William Finley (1751 - 1815)

Born 22 Mar 1751 in Prince George's County, Province of Maryland

Descendants

Died 17 Feb 1815 at age 63 in Robertson County, Tennessee, United States

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William Finley performed Patriotic Service in Virginia in the American Revolution.

Disambiguation

As of 11 May 2023 there are multiple profiles for this and similar persons. The one with the most information is two different people combined.

• William Joseph Finley-680, born 1742. Stated in biography to be son of Unnamed Father Finley which now redirects to John Finley of South River, born 1710 in Pennsylvania. Recommendation: Merge into Finley-1277.
• William Joseph Finley-2929, born 1743, Augusta County, Virginia. No parents.
• William Finley-1277, born 1743, Augusta County, Virginia, son of Finley-102|John Finley of South River]], born 1710 in Pennsylvania. Married Mary Pettus. Issues with Profile basically resolved.
• William Finley-4508 born 22 March 1751 in Prince George's County, Maryland. 1777 Resident of Baltimore and soldier in Revolutionary War. 1789 Married Nancy Treadwell (born Baltimore) in Tennessee. Died 1815 in Tennessee. Researched
• William Finley-1536 born 22 March 1752 in Augusta County. Lived in Kentucky. Further Research Needed.
• Robert William Finley-1182 born 26 Feb 1754 Cecil County, Maryland. Unsourced. Further Research Needed.

Biography

1751 Birth and Parents

William Finley was born 22 Mar 1751 in Prince George's County, Maryland. ^[1]

1776 Baltimore

In his widow's correspondence about her pension application, she noted that William Finley resided in Baltimore at the time of his enlistment, and was a wagonmaker by trade. ^[2]

1776 Revolutionary War Service

The age requirement for the Revolutionary War was 16 and William was born about 1755, so he was about 21 when he entered service. He was a wagon maker and wheel right by trade, and so stated, that he was pulled off the line of the common soldiers to make wagons. ^[3]

Gilbert states that William Finley is listed in the Revolutionary War Records of Virginia as a soldier in the infantry. Since William Finley began life as a Marylander and enlisted from Maryland, it is possible that a different William Finley was noted in those records.

From Maryland Revolutionary Records by Harry Wright Newman, William Finley was listed as a cannon maker. ^[3]

1777 Revolutionary War Service

At the time of the Revolution, William Finley was a resident of Maryland. ^[4]

William Finley served as a private in the Revolutionary War. ^[4]

He served in three campaigns as a substitute, once as a volunteer.^[4]

He was in the battle of Germantown (4 October, 1777) and Brandywine (11 September, 1777) and served under General Wayne. ^[4]

His discharge was left in Baltimore along with other papers. ^[4]

Transcript of Widow's Pension Application On 4 April 1850 Nancy Finley submitted her application for a pension as the widow of William Finley in recognition of his service in the Revolutionary War. ^[4]

Nancy Finley testified that

• "That she is the widow of William Finley a private in the Army of the Revolutionary War that he served three campaigns as a substitute once a volunteer and declared That he was in the battle of Germantown and Brandywine, that he then resided in the State of Maryland, and was a part of his time under General Wayne. That she does not remember his officers names though she has often heard him speak of them and other officers of the Army so that she now cannot say the particular officers under whom he served that she thinks his discharges was left in Baltimore together with other papers as she was informed that she was not married to the said William Finley during his service but was married to him on the 15th day of August 1789 and therefore have to depend on her recollection of his Wards for information.
• That her marriage took place prior to the 1st day of January 1794, to wit at the time above stated.
• That she then resided on Holsten River near the line of what was then called new Virginia and Tennessee.
• That she now does not know whether the place of her marriage was in Virginia or Tennessee after the time was established as she together with her husband shortly afterwards moved to Robertson County in the State of Tennessee, that she is illiterate and has to depend entirely on her recollection for dates only her husband placed the date of her marriage with him in a book kept by him to which she has reference for dates but the facts set forth of her own knowledge she will remembers that she is seventy-six years of age the 5th day of October last. She further declares that she well remembers that she was not quite sixteen years of age when she was married, and must depend on the rolls of the War department for positive proof of service.
• That she has been a widow ever since her husband’s death. Who died on the 17th day of February 1815 and is now a widow. Sworn to and subscribed to before on this 4th day of April 1850. ^[4]

Photographic Record of Complete File Ancestry.com has a complete photographic file of the original handwritten applications and affidavits culminating in the rejection of her application for lack of the required proofs. ^[2]

