Autographs
1819 In The Northwest Territory Counterfeiting Document
SAMUEL FINLEY (1752-1829). American Revolutionary War, Virginia Cavalry Major of historic merit, Major General of Militia Appointed in the War of 1812.
April 1819-Dated Federal Period, Early Northwest Territory, Manuscript Legal Document Signed, "Sam Finley" of the Grand Jury of the State of Ohio, Rob County, on the matter of Counterfeiting and Fraud by Joseph Bradley, Very Fine.
This extensive legal Document is 2 pages, legal size folio, written in dark brown ink on period paper, the first page reads, in part: "State of Ohio vs. Joseph Bradley... April 1819 pleas Not Guilty, Verdict Guilty, new trial granted & continued..." There are 3 horizontal folds with a repair on one fold and there are two folds with splits on the right edges.
Samuel Finley was a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to Virginia and served as a Major in
the Virginia Cavalry. On November 15, 1776, he was captured along with 2,817 other Americans soldiers at Fort Washington by British Major General Howe. Finley was held prisoner on Long Island, being exchanged after three years. He then fought in the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. General George Washington, being a longtime friend, appointed Finley the Collector of Public Money in the Northern Territory. Finley moved in the year 1796 to the vicinity of that is now Chillicothe, Ohio, then becoming one of the earliest settlers of the area. During the War of 1812, Finley was made a Major General of Militia. He raised and commanded a troop of light horse cavalry to repel the British-led Indians, and commanded the artillery at Detroit.
One of his sons, James Brown Finley, was his lieutenant at Detroit. Another son, Clement Alexander Finley served as an army surgeon during the Black Hawk War, the Seminole War, and the Mexican War. Later, on May 15, 1861 he was Appointed Surgeon General of the Union Army. A fine American family.
SAMUEL FINLEY (1752-1829). American Revolutionary War Major and Later Major General of Militia. One of his sons, James Brown Finley, was his lieutenant at Detroit. Another son, Clement Alexander Finley served as an army surgeon during the Black Hawk War, the Seminole War, and the Mexican War. Later, on May 15, 1861 he was Appointed Surgeon General of the Union Army. A fine American family.