| Name |
John Finley |
| Suffix |
(immigrant) |
| Birth |
18 Dec 1706 |
Dublin, Ireland  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Residence |
Between 1737 and 1739 |
Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
| Religion |
1740 |
Tinkling Spring Church, Tinkling Spring, Augusta Co, Virginia |
 |
Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church
Fisherville, Augusta County Virginia
This monument, which stands outside the Fellowship Hall, reads, "Sacred to the Memory of the Immigrants to this valley who turned the wilderness into habitations."
It lists the names of the original members who were assessed twelve shillings each to build the first meeting house. Administratively, the membership was divided into three Quarters headed by John Christian, William Wright, and John Finley.
Christian's quarter included families named Black, Cowin, Wilson, Long, Bell, Alexander, Stewart, Patton, Hall, Robison, Cristian, Davison, McCollock, Caldwell, Armstrong, Rutledge, Henderson, Conegham, Thomson, Scott, Gamel, Ramsey, Preston, Maxwell, McDonal, Russell, Lewis, Hutchison, McClanahan, Brackenridge, and McCollock.
Wright's quarter included families named Smith Hutchison, Palmer, Thomson, Moday, Frazer, Johnston, Logan, Henderson, Scileran, Black, Cear, McCune, Fergeson, and Wright.
Finley's quarter included families named McClure, Turk, Gay, Finley, McCollock, Gelaspey, Edmiston, Campbell, Stewart, Peterson, Cear, Tays, Steel, and White.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaaugust/photo.html
|
| Property |
1 Dec 1740 |
Cathey's River (now Middle River), Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- We cannot be sure whether John Finley and Thankful Doak were married in Pennsylvania or in Virginia. The Doaks were also early settlers in this region and it is possible that John and Thankful met after both families arrived in the area. Thankful s brothers, Samuel and David Doak, had properties about ten miles due south of John s Middle River property. Her sister, Ann Doak, was married after the Doaks moved to Augusta County.
The first record found for John appeared in Augusta County records of 1 December 1740 when he received a patent for 183 acres on a branch of Cathey's River called Finley's Branch (now Middle River). Since the actual receipt of a patent was the third step in a process that normally took several years, we can assume they were probably in that location by 1737 or 1738.
http://www.joepayne.org/finley2.html
|
| Other-Begin |
13 May 1746 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
| indenture |
- James Hughes 2005-12-20 16:46:38
George Robinson to John Finley, 892 acres in Beverley Manor, 13 May 1746, Augusta County, Virginia, DB 1:75.
THIS INDENTURE made this twelfth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty six between George Robinson of the County of Augusta of the one part and John Finley of the County aforesaid of the other part WITNESSETH that the said George Robinson for and in Consideration of the sum of five Shillings Current Money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said John Finly at or before the Sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged HATH granted bargained and Sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said John Finly all that tract or parcel of Land containing Eight hundred and ninety two Acres more or less part of Beverly Mannor granted by William Beverly Esq. to the said George Robinson by Deed of Lease and Release bearing dates the twentieth and twenty first days of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and thirty Eight relation there unto being had may more fully and at large appear BEGINNING at a hiccory and two Ellms on Shannandore river and runeth thence North Seventy degrees West one hundred and forty two poles to one white oak thence South twenty degrees West twenty Six poles to two red oaks thence North Seventy degrees West one hundred and forty two poles to one white oak and one hiccory thence South thirty degrees West two hundred and Ninety Six poles near a white oak in a payson(L?) frold(?)