1778 Oath of Allegiance

William Finley (1755 ca - 1815) was domiciled at the beginning of the Revolutionary War at Baltimore, Maryland, when two William Finley's pledged an Oath of Allegiance in Baltimore. William, who married Nancy Treadway, no doubt was one of these, as William Finley of Baltimore County subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance in the State of Maryland on February 3, 1778 before Judge James Calhoun, as reported by him on April 13, 1778. It is known that Judge Calhoun was domiciled in Baltimore Town, and it is accepted that this William Finley was a resident of the town. The second William Finley took the Oath of Allegiance before Hon. John Moale. ^[3]

1789 Marriage to Nancy Treadway

It is noted that his wife, Nancy, testified in Court, under oath, that William was a Revolutionary War soldier. Nancy Treadway was born in Virginia on October 5, 1773, and migrated with her father William Treadway into North Carolina and Tennessee. He had received a land grant from the State of North Carolina for 450 acres on both sides of the Holston River where it joins the Virginia line. At this time, this area was undecided to be in Virginia, North Carolina, or Tennessee, not yet a state. ^[3]

Nancy was born in 1773 being very young during the Revolution, only a child, and too young to remember the details and names of officers. At this time in history, it may have been weeks or months before news relayed to the citizens, and she likely could not remember the details of the battles that were asked. ^[3]

On August 15, 1789, William married Nancy Treadway. She was not quite 16 years old, born August 5, 1773, and was living on the Holston River near the Tennessee and Virginia line. ^[3]

According to the 1790 Census in Baltimore County, no Finley's were listed, so they must have all left by this time, however, the Finley's and Treadway's were enumerated in the Morgan District of Burke County, North Carolina. ^[3]

Buncombe County was formed in 1791, and some members of the Britain and Treadway family including William Finley were located there. Those Britain's present were the half-brothers of William Finley. His father, Thomas Finley died and his mother married Nicholas Britain in Baltimore County, Maryland. William Finley, Nancy Treadway his wife, William Byrd, Isham Treadway and John Gilbert made their way from Buncombe County, North Carolina to Robertson County, Tennessee. ^[3]

William Finley married Nancy Treadway in August 1789 in Tennessee. ^[5]

He was 38 and she was 16.

He married Nancy Treadway (1773-1866) ^[1]

Nancy was married to William Finley (1751-1815) on August 15, 1789. ^[6]

Nancy Treadaway was born 5 Oct 1773 in Baltimore City, Maryland. ^[6]

She died in 1853 in Carroll County, Tennessee, and is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, White House, Robertson County, Tennessee, USA. ^[6]

1790 Census, Buncombe County, North Carolina

The 1790 Census of Buncombe County, North Carolina by Kenneth D. Israel, PhD, show that many of my family names are located there: Jas Britain in the Fourteenth Company, Rutherford County, North Carolina [this would be the half brother of William Finley who married Nancy Treadway, daughter of William Treadway; John Gilbert and William Britain were in the Eleventh Company, Burke County; Aron Treadaway, Wm. Treadaway, Robt. Treadaway and Wm. Finley, all listed together, in the Twelfth Company, Burke County. William Finley was Thomas G. Gilbert, Jr.'s 3rd great-grandfather and William Treadway was his 4th great-grandfather. ^[3]

1799 Boundary Line Petition

William Byrd on January 22, 1799, along with John Webster, Samuel Webster, Edward Webster, Isom Treadway, Sr. and John Gilbert, signed a petition concerning the boundary lines and difficulty in traveling to the court house in the counties of Hawkins and Grainger. ^[3]

On August 22, 1799 in Sevier County, Tennessee, William Bird signed a petition as one of the Sundry Inhabitants South of French Broad. John Gilbert was the son of Daniel Gilbert of Bedford County Virginia who died in Spartanburg, South Carolina. John had a 640 acre land grant in 1787 in Sullivan County, Tennessee and it was assigned to Anthony Bledsoe. ^[3]

1815 Death in Tennessee

William Finley died 17 February 1815 in Robertson County, Tennessee and is buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, White House, Robertson County, Tennessee. ^[1]

Widow in 1850 Census
In 1850 Nancy Finley, age 76 (born about 1774 in Virginia) was at home in District 4, Carroll County, Tennessee in the home of her daughter Priscilla and her husband McCane Delaney. ^[7] Members of the household were:

McCane Delany 36

Priscilla Delany 41

Sarah A Delany 14

John W Delany 12

Thomas B Delany 9

Jacob M Delany 7

Nancy P Delany 4

F A Short 16

Nancy Finley 76

John Delany 67

1853 Nancy's Application for Revolutionary War Pension

Nancy Treadway Finley last applied for a Revolutionary War Pension while living at her daughter's home of Priscilla and McCane Delaney in Carroll County, Tennessee in 1853. ^[3]

Living adjacent to her was her grandson, William Cummins Gilbert, who owned the 60 acre adjacent farm. William C. Gilbert was the son of William Gilbert, born 1800, and Elizabeth Finley, born 1801, all of Robertson County, Tennessee. William Gilbert, (1800 - 1837) was the son of Webster Gilbert (1780 - aft 1840) and Susanna Byrd, both of them born in North Carolina. ^[3]

Their children include...

