These pages were created by Aprille Cooke McKay circa 2002 and went offline from the University of Michigan site that hosted them in late 2005. I've reproduced them here with her permission in 2006 and have done some minor corrections of typos. I do not plan to actively update these pages but I do welcome corrections, supplementary info, and links to complementary info and related church sites. Please use the threaded discussion boards on this site to discuss these pages and to offer additional info, clarification and to network with descendants for genealogy purposes. Hosting for these pages is provided courtesy of GetOggz.com. & Malcolm Humes.

Early American Presbyterians -- F

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    • Ashbel Green Fairchild, D.D. (1795-1864)

    He was born at Hanover, New Jersey, May 1st, 1795. He graduated at Princeton College, in September, 1813; studied theology at Princeton Seminary, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Jersey, April, 1816. Subsequently he made two missionary tours, one in North Carolina, the other on the waters of the Monogehela, and on the upper branches of the Allegheny. He was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Redstone, April 21st, 1818, and was appointed stated supply to the congregation of George's Creek for half of his time and on July 1st following he was ordained as an evangelist by this Presbytery. On July 2d, 1822, he was installed pastor of the churches of George's Creek, Morgantown and Greensboro'. In April, 1827, he resigned the charge of the congregations of Morgantown and Greensboro' and became pastor of the Tent Church, to which he devoted the half of his time. From this date he labored faithfully and successfully in the united pastorate of the churches of George's Creek and Tent, till, 1854, when he resigned the former charge, that he might devote the whole of his time to the Tent congregation, of which he remained pastor until his death, in June, 1864, a period of thirty-seven years.

    Besides frequent contributions to the weekly religious press, the publications from Dr. Fairchild's pen are: "The Great Supper," "Scripture Baptism," "Unpopular Doctrines," and "What Presbyterians Believe," all of which are issued by the Presbyterian Board of Publication. "The Great Supper," has been translated into German, and, with one or two exceptions, no book published by the Board has a larger circulation.

    Rev. George Faitoute (pre 1756-1815)

    He acted as Tutor in the College of New Jersey for a short time after graduating, in 1776. He received his license to preach from the Presbytery of New Brunswick, about 1778, and was ordained and settled at Greenwich, New Jersey, in 1782. Between 1787 and 1789 he occasionally supplied the pulpit at Deerfield, New Jersey. In 1789 he removed to Long Island, and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Jamaica, where he died suddenly, on the Sabbath, August 21st, 1815, having preached with his usual vigor in the morning.  Upon division of the Presbytery of Long Island in 1809, he was assigned to the Presbytery of New York, together with his congregation.

    Rev. William Montague Ferry (1795-1867)

    He was the son of Noah and Hanhan (Montague) Ferry, and was born in Granby, Massachusetts, September 8th, 1795. He graduated at Union College in 1820; attended the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, New Jersey, for two years and finished his studies under Gardiner Spring, D.D., of New York. He was licensed and ordained by New York Presbytery in 1832, an dunder a commission from the United Foreign Missionary Society, he was appointed as missionary to the Indians of the northwest, which led to the establishmentof the Mackinaw Mission on the island of Michilimackinac, Michigan. The history of his labors there is that of incessant toil. He established schools among the Indians, and hundreds of their children were brought under the influence of religion.

    On November 2d, 1834, Mr. Ferry removed with his family to the point where the city of Grand Haven now stands; his was the first white family in the county. For eighteen years he built that people up in the faith without fee or reward. Where he instituted the Church, in a log hut on the shores of Lake Michigan, six churches now gather to worship God. He died December 30th, 1867, in Grand Haven. For religious, charitable and educational purposes, he bequeathed $137,000. He was the father of the Hon. T.W. Ferry, who has been a member of the United States Senate from Michigan.

