Biographical Sketch of Robert FINNEY (1881); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Candace Roth . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** From THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope (1881); pg. 547 FINNEY, Robert, born in Ireland about 1668, came to America with his wife, Dorothea, and children a early as 1720, and settled in new London township. He purchased from Michael Harlan, in 1722, the "Thunder Hill" tract of 900 acres, for which a patent was afterwards granted him, dated Aug. 4, 1733. Tradition states that he was one of the defenders of Londonderry, and in the battle of the Boyne, 1690, he was wounded and left upon the field as dead. Regaining consciousness in the night, and finding a horse grazing near, he mounted and rode away. It is also said that at the burial of some one years after his sepulture, his skull was discovered with a hole in it, showing where the wound had been. another oft-repeated tradition is to the effect that before leaving Ireland he dreamed that he had emigrated and purchased land in America, and when he actually came he recognized in "Thunder Hill" the home of his dream. Upon a corner of this tract he and his wife were buried, and the spot was reserved for a family burying-ground. He died in March, 1755, and his wife in May, 1752. Their children were, so far as known,--1. John, who settled at New Castle, physician, died 1774; was the father of David Finney, judge of the Supreme Court of Delaware. 2. Robert, physician, of Thunder Hill, who died about 1782, probably unmarried. 3. Lazarus, m. Catherine Simonton, was the first tavern- keeper at New London Crossroads; died about 1740, leaving children,--Robert, John, Dorothy, and Catharine. the widow married John Frew, who continued the tavern-keeping business at the old stand. 4. Latitia, m. William McKean, was the mother of governor Thomas McKean. 5. William, m. Jane Stephenson; died about 1751, leaving children,--Robert, John, Walter (judge), Elizabeth (m. to Andrew Henderson), and Jane (m. to a Mr. Hunter, and lived in Pittsburgh). 6. Thomas, m. to Mary ---; died in New London about 1767, leaving children,--Robert, Dorothea, and Ann. 7. Ann, m. to John McClenachan, of New London. Rev. Spencer L. Finney, of Rye N.Y., is descended from Lazarus Finney through Robert, Lazarus, and Robert, he being of the sixth generation. He has in his possession the old deed and patent for Thunder Hill, with other family papers. Walter Finney, born in New London, 1747, purchased the farm on which his father had lived, and, with the exception of the time spent in the service of his country, passed his days in the cultivation thereof. He joined the American army, with the rank of lieutenant, at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, serving throughout that memorable contest, and also through the Indian wars at the conclusion of the Revolution. During his service he attained to the rank of captain, and was brevetted a major Aug. 10, 1776; among other engagements, was in the battle of Brandywine; on one occasion was wounded in the head by a grape-shot; experienced captivity in a New York prison- ship, where he was nearly starved to death before he was exchanged; and although clearly entitled to a pension, he never applied for it. While a young and enthusiastic lieutenant, Mr. Finney manifested his patriotic zeal by fitting out at his own expense two of his servants who had entered the provincial service in Col. Atlee's battalion. At the conclusion of his military career, Capt. Finney became a member of the State Society of the Cincinnati, and was soon after appointed a justice of the County Court; under the constitution of 1790 he was an associate judge of the court, in which office he was continued until his decease, Sept. 20, 1820. He had presided over the courts for several years when they were held by the justices of the peace; and after the appointment of judges he usually presided in the absence of the president judge, and it is said conducted the business with great satisfaction. Walter Finney was one of the fairest specimens of a Pennsylvania patriot. Honest and faithful, a good citizen and a pious man, he was always ready to do his duty to the republic. He married Mary O'Hara, who died Aug. 10, 1823, and both are buried at Thunder Hill.