Finch, John

John Finch, the first immigrant, came from Horseneck, Conn., and settled at Goshen, and the family tradition is that he was the first grown person buried in the graveyard of the Goshen Church, some children having been previously buried there.

His son, James Finch, Sr., was born there, and married to Miss Catharine Gale by Rev. Mr. Kerr. James removed and located on land now covered by the site of the village of Middletown, in the town of Wallkill. At this time there were but three log houses besides his within a mile of the place. Shortly before the Revolutionary war he removed to the vicinity of Finchville. When Pennpack was invaded and burnt by the Indians under Brant, many of the women and children fled from there to his house for protection. Among others was Mrs. Decker, the wife Of Maj. Decker, who came leading her small children by the hand. She had fled from her bed, after retiring for the night, clad in garments which scarcely covered her person. The only article which she saved from the conflagration of her dwelling was the family Bible, which she carried under her arm.

Mr. Finch, though living in the vicinity, was not in the battle of Minisink. The reason was Cols. Phillips and Wisner, with their troops, while on their march to Minisink, halted at his house to refresh themselves and procure something to eat. At the time there were nothing but salted provisions in the house, and Finch killed a large fat hog and prepared it for the troops.** After they had eaten, the residue was placed in the knapsacks of the soldiers for further use. Col. Phillips directed that Finch should not go with them, but stay at home and make ready to feed his men when they should shortly return. But, alas! how many of his friends and neighbors, who that day partook of his hospitality, never returned from the field of battle to share his kindness or need his care.

Mr. Finch during the Revolution performed military duty three months, and also during the old French and Indian war in 1755 and 1756. When quite young he was at Fort Stanwix in the capacity of waiter to Gen. Abercrombie or some of his staff. He lived and died a patriot, and a member of the Baptist Church, having acted as a deacon for many years.

James Finch, Jr., his son, of a later generation, was born July 25, 1768. He was well known, both at home and abroad. He came into public life when young, and held the office of justice of the peace from about1798 to 1830, excepting the time he acted as judge of the county. In 1831, Coe Finch, his son, was elected a justice of the peace in his place. He held the supervisorship of his town for twelve years in succession, and served as a member in the State Legislature thirteen sessions. Early in life he became a member of the Baptist Church, and died in the faith of his fathers on Dec. 7, 1843, aged seventy- five years. He married in 1794, and had ten children, nine of whom lived to be twenty- four years of age. We give a copy of the family record:

Names. Birth. Death.
James Finch, father July 25, 1768. Dec. 7, 1843.
Sarah, mother Sept. 23, 1772. Dec. 1, 1843.
Zophar May 20, 1795.
Catharine May 1, 1797. Dec. 30,1843.
Margaret Sept. 10, 1799. Feb. 12, 1807.
P.G Feb. 28, 1802.
Coe April 30,1804. Sept. 12, 1832.
Julia Nov. 20, 1806.
Jesse Jan. 24, 1809. Nov. 23, 1843.
James M. April 11, 1811. Feb. 4, 1844.
John June 28, 1813. Dec. 9, 1843.
Sarah Aug. 9, 1819. Dec. 4, 1843.