Illustration by Charles Leon ("Chalk") Finch  

Our particular branch of the Finch family has been successfully traced back to the birth of  John Finch, who left his native England in search of a new life, setting sail for a America in 1630.  

A tremendous amount of  appreciation is extended to Ora F. Finch and Charles L. Finch, who, without the benefit of modern means, researched and created our first "Finch Family Tree".  That original document was published in the Indianapolis News, October 3, 1920, and has been amended over the years to include genealogical data spanning dates 1595 to 2005.  The information passed down from Ora and Charles Finch has proved indispensable with respect to continued research of our family's history, and it is only through  their individual contributions that a more complete record has now been created.    

This site is dedicated in memory of my parents: Richard Bird Finch and Wanda Ruth Dennison Finch, 
to my sisters, Leslie Ann, Lisa Lee and Linda Dennison Finch and the many kindred spirits of the 
FINCH family.  

    May we be thoughtful students of those who have been, thoughtful teachers of those who are yet to be, 
               and ever mindful of the importance of leaving this world a little nicer than we found it. 

                                                     Lydia Carol Finch Johnston
                                                    Danville, Indiana
                                                   LTLFinch@TDS.Net

                                                                        * * *    

IN MEMORIAM:

Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the family of William A. Finch, who passed away 
October 8, 2007.  William (Bill) was born July 28, 1914 and was a loving husband and father, 
having enjoyed more than 63 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Chris.  Bill, along with 
Duane Finch, researched the Solomon Finch line for approximately 10 years and was the 
last Finch in Clay County, IL where his ancestors moved after leaving the Indianapolis area. 
Bill's grandfather, Solomon T. Finch, wrote about our Finch family and that particular work 
was later published in the Clay County Illinois History.  

Over the years Bill has contributed generously to the FinchRoots web site.  We are grateful 
for the opportunity to have known him, thankful for his friendship and honored to say he will 
forever be a part of our family history.    
                                                            

                                              Recent Site Updates:

                                                Finch Family Message Board

                                                          Grant Finch (b. 1864) 
                                                          Daniel C. Finch (b. 1817) 
                                                          Francis "Frank" Finch (b. 1861)
                                                          Rex McKinley Finch Jr. (b. 1926)
                                                          Cassius Marcellus Finch (b.1871) 
                                                          Rex McKinley Finch (b. 1896)
                                                          Loretta Finch Osborn (b.1763-4) 
                                                          Joseph R. Finch (b. 1820)
                                                          William A. Finch (b. 1914)
                                                          Fabius Maximus Finch (b.1810)
                                                          Heneage Byron Finch (b. 1836)
                                                          Florence Evaline Finch Kelly (b. 1858)
  

                  Click on the icons below to contact individuals who may be researching a common ancestor.  

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Pedigree of Author:

(I) John FINCH  (1595-1657) b. Essex (?), England
(II) Isaac FINCH  (1635-1702) b. Stamford, Connecticut
(III) Abraham FINCH  (1665-1716) b. Stamford, Connecticut 
(IV) Isaac FINCH  (1696-1748) b. Fairfield, Connecticut
(V) Isaac FINCH  (1745- 1778) b. Goshen, New York
(VI) John FINCH  (1767-1849) b. New York
(VII) Jubal FINCH  (1790-1819) b. New York 
(VIII) Robert FINCH  (1819-1907) b. Lawrenceburg, Indiana
(IX) Leon FINCH  (1870-1938) b. Prairie Green, Illinois
(X) Roscoe Wall FINCH  (1900-1941) b. Frankfort, Indiana
(XI) Richard Bird FINCH  (1930-1995) b. Greensburg, Indiana
(XII) Lydia Carol FINCH  b. Indianapolis, Indiana  
                                                                                  

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                                   Read the Finch Family Message Board
                                   Visit Finch's Historical Hall ( photo!)
                                   View our LINKS section
                                           View PHILLIPS FAMILY History 

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                                                                          First Generation:

( I ) John Finch (1595 - 1657)
             |     
Born 1595 in Essex (?), England. 
[Believed to be the son of Abraham Finch, and brother of Abraham Jr. and Daniel Finch.] 
John Finch came to America in June / July 1630, arriving in Salem, Massachusetts aboard a vessel
of the Winthrop Fleet, and led by the flagship, "Arbella".  Traveling with John Finch, during this
"Great Emigration" was his father, Abraham Sr., and brothers,  Abraham Jr., and Daniel.
In 1630, this Finch family group settled in Watertown, Massachusetts where, (per Governor Winthrop),
Abraham Sr.'s wigwam and worldly goods were destroyed by fire in September of that year. 
By 1634, having taken the oath and become "Freemen", Abraham Finch Sr., Abraham Jr. and Daniel 
Finch relocated to Wethersfield, Connecticut, where each took up residence on the east side of Broad 
Street.  It is unclear whether John Finch ever owned property in Wethersfield, CT., though he certainly 
did in Stamford, which was then considered a colony of Wethersfield.  
Abraham Sr., commonly known as "Ould Finch", took up residence just south of Thomas Olcott, of 
Hartford, CT.  Near Abraham Sr.'s homestead was that of son, Daniel Finch who was appointed 
Wethersfield's first constable in 1631.  Just north of Daniel's residence, was the home of Abraham Jr.
Abraham Finch Jr. was killed October 30, 1637 in the Wethersfield Massacre by Massutunck 
(alias Nepaupuck), a Pequot War Chief.  Nepaupuck was tried, convicted and on October 29, 
1639, beheaded  for the murder of Abraham Finch Jr., a Swaine family daughter "and others".  
At the time of his death, Abraham Finch Jr. had a wife, Dorothy (Moulton) and a son also named 
Abraham.  Young Abraham Finch (III) was soon after adopted by his grandfather, Abraham Sr. and 
eventually inherited his father Abraham Jr.'s 10 acres of land on Broad Street.  
(Will administered in September of 1840.)

As for what we know of John Finch....
"November 7, 1632, at Boston, John Finch fined for wanting Arms for his man and for being 
absent himself from training." [Militia] 
John's first wife (name?) died before 1634, sometime after the birth of their child (John Finch Jr.)
See record of marriages Online: 
John Finch married his 2nd wife, Martha Brett in 1634 - Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts.  
Martha was born in England, and alleged to have arrived in 1630 aboard the "Arbella". 
" John was a proprietor of Watertown in 1636-38, being granted 4 acres on February 26, 1636, 
4 more acres on February 26, 1637 and 91 acres April 1638."  
By 1642 John Finch was living in Stamford, Connecticut where he was assigned 6 acres of marsh and 
upland and served in the Stamford Train Band" [Militia].
John Finch died September 5, 1657, (age 62) Fairfield County - Stamford, Connecticut.  
"The inventory of his estate was filed in Stamford February 9, 1658, and found him with a net 
estate of only 23 pounds."
See:
"History of Ancient Wethersfield" (p.66-67 and 268-269)
"Finch and Ashley: American Frontiersmen 1630-1977"
Wethersfield Historical Society
The Winthrop Society

Children Of ( I ) John Finch and 1st wife, (Name?)

1.  John Finch (cir.1625 - 1685)
    Born cir.1625
    Married Hannah Marsh Fuller - November 8, 1652
    Died June 16, 1685 In Huntington, Long Island New York.

Children Of ( I ) John Finch and 2nd wife, Martha Brett
                                   
2. ( II ) Isaac Finch  (1635 - 1702)
Born 1635 in Stamford Connecticut
Married 1.) Elizabeth Ann Bassett October 1, 1658 in Stamford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Elizabeth Ann Bassett was born c. 1638 in New Haven, Ct., the daughter of John and Margery Bassett.
Elizabeth Ann Bassett died in 1677, Stamford, Fairfield, CT. 
Married 2.) Hannah (Anne) Webb abt. 1680 in Stamfort, Fairfield CT.
Hannah Webb was born abt. 1635, and died November 9, 1703.
(NOTE: Family Tree incorrectly states that Isaac Finch “Landed in Stamford Connecticut 1678”)
Isaac Finch died November 23, 1702 (age 67) Stamford, Connecticut.