1. William Finley (1791–1855) ^[6][1]
2. Thomas Finley, born December 21, 1792. ^[2][8]
3. Mary Finley, born Feb 20, 1794 ^{[2] [8]}Mary Finley Gilbert (1795–1866) ^[1]
4. Susanna Finley, born April 13, 1797. ^[2][8]
5. Richard Finley,m born March 176 1803, died 1803. ^[2][8]
6. Priscilla Delaney, born 1814 ^[7]

1833 Daughter Mary's husband John Gilbert buys land On September 30, 1833, Robertson County, John Gilbert, husband of Mary Finley, daughter of William, in an indenture made March 11, 1832, purchased of William Finley, Jr., and others, 140 acres of land for $245.00. The deed listed the heirs as Elizabeth Gilbert and husband William Gilbert; William Finley [Jr.], Thomas Finley, Britain Finley, John Finley, Susannah Fields and Reden Fields, Priscilla Finley. Mary Gilbert, married to John Gilbert, was not named in the settlement of the estate; however, the date of her birth corresponds written in the family records and with that on her tombstone, located at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Robertson County. (Tennessee State Archives, Nashville, Robertson County, MF Roll #10, Book X, p. 131). ^[3]

Daughter Elizabeth and husband William Gilbert William Gilbert and wife Elizabeth Finley were the parents of William Cummins Gilbert, Webster Gilbert, Isaac Gilbert, John Gilbert, Britton Gilbert, Elizabeth Gilbert and Nancy Gilbert. (from the Bible of Elizabeth Finley Gilbert Thomas of Graves County, Kentucky.) The Bible records of the grandson of William Cummins Gilbert, Graves Gilbert, (1888 - 1986), recorded that William Cummins Gilbert, (1828 - 1910), told him that Webster Gilbert was the "old man" in Robertson County, and that he was his (Wm. Cummins) grandfather. His nickname was "Wep" as he so recorded this with an insert in the Bible. Rev. William C. Gilbert was born in Robertson County in 1828 as was his father and mother, William Gilbert and Elizabeth Finley Gilbert. ^[3]

Elizabeth was born June 12, 1801 in Robertson County, Tennessee, daughter of William Finley, Revolutionary War soldier, and his wife, Nancy Treadway, daughter of William Treadway. Both William Treadway and William Finley were Revolutionary War soldiers where they are listed as wheel rights and cannon makers. William Treadway died before 1815 most likely in Robertson County where he was living at that time. William Gilbert’s birth was about 1800, child of Webster and Susanna Byrd Gilbert. It is also determined that Webster Gilbert was born about 1780 as he first appeared in the jury duty of Robertson County, Tennessee in 1801, being 21 years old. Comparison of the census records of Robertson County confirm his age. ^[3]

Research Notes

Was he the son of Mary Caldwell Finley?

An older version of Find a Grave stated he was the son of Mary Thankful Caldwell Finley (1728-1787) and that he had two half-siblings

1. George Finley (1743–1809)
2. Thomas Caldwell Finley (1757–1831)

Was he the son of Rev. James Finley?

The Rev. John H. Johns wrote a history of Rock Presbyterian Church in Cecil County, Maryland which focuses on the ministry of Rev. James Finley who had a son William. ^[9]

Pdf is double paged. Ist #is pdf double page #, second number is page # in manuscript.

p. 3/4 May 18 1720, meeting of New Castle Presbytery. Commissioner Thomas Caldwell & Thomas Reed, from settlers on branches of the Elk River, sought preachers from Presbytery. Samuel Young appointed.

p. 4/7 Oct 15 1724 Joseph Houston from Ireland ordained and installed as pastor at request of commissioners Robert Finnewy, Roger Lawson and Andrew Steel.

p.5/9 The Elk River congregation split into Old Side and New Side congregations. The New Side congregation, was formed iln 1741 but had no settled pastor until 1752 when Rev. James Finley was ordained and installed.

In 1761 Elk River and East Nottingham congregations became united under pastoral care of Mr. Finley.

1725 Birth and Parents page 5/9 "The Rev. James Finley was born in County Armagh, Province of Ulster, Ireland, Febgruary 1725, and was of Scotch parentage.