    Rev. Jacob Ten Eyck Field (1787-1866)

    He was the son of Jeremiah and Jane (Ten Eyck) Field, and was born in Lamington, New Jersey, October 31st, 1787. Early in life he united with the Presbyterian Church, and was prepared for college by his pastor, Rev. William Boyd. Graduated from Princeton College, 1806. He studied theology under Dr. Woodhull, of Monmouth, and was licensed by teh Presbytery of New Brunswick. 1807 he was appointed by the Home Missionary Society to labor in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. In the Spring of 1810 he received a call from the Presbyterian church, Flemington, New Jersey, but preferred to serve as a supply for six months before deciding to accept. He was ordained and installed, November 28th, 1810. Remained in Flemington until April 27th, 1813. The congregation parted from him with reluctance. He then accepted a call to D.R. Church, Pompton, New Jersey. From 1833 to October 5th, 1841, was stated supply, and then pastor, of the Presbyterian churches of Stroudsburg and Middle Smithfield, Pennsylvania. In 1839, when fifty-two years old, he was disabled by a stroke of paralysis, from which he never sufficiently recovered to resume his work, although he lived twenty-seven years, dying at the advanced age of eighty, at Belvidere, New Jersey, May 17th, 1866. He established a scholarship in Lafayette College, which bears his name. When in health he was a man of fine personal appearance, and of good talents.

    Rev. Robert Findley (b. pre 1769)

    Minister in Western Pennsylvania. From June, 1789, to November, 1792, he is name a principal supplier of the pulpit of Pittsburg.

    Hon. William Findley (1763-1846)

    The fourth Governor of Pennsylvania under the Constitution of 1790, from December 16th, 1817, to December 19th, 1820, was born at Mercersburg, Franklin county, June 20th, 1763. He commenced life as a farmer, on a portion of his father's estate, which at the death of his father in 1799, he inherited. The first office which he ever held was that of Brigade Inspector of militia. In 1797 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature. he was again elected to the House in 1803. He proved himself a leading member, and one of the most useful in the House, being placed in the most responsibel positions. January 13th, 1807, he was elected State Treasurer, and was annually re-elected to that office for eleven years, when he resigned to assume the duties of Chief Magistrate.

    At the session of the Legislature, 1821-2, Governor Findley was elected to the Senate of the United States for the full term of six years. At the expiration of his Senatorial term he was appointed Treasurer of the United States Mint at Philadelphia and resigned the office on account of the infirmities of age. He died at Harrisburg, at the residence of his son-in-law, Governor Shunk, November 12th, 1846. Governor Findley was a very popular man.

    Hon. John Fine (1794-1867)

    He was born in the chity of New York, August 26th, 1794. He graduated from Columbia College in 1809, next to the head of the class. He studied law, and in 1815 opened an office in St. Lawrence county. In 1824 he was appointed first Judge of the county, and reappointed at the expiration of successive terms of office until he retired on his election to Congress, in 1838, where he served, during the latter of his two years, on the Committee of Foreign Affairs. In 1844 he was again placed on the Bench, and sat there until the reorganization of the courts in 1847, under the new Constitution of the State. In 1848 he was chosen a State Senator. From 1821 to 1833 he acted as County Treasurer, and on his resignation, the Board of Supervisors. In 1852 he published a valuable volume of lectures on "Law." Judge Fine's name is as familiar to the Synod of Central New York as that of any minister who has lived within its bounds. On removing to St. Lawrence county he ws substantially a superintendent of the missionary field about him, and looked after the waste places and feeble churches. He took a prominent part in initiating and consummating the "Reunion." Judge Fine died in 1867. For fity-six years he served as ruling elder in the church at Ogdensburg, and was one of the first two chosen for the office there.

    Gen. Clement A. Finley (b. 1797)

    He was the son of Samuel Finley, who was a nephew of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, President of Princeton College, a Major in the Virginia line during the Revolutionary War, and a commander of a regiment of Mounted Riflemen in the war of 1812. He was born in Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1797; graduated at Washington College, Pennsylvania; studied medicine in Chillicothe, Ohio, and received his diploma in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Finley entered the army August 10th, 1818, as surgeon's Mate of the First Regiment of Infantry, then stationed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He subsequently filled the positions of Assistant Surgeon, and Surgeon, and was Medical Director in the field, with Generals Jessup, Scott, and Taylor, in the Black Hawk, Seminole, and Mexican Wars. He spent nearly eight years on the frontier of Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, accompanied the commands that established Forts Leavenworth, Jefferson Barracks, and Gibson, and went with General Dodge on one of the earliest expeditions to the Rocky Mountains in 1834.