--thence South Seventy degrees East one hundred and Eighty four poles thence East two hundred and thirty two poles to two pines in the line of the old Patton of the said Manner thence with the Lines of the said pattent to two pines in said Line thence North Sixty Seven degrees West to two white oaks on Shannadore River thence down the several Courses of the said River to the beginning, and all houses buildings Orchards Way Waters Watercourses profits Commodities Hereditaments and appurtances whatsoever to said premises hereby granted or and part thereof belonging or in any wise appurtaining (?) the Reversion and Reversions and Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and profits thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or parcel of Land and all and Singular other the premisses hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said John Finly his Executors Administrators and assigns from the day before the Date hereof for and during the full term and times of one whole Year from the one next ensuing fully to be compleat ended YIELDING and paying therefore the rent of one pepper Corn on Lady day next if the same Shall be lawfully demanded to the Intent and purpose that by Virtue of these presents and of the Statutes for transferring uses into possession the said John Finley may be in actual possession of the premisses be thereby enabled to accept and take a grant and Release of the Reversion and inheritance thereof to him and his heirs IN WITNESS whereof the said George Robinson hath hereunto Set his hand and Seal the day and Year first
above Written Sealed and delivered in the presence of Geo Robinson (seal)
Robert Renick
John Trimble
James Price
Silas Hart
At a Court continued and held for Augusta County the 13th day of May 1746 George Robinson acknowledged this his Lease for Land indurd to John Finly on his Motion is admitted to record and Martha the Wife of the said Robinson being first privately Examined relinquished her right of Dower to Land in said Deed Mentioned which also is admitted to record
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I27602
|
| Religion |
Feb 1748 |
Brown's Meeting House, Middle River, Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- North Mountain Meeting House (later Hebron), which was the church nearest the Middle River neighborhood, had originally been Old Side Presbyterian and held only sporadic services until the mid-1740s when the New Side revivalist Presbyterians stepped in. Brown, not pleased with this turn of events, joined with his neighbors to build a meeting house near his home. Brown s Meeting House officially opened its doors 16 February 1748. This, perhaps, explains why John and Thankful s children were baptized at Tinkling Spring, some twelve miles away, until December 1746.
|
| Property |
15 Oct 1751 |
Cathey's River (now Middle River), Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- On 15 October 1741, he received another patent for 300 acres on a draft of Cathey's River. This property was described as being adjacent to land owned by Alexander Breckenridge, whose son, George, married Thankful s sister, Ann Doak, the next year.
|
| Property |
17 Nov 1767 |
Middle River, Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- On 17 November 1767, John and Thankful deeded 179 acres of their property to their son, George, for five shillings. George, however, soon moved to Washington County about 170 miles to the southwest and sold his Middle River property to Robert and Margaret Clendenen for 9C16, less than five years after it was given to him. The Clendenens, in turn, sold it back to John and Thankful three years later for five shillings.
|
| Other-Begin |
Mar 1768 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
- James Hughes 2005-12-20 16:52:39
John and Margaret Brown to John Finley et al, 2 acres for Brown's Meeting House, March 1768, Augusta County, Virginia DB 14:450.
March 1768 - John Brown and Margaret, his wife, to John Trimble, John Finley, William McPeters, Jr., George Berry and Hugh Young, representatives, Commissioners appointed by the Congregation of the meeting House late called by the name of Browns; under the incumbency of the Reverend Charles Cummins; for 1 pound 5 shillings, a lot containing 2 acres including a Stone Meeting House by a branch of Meadow Run, a branch of Middle River of Shanandore and bounded as followeth (description ... Glebe Road); belonging to the Congregation.
Witnesses: Jas. Brown, James Crow(?), Pat Martin. Signed: John Brown, Margret Brown.
Proved 18 May 1768. Augusta County DB 14:450.
Note: All grantees listed are in Middle River neighborhood of John Finley.
c:\docs\virginia\hebron.txt
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I27602
|
| Other-Begin |
20 Jul 1768 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
- James Hughes 2005-12-20 16:54:00
John Finley's Patent for 238 acres, 20 July 1768,
Virginia State Land Office, Patents 37, 1767-1768, Reel 37, p. 281.
