Person:William Finley (7)

Watchers
William Finley
b.6 Mar 1711/12 Dublin, Ireland
d.Bef 15 Sep 1789 Augusta County, Virginia
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
  • HWilliam Finley1711/12 - Bef 1789
  • WMary WallaceAbt 1712 -
m. 1734
  1. Ann FinleyAbt 1735 -
  2. Rose Ellen FinleyAbt 1736 -
  3. John Finley1737 - Bef 1802
  4. Mary FinleyAbt 1739 -
  5. William FinleyAbt 1740 - Bef 1742/43
  6. William Finley, Jr.Abt 1742 - Bef 1806
  7. Robert FinleyAbt 1745 - 1815
Facts and Events
Name William Finley
Gender Male
Birth? 6 Mar 1711/12 Dublin, Ireland
Marriage 1734 Prob. Virginiato Mary Wallace
Death? Bef 15 Sep 1789 Augusta County, Virginia
Other[2][1] Moved from Oxford, Pa. to Staunton, Va.Fact 1 (2)

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

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__________________________

Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Acquisition 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 643.--16th May, 1758. Robert ( ) Finley and Martha ( ) to William Finley, £20, 100 acres on South River Shanandore, part of the land on which Robert now lives, and joining south side, John Ramsey's land; corner between William and Robert Finley; corner Charles Dalhoss; corner William's old survey. Delivered: Robert Finley, son of Wm. Finley, 13th April, 1798.
  • 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.


Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:


  • 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.

Will Abstract

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

  • Page 176.--21st December, 1787. William Finley's will--To son, William, land he now lives on; to son, Robert, home place, whereon testator and Robert now live. adjoining John Ramsey, deceased, and son Robert's children; son John has already received land. Executors, 3 sons: John, William. Robert. Teste: William Wallace, Andrew Ramsey, Sarah Finley. Proved, 15th September, 1799 [sic, likely s/b 1789]. by Ramsey and Wallace.

Processioning List of 1755 & 1768/68

"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.
  • Page 448.--1767-68: Processioned by John Gillespie and Andw. McClure: For William Tease, Saml. Steele, John and Wm. Finley, John Ramsey, John Black, John Patrick, Charles Tease, Andw. Russell, Wm. Russell, Wm. Skillren, James Alexander, Andw. McClure, Francis Alexander, Wm. Logan, Zachariah Johnston, James Thompson, James Galespie, John Williams, Hugh McClure, Samuel McClure, Saml. Frazier, Andw. Russell, John Graham, John Hutchison, Wm. Hutchison, Saml. Pilson, Zachariah Smith, John Gray.

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:


  • Vol. 1 - APRIL 14, 1746. - (22) Wm. Finley qualified Captain of foot.
  • Page 372.--27th August, 1751. David Edmondson's appraisement, by Wm. Finley, Wm. Jonston, Samuel McCune.
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 15, 1752. - (361) Samuel Givins, Robert Patrick, to view, and Ro. Patrick, Wm. Hines, John Hawes, Joseph Bell, Wm. Bell, Wm. Finla, Archd. Stewart, Richd. Pilson, Wm. Johnston, Ro. Wilson, John Hind, Geo. Skilleron, Hugh Ross, Andr. Baskin, John Givins, Saml. Henderson, John Ramsey, Alexr. Henderson, Saml. Henderson, Nathl. Woodroof, David Logan and George Duglass, clear and keep in repair, a road from James Givin's Mill to the road over Wood's New Gap at foot of mountain.
  • Page 41.--22d April, 1754. James Cainpbell's [sic, Campbell] appraisement, by John Finley, Archd. Stewart, Thos. Stewart, Wm. Finley.
  • Page 148.--19th May, 1756. Joseph Tays [sic, Teas] appraisement, by John Finley, Wm. Thompson, Saml. Steel, Wm. Finley.
  • Page 227.--15th March, 1758. Gilbert Mill's appraisement, by Saml. Steel, Wm. Finley, John Finley, James Gilespy.
  • Page 260.--21st June, 1763. Archibald Stewart's appraisement (by James Galespy, Saml. Steel, Wm. Finley, John Finley), approved and recorded.
  • Page 461.--4th April, 1766. John Henderson's will, farmer--Wife, Rose; son, William; daughters, if either die, the other to enjoy her share. Teste: John Davidson, Robt. Finley. Executors, brother James and wife's brother, John. Proved 20th August, 1766, by the witnesses. James Henderson and John Finley qualified executors, with Adam Dean and Wm. Finley.
  • Page 94.--18th November, 1766. Robert ( ) Finley, gent., and Martha to John Ramsey, £65, 88 acres in Beverley Manor on both side South River of Shanando, William Finley's line. Delivered: William Ramsey, 5th October, 1772.
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 24, 1766. - (374) John Findley, son to William.
  • Vol. 1 - AUGUST 21, 1767. - (239) Charles Campbell, Wm. Findley, Mathew Patton--certificates for hemp.
  • Vol. 1 - MARCH, 1769 (A). - William Findley vs. William Teas.--Attachment, 3d September, 1768. Surety, John Stewart. William Teas, late of Albemarle County.
  • Page 451.--21st August, 1771. Robert Beverley to James Gillespy, £12.1.4, 130 acres in Beverley Manor, corner James Gillespy, deceased. McClure's corner. Teste: John Davidson, William Finley, Hugh McClure. Samuel Pilson.
  • Page 272.--Samuel Braford and Ann to Elizabeth Mateer (McAttore), alias Wright, widow. Sold by Beverley to Samuel Brawford in Beverley Manor, Cor. Samuel's tract purchased of John Buchanon; lines of John Mitchell and Samuel Doack. Delivered to James Mateer, 1774. Teste: Wm. Finley, Wm. Wright.
  • Page 378.--18th November, 1783. John Ramsey's estate appraised by John Black, Wm. Gillespy, Wm. Finley, Thos. Tourk.

Notes

Genealogy Report and notes for William Finley:

Descendants of William Finley

Generation No. 1

1. WILLIAM5 FINLEY (JAMES4, ALEXANDER3, JAMES2, JOHN1) was born 06 Mar 1711/12 in Dublin, Ireland, and died Bef. 15 Sep 1789 in Augusta County, Virginia. He married MARY WALLACE 1734. She was born Abt. 1712 in Dublin, Ireland.

Notes for WILLIAM FINLEY: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cascgs/wmfinley/aqwg01.htm#1453

William FINLEY was born 6 Mar 1712 in Dublin, Ireland and was christened in St Peters, Dublin, Ireland. He died before 15 Sep 1789 in Augusta Co, VA. William married Mary WALLACE, daughter of Samuel WALLACE and Esther BAKER (THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ERROR SINCE SAMUEL WALLACE AND ESTHER BAKER WERE MARRIED IN 1738!), about 1734 in Chester Co?, PA. Mary died before 1783 in Augusta Co, VA.

[Notes] William and Mary had the following children:

2 F i Ann FINLEY was born about 1735 in Augusta Co, VA.[Notes] Ann married John CALDWELL.
3 F ii Rose Ellen FINLEY was born about 1736.
4 M iii John FINLEY was born 15 Dec 1737 and died before 25 Oct 1802.
5 F iv Mary FINLEY was born about 1739 in Augusta Co, VA.[Notes]
6 M v William FINLEY was christened 26 Oct 1740 in Augusta Co, VA. He died before 16 Jan 1743 in Augusta Co, VA.[Notes]
7 M vi William FINLEY was christened 16 Jan 1743 and died 1815.
8 M vii Robert FINLEY was christened 23 Jun 1745 and died 15 Nov 1815.


Children of WILLIAM FINLEY and MARY WALLACE are:
i. ANN6 FINLEY, b. Abt. 1735, Augusta County, Virginia; m. JOHN CALDWELL.
ii. ROSE ELLEN FINLEY, b. Abt. 1736, Augusta County, Virginia; m. MR. GILLESPIE.

Notes for ROSE ELLEN FINLEY: Some sources claim that this Rose Ellen Finley married John Henderson, but this appears to be in error. The Rose Finley that married John Henderson was an earlier generation, born abt. 1708. More research necessary.


http://www.angelfire.com/biz/finleyfindings/VOL2.html

A Possible Identity Of Rose Finley of Augusta Co, VA, By Jim Finley


STOUT identifies one Rose FINLEY (4-02-14.5) as the daughter of John FINLEY (3-02-1). He states she married one John HENDERSON, who died in 1766. He also lists another Rose FINLEY as the daughter of William FINLEY (3-02-5), brother of John (3-02-1), but gives no further data except that she was born in 1736 and married a man named GILLESPEY.

