John Finley

Will of John Finley, dated 22 June 1801, transcript

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Finley-1321

"Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1990," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-30352-1886-30?cc=1999... : accessed 27 May 2014 , Greene > Wills 1786-1877 vol A-G > images 193 through 196 of 778

Image transcribed 27 May 2014 by Jere McCormick Becker Permission granted for free non-commercial use and distribution of this document, conditioned upon inclusion of the citation and this notice.

Notes by Jere McCormick Becker 29 May 2014: (1) In the will, most of the children and grandchildren are explicitly referred to as such, except for Benjamin Morris Finley – who from the position I assume to be a son – and James Finley son of Charles Finley twenty dollars – who may be a grandson or perhaps a nephew. (2) Based on the names of the family members, the John Finley in this will appears to be the father of Eleven Finley, the father of my ancestor Isaac Finley. In the journal written by Isaac's grandson, Samuel Thomas Taylor, he states that the Finley's came to Arkansas from Virginia in 1814 before Arkansas was a state. The date of arrival in the state seems to be correct, but the origin is not. I have found reference to this family coming from either (or both) Maryland and South Carolina, but further identifying research is needed to identify where the family originated; based on this record, however, that the family was in Georgia before Arkansas is not in doubt.

Named Family Members:

John Finley (spouse not mentioned)
Children:

Linda Turk (husband: Theodocia Turk) Benjamin Morris Finley Uziah Finley child: Nancy Finley Elevin Finley child: Rachel Finley, Reubeckah Finley Rebekiah Dean (husband: John Dean) children: Ann Dean, Margaret Dean, Jane Pope Dean, Reubecka Dean, :Linda Dean William Finley(Son or brother?) Charles Finley (bequest to Charles' son James) child: James Finley Named Slaves: Women:

Judith (to be set free at his death) Cate Darcus Cloe (together with Tom) Lidia Jennie (mother of Beck) Girls:

Luck (together with Boson) Beck (daughter of Jennie) Charity Hannah Betty (described as a little girl) Men:

Boson Tom (together with Luck) George (together with Siah) Boys:

Siah (together with George) Andrew Daneill Ned Charlee Bill (described as a small boy) "Georgia Green County } In the name of God Amen – I John Finley of the County & State aforesaid, being far advanced in the decline of life & the afflictions of mortality, & calling to mind the uncertainty of life & the certainty of death sooner or later, and being at present of disposing mind & memory, do constitute & ordain this my last Will & testament to dispose of such worldly Estate as it has pleased the divine providence to place in this life at my discression (Viz) –

Item first – I commit my soul, at my decease, to that Almighty God that give it existence & my body to be decently Entered in the Earth, from whence it came – 2nd – It is my will that all my just debts be discharged by my Executors hereafter to be appointed if any there should be unsettled at my death - 3rd – I give to my daughter, Linda Turk who intermarried with Theodocia Turk, a negro woman called Cate and her increase forever ~ 4th – I give to Benjamin Morris Finley a negro woman called Darcus, with her increase forever ~ 5th – I give to my son Uziah Finley a negro fellow names Boson & a girl named Luck ~ 6th – I give unto my son Elevin Finley a negro fellow named Tom & a negro woman named Cloe ~ 7th – I give unto my Daughter Rebekiah Dean who intermarried with John Dean a negro woman named Lidia during her natural life & to go to her children that are heirs of her body that to be subject to the disposition of her husband John Dean or any other person, but her & the lawful heirs of her body together with any increase the said negros may have after this date ~ 8 – I give unto my son William Finley a negro fellow named George a negroe lad named Siah, a negro girl named Beck & her mother named Jennie, the house & land where I now live with all my household & kitchen furniture all my houses & stock of all kinds with all my plantation tools & all the land that of right belongs to me at this place but not to interfere with the land with I here give unto my son Elevin Finley whereon he now lives agreeable to the lines & marked trees made by me for that purpose. 9th – I give unto my Grand Children – Viz – Anne Dean, a negro Girl named Charity; Margaret Dean, a negro boy called Andrew: to Jane Pope Dean, a negro boy called Daneill – to Reubecka Dean, a negro boy called Ned – to Linda Dean, a negro girl named Hannah – I give unto Nancy Finley, daughter of Uziah Finley – a negroe boy named Charlee – I give unto Rachel Finley daughter of Eleven Finley, a small negroe boy called Bill – & to her sister Reubeckah Finley I give a little negroe girl named Betty – 10th – I give unto James Finley son of Charles Finley twenty dollars – 11th – It is my special direction to my Executors that my negro woman named Judith be set free at my death – 12th – I appoint Uziah Finley & my son Elevin Finley Executors of this my last will & testament. Given under my hand & seal this Twenty second day of June 1801 –

[signed] John Finley [seal] Test John Wood E. Park James Wood John Buckner

Georgia – Greene Court of Ordinary 30th Sep. 1803 The within will & testament of John Finley dec'd, proven in open court by the order of James Wood and John Wood subscribing witnesses to the same, who declared they saw the same signed & acknowledged by him the said John Finley in his proper senses & law. E. Park & John Buckner subscribe their names as witnesses with themselves – Tho. Carleton Clk – Recorded the 30th Ap. 1803" (Image transcribed 27 May 2014 by JereBecker)

Sources

• Maryland, Births and Christenings, 1650-1995," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F48H-FGC : accessed 05 Jun 2014 John Finly, 01 Jun 1725; citing Saint Johns Parish, Prince George's, Maryland, British America; FHL microfilm 14303.[1] John Finley's Will..1801.[1]
• 2. Citation "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893L-GS7X?cc=1999178&w... : 20 May 2014), Greene > Wills 1786-1877 vol A-G > image 195 of 778; citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
• http://www.jeanniemay.com/genealogy/turkfair/pafg52.htm#1513