GEORGE the Third TO ALL KNOW YE that for divers good causes and considerations but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of TWENTY FIVE SHILLINGS of good and lawful money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia WE HAVE given granted and confirmed and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors Do give grant and confirm unto John Finley one certain Tract or parcel of Land containing two hundred thirty eight Acres lying and being in the County of Augusta on a Branch of the middle River of Shanando joining to the land he lives on; and bounded as followeth, to wit, BEGINNING at a white oak by a draft a corner of his other Land and North thirty degrees West one hundred and thirty poles to a white oak and
black oak on a ridge thence North fifty two degrees West forty eight poles to two Hickories and white oak by a draft thence South West forty two poles to a white oak by said draft and thence South twenty one degrees West one hundred and fifty four poles to a pine and white oak on Limestone ridge South sixty nine degrees East twelve poles to two white oaks and black oak saplins thence South twenty one degrees West one hundred and thirty poles to a pine on a high ridge thence South thirty six degrees East one hundred poles to near a black oak and North forty degrees East fifty four poles to a white oak a corner of his old Survey and North thirty five degrees East two hundred and thirty two poles with said line to the beginning WITHALL (?) TO HAVE HOLD (?) TO BE HELD (?) YIELDING (?) PAYING (?) PROVIDED (?) IN WITNESS (?) WITNESS our trusty and well beloved John Blair esquire President of our Council and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg under the seal of our said Colony the twentieth day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight In the eighth year of our Reign.
Examd. John Blair
c:\docs\virginia\finaug8.txt
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I27602
|
| Other-Begin |
5 Nov 1771 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
- named as brother-in-law in will of Samuel Doak - to advise executors.
|
| Other-Begin |
1773 |
Middle River, Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- John and Thankful were both named in an accounting of Samuel Craig, who served as a guardian for John Black, orphan of Anthony Black. John received 9C5 and Thankful received 9C5 6s. for services or goods. Three of the persons with whom John is associated in these documents, John Brown, Hugh Young, and John Trimble, can be found in the extreme northwestern corner of Hildebrand s map of The Beverley Patent. They lived either on, or close to, the Manor line and near Middle River. This gives us a good indication of the location of John and Thankful s property as being just outside the Manor line along Middle River.
|
| Other-Begin |
16 Mar 1773 |
Augusta Co, Virginia [1] |
- On 16 March 1773, John was bound, along with his neighbors, William McPheeters, Jr. and George Berry, in the settlement of the estate of William McPheeters, Sr.
|
| Other-Begin |
1 May 1782 |
Middle River, Augusta Co, Virginia |
| Personal Property Tax list |
- James Hughes 2005-12-20 16:59:33
Personal Property Tax, Augusta County, 1782, LDS film #0029288; 1 May 1782
John Finley
Note: this list contains names from the Middle River Neighborhood
|
| Census |
1787 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
- p. 110, Augusta County, list "A"
Finley, Benjamin 0 0 0 0 0
p. 121, Augusta County, list "B"
Finley, John 0 1 0 9 13
Finley, David - - - - -
son of John (above)
Finley, John 1 1 0 6 15
- wheelright
Finley, John 1 1 0 11 25
Finley, Robt. 0 1 0 10 23
Finley, William - - - - -
- Robert pays tax
Finley, William 0 0 3 6 20
- [Capt.)
Finey, Robert 0 0 0 2 2
|
| Will |
7 Aug 1791 |
Augusta Co, Virginia |
| written |
- John wrote his will on 7 August 1791 naming in order;
wife, Thankful;children, David, George, Robert, Margaret Shields, James, John, Jean, and Thankful McKarter; and grandson, John Trimble, son of Jean.
David received the lion's share of the estate. Thankful received all household furniture except "one old bed and furniture," his Negro woman, Hannah, and a saddle and horse, with maintenance out of the estate willed to David.
George, Robert, and Margaret Shields received five shillings each.
James received £120 "with interest from this date," to be paid by David out of the estate.
John was to receive one bed and furniture upon the death of Thankful.
Jean was to receive a mare and Negro woman upon the death of Thankful, while her son, John Trimble, was left a saddle and bridle.
Thankful McKarter was left six shillings.