The purpose of this paper is to show the possibility that the two persons named Rose FINLEY might have been one and the same and that she was the daughter of William FINLEY (3-02-5).

In order to present my information, which is in no way conclusive, I feel we will need to make a brief examination of both the families of HENDERSON and GILLESPIE.

William HENDERSON, father-in-law of Rose FINLEY, arrived in Augusta County at a very early date. Though not listed among the earliest land owners, by 1749, he and wife, Sussanna, were selling land they owned on the North Branch of the James River above the mouth of Buffalo Creek to one John CLYDE of Pennsylvania and is recorded in Deed Book 2, P. 393. This was 350 acres. Again in 1761, John HENDERSON and wife, Sussanna, sold another 350 acres of land in the same location to one Nathaniel EVANS, recorded in Deed Book 10, P. 5.

William HENDERSON also owned a large tract of land in Beverley Manor containing 1,415 acres and located on Christian's Creek. On 21 Mar 1759, William and Sussanna HENDERSON sold 200 acres of this land to their son, John, and 430 acres to their son, James. This land is described as being in the line of Thos. BLACK, corner to said BLACK and Robert CUNNINGHAM, also in the line of George CALDWELL and Thos. RUTLEDGE's Crossing. Recorded in Deed Book 8, P. 101 and 104.

William HENDERSON made his will on 2 Sep 1770 and listed his age as "about 71 years." He mentions his wife, but does not name her. The land documents and subsequent documents show that her name was Sussanah but no family name has been found. He names three sons, James, William and David, and three sons-in-law, David and James BELL, and John LEEPER. He mentions Shussanna HENDERSON, daughter of John HENDERSON (no relationship given); Shussanna FINLEY, daughter to his daughter, Martha (she m 1750, Robert FINLEY) and granddaughter Jean TEAS. The executors were wife, brother Samuel HENDERSON and son, James HENDERSON. The will was recorded on 20 Nov 1770.

The John HENDERSON mentioned seems to have died in 1766, four years prior to the father, which explains the mention but not a legatee in the father's will.

John HENDERSON made his will on 4 Apr 1766 and it was recorded on 20 Aug of the same year. He mentions that he is a farmer and that his wife's name was Rose. He mentions his son, William, and two daughters, who are not named. He states that if either daughter should die, the other was to enjoy her share. The witnesses were John DAVIDSON and Robert FINLEY. The executors were brother, James HENDERSON, and his wife's brother, John FINLEY. The security agents were Adam DEAN and William FINLEY.

STOUT lists the daughters of John and Rose HENDERSON as Margaret, who married David STEWART, and Florence, who married Andrew RUSSELL. The will of William HENDERSON seems to cast doubt as to the names of these daughters, since WILLIAM HENDERSON mentions Sussana HENDERSON, daughter of John, in his will of 1770. A more thorough search of the guardian bonds of Augusta County might cast more light, since a guardian would have likely been appointed and especially if these children were under 14 years of age.

I have found no records in Augusta County which would show that Rose FINLEY HENDERSON remarried and if so, that she married William GILLESPIE. However, among the purchasers at the estate sale of William FINLEY in 1789 were William and Rose GILLESPIE.

To give us some insight as to the connection between GILLESPIE and FINLEY families, I will give a brief history of the GILLESPIE family and their arrival into Orange County in an area which was to later become Augusta County.

James GILLASPEY, whom I will refer to as James GILLESPIE Sr., proved his importation into Orange County, VA, evidently arriving from Ireland on 24 Jul 1740. In addition to himself, he was accompanied by his wife, Jennet, and children listed as Agnes, John, James and William, which was probably the order of their ages. James GILLESPIE purchased three adjoining tracts of land from 1740 until 1753, containing 210, 208 and 200 acres. After James Sr.'s arrival in Augusta County, two additional children were baptised by Rev. John CRAIG at Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, with Margaret baptised on 4 Oct 1741 and Elisabeth baptised on 16 Jan 1743.

