John Finley was born about 1760 John married Mary Beavers in Botetourt County, VA on 24 Dec. 1781 according to her Application for pension dated Jan. 21, 1851. John was a farmer. For some time he lived in Mecklenburg County, NC in close association with the family of Francis and Jane Miller and all would later move to and die in Greene County, IL. Francis served in the Revolutionary War from Mecklenburg County, NC and probably Finley did also. After 1790 they were in the Pendleton (Old Ninety-six) District of SC. About 1802 the families were in Roane County, TN. The families were in Henderson County, KY for a few years and then moved on to the Illinois Territory. John served with Capt. William B. Whiteside's Company of Mounted Rangers of St. Clair County in the War of 1812 and was discharged March 3, 1813. At that time it was called Madison County and in 1821 Greene County was formed from Madison County. John had the heart of a true pioneer and was known as "Fighting Jack". He served in various battles and served his community by operating a grist mill. He bought and sold land in Greene County. He left a Will dated Feb. 28, 1838 that was filed for probate on Feb. 26, 1840. Mary survived him and they had 5 sons, 4 daughters and 1 adopted daughter. After Mary's death, John's estate was settled. The burial location of both John and Mary is stated in a book written by Jessye Ann High (1976) called "John 'Fighting Jack' Finley and His Descendants'. She states "John died Feb. 11, 1840 at his home near Greenfield, Greene County, Illinois. Some years ago, matching tombstones for Mary and John Finley were found on a farm 4 miles west of the town of Greenfield. A concrete floor was being poured for a barn and the tombstones were thrown into the soft mixture and completely covered with concrete".