3. Samuel Finch  (1638 - 1698)
Born 1638, Stamford, CT.
Married Sarah Hoyt, daughter of Simon Hoyt and Susanna. Smith. 
Sarah Hoyt was born abt. 1646 and died March 19, 1712.
Samuel Finch died April 23, 1698 in Stamford Connecticut (age 60)
NOTE:  Samuel Finch family information provided courtesy of Carleton Finch

Children of Samuel Finch and Sarah Hoyt:

                            Joseph Finch
                            Born abt. 1677 in Stamford, CT.
                            Married Abigail Seeley on August 7, 1703 in Stamford, CT.
                            Abigail Seeley, daughter of Obadiah Seeley, was born abt. 1763
                            in Stamford, CT., and died December 18, 1752.
                            Joseph Finch died December 16, 1752.
                            [NOTE: Joseph Finch family record on file at FinchRoots.com]

                            Children of Joseph Finch and Abigail Seeley:

                                                                   Joseph Finch
                                                                   Benjamin Finch
                                                                   Elizabeth Finch

                            Sarah Finch
                            Born in Stamford CT.
                            Died January 16, 1750-51 in Stamford, CT.

                            Samuel Finch Jr.
                            Born abt. 1666 in Stamford, CT.
                            Married Sarah Gold on December 5, 1692 in Stamford, CT.

                            Martha Finch
                            Born abt. 1669 in Greenwich, CT
                            Died abt. 1711 in Greenwich, CT.

                            Susanna Finch
                            Born abt. 1672 in Stamford, CT.
                            Died after 1711 in Stamford, CT,

                            Rachel Finch
                            Born abt. 1674 in Stamford, CT.


[Children of  John Finch and Martha Brett continued]

4. Joseph Finch Sr.  (1640 - 1714)
Born November 23, 1640 Greenwich Connecticut
Married (1) Nov. 23, 1670 at Stamford, Elizabeth Austin, daughter of John and Catherine Austin.
Married (2) c. 1697, Ruth (Hardy) Mead, widow of John Mead Jr.
Joseph Sr. died March 12, 1714 (age 74) in Greenwich, Connecticut
Children of Joseph Finch Sr. and Elizabeth Austin. 

                        Joseph, Finch 
                        Born ca. 1675

                        Samuel, Finch 
                        Born c.1677
                        Died 1728, Greenwich
                        Married c. 1713 to Mary (Whelpley) Marshall, daughter of Jonathan Whelpley and 
                        widow of Samuel Marshall.
                        Children of Samuel Finch and Mary (Whelpley) Marshall.

                                                Mary Finch 
                                                Born Dec. 4, 1715 (?)

                                                Hannah Finch 
                                                Born Feb. 6, 1716-17

                                                Mercy Finch 
                                                Born Sep. 6, 1718
                                                Married Nathan Lockwood Jr.

                                                Samuel Finch 
                                                Born July 12, 1721

                                                Elizabeth Finch 
                                                Born Aug. 7, 1725

                                                Jeremiah Finch 
                                                Born March 17, 1727
                                                (Note: Jeremiah Finch family record on file at FinchRoots.com)

                                                Abigail Finch

                                                Deborah Finch
                                                Married Jonathan Garnsey

[Children of Joseph Finch Sr. and Elizabeth Austin, continued]

                        Jonathan, Finch 
                        Born c. 1679

                        Benjamin, Finch 
                        Born c. 1682

                        Abigail Finch

                        Elizabeth Finch

                        Sarah Finch

                        Martha Finch

[Children of  John Finch and Martha Brett continued]


5. Martha Finch

6. Abraham Finch
    Born Approx. 1648

    Back To Top

                                    Children of ( II ) Isaac Finch and wife 1.) Elizabeth Bassett

                                                  1. John Finch  (1659 - 1702)
                                                      Born September 20, 1659
                                                      Died March 17, 1702 (age 43)

                                                  2. Isaac Finch (1662 - ?)
                                                      Born April 12, 1662.
                                                      Married Mary Rundle, daughter of William and Abigail (Tyler) 
                                                      Rundle, on April 27, 1704.