James GILASPEY Sr. made his will on 5 Sep 1768, which was recorded in Book 4, P. 263 of Augusta County, on 20 Oct 1769. All the children except Margaret were named in the will, so it is assumed Margaret had died young. The wife, Jennet, was mentioned, with the three sons, John, James and William, along with Edward HALL, as executors. Several land and other records between the GILLESPIE and other families in question prove interesting and show a close relationship. James GILLESPIE Jr. married on 5 Jan 1764 in Prince Edward County, VA, Elizabeth FINLEY, daughter of John FINLEY Sr., who gives his consent. The security agent was Robert BAKER. James GILLESPIE is identified as from Augusta County in the marriage bond.

On 18 Aug 1773, James GILLESPY and Elizabeth, his wife, sell to John FINLEY 100 acres for five shillings. The land adjoins Hugh MC CLURE's property, also that of John RAMSEY (Deed Book 19, P. 414). On 22 Aug 1787, James GILLESPIE and Elizabeth sell land to Michael COYNART (also recorded as COINER) of Cumberland County, PA, recorded in Deed Book 26, P. 37.

On 22 Aug 1787, William GILLESPIE and Rose sold to George Adam COYNART a tract conveyed to William by the will of James GILLASPIE. This was conveyed to Gaspar COINERT on 22 Aug 1789, which might indicate that this was a sale by William and Rose in preparation for leaving Augusta County.

Augusta County Deed Book 27, P. 290 and 291, shows that in Nov 1791, William HENDERSON and William GILLESPY of Green County, NC grant a power of attorney to Robert FINLEY to sell 200 acres on South River. (Note: Since Greene County, NC, was not formed until 1799, I presume this to mean Greene County, TN.)

Deed Book 16, P. 287 shows that on 15 May 1775, John, James and William GILLESPY sell to Thomas MC COLLOCK, for five pounds, 80 acres in Beverley Manor, part of three tracts conveyed to James GILLESPY, deceased. The three tracts originally included 210 acres obtained from Wm. Beverley on 27 Feb 1749; 208 acres; and 200 acres, all adjoining the 80 acres bounded by corner land formerly owned by Charles DALHOUSE; and other corner land bounded by James, William and John GILLESPIE.

STOUT says that Florence HENDERSON, daughter of Rose FINLEY HENDERSON, married Andrew RUSSELL. In Augusta County records, there appear to be Andrew RUSSELL Sr. and Andrew RUSSELL Jr. witnessing deeds and other documents. Were they father and son?

In Will Book IX, P. 313 to 315, in May 1803 Andrew RUSSELL's will (proved in Knox County, TN, July term of 1803) mentions wife, Elizabeth; son, Mathew; son, William; daughter, Ann; son, John; daughter, Elizabeth; son, James; son-in-law, James ROBERTSON; sons, Andrew and Alexander TESTE. It was witnessed by Wm. GILLESPIE, Wm. HENDERSON and James GILLESPIE, and also proved in Augusta County on 29 Nov 1803.

In summation, it would appear that I have provided no conclusive evidence to prove that Rose HENDERSON and Rose GILLESPIE were one and the same. The only real evidence shows that both John HENDERSON and William GILLESPIE had wives named Rose.

Much research still needs to be done. Most, if not all of my work, has been done from abstracts and a search of the original documents will usually disclose much that has been missed in brief abstracts. The preponderance of evidence would seem to lean toward one Rose FINLEY and my own belief is that the father would be identified as William FINLEY (3-02-5).

In listing the birthdate of 1736 as the birthdate shown by FRANCE and STOUT (for Rose FINLEY), it would seem their information is plausible. The records show that James GILLESPIE and wife, Jennet, had four children born prior to 1740, one of which was William. It would seem logical that William would have been of an age to have married a girl born ca. 1736.

Also, in reviewing the baptismal records of the Rev. John CRAIG, as published in The Tinkling Springs: Headwaters of Freedom, by Howard McKnight WILSON, William FINLY, whom I presume is identical to 3-02-5 as listed by STOUT, baptised two sons named William, on 26 Oct 1740 and 16 Jan 1743. He also baptised a son, Robert, on 23 Jun 1745. I feel it is reasonable to conclude the elder son, William, died young and he named a second son William, also. Son John, as mentioned in the 1789 will of William, was probably the oldest and was baptised prior to 1740, possibly in Pennsylvania.