1734 Arrival When nine years old, he landed with his parents at Philadelphia, September 28th, 1734.

Education He was educated at Fagg's Manor school, under the care of the Rev. Samuel Blair, and afterwards of the Rev. Mr. Smith. In early life he was the subject of Divine grace; was at Fagg;s Manor during the great revival of 1740, and travelled hundreds of miles with Whitefield for the benefit of his society, and most probably studied theology with his brother, Rev. Samuel Finley, of West Nottingham.

1752 Pastor He was settled over the New Side part of this congregation in 1752, and for nine years the two brothers were pastors of these contigusous chargtes." p. 9

1783 went west p. 13. James Finley went west and became pastor of the Rehoboth and Round Hill congregations, which he had organized during his previous visits to Western Pennsylvania....He ontinued their pastor for twelve years, until his decease, January 6th, 1795, aged 79 years. ... He was a short, fat man, with a ruddy countenance and newrvous, rapid movements. ...

Marriage (In 1752, Finley married Hannah Evans (1715 – April 1, 1795), daughter of Robert Evans. The couple had seven sons and two daughters. Eight of their children lived to adulthood. A son, James (1769–1772), died aged three. ^[10] Hannah would have been 37 at her marriage, and her 7 sons and 2 daughters would have been born soon after 1752 )

He married a Miss Hannah Evans, daughter of Robert Evans, and sister of Captain John Evans, who owned the rolling-mill property east of Cherry Hill.

He was one of seven sons, and the father of seven sons. His son James Finley, Jr,. was interred at Sharp's graveyard, 1722, aged 5 years, over whose grave still stands a small tombstone.

Another son, John Evans Finley, became a preacher of the Gospel. A grandson, the Rev. Robert M. Finley, still lives in Wooster, Ohio. We have been thus minute respecting Mr. Finley, feeling it due to the memory of such a godly, sueful man, who for more than 30 years faithfully preached the Word in this community.

Sons p. 20. The Rev. John Evans Finley was the oldest son of the Rev. James Finley. He also graduated at Princeton College; most probably studied theology with his father, and was ordained at Fagg's Manor Augu. 21st, 1781. After serving Fagg's manor for twelve years, the pastoral relation was dissolved. October 15th, 1793, when he went to Bracken, Mason Co, Ky.

p. 22. Samuel, Ebenezer, Joseph, Michael and William Finley, all sons of the Rev. James Finley -- among those who became elders in Western Pennsylvania.

Son's birth years Given Hannah's marriage in 1752 and her age -- 37 -- at the time, assume her sons were born at 1 year intervals --

1. Samuel 1753
2. Ebenezer 1754
3. Joseph 1755
4. Michael 1756
5. William 1757

Thus William of James, born 1757, is not the same as William of Prince George's County, born 1751.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Find A Grave: Memorial #121243156 Memorial for Willaim Finley. Accessed 12 July 2022 jhd
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Nancy Finley, widow. William Finley Revolutionary War Pension Application Complete Photographic File Ancestry.com. U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data:Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Accessed 12 May 2023 jhd
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15} Thomas G. Gilbert, Rapidan, Virginia.William Finley's HIstory Tennessee Genweb, 2009. Accessed 8 August 2022 jhd
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Nancy Finley, widow. William Finley Revolutionary War Pension Application: F3555, Film M804 Roll 976, p.534. Transcribed by Larry Hallstrom. Tennessee GenWeb Project. Accessed 12 May 2023 jhd
5. ↑ Harry Wright Newman. Maryland Revolutionary Records: Data obtained from 3050 Pension Claims and Bounty Land Applications, includes 1000 marriages of Maryland Soldiers and a list of 1200 Proved Sservices of Soldiers and Patriots of Other States. By the compiler: Washington, D. C., 1938. Book digitized at Family Search Page 114 Accessed 12 May 2023 jhd
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3} Find A Grave: Memorial #167592890 Memorial for Nancy Finley. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/167592890/nancy-finley: accessed 27 November 2022), memorial page for Nancy Treadway Finley (5 Oct 1773–1853), Find a Grave Memorial ID 167592890, citing Delany Cemetery, McKenzie, Carroll County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Myrtle Ennis (contributor 47571243) . Accessed 12 July 2022 jhd
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} 1850 United States Census for Carroll County, Tennessee. Ancestry.com (Paid site). [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/6000698:8054 Entry for Nancy Finley. Accessed 11 May 2023 jhd
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Image of torn sheet from dictionary https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1995/images/MIUSA1775D_135557-00541?treeid=12741513&personid=232088210037&usePUB=true&_phsrc=gOF32&_phstart=successSource&pId=20719
9. ↑ Rev. John H. Johns A History of the Rock Presbyterian Church in Cecil County, Maryland Oxford, Pa: "Oxford Press" Book and Job Office, 1872.
10. ↑ Wikipedia:James Finley