Epilogue
Edward A. Reynolds, the brother to John Reynolds who gave testimony in the trial, was appointed the chief administrator of the Finney estate by Judge Henry Shippen within a week of the closing of the November, 1827 trial. As a young man E.A. Reynolds entered into active business and later filled many public offices of trust in Meadville. In 1818 he was appointed clerk of the board of county commissioners. In 1830 he was appointed Protonotary of Crawford County. Later in life, he was elected brigade inspector, with rank and title of major by the military division of Crawford County, and for seven years filled that position, through which he became generally known to the people of his own and adjoining counties. The one flaw in his appointment by Judge Shippen was that he was married to Maria Dunham, a sister-in-law to Catherine Mead who was a plaintiff in the 1827 will dispute.
E.A. Reynolds and David Derickson met with James Finney about one month after the end of the November,1827 trial and drew up the following agreement which both parties (Reynolds and Finney) signed.
JAMES FINNEY Meadville, Crawford County
Pennsylvania
and
EDWARD A. REYNOLDS
ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT
DEED BOOK "P", PAGES 249-250
DATED: 27 December 1827
RECORDED: 7 APRIL 1835
Memorandum of Agreement made this twenty seventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven by and between James Finney of Mead Township, Crawford County of the one part and Edward A. Reynolds of the Borough of Meadville of the other part.
Witnessed' that the said James Finney for and in consideration of the premises hereinafter mentioned doth hereby covenant, grant and agree to and with the said Edward A. Reynolds to remise, release, grant, sell and convey, and by these presents doth remise, release, grant, sell and convey unto the said Edward A. his heirs and assigns all his right, tides interest, property, claim and demand.
Of, in and to the tract of land adjacent to the Borough aforesaid and on the North side of it being the same which Robert Finney late of said County decd. and father of said James Finney died seized of and part of which land descended to the said James Finney as heir at law of the said Robert Finney, And the said Edward A. Reynolds covenants and agrees in consideration therefore to do, pay and perform as follows, viz - Assign to the said James Finney, his heirs and assigns a deed from the Sheriff of Crawford County to the said Edward's for three hundred acres of land in Beaver Township, County aforesaid sold by the Sheriff of Crawford County as the property of Thomas Foster at the suit of the Commissioners of said County - assign to said Finney a judgment which said Reynolds holds against Wm. Davis of Meadville for Sixty dollars in the Court of Common Pleas of said County - Give to said Finney an order on Wm. Davis an order for five dollars, Pay to the said Finney on the first day of June next twenty five dollars in cash, and further satisfy pay and discharge the said James Finney’s portion of the debts due by the estate of the said Robert Finney decd. All the costs that are due and owing by the said James Finney for contesting a suit with Lott P. Dunham & Catharine Dunham plaintiffs in the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford County at August Term 1827, and such portions of the costs as the said James would have been liable to pay, in the cases if the Execution of R. Finney decd. against the said James tried at the Nov. Term 1827 in the County aforesaid.
And the said James Finney doth further covenant and agree to execute and deliver to the said E. A. Reynolds his heirs and assigns all and every other deed or deed of conveyance necessary in law for the full and absolute release and conveyance of his portion of the land and premises aforesaid to the said Edward A. at any time the same may be required of him and the said James to deliver free and peaceable possession of the premises aforesaid to the said Edward forthwith or when called for.
WITNESS our hands and seals the day and year aforesaid
WITNESS James Finney (Seal)
David Derickson Edward Reynolds (Seal)
Recd. 27 Dec 1827 the five dollar order on Wm. Davis
James Finney
Recd. of Edw. A. Reynolds full compensation for the foregoing consideration mentioned in the agreement
January 22, 1828 James Finney
David Derickson
CRAWFORD COUNTY
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County David Derickson who being first duly sworn did depose and say that he is the witness to the execution of the foregoing instrument that the same was drawn by him and executed by the parties thereto and that he subscribed himself as a witness thereto at the request and in the presence of said parties as he now thinks and believes.
WITNESS my hand and seal the 25th April 1833. David Derickson
/s/ James Hamilton
ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN JAMES FINNEY AND EDWARD A REYNOLDS - 27th November 1827; Recorded April 7, 1835 - JAMES FINNEY sells a tract of land of land adjacent to the borough of Meadville and on the north side--received from ROBERT FINNEY. In return JAMES FINNEY RECEIVES, VIZ:
1. 300 acres in Beaver twp.- sold by the Sheriff of Craw-ford county as property of THOMAS FOSTER
2. A judgement that REYNOLDS holds against WM. DAVIS: $60.00
3. Give to said FINNEY an order on WM. DAVIS for $5.00
4. Pay FINNEY $24.00 in cash on next June 1st.
5. Pay all debts due and owing arising from the lawsuit contesting his father's will against CATHERINE and
LOT DUNHAM tried at the November term 1827.