                                                  3. ( III ) Abraham Finch  (1665 - 1716)
                                                      Born July 5, 1665 Fairfield County - Stamford, Connecticut
                                                      Married Martha Couch in 1695 Fairfield, Connecticut.
                                                      Martha Couch, was born Sept. 13, 1669 in Fairfield, CT.
                                                      She was the daughter of Simon and Hannah Couch, and 
                                                      died Sept. 8, 1725, Goshen, Orange County, New York. 
                                                      Martha renewed her covenant at Christ Church, Fairfield, CT.
                                                      Abraham Finch died in 1716 (age 51) Goshen, Orange County 
                                                      New York.  Burial place, 1^st Presbyterian Churchyard.  Recorded 
                                                      as first adult interment.  
                                                      Skip to the Children of Abraham Finch and Martha Couch

                                                  4. Elizabeth Finch  (1669 - 1692)
                                                      Born November 14, 1669
                                                      Married Jonathan Pettit c. 1687
                                                      John Pettit was born Feb 23, 1656 in Stamford, Fairfield CT.
                                                      and died abt. 1720 Bedford, Worcester, New York.
                                                      Elizabeth Finch died 1692, Bedford, Worcester, New York

                                                  5. Martha Finch  (1672 - ?)
                                                      Born June 19, 1672 in Stamford, CT

                                    Children of ( II ) Isaac Finch and wife 2.) Hannah Webb

                                                  6. Rebecca Finch  ( abt.1682 - ?)
                                                      Born March 17, abt. 1682 - 3
                                                                        Included in Stamford Conn. Town Records  
                                                                        dated 4/6/1797 
                                                                       
                                                  7. Sarah Finch  (1686 - ?)
                                                      Born November 23, 1686
                                                      Included in Stamford Conn. Town Records  
                                                                        dated 4/6/1797

                                                  8. Jacob Finch  (1691 - 1702)
                                                      Born October 9, 1691.
                                                                        Died February (April?) 15, 1702 (age 10)
                                                                        Included in Stamford Conn. Town Records  
                                                                        dated 4/6/1797
                                                                         
                                                  9. Benjamin Finch  (1695 - ?)
                                                      Born June 29, 1695 
                                                                        Included in Stamford Conn. Town Records  
                                                                        dated 4/6/1797                                                     
                                                       
                                                      Back To Top

Children of ( III ) Abraham Finch and wife, Martha Couch

1. ( IV ) Isaac Finch  (1696 - 1748 / 49)
Born September 16, 1696 in Fairfield, Connecticut
BAPTISM: 13 Sep. 1696, Christ Church - Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Married Martha (?) in (?) Martha was born approx. 1703.
Owned 100 acres at Wawayanda, Orange County New York on the Monhagen Creek.
Historical Note: July 27, 1721, deed setting aside land for location of a blacksmith shop
signed by Isaac Finch and others.
Built the first flower and saw mill in the settlement.
It is said that Isaac Finch suffered from debilitating lung disease, which left him 
an invalid from around the time his daughter Hannah was born (1732).
Isaac Finch died in Goshen, Orange County New York  between June 15^th 1748 
(the date his will was drawn) and April 18, 1749 (the date his will was probated)  
(age 52-53). 
Skip to the Children of Isaac Finch and Martha

2. Nathaniel Finch  (? - ?)
    Children:  Hannah Finch
                   (Born 1720 in Florida, Orange County, New York)

                   Daniel Finch
                  ( Born 1731 in Florida, Orange County, New York)