    In 1861 he was appointed Surgeon General of the United States Army, and having served his country honorably and acceptably forty-four years, he retired from active service upon his own application. The commission of Brevet Brigadier General was given him by the President on his retirement, for long an dfaithful service. General Finely wa a fine specimen of a Christian gentleman. His appearance was commanding and impressive.

    Rev. James Finley (1725-1795)

    He was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in February, 1725; was educated at Fagg's Manor, under Samuel Blair; was licensed by the New Castle Presbytery, and installed pastor of East Nottingham, on the Rock, in Cecil County, Maryland, in 1752. Mr. Finley crossed the Alleghenies in 1765, and again in 1767, and by the direction of the Synod, supplied Ligonier, and the vacancies beyond the mountains for two months, in 1771-2. His pastoral relation at Nottingham, against the remonstrance of an attached people, was dissolved, May 17th, 1782. He was not dismissed to Redstone Presbytery till April 26th, 1785, and he was received by that body June 21st. He was called to Rehoboth and Round Hill, both in the forks of the Youghiogheny, in the Fall of 1784, and remained there till his death, January 6th, 1795. On removing to the West, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania intrusted important business to Mr. Finley, and commissioned him as a Justice of the Peace and a Judge of the Common Pleas.

    Rev. John Evans Finley (b. pre 1760)

    He was a nephew of President Finley, was licensed to preach by New Castle Presbytery, about 1780, and was settled at Fagg's Manor, Pennsylvania. About the year 1795 he removed to Kentucky, and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Bracken, Mason county, were he exercised his ministry during the great revival in the West. He occasionally supplied the pulpit at Red Oak between 1803 and 1806. As senior pastor he gave the sermon at the first meeting of the Presbytery of Washington in 1799. In 1801 he was directed to supply one Sabbath a month at New Market, and the remainder of his time at Germantown, Bracken and Union, at discretion. He was noted as absent at the first meeting of the Synod of Kentucky in 1802. In 1802, he was made Stated Supply at Mr. Walls', on White Oak, for one-third of his time and at Augusta, Kentucky, for a half of his time. For the most part, he seems to have been appointed to preach at discretion. He appears to have lived in the neighborhood of Red Oak, Ohio. He was moderator of his presbytery ten times, and there is nothing to indicate that he was not held in respect by all the members and had the confidence of all the churches, until at the thirty-ninth meeting of Presbytery, at Washington, Kentucky, October 5-7, 1813, when a charge was brought against him for immoral conduct, and it was resolved that: "in order to an investigation of the case, there will be a special meeting of Presbytery, at Red Oak, on the fourth Wednesday of November next." At this special meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Finley acknowledged the facts alleged in the charge, and therefore no witnesses were cited, and it was resolved: "That John E. Finley be, and hereby is, suspended from the gospel ministry, and that he be, and hereby is, suspended also from the communion of the church. And it is further resolved that as Mr. Finley has confessed the facts alleged in the charge and professed sorrow for his conduct, the session of Red Oak church, be, and they hereby are, authorized to restore him to the communion of the chruch, as soon as they may deem it consistent with the interests of religion. This is the only case in the history of the Presbytery of suspension of a minister. (The History of the Chillicothe Presbytery by R.C.Galbraith, Jr.)

    Robert Finley, D.D. (1772-1817)

    He was born at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1772; graduated at Princeton College in 1787, and by the advice of Dr. Witherspoon, was appointed teacher of the Grammar School connected with the college. After remaining in this situation some time, he took charge of an academy at Allentown, New Jersey. In 1791 he removed to Charleston, South Carolina, and became Principal of an academy in that city.

    Having determined to devote himself to the ministry, Mr. Finley returned to Princeton and again conducted the Grammar School, but was soon appointed Tutor in the college, and served in that capacity from 1793 to 1795. On September 16th, 1794, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and on June 16th, was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Baskingridge, New Jersey where he also conducted on of the largest and most popular schools of the day.

    About this time Mr. Finley conceived the idea of African Colonization, and he may be considered as the founder of the American Colonization Society. In 1817 he was elected to the Presidency of the University of Georgia, but he had hardly entered upon the duties of his new position when disease seized him, and he died, October 2d, 1817.He published several sermons.

