IF ANYONE HAS A FINLEY ANCESTOR THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE ON THIS PAGE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH A PICTURE IF YOU HAVE ONE AND A SHORT BIO OF THE ANCESTOR
JOHN FINLEY
When the first white people entered the area, which is now Kentucky, it was being used as a hunting ground by the SHAWNEE and CHEROKEE Indians.Dr. Thomas Walker, entered Kentucky after discovering Cumberland Gap in 1750. The gap provided a relatively easy route through the Cumberland Mountains, and in subsequent years countless explorers and settlers were to move through it. The first expedition into Kentucky was led by John Finley in the autumn of 1767, when Finley, with some companions, went up the Ohio Valley on a trading and hunting expedition. He traveled upstream and journeyed inland to Big Bone Lick. Here he met with a group of friendly Shawnees, that had just returned from a hunt. They invited him to join them in their village, Eskippakithiki, in the heart of Kentucky, promising him good trading in furs. When Finley returned from his adventurous excursion into the unexplored wilds, giving a glowing account of the richness and fertility of the region, with an abundance of game, it piqued and excited the curiosity of the men in North Carolina and Virginia. A young man by the name of Daniel Boone was one of these backwoodsmen that was ever on the watch for adventures and could not resist the chance to explore this new country so favorably described by John Finley. On June 17, 1769 John Finley returned as a guide for Daniel Boone and a company of three other men; John Steward, Joseph Halden, James Mooney and William Cooke. There was several others explorers in subsequent years but the legendary Daniel Boone became one of the best-known.
GENERAL CLEMENT ALEXANDER FINLEY
b. May 11, 1797 d. September 8, 1879
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Served as a Surgeon in the Pre-Civil War US Army, and as Surgeon General of the Army when the Civil War broke out in 1861. He continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1862, when other officers dealt with and improved Civil War methods of medicine. He was nonetheless brevetted Brigadier General, US Regular Army for "long and faithful services in the army".
SGT.JEREMIAH FINLEY w/ his army horse
Fled from Ireland in the mid 1800's? to escape suspision of murder there. Fought during the Civil War. Served under General Custer. The leathr vest that there are pictures of General Custer wearing was made for the general by SGT. Finley who had a great deal of respect for the General. Died at Little Big Horn. Was a SGT in Captian Tom Custer's Cav.(photo from Custer Battlefield Museum)
LUCIUS FINLEY
Oldest Son of General Jesse J. FInley. Born 1833-Died1893. Studied law under his father. Enlisted during the Civil War was in the Arkansas Co. F 3rd Reg. CSA and was trasnfered to General Heidman's Legion at Bowling Green Kentucky. He was poisoned with other soliders there then later wounded and captured at the Battle of Murfreesboro.
SAMUEL YEARGER FINLEY
"HE DIED AS HE HAD LIVED IN PEACE WITH THE WORLD. A MAN WITH GREAT HISTORY WHOM EVERYONE RESPECTED." (Gainesville Sun Monday June 29th 1903). Second son of General Jesse J Finley. Died the year before the Generals passing. Served on the side of the Confederacy in the Florida Brigade (AKA: Finley's Brigade) with his father. Samuel practiced law with his father in peace time and also served as judge. He too enjoyed a fine political career and was the first mayor of Gainesville Florida.
CPT. CHARLES A. FINLEY
Born April 22 1849 died May 22 1934. 5th son of General Jesse J. Finley. He was a Cpt. in the Reserve corps during the Civil War. Owned and operated Florida newspaper The Lake City Reporter for 14 years before retiring due to ill health. Like his father and brothers Cpt. Finley enjoyed a healthy political career serving as Secretary of the Florida State Senate for a number of years and was unamimously elected as Secretary Emeritus a postion he heald untill the time of his death. (obituary from the Florida Times Union Wensday May 23, 1934)(Picture and Obituary provided by Capt. Finley's grandson Dan Fowler of Virginia. Many thanks Dan.)
GASTON FINLEY
Name: Gaston Finley ,
Residence: Marianna, Florida
Enlistment Date: 02 December 1862
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Florida
Death Place: Duval County, FL
Unit Numbers: 1117 1117 1097
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 02 December 1862
Enlisted in Company E, 6th Infantry Regiment Florida on 02 December 1862.
Detailed on 15 January 1863 at Strawberry Plains, TN (Detailed as Drill Master)
Transfered on 30 July 1863 from company E to company I
Promoted to Full Lieutenant 3rd Class on 30 July 1863 (As of Co. I)
Promoted to Full Captain on 12 August 1863 (As of Co. K 1st FL Cav)
Discharged for promotion Company E, 6th Infantry Regiment Florida on 12 August 1863
Commission in Company K, 1st Cavalry Regiment Florida on 12 August 1863.
Wounded on 19 September 1863 at Chickamauga, GA (Slightly wounded in leg)
POW on 25 November 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN
Confined on 01 December 1863 at Johnson's Island, OH (Estimated date)
Returned on 22 April 1864 at Point Lookout, MD
POW on 11 May 1864 at Yellow Tavern, VA
Confined on 20 May 1864 at Fort Delaware, DE (Estimated date)
Oath Allegiance on 12 June 1865 at Fort Delaware, DE (Released)
Height: 5'10 "
Eye Color: dark
Hair Color: brown
Complexion: fair
