THIS PAGE WILL BE HEAVILY UPDATED AND RENOVATED OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS TIME ALLOWS 8.30.2010
UPDATE! Thanks to a decendant emailing me I have been looking into the exsitance of another of General Finleys offspring I had previously not heard of. I will be posting updates on GASTON FINLEY on the Finleys of Note page
This page is deticated with love, honor and rememberance
to a great solider, statesman, and southern gentleman.
This Page Is UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Over the next few weeks I will be putting
more pictures of the General and a Bio of his life's work here. After studying my ancestor and seeing what
a full life He lived I decided that life should be shared with others as so much of our history is being forgotton.
-Erin Finley-Orick
Jesse Johnson Finley was born in Wilson County, TN. November 18 1812
to Obadiah Gaines and Mary Lewis Johnson Finley. He was named after his
grandfater Jesse Johnson. He died after a long and productive life in
Lake City FL. November 6 1904 and was laid to rest in
Evergreen Cemetary in Gainesville Florida.
Life overview of the General's serivce
Served in the Seminole War as a Calvary Captain. Served on the
Arkansas State Senate 1841, Mayor of Memphis Tenneessee 1845,
Served on the Florida State Senate 1850,1876-1877,1879,1881-1882.
Lawyer and Judge, appointed Judge in Floridas West Circuit Court 1853,
When the Civil War broke out he sided with the Confederacy becoming a
Confederate States Judge later resigning this post to enlist in the 6th Fl
Inf Co. D where he was a PVT and was quickly promoted to Captain then
Colonel. In 1863 written requests were made by at lest 6 other officers to
President Davis or the head General in the area that he be promoted
to General. After which his command became known as Finley's Brigade
He was twice wounded in battle first at Resaca and then still recovering
from wounds was wounded again crippled for life this time after his dead
horse fell on him crushing his leg at Jonesboro.Baddly wounded his men
wanted to move him out of harms way to a waiting train they were evacuating
on. Despite the danger of dying from his wounds or being captured the
General refused to be moved until all the wounded and other men were safely on
board. He was then almost captured by enemy forces during the loading as time
to board the train had run out and was spirited away in a wagon by
a faithful solider as enemy troops were arriving.
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"The time for compromise has now passed, and the South is determined to maintain her position, and make all who oppose her smell Southern powder and feel Southern steel"
- Jefferson Davis used these words in his inaugural speech on February 16, 1861
"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know where it is today."
-Robert E. Lee-
Email: erin_colien@yahoo.com