    Rev. Robert W. Finley (b. pre 1775)

    Record of the Presbytery of Transylvania: "In re R.W. Finley, received February 17, from Redstone Presbytery, February, 1795, he is accused of drunkenness: not present, but petitions for a session meeting to be ordered, to inquire concerning himself, and to try certain person for scandal. This refused, a letter is handed in from him, denouncing Presbytery, and declaring his renunciation of the authority and connection. Presbytery then deposed him and declared his charge vacant. In April he appeared, said he misunderstood, and signed a paper, and was restored; his trial was ordered; July, Presbytery met at his place, sent for him twice. He sent word they need not trouble themselves for he should not come; also sent a letter renouncing jurisdiction again. Suspended; his charges of scandal dismissed; cited to the next Presbytery. October, having disregarded four citation sand continuing to preach, he is deposed. He was pastor of Ash Ridge and Concord Churches."

    Davidson, p. 127 says: "The Rev. Robert Finley, originally from South Carolina, was received from Redstone Presbytery, February 20th, 1792, with a high character, which he soon contrived to forfeit. . . He was finally deposed October 6, 1796"

    But the records of the Washington Presbytery in 1801 include the following: "An address from the people of New Market, respecting the restoration of Mr. Robert W. Finley, formerly member of the Presbytery of Transylvania, and by them deposed, was read. Presbytery having also heard Mr. Finley as to his desire of returning, Resolved that longer time will be necessary to evidence the nature of his repentance, and heal the wound he has given to religion."

    After being deposed by the Presbyterians, R.W. Wilson turned to Methodism. He was received into the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1812.

    Samuel Finley, D.D. (1715-1766)

    He was born in the year 1715, in the county of Armaugh, Ireland. After having obtained the rudiments of an English education, his parent sent him to a school at some distance from home.

    In his nineteenth year he left his native country and arrived in Philadelphia, September 28th, 1734. He resumed his studies, with reference to the ministry, put himself under the care of New Brunswick Presbytery, and was licensed to preach August 5th, 1740. He traveled extensively, for some time after his licensure, and cooperated vigorously with the friends of the revival. He labored for a considerable time, and with great success in West Jersey, in Deerfield, Greenwich, and Cape May. He was ordained probably as an evangelist, by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, October 13th, 1742.

    In August, 1743, Mr. Finley received a call from Milford, Connecticut, and the Presbytery sent him to Milford "with allowance that he also preach for other places thereabouts, when Providence may open a door for him." In June, 1744, he accepted a call from the congregation in Nottingham, Maryland. Here he instituted an academy, with a view chiefly of preparing young men for the ministry, which acquired great reputation. He was chosen to the presidency of the College of New Jersey, upon the death of President Davies, in 1761, and, having accepted this appointment, his administration, which continued for five years, fully met the highest expectations. By unremitted application to the duties of his office, his health was impaired, and he died, July 17th, 1766. Dr. Finley's publications consisted mainly of sermons, the last of which was preached on the death of President Davies, 1761.

    Rev. Samuel Finley (d. aft 1802)

    He was present at the first meeting of the Synod of Kentucky in 1802, as a member of the Presbytery of Transylvania.
     

    Rev. Peter Fish (1751-1810)

    He was born on November 23, 1751 in a house on the shore of Flushing Bay, Newtown, Long Island. Fish was converted at the age of thirteen. He was inspired by George Whitefield, an Anglican revivalist minister who preached at Newtown in 1764, when Simon Horton was pastor at Newtown. Fish graduated from Princeton College in 1774, and received his license to preach from the Presbytery of NewYork in 1779. Fish became the stated supply at Newtown in 1785.
    Fish’s uncle had donated land to build an earlier church for the Newtown church. During a service in 1769, his father died during worship in that church. The record of this event is most curious: “This occurred very suddenly, while attending public worship in the church, March 3, 1769, in his 69th year. Retaining in his face the color freshness of health, his burial was deferred several days, but no change perceived, he was interred. It was a question whether he was really dead.” He may have experienced a seizure.

    Fish devoted his energies to erecting a church building for Newtown on the same site as the old church. The congregation might have considered building a new church since the British had practically destroyed the old building during the Revolution. Perhaps the unpleasant personal association of his father’s death within the old building prompted Fish’s efforts to tear it down. The new building he inspired became known as the Old White Church.