James Finney (1787-1870) moved to the 300 acres of land in Beaver Township shortly after the January, 1828 agreement. He moved into one of the abandoned farm houses on the land and began farming that following spring. He had some money left over after the settlement with E.A. Reynolds to get him started with much needed farm equipment and seed. He was not allowed to claim any part of the old Robert Finney homestead including farm equipment. In 1830, he married Mary Sarah Meyers. He was 43 and she was 24 years old at the time. Their first child, James, Jr. was born the next year. In 1835 they became members of the newly founded Presbyterian Church in Conneatville and remained faithful members of the Presbyterian Church from then on. In 1839, they moved their family to Mount Hope, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He supported his family by the cultivation of fruit trees and by raising sheep from which he spent much of his time spinning wool. James Finney died in 1870. He and Sarah are buried in the Hardscrabble Cemetery near Mount Hope. By all historical accounts, James and Sarah were well respected members of their church and community. There was no value given for his real estate in the 1850 census. In the 1860 census, he is shown with $100 in real estate and $300 in personal estate.
Robert Mead (1800-1848), his brother and his sisters continued to live in the Mead mansion until about 1835. As a result of negotiations with long-time creditors, the house and the large acreage of land next to it were turned over to the creditors. The Robert's brothers and sisters were all married within the next five years. Maria married in 1833, Alexander in 1837 and Jane in 1838. The 1840 census shows Robert Mead living alone in Sadisbury Township about 5-10 miles west of Meadville. There is no historical record of him ever marrying. He died alone in Whiteside Township, Illinois in 1848. There are a number of clues in the probate of his estate that tell us much about his last years. There was apparently no will and his brother, Alexander Mead, was appointed administrator of the Robert Mead estate. Alexander and his family lived close by in the same township. The first clue given in the probate records is that of a payment to a John Guild for a number of unpaid debts, one of which was $1.00 for a quart of brandy. Another entry was for two quarts of brandy purchased on credit from another supplier. Additionally, another entry of three gallons of whiskey was purchased on credit. One debt that was finally paid through the probate was for repair to a gun and had been three years unpaid before Robert’s death. There were numerous debts of this sort in the probate papers. Amazingly, there were over one hundred and fifty court documents regarding the amounts that the administrator had to pay to Robert Mead’s creditors. It would seem that he followed in his father’s footsteps in the way in which he lived on extensive credit. Another payment for $100 was for “110 weeks of boarding” and another of $72 for “101 days boarding and care while sick.” The total value of Robert’s real estate was valued at $1,000 at the time of his death.
Fox Alden (1802-1856) was 25 years old at the time of the trial. He and his family moved to Pittsburgh sometime in the 1840s. He was known as “a leading criminal lawyer in the Allegheny Bar.” (This quote was taken from the obituary of his son-in-law.) He and his wife, Priscilla, had two children: Timothy C.W. Alden (1822-1902) and Harriet Alden (1831-1910). Fox Alden died in Pittsburgh in 1856 at age 54. He was known to have died from alcoholism according to research done by Allegheny College in the 20th Century. His real estate was valued at $5,000 in the 1850 census.
David Derickson (1799-1884) was 28 years old at the time of the Finney trial. He and his wife, Harriet, had one child who was three years old at the time. Between then and 1840, they had six more children. He was appointed in 1834 by President Monroe to be the Collector of Internal Revenue for the district. In 1856 he was elected additional Law Judge of the 6th District, a position he held for ten years when he returned to private practice. He was a member of a commission appointed to revise the statute laws of Pennsylvania. He served as the president of the board of trustees of Allegheny College from 1845 to 1874. He died in 1884 at age 85. In the 1860 census, his real estate was valued at $20,000 and personal estate as $50,000.
Judge Henry Shippen (1788-1838) was only 37 years old at the time of the Finney trial. He had only 13 years left to live as he died suddenly at age 50 in 1839 while still serving as a judge. He left his widow with nine children to raise. They ranged from less than one year old to age 21.
Daniel Bemus (1773-1866) He was 56 years old at the time of the Finney trial. He built extensive woolen, flour, lumber and oil mills on French Creek about two miles above Meadville. He did this several years before the Finney trial. In 1824 and again in 1828, Robert Mead and Dr. Daniel Bemus negotiated agreements for an exchange of land from the Jennet Mead estate to benefit the Bemus dam and mill complex. As a businessman he was successful, accumulating a handsome fortune, and at his death was possessed of considerable property. By this, it would appear that he turned away from his medical practice to become a full-time businessman. His first wife, Jane Miles (1789-1826), who bore him two daughters, died in 1826. He remarried in 1835 to Jane Brooks, the widow of Connor Clark (1792-182). Jane Brooks was a daughter of John Brooks, a judge serving alongside Judge Henry Shippen in the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas. In the 1860 census, Bemus’ real and personal estate was valued at $32,000.