3. Elizabeth Finch  (1698-?)  
    Born may 15, 1698.

4. Solomon Finch  (1700 - ?)
    Born 1700

5. Others (as documented in Finch Family Tree)

    Back To Top

                                                      Children of ( IV ) Isaac Finch and wife, Martha

                             1. ( V ) Isaac Finch (1720s - 1790 ? )
                     American Revolution           Born between 1720 and 1727 in Goshen, Orange County, 
                                                           New York.
                                                           Married Amy Kinney, who was born April 17, 1742. 
                                                           Amy Kinney died (?).
                                                           Lived in the Pittston District,  Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
                                                           July 14, 1777, Isaac Finch purchased a mill seat on the 
                                                           Lackawanna River, from a committee of proprietors consisting 
                                                           of Abraham Harding, Daniel Cass and Isaiah Halstead.  (The 
                                                           purchase amount was £130.)  On February 12, 1790 a portion 
                                                           of this same land was sold by Isaac Finch to Dr, William Hooker 
                                                           Smith, witnessed by Jesse Gardner and John Davidson.  
                                                           On July 3, 1778, at the time of the Wyoming Valley Massacre, 
                                                           Isaac Finch and family were said to have been in Pittston Fort 
                                                           (also known as "Fort Brown") which was located on the east 
                                                           side of the Susquehanna river.  
                                                           Per page 79 of "Historical Map of PA.", (published in 1875) 
                                                           Captain Jeremiah Blanchard commanded at Fort Brown where 
                                                           Isaac Finch was listed (among others) as an inmate.  This account
                                                           negates claims that Isaac was in Forty Fort, (on the west side of
                                                           the Susquehanna river), during the battle.
                                                           It is further believed that following the battle, Isaac Finch and 
                                                           family retreated to Orange County New York, where they took 
                                                           shelter with relatives residing there.
                                                           On the day of the Wyoming Valley Massacre, Isaac Finch was 
                                                           considered a "defender" of Fort Brown, which according to 
                                                           DAR standards, qualifies him as having performed "Patriotic 
                                                           Service", though not "Military Service".  In addition, after having
                                                           relocated to New York, Isaac Finch is said to have provided 
                                                           monetary donations toward the war effort, which by DAR 
                                                           standards, also qualifies as an act of "Patriotic Service".
                                                           Isaac Finch is believed to have died abt. 1790 in Wyoming 
                                                           Valley, Pittston Township, Luzerne County, PA.
                                                           Quit claim dated February 16, 1790, deeds a portion of 
                                                           (deceased) Isaac Finch's mill seat from Samuel Finch of Kingston,
                                                           Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania to William Hooker Smith Esquire. 
                                                           On December 12, 1792, son, Isaac Kinney Finch was 
                                                           appointed administrator of (this) Isaac Finch's estate. 
                                                           On March 29, 1793 the estate of Isaac Finch was officially 
                                                           closed, after a portion of the deceased Isaac's mill seat property
                                                           was sold to son, Moses Finch of Minisink, New York.
                                                           The burial site of Isaac Finch is to date, unknown.
                                                           Note:   
                                                           Counter to the above, family sources indicate that Isaac Finch
                                                           did indeed die July 3, 1778 in the Wyoming Valley Massacre, 
                                                           though though there is no official documentation to support this
                                                           claim, nor is Isaac Finch's name included on the battle monument 
                                                           along Route 11, in Luzerne County, PA.
                                                           Per "Flowing Stream" by Florence Finch Kelley, (page 5);
                                                           "... dates from 1778 and the Valley of the Wyoming, where
                                                           then were living Isaac Finch, my great-grandfather, and 
                                                           his brother John and their families.  They were both 
                                                           fighting with the Colonial troops and both were killed in 
                                                           the massacre when the prosperous little colony was 
                                                           attacked and ravaged by British and Indian forces, its
                                                           inhabitants slaughtered, its homes burned, and those who 
                                                           were able to make their escape did so only by instant flight."  
                                                           (page 6) "...Amy Kinney, wife of Isaac, who, knowing that
                                                           her husband had been killed in the massacre and that the 
                                                           only safety for their children was in immediate escape, 
                                                           hurriedly bundled into a wagon her household goods and 
                                                           her nine sons, among them the six- months-old Solomon, 
                                                           who became my grandfather, and joined the flight of the
                                                            few remaining colonists.  They drove across country to the 
                                                           Finger Lakes region in central New York, where lived other 
                                                           Finches."    
                                                           Per "Biographical And Reminiscent History Of Richland Clay 
                                                           And Marion Counties, Illinois 1909" (page 212);
                                                           "On the 4th day of July, 1778, Amy Finch, The widow of 
                                                           Isaac Finch, with the aid of faithful servants, loaded her
                                                           household effects into a wagon drawn by a pair of oxen, 
                                                           and with all the children, excepting Isaac Finch and Amy 
                                                           Finch, who were visiting in Massachusetts, prepared to 
                                                           fly from the recent scene of the bloody carnival.  As the 
                                                           wagon was about to pull out, with all the household goods 
                                                           and children, a number of Indians seeing one of the servants 
                                                           standing by the wagon, with savage yells and flourishing 
                                                           tomahawks, dashed out his brains, bespattering with blood 
                                                           and brains, the five-months-old baby of the deceased Isaac 
                                                           Finch and his widow, who was lying upon the bed clothing 
                                                           in the wagon.  The name of this five-months-old baby was 
                                                           Solomon Finch, the last born.  The widow of Isaac Finch, 
                                                           together with these children, then took their departure from 
                                                           the scene of the massacre, and after many days of tedious, 
                                                           tiresome and dangerous travel, made their way though 
                                                           swamp and wilderness for some three hundred miles to 
                                                           Genesee County, New York, where they were finally given
                                                           shelter, food and clothing and abided until they were joined
                                                           by the son and daughter who had gone on a visit to 
                                                           Massachusetts.  They finally built them a house of logs and 
                                                           remained in this settlement for many years, and until the 
                                                           children were grown and married."
                                                           A will, however, probated March 29, 1793, and administered 
                                                           by son, Isaac Kinney Finch, indicates that this Isaac Finch died 
                                                           between  February 12, 1790 and December 1792 in Wyoming 
                                                           Valley, Pittston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
    
