Jesse J. Finley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse J. Finley
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 2nd district |
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| In office March 4, 1881 – June 1, 1882 |
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| Preceded by | Horatio Bisbee, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Horatio Bisbee, Jr. |
| In office February 20, 1879 – March 3, 1879 |
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| Preceded by | Horatio Bisbee, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Noble A. Hull |
| In office April 19, 1876 – March 3, 1877 |
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| Preceded by | Josiah T. Walls |
| Succeeded by | Horatio Bisbee, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jesse Johnson Finley
November 18, 1812 Lebanon, Tennessee |
| Died | November 6, 1904 (aged 91) Lake City, Florida |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Gainesville, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Jesse Johnson Finley (born November 18, 1812 – died November 6, 1904) was an important figure in American history. He served as a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a member of the United States House of Representatives for Florida. Finley also held many other roles, including mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, an officer in the United States Army during the Second Seminole War, and a judge in Florida. He was also a member of the state senates in both Arkansas and Florida.
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Early Life and Career (1812-1852)
Jesse Finley was born near Lebanon, Tennessee. In 1836, he became a captain of mounted volunteers during the Second Seminole War. This was a conflict between the United States and the Seminole Native Americans in Florida.
After his military service, Finley studied law and became a lawyer in 1838. He moved to Mississippi County, Arkansas in 1840, where he continued to practice law. In 1841, he was elected to the Arkansas Senate, helping to make laws for the state.
In 1842, Finley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and kept working as a lawyer. He was elected mayor of Memphis in 1845. A year later, in November 1846, he moved to Marianna, Florida. There, he was elected to the Florida Senate in 1850.
In 1852, Finley was chosen as a presidential elector for the Whig Party. This meant he was part of the group that officially voted for the president.
Serving Florida as a Judge (1853-1861)
On May 1, 1853, the Governor of Florida, Thomas Brown, appointed Finley as a Circuit Judge. This meant Finley would oversee court cases in the Western Judicial Circuit of Florida. He served in this important role from 1853 until 1861.
A Landmark Court Case: State of Florida v. Simon
In June 1853, Judge Finley presided over a significant case called State of Florida v. Simon, A Slave. This case was about a confession that might have been forced.
The case involved a series of fires in Pensacola, Florida. After one fire, a man named Simon was arrested. The mayor questioned Simon, and a large crowd was outside, demanding action. The mayor told Simon that if he confessed, he would be tried, but if he named others, he might be spared. Simon then confessed to starting some fires.
However, during the trial, Simon's lawyer, Richard Lewis Campbell, presented witnesses who said the fires started differently than Simon described. Also, Simon's owner testified that Simon was very scared when he confessed.
Campbell asked Judge Finley to not let Simon's confession be used as evidence. He argued that Simon's confession was made out of fear or hope for a reward, not freely. Judge Finley denied this request, letting the jury decide if the confession was voluntary. The jury found Simon guilty.
Simon's lawyer appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Florida. In July 1853, the Supreme Court reviewed the case. They decided that Finley's decision was wrong. The Supreme Court ruled that for a confession to be used in court, the person giving it must not be influenced by fear or hope. They noted that Simon was very scared and under pressure when he confessed.
This ruling by the Florida Supreme Court set an important legal rule: confessions that are forced by threats or promises cannot be used as evidence in a trial. This decision helped ensure fairer trials in the future. Simon remained in jail and sadly passed away before a new trial could happen.
Leaving Judicial Service Before the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Judge Finley left his position as a circuit judge in Florida.
Service During the Civil War (1861-1865)
Jesse Finley played a significant part in the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
Judicial Role in the Confederacy
In 1861, Finley was appointed as a judge for the Confederate States in Florida. However, he resigned from this role in March 1862 to join the Confederate Army.
Military Service and Battles
Finley started his military service as a private soldier in the 6th Florida Infantry. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the colonel of his regiment.
He participated in the Kentucky Campaign. His regiment saw its first major battle at Battle of Chickamauga. There, his soldiers bravely captured Union artillery, but they had to retreat due to heavy losses.
On November 8, 1863, Finley was promoted to brigadier general. He then commanded all the Florida infantry units in the Army of Tennessee. His brigade fought bravely at the Battle of Missionary Ridge, helping to protect the army as it retreated. General Braxton Bragg, the army commander, thanked Finley for his "gallant bearing and prompt assistance."
Finley's brigade was heavily involved in the Atlanta Campaign in 1864. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Resaca and had to take medical leave. Later, at the Battle of Jonesborough, his horse was hit by an artillery shell, wounding Finley again. Despite his injuries, he refused to leave until all his wounded men were taken care of. He was unable to return to his brigade for the rest of the war.
Surrender
Jesse Finley surrendered with other Confederate forces in Columbus, Georgia. He was released on May 23, 1865, in Quincy, Florida.
Serving in the U.S. Congress (1876-1882)
After the Civil War, Jesse Finley served in the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party (United States). He represented Florida in the 44th, 45th, and 47th U.S. Congresses.
Finley had to challenge the election results several times to take his seat.
- He successfully challenged the election of Josiah T. Walls and served from April 19, 1876, to March 3, 1877.
- He also successfully challenged the election of Horatio Bisbee, Jr. and served from February 20 to March 3, 1879.
- He served again from March 4, 1881, until June 1, 1882, when Horatio Bisbee, Jr. successfully challenged Finley's election.
Finley was also considered for a seat in the United States Senate in 1887, but he was not allowed to serve because his appointment was made before the position was officially open.
Personal Life
Jesse Finley had a son named Charles A. Finley, who worked as an administrator at the Florida Agricultural College. He also had a daughter.
Death (1904)
Jesse Johnson Finley passed away on November 6, 1904, in Lake City, Florida. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Gainesville, Florida.
Legacy and Recognition
For many years, Jesse Finley was honored in Florida.
- In the 1930s, an elementary school in Gainesville, Florida was named JJ Finley Elementary School after him. However, in June 2020, during protests related to the murder of George Floyd, the School Board of Alachua County decided to remove his name from the school. A committee was formed to suggest a new name.
- In January 2019, the Gainesville City Commission named a city park in his honor. But in February 2020, the City Commission also voted to remove Finley's name from the park. The park remained unnamed for a period.