It would then seem plausible to assume that all three of Rose HENDERSON's brothers were mentioned in her husband's will. In rethinking this, however, her brother, William, would have only been 23 years of age in 1766, when John HENDERSON made his will. It would seem unlikely that a young man of 23 years of age would have been affluent enough to have provided security to cover the value of the will. This would likely have been an older, more affluent man, such as her father, hence William Sr.

There were many HENDERSON parents who had children baptised by Rev. John CRAIG, whom he recorded between 1740 and 1749. Only the parent of the child who submitted the child for baptism was listed. Nowhere within these records was a parent named Rose. One John HENDERSON did have children baptised during these dates, but none seem consistent with the will of John HENDERSON in 1766. Other HENDERSON parents were Alexander, Daniel, David, James, Samuel, Thomas and William, whom I presume was William Jr.

iii. JOHN FINLEY, b. 15 Dec 1737, Augusta County, Virginia; d. Bef. 25 Oct 1802, Augusta County, Virginia; m. ESTHER REID; b. Abt. 1755, Albemarle County, Virginia. Notes for JOHN FINLEY: John Finley will, 2 February 1802, Augusta County, VA, Will Book 9:242
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN the second day of February 1802 I John Finley of the County of Augusta being of sound mind and memory thanks be given unto god therefore calling unto me the mortality of my bodey and that it is appointed for all men our time: do make and ordain this my last will and testament and having such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased god to Bless me with in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and forme - Itemos Patsey Dicktam hath at different times got as much of my Estate as I allow her I so not allow her any more of my Estate that I now possess in Augusta County I allow to be sold ...?...and personal except my household furniture that I allow to be divided between my two Daughters Esther and Polly I allow each of my daughters Ann Shannon Esther Finley & Polly Finley two hundred pounds in ...?... when either of them recieve their part of money I allow a good Negro or Girle to be bought for their use I allow my Daughter Polly to be ...?...in Cloathing equall to her other sister when they joyn wedlock each to be provided in a good riding beast and household furniture and ...?.. suitable for housekeeping if either of my daughters dies before wedding her part in money is to remain in my Estate I allow my just debts be paid my son James Finley I allow to be put to School to learn then I allow him to be found in books cloathing and riding as his ...?...may require I allow him to get a regular course of education ...?..live to make choice of a calling I allow him to be furnished with ...?...beast saddle bridle & saddle bags and cloathing suitable for his calling and one hundred Dollars in money the land left me by Daddy Reid in ...?...lying on Green River I allow to sold and the price to be divided among my three daughters the thousand acres that I had obligation ...?...for that I signed over to Colonel Estill and the other 250 acres that Read Junr paid the survaying and the tax for if theres my ...?... got for them I allow to be Divided amongst my daughters and their issue that have the most need at the Discration of Executors I appoint my two nepews John Caldwell and Samuel Steele Finley Executors of this my last Will and testament should either of these die before they called uppon by this will I hope sum of the rest of my friends will take the place and I do hereby confirm and allow this and no other to be my last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
(Signed) Jno Finley (seal)
Signed sealed and acknowled in the presence of
Samuel Finley
William Ransay
William Finley
At a Court held for Augusta County, October the 25th 1802 This last will and Testament of John Finley deceased was proved by the oath of William Finley a subscribing witness thereto and it being further proved by the oaths of Robert Finley and Samuel Finley Gent? that the said will was written altogether in the hand writing of the testator which is ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Caldwell and Samuel S Finley the Executors therein named who made oath according to law, together with Robert Finley William Davis Thomas Marshall and Andrew Fulton their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $15,000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted them for obtaining a probat thereof in due form according to law.
Teste
John Finley apraisement, 25 December 1810
Augusta County, VA DB 10:414.
A bill of the apraisement of the estate of John Finley deceased
References
  1. Brøderbund Software, Inc. World Family Tree Vol. 2, Ed. 1. (Release date: November 29, 1995)
    Tree #6075.

    Date of Import: May 3, 2006

  2. .

    The Compendium of American Genealogy