Edward Augustus Reynolds (1797-1876) He was 30 years old and married to Maria Dunham (sister-in-law to Catherine Mead) with one child at the time of the Finney trial. In 1830 he was appointed Protonotary of Crawford County. In 1835 he bought a foundry operated for many years by Jered Shattuck, but gave it up about five years later. After this he was a member of the board of a large foundry known as the Eagle Iron Works. He was listed as a “scrivener” and a “foundryman” in the 1850 & 1860 census. In the 1860 census, Reynolds’ real and personal estate was valued at $14,000.
In 1839, six of the principals of the Finney will dispute served on the Allegheny College Board of Trustees. They were: David Derickson, Secretary, Honorable Henry Shippen, John Reynolds, Esq., James Hamilton, Esq., Dr. Daniel Bemus and James Doughty.
In 1844, the last known suit regarding the Robert Finney estate was brought by James Finney's youngest son, Joseph. This was the Joe Finney who was taken in by James Doughty in 1820 when James Finney left town to work on the Erie Canal. Joseph was eight years old at that time. In 1844 he was 32 years old and had his own family. His "Petition for Citation to the Executors" of the 1824 Robert Finney estate, namely, Robert Mead, Catherine (Mead) & Lot Dunham, stated "that it is more than one year since probate was taken of said will, and that said Executors have not settled any account of their proceedings under said will. Your petitioner, who as a divisee, is interested in said estate, therefore prays that said Executors may be cited to appear and settle their accounts agreeably to the laws of this Commonwealth." The next year Lot P. Dunham & Catharine Dunham "respectfully answer to the citation issued by the Court, requiring them and Robert Mead to settle an account as executors of Robert Finney, deceased, that they never accepted the said executorship, were not sworn, and did not act in the capacity of executors of said estate- That Robert Mead transacted all business of said estate, so far as your correspondents know or are informed." Robert Mead was no longer living in Pennsylvania. He had moved "out west" to southeast Illinois and died there in 1848.
In 1849, a remarkable letter from James Finney to his son, Joe, in 1849, showed up in the genealogical research (source unknown). Joseph Finney (1812-1853) and his young family lived in Meadville and James Finney lived in Mount Hope.
Joseph Finney Mount Hope, Ohio
Meadville, Crawford County April 13/49
State of Pennsylvania
April 15, A.D. 1849
"My Son I take this opertunity of informing you that wee are all well at present and I do hope that these few lines will find you in the same state of health. I have been verry unwell this winter with the bile fevor, but I have got better. The smallpox have been raging this spring in the neighborhood--have I got the children vaxinated. Your letter came to the Post Office and Joseph Hall was there and lifted a letter for himself and found that there was one for me and he paid the postage and fetched it home and put it in one of his day books and started to Pitsburgh the next morning, and when he came home he looked for it. I was sorry that I could not hear from you. I wish you to answer this letter with speed, and inform me how you are, all the friends are. I have not got a letter from William since you were here. You and I was talking about James going to lern the trade, but when we took it in consideration, as he wanted to take not with living that the trade would not answer for him to lern. He is now working for Hall at ten dollars per month for the year. I have rented the place from Hall that you and I was talking about. I feel much better satisfied as the conveninges is much better. The times is hard. The crops lookes very poor, and the weather is cold at present. Wheat is but 75 cents per bushel and other grain accordingly. There is a great apperence of havening plenty of fruit if not hit by the frost.--The people is flocking to California for to get gold. I wish you to write to tell me how Willson is and how Jane is and Sally is getting allong and have them write to me how you are getting along with your grandfather's estate or wither there is anny prospect of your getting the write-of-the-will in your hans, and write to me how you and Sarah got home and to inform me how all my friends is getting allong espaisley how James Doughtey and Thomas, Fred, and John Matticts and Edward Prandellis and give my respects to them. I have had the boyes going to school this winter and they have learned verry fast all but James, and he could not content himself to his book, he would rather chop hard all day. Farming sootes him best, and if he lives a farmer he shall be. Sister Sarah Finney I wish you to send an answer to me howe you and your family is getting allong as it takes great care to raise a family as I know it by experince. I am well at present but my bissinefs requires a greate deill of attention to take care of the family and to attend to my looms. I have a greate deel of spinning to do this summer. I have my yearlings and 3 cows to attend to and about 100 lbs of wool to spin on the shares for Mrs. Hall. Wee have a first rate spring house and good water all handey.
Wee remain your effectioned friends
James Finney To Joseph Finney
Sarah Finney to Sarah Finney and G. C.
Most obedient and answer without delay"
James Finney's tombstone, Hardscrabble Cemetery, Mount Hope, Tuscarawas County, Ohio The inscription was " For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."