                                                           See:
                                                           "Biographical And Reminiscent History Of Richland Clay 
                                                           And Marion Counties, Illinois" 1909 (page 212) 
                                                           Battle Of Wyoming
                                                           Skip to the Children Isaac Finch and Amy Kinney.

                            2. Samuel Finch  (1725 - ?)
                       American Revolution        Born 1725
                                                          Married Helena Rozencranz in 1752.
                                                          Fought in and survived, “Battle Of Wyoming Valley Pennsylvania”
                                                          July 3^rd 1778. (fought at age 53, rank of Private) Noted in Hendrick
                                                          B. Wright’s book “Historical Sketches of Plymouth, Luzerne
                                                          County Pennsylvania” page 174. Name included on monument
                                                          erected along Route 11 in Luzerne County - Wyoming, PA.
                                                          See:
                                                          Battle Of Wyoming
                                                         
                                                      3. Abraham Finch   (1727 - ?)
                                                          Born 1727 in Goshen, Orange County, New York.
                                                          Married Mary (?). 
                                                          Died abt. 1757.

                            4. Daniel Finch  (1730 - 1778)
                       American Revolution        Born 1730 in Goshen, Orange County, New York.
                                                          Married Mary (Finch?)  (widow of brother Abraham?).
                                                          Died July 3, 1778 in “Battle Of Wyoming Valley Pennsylvania
                                                          (age 48, rank of Private). Name included on monument erected
                                                          along Route 11 in Luzerne County - Wyoming, Pennsylvania.
                                                          See: 
                                                          Battle Of Wyoming 
                                                          (Skip to next child of ( IV ) Isaac and Martha Finch) 

                                                          Children of Daniel Finch and Mary (Finch?):

                                                                              Samuel Finch
                                                                              Born December 15, 1757 in Goshen, Orange 
                                                                              County, New York.
                                                                              Died March 6, 1838 in Lawrenceville, Tioga 
                                                                              County, Pennsylvania.
                                                                              Married Mary (Polly) King in New York.
                                                                              Mary was born July 26, 1770 in Bellville, NJ., 
                                                                              and died March 2, 1841 in Albion, Michigan.


                                                                              Children of Samuel Finch and Mary (Polly) King:

                                                                                              David Finch
                                                                                              Born June 27, 1788 in Pennsylvania.
                                                                                              Married Betsy Coykendall.

                                                                                              Children of David Finch and
                                                                                              Betsy Coykendall:

                                                                
                                                                   
                                                                                                                David J. Finch

                                                                                                              David J. Finch
                                                                                                              Born?
                                                                                                              Married?
                                                                                                              Served in the Civil War, 189th
                                                                                                              Regiment, New York Infantry -
                                                                                                              Company I, rank of Private.