Guide to the Thomas McKean Finney Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title

Thomas McKean Finney Papers

Inclusive Dates

1838-1857

Call Number

RG 407

Creator(s)

Finney, T. M. (Thomas McKean), 1817-1859.

Quantity

0.75 cubic feet (2 boxes)

Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Biographical Note

Thomas McKean Finney was born to David T. and Mary James Finney on November 13, 1817 in Holmes County, Ohio. He graduated from Washington College in Washington, Pennsylvania (now Washington and Jefferson College) in 1840 or 1841. In 1841, Thomas married Jane Reed Orr (1817-1865). He was licensed to preach on October 5, 1841 and was ordained by the Presbytery of Coshocton, Ohio, on April 9, 1844. He served as an Old School pastor in New Philadelphia, Ohio from 1843 to 1851. Reverend Finney then joined the Free Presbyterian Church, which was formed in May, 1847 by New School Presbyterians who split with the church over the issue of slavery. From 1853 to 1859, he served as a stated supply pastor at Martinsburg, Ohio. Reverend Finney died in Martinsburg on July 20, 1859.

Collection Overview

The bulk of this collection consists of Reverend Finney's sermons. The diary discusses daily events with a particular emphasis on his preaching activities, while the correspondence consists of letters to his future wife, Jane Reed Orr, and letters from his father. The hymns and poems are religious, sentimental, and abolitionist in nature.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES 1: DIARY, 1840-1857

SERIES 2: CORRESPONDENCE, 1838-1845

SERIES 3: SERMONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, 1838-1855, n.d.

SERIES 4: MISCELLANEOUS, 1841, n.d.

Related Material

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were donated in 1993 by Robert B. Finney and Rena M. Harman, both great-grandchildren of Thomas McKean Finney.

Processing Information

Collection processed and finding aid prepared: August 1997
Robert Lukens, Archives Technician

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Personal Name Subject

Finney, T. M. (Thomas McKean), 1817-1859.

Topical Subject

Sermons, American--19th century.

Presbyterian Church--United States--Clergy--19th century.

Genre-form

Diaries. aat

Sermons. aat

Poetry. aat

Personal Added Name

Finney, Jane Reed Orr.

Finney, David T.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 407

		Researchers should use care handling the materials due to their fragility.

		SERIES 1: DIARY, 1840-1857

1	2	Diary, 1840-1857

		SERIES 2: CORRESPONDENCE, 1838-1845

1	3	Correspondence, 1838-1845

		SERIES 3: SERMONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, 1838-1855, n.d.

1	4	Sermons, 1842
1	5	Sermons, 1843
1	6	Sermons, 1844
1	7	Sermons, 1845-1846
1	8	Sermons, 1847-1855, n.d.

2	1	Life of Jacob essays, 1845
2	2	Poems and hymns, 1838, n.d.

		SERIES 4: MISCELLANEOUS, 1841, n.d.

2	3	Photograph, n.d.
2	4	Diploma and preaching license, 1841, n.d.

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Guide to the Thomas McKean Finney Papers

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