David, probably the youngest son, was also named executor
----
Contributed by: James Hughes
URL: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/finleyfindings/VOL2.html
URL title: finleyfindings Vol. 2
Note:
"In the Naim of God -- Amen. The Seventeenth day of August 1791. I John Finley of the Colony of Virginia and the County of Agusta former being in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to god. Therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men onst to die do make and ordain this my Last will and Testiment -- that is to say principaly and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that give it, and my body to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian Descent maner at the Descretion of my Executors and Unto him of such worldly estate where with it pleases God to bless me in this Life.
"I give Demise and dispose of the items in the following manner and form, first all my Lawful Debts and funeral Expences to be payed out of my real Estate, also I give and bequeth unto my dearly beloved wife Thankful, all my houshold furniture to be at her Disposal, Except one bed and furniture and my Negro woman, Hannah During her life and a good hors and sadle Likewis a good Deasent room and Deasent mantainence to be found her out of the part of my Estat I have willed to my son David. Item I give and bequith unto my beloved sons George, Robert and my Daughter, Marget Shields, Eatch of them five shillings Virginia Currancy to them and heirs.
"Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son James one hundred and twenty pounds Virginia Currancy with interest from this Date to him and his heirs for ever to be payd by my son David out of the part I now will to him.
"Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son John one bed and furniture at my beloved wifes Decese to him and his heirs. Item I give and bequith unto my beloved Daughter Jean one negro womman at my wifes death and to her son John Trimble my sadle and bridle to them and their heirs forever.
"Item I give and bequith unto my beloved son David all my lands and tenements and in every part of my Estate not herein separately willd to others to him and his heirs or asignes forever, Item I give and bequith unto my beloved Daughter Thankfull McCarter six shillings Virginia Currancy to her and her heirs forever, and I Likewise constitute make and ordain my son David sole Executor of this my last will and testiment.
"I Do hereby utterly Disalow revoik and Disanul all and every other former Testiments wills Legities bequests and Executors by me in ani wies before naimed willed and bequithed ratifying and confirming this and know other to be my last will and testiment in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sail the Day and year above mentioned."
The will was signed by John FINLEY Jr. and witnesses David MC NAIR, John THOMAS and John WILSON. Attached to the will is the following, "At a court held for Augusta County September 20th 1791, This last Will and Testament of John Finley deceased was presented in Court by David Finley the Executor therein named and proved by the Oaths of David McNair, John Thomas and John Wilson witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the Motion of the said Executor who made Oath according to Law certificate is granted him for obtaining probat thereof in due form, he having given security as the Law directs."
====
inventory:
James Hughes 2005-12-20 17:11:48
John Finley Inventory, 20 December 1791, Augusta County, Virginia WB 7:431.
A List of the personal Estate and Slaves of John Finley deceased
David McNair
James Willson At a Court held for Augusta County December John Thomas 20th 1791.
This appraisement of the Estate of John Finley deceased was returned in Court and ordered to be recorded.
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I27602
|
| Death |
Bef 20 Sep 1791 |
South River, Augusta Co, Virginia |
| Notes |
- John and Thankful (Doak) Finley, were among the earliest settlers of the Shenandoah Valley in what is now Augusta County, Virginia, most likely having come from Pennsylvania. Like their early neighbors, they were Scotch-Irish Presbyterian farmers. John was also a cooper. From land records and other documents we can get some feel for his life in this early Virginia settlement.
John and Thankful lived on Middle River, a branch of the Shenandoah. While his property is not shown on the settlement map of Beverley Manor, one can make a pretty good estimate of his location as being just across the manor line near the property of Robert Davis.
We cannot be sure whether John Finley and Thankful Doak were married in Pennsylvania or in Virginia. The Doaks were also early settlers in this region and it is possible that John and Thankful met after both families arrived in the area. Thankful s brothers, Samuel and David Doak, had properties about ten miles due south of John s Middle River property. Her sister, Ann Doak, was married after the Doaks moved to Augusta County.
Carmen Finley, Ph.D., C.G.
http://www.joepayne.org/finley2.html
|
| Person ID |
I319 |
Roots |
| Last Modified |
30 Sep 2016 |
1706 - Bef 1791 (84 years)