    On June 30, 1785, he married Hannah Hankinson of Freehold, New Jersey. Eight children survived to adulthood. Fish refused a permanent position at Newtown, some said due to ill health. After two years, his family left Newtown in November 1788. After moving to Connecticut Farms, New Jersey, he quickly accepted ordination and installation the following March. He ministered in New Jersey for ten years, then moved to upstate New York.  He remained in contact with Newtown during this absence, for in 1790, the congregation accepted Nathan Woodhull on Fish’s recommendation.

    His poor physical condition forced him into retirement when at the age of 40. Fish moved back to Newtown and purchased a home.   Upon division of the Presbytery of Long Island in 1809, he was assigned to the Presbytery of New York.  After Woodhull died in 1810, he became the pastor of Newtown again at the congregation’s request. Fish died five months later. His wife survived him by fourteen years. The Fish family has served many years in both church and town affairs. Peter Fish was a relative of the Hamilton Fish family that has supplied a governor, a senator, and a series of Congressmen for New York State from the early years of this Republic to only a few years ago. Another relative married into the Stuyvesant family, and was given a townhouse in 1800 as a wedding gift. The townhouse got landmark status in New York and still stands on Stuyvesant Street. Peter Fish also had a relative named Preserved Fish.
    Adapted from the information on the Newtown church's website by Robert Singleton at http://www.fpcn.org/history/pastors/fish.html

    Rev. William Henry Foote (1794-1869)

    He was born at Colchester, Connecticut, December 20, 1794, the son of Stephen and Hannah Waterman Foote. He was a descendant in the 7th generation from Nathaniel Foote and Elizabeth Deming who came from England about 1633 and settled at Weathersfield, Connecticut in 1649. He had a degree from Yale in 1816 and taught at Falmouth, Virginia 1816-18 and part of 1818 at Winchester. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary 1818-19 and received an honorary doctorate from Hampden-Sidney in 1847. He was a candidate at Fredericksburg, Virginia October 10, 1817, licensed Oct 20 1819 and ordained September 7, 1822. He was an itinerant of Patterson's Creek and South Branch (Va.) and June of 1822 was settled at Woodstock. He organized Union Church, Shenandoah Co., Virginia and resided at Romney, November 1824-November 22, 1869 when he died except was a refugee in Virginia 1861-65. He was the pastor at old Mt. Bethel 1824-33; reorganized Romney, organized Springfield, Patterson's Creek, Mountain and N. River 1833-34. He was an agent for the Board of Foreign Missions in Virginia and North Carolina 1838-45. and was pastor of Romney and Springfield 1845-69, Patterson's Creek 1845-1860. Principal of Potomac Academy and author of Sketches of North Carolina 1846, Skethches of Virginia 1850 and 1855. The Huguenots, 1870. Stated Clerk Winchester Presbytery 1834-38, trustee U.T.S 1838-69, HSC 51-69. He was many years the chair of Home Missions. He married Feb. 21, 1822, Eliza Wilson Glass, daughter of Rev. Joseph Glass (1800-1835, buried Opequon) two daughters (Ann Waterman Foote, m. Judge J.D. Armstrong of Romney) and he married 2nd, October 31, 1838, Arabella gilliam of Petersburg, Virginia (1807-1892), one daughter of this marriage, Mary Arabella Foote, d. Romney, July 29, 1817.

    Rev. William Foster (d. 1780)

    He was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 23d, 1757, and ordained and installed pastor of Upper Octorara and Doe Run Presbyterian Churches, October 19th, 1768. In the Revolution Mr. Foster engaged heartily in the cause of civil liberty, and encouraged all who heard him to do their utmost in defense of their rights and on this account he became very obnoxious to the enemy, and more than once attempts were made to seize him. On one occasion Mr. Foster was called to Lancaster, to preach the gospel to the troops collected there, previous to their joining the main army. The discourse was so acceptable, that it was printed and circulated, and did much to arouse the spirit of patriotism among the people. Mr. Foster was a graduate of Princeton College (1764); was a man of very superior mind, and was much esteemed and respected. He occasionally received theological students under his care. He died September 30th, 1780.