John Robert Finley (1843 - 1930)

Born 20 Feb 1843 in Maddens, Laurens, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 23 Mar 1930 at age 87 in Laurens, South Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Austin Finley [send private message] and William Finley [send private message]

Biography

Pvt John Finley served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1862
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): A Co. 3rd Regiment, 1st Brigade Infantry

John Robert Finley, born in 1843 in Maddens Station, Laurens County, SC, was the youngest of 8 children born to James and Margaret Finley.^[1]

When he "was about ten years old, he accompanied his father and grandfather on their annual trip to market...While there his grandfather became ill. The wagons were loaded with farm and household supplies and started home when his grandfather died. While his father and another man rushed the body home, John Robert stayed with the loaded wagons as they came far behind." ^[2]

John Robert joined Co. A, 3rd Regiment, 1st Brigade Infantry as a Pvt in Gordansville, VA in early 1862.

John Robert saw his first action of the War at the Battle of Savage's Station and was wounded days later at the Battle of Malvern Hill. He returned to action at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862, where he was one of only 3 survivors in his company. He also fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg the following year.

His company was then moved to the Western Theater and fought at Chickamauga and Bean's Station before returning to Virginia, where he fought at the Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and North Anna. He was captured and spent 8 months at Point Lookout.

After the war, John Robert married Virginia Elliott Langston, on December 7, 1865^[3], ^[4]. The two had ten children (two died young).

Lillie Finley, ~1868

Thomas Finley, ~1870

Frances Teresa Finley Martin, 1872–1951

John Lee Finley, 1873–1950

Giff Hampton Finley, 1876–1973

Emma Claire Finley Martin, 1878–1941

Claude Pitts Finley, 1879–1977

Percy Wayland Finley, 1881–1966

William Luther Finley, 1883–1976

Thurman Langston Finley, 1885–1967

John Robert lived most of his life in Maddens Station as shown in various Census records.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

He passed away 23 Mar 1930 (aged 87) and is buried at the New Prospect Baptist Church graveyard. You may find more information about him on his Find A Grave: Memorial #8240103. His family made application for a Military Tombstone for him. ^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ "1850 United States Federal Census", The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: 855; Page: 238b; Line Number: 29, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #5806306 (accessed 12 April 2023), John R Fanley (7) in Laurens, South Carolina, USA.
2. ↑ The Scrapbook, A Compilation of Historical Facts About Places and Events of Laurens County, South Carolina, pp.182-3, 1982, Laurens County Historical Society, Laurens County Arts Council with additional funding from the Old Ninety Six Tourism Commission.
3. ↑ The Scrapbook, A Compilation of Historical Facts About Places and Events of Laurens County, South Carolina, pp.182, 1982, Laurens County Historical Society, Laurens County Arts Council with additional funding from the Old Ninety Six Tourism Commission.
4. ↑ Marriage: "South Carolina, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1641-1965", Hunting For Bears, comp.. South Carolina Marriage Index, 1641-1965. South Carolina marriage information taken from various sources. Many of these records were extracted from copies of the original records in microfilm, microfiche, or book format, located at the Family History Library, Ancestry Record 7840 #362130 (accessed 12 April 2023), John Finley marriage to Virginia Langston on 7 Dec 1865.
5. ↑ "1870 United States Federal Census", Year: 1870; Census Place: Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1501; Page: 181B, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #11822359 (accessed 12 April 2023), John B Finley (27), Farmer, in Laurens, South Carolina. Born in South Carolina.
6. ↑ "1880 United States Federal Census", Year: 1880; Census Place: Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: 1233; Page: 36D; Enumeration District: 099, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #11582005 (accessed 12 April 2023), Jno Robert Finley (37), married, Farmer, head of household in Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina, USA. Born in South Carolina.
7. ↑ "1900 United States Federal Census", Year: 1900; Census Place: Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: 1533; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0056,Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7602 #59155929 (accessed 12 April 2023), Jno R Finley, married, Farmer, head of household in Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina. Born in South Carolina, USA.
8. ↑ "1910 United States Federal Census", Year: 1910; Census Place: Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1465; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0054; FHL microfilm: 1375478, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #26620656 (accessed 12 April 2023), John R Tinly (67), married, Farmer, head of household in Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina, USA. Born in South Carolina. (This record has transcriptions errors for name and race - Reported to Ancestry)
9. ↑ "1920 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1920; Census Place: Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1700; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 60, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6061 #43180117 (accessed 12 April 2023), John R Finley (77), married, Farmer, head of household in Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina. Born in South Carolina.
10. ↑ "U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970", National Archives at Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941; NAID: A1, 2110-C; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2375 #279644 (accessed 12 April 2023), Name: John Robert Finley; Birth Date: 20 Feb 1843; Unit: Co. A. 3rd Regiment S. C. Infantry; Enlistment Date: 14 Mar 1862; Discharge Date: 21 Jan 1865; Death Date: 23 Mar 1930; Cemetery: New Prospect Cemetery; Cemetery Location: Laurens, South Carolina, USA.

• John Robert Finley family, Laurens, SC library

• Shown in Wife Virginia's Death Certificate, "South Carolina Deaths, 1915-1965", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N9V8-8DH : 12 March 2022), J.r. Finley in entry for Virginia Langston Finley, 1936.