John Robinson (Note: s/b George Robinson) property on South River of the Shenandoah in 1746 (Augusta Co. DB 1:77). Sold 2/3 to William and Robert Finley in 1750 (Augusta Co. DB 2:207-713). Sold remaining 297 acres in 1765 (DB 11:808). Bought 400 acres in Prince Edward Co. three months later (Prince Edward Co. DB 3:1). Sold that in 1773 (Prince Edward DB 5:63) and bought 327 acres on Sally Run, Branch of Reed Creek, in Montgomery County from John McFarland (Montgomery County Order Book 1:142). Deeded this property to sons, David and Samuel in 1779 in exchange for life care (Montgomery County DB A:283, A:258). Deposition ordered for Mary Finley, August Court 1782; done by William Davis, William Doak, William Ward on 2 September 1782. Died prior to 19 August 1782 when heirs gave legal notice (Montgomery Co. DB A:284).


!It was this John Finley who was instrumental in establishing Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church near Staunton (Fisherville). One of five commissioners appointed to attend to the business affairs of the church in 1741. Served as an elder from about 1743 to 1763 (Wilson's "Tinkling Spring," p. 85, 431). Established a mill, authorized payment in financing the first church building; head of one of three congregational districts organized to support the Church (Wilson, p. 25, 72, 91). Justice of Peace in Orange County before 1745; same in Augusta after 1745 (Wilson, p. 109-109). Wilson believes he may have transferred his efforts to Brown's Meeting House (p. 166). However, this is more likely the contemporary John Finley who lived on Middle River.


!Bottom line. Do not confuse this John Finley with the John Finley who lived on Middle River and whose wife was Thankful Doak. They are two separate, contempory persons, not father and son.

_____: !Daughter of Rev. John Thomson and mother of Elizabeth Finley, who married James Gillespy. Note written by Rev. Richard Sankey in Prince Edward County on 4 Jan. 1764 identifies Elizabeth as his wife's niece. Sankey's wife was Sarah Thomson, daughter of Rev. Thomson. See J.G. Herndon, "Some of the Descendants of the Rev. John Thomson (1690-1753)," VA Magazine of History & Biography, LI (1943): 394-404; Genealogies of VA Families (5 vols. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1981) 5:454-464. Marriage bond, 5 January 1764 shows Elizabeth's father, John Finley, Sr. "with his consent,"; uncle by marriage, Robert Baker surety; consent witnessed by Baker and John Finley, Jr. (Prince Edward Co., VA, Marriage Bonds, 1754-1850, LDS film #0033254).

Mary: !"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." Genealogy & History, Washington, D.C., 15 Dec. 1943. (Reportedly from bible of Jane Ann Finley, eldest daughter of David and Mary).


!Jim Finley gives info that Mary was born 1724 in Ireland ... may well be true, proof awaits.

Children by _____ Thomson:

+ 2. i John Finley b. Bef 1740.
+ 3. ii Elisabeth Finley.
+ 4. iii William Finley.
5. iv James Finley d. Bef 26 MAR 1749, Augusta Co., VA. !Christened at Tinkling Spring. Most likely died young as a second James was born 26 March 1749 (Wilson, p. 474).
+ 6. v George Finley b. 2 Jan 1743.
7. vi James Finley. !There were 2 or 3 James Finleys living in Montgomery/Wythe County, VA dating from 1773 when John and Mary (Caldwell) moved there. They show up in the Order Books as well as in deeds and surveys and are variously referred to as James, Sr.; James, Jr.; and Capt. James. A James Finley, Sr. left a will dated 23 July 1799, proved 10 August 1802 and named James, his only son. He also named William Finley, beloved grandson (Wythe County WB 1:220). There was also a Captain James Finley who left a will dated 15 October 1800, proved 15 April 1801. He named a son, William and a nephew, Jonathan Henderson (Wythe County WB 1:176). How these James' relate to this family is unknown at this time.

Children by Mary Caldwell:

+ 8. vii David Finley b. 1 Jun 1754.
9. viii Samuel Finley b. Augusta Co., VA. !Probably born on 297 acre property bought by father in 1746, in Beverly Manor, Augusta Co., VA. (See notes on brother, David). In Jehu Stevens Company, Montgomery Co., VA Militia in late 1770's. Moved to KY with brother, David, about 1781. Tax records of Mercer Co., KY, show Samuel living with David and Isaac (son of brother, George?). A Samuel Finley was ordained, 1 March 1796, in Madison Co., VA (B:356). Could this be the same Samuel?
+ 10. ix Thomas Finley b. 11 Feb 1757.
References
  1.   Finley, Carmen J. The John Finleys of Augusta County, Virginia. Finley Findings International. (Timothy Kessler, Sept/Oct 1995).