Finley, David F.

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David F. Finley was a Monroe County, Ind., businessman and landowner during the 19th century.

From the description of David F. Finley papers, 1812-1878 (bulk 1825-1873). (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 55120149

David Finley’s papers do not provide exact knowledge of some important information (such as date or place of birth or date of death) or of his connection to Indiana University. Such biographical information as can be ascertained appears here.

David F. Finley was born about 1800 in Tennessee, and moved to Monroe County, Indiana, before 1822. Finley began work in Monroe County as a carpenter, but within a few years was involved in other activities and in public life. In 1827 he made several land purchases, was made supervisor of the maintenance of East Main Street in Bloomington, and served as treasurer for the local Masonic Lodge. Finley was involved in each of these activities for most of his life, and thus became acquainted with the Ketchams and other leading families of Monroe County.

As a family, the Finleys were geographically dispersed, with members moving as far west as Missouri and Iowa. David Finley served as a vanguard in southern Indiana for other family members. His brother George joined him after 1828, and a relation named Patsy Finley was living with him in 1829. George Finley had brought with him from Tennessee a slave named Dinah; in 1829 this relationship was converted to fifteen years’ indentured service. By 1841 David Finley had married a woman named Jane, and together they had at least two children. Finley may have had a son from a previous marriage, named George W. Marchbanks.

Finley retained a post involving Monroe County roads until at least 1834, and acted as an attorney and physician on several occasions. At some point (perhaps during the Black Hawk War) he was commissioned a captain in the 13th Brigade of the Indiana Militia, serving as brigade quartermaster. Throughout the 1830s and 1840s he continued to deal in land and to build houses and buildings. In the 1850s he made at least one trip west, stopping in Missouri, and he invested in land in Kansas. These investments were jeopardized during the Civil War. During the 1860s Finley sought to look after his family, signing a mortgage, paying for medical care and loaning money to various relatives. He had investments with the bank of Buskirk and Hunter in Bloomington, and with the Western Finance Corporation of Louisville, Kentucky. He died about May of 1877.

From the guide to the David F. Finley papers, 1812-1878, bulk 1825-1873, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Abbreviated property descriptions for selected Finley patents and deeds in Augusta County, Virginia. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous papers, 1800-1932. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn John Finley surveys in Augusta County, Virginia. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
creatorOf Finley, David. Reines d'un jour [Multimédia multisupport] / Stéphane Bernasconi, Dale Schott, réal. ; David Finley, scénario ; Milan Kymlicha, comp. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Finley abstracts from "Montgomery County, Virginia - Circa 1790," by Schreiner-Yantis. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Bedford Docs. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn John Trimble abstracts for Chalkley, Augusta County, Virginia, 18th century. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Finley census records in Montgomery County, Kentucky - 1810 to 1830. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn David Finley to Paul Hulse, Jr., for debt, 299 acres in Clarke County, Kentucky. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Joseph Wilson records in Augusta County, Virginia (from Chalkley). Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn James Findley appointed guardian for Samuel Findley, 11 August 1845, Cass County, Missouri. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
creatorOf David F. Finley papers, 1812-1878, bulk 1825-1873 Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management
referencedIn Chronology of Robert Finley of Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, and his brother, James Finley, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn John and George Finley, property descriptions, Middle River, Augusta County, Virginia, 1740-1791. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn David and Elizabeth [Finley] of Augusta County to John Johnston, 848 acres, 1 October 1794. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
creatorOf Finley, David F. David F. Finley papers, 1812-1878 (bulk 1825-1873). Indiana University
referencedIn David Finley of Knox County, Kentucky to Matthew Thomson of Clarke County, Mortgage, 1000 acres on Howard's Upper Creek originally patented by James Crockett, 2 January 1802. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn David and Elizabeth Finley to John Shields of Amhurst County, Virginia, 2 September 1793. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn James and Mary Crockett of Wythe County, VA to David Finley of Clarke County, KY, 1000 acres on Howard's Upper Creek. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
creatorOf Finley, David. Reines d'un jour [Multimédia multisupport] / Stéphane Bernasconi, Dale Schott, réal. ; David Finley, scénario ; Milan Kymlicha, comp. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn David Finley mortgage of 2 January 1802 to Matthew Thomson, settled 7 May 1803, Clarke County, Kentucky. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Finleys on Montgomery County, Kentucky tax lists - 1797 to 1811. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn David Finley's Patent for 110 acres, 18 November 1791. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn Finley and related patents and grants in Virginia State Land Office. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn The 1787 census of Virginia, compiled by Netti Schreiner-Yantis. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn John Finley Inventory, 20 December 1791, Augusta County, Virginia. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
referencedIn David Findley vs. James Findley, 28 September 1846 and 22 March 1847, Cass County, Missouri. Sonoma State University, Schulz Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Indiana. Militia. Brigade, 13th corporateBody
associatedWith McLellan family, family
Place Name Admin Code Country
Indiana--Monroe County
Monroe County (Ind.)
Kansas
Subject
Businessmen
Deeds
Indentured servants
Landowners
Real property
Real property tax
Occupation
Activity

Person

Active 1812

Active 1878

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