| Administrative History | Samuel Finney II was the eldest of the six children of John Finney. In 1718 he made a clandestine marriage with (Esther, daughter of Ralph Davenport of Chorley, and incurred the extreme displeasure of his father. In 1721 his father-in-law put him in business in Warrington, co. Lanc., as a linen merchant. A year later he was taken into partnership by the father, his son Ralph and son-in-law Mr.Eaton, and had charge of a manufactory in Manchester. He also had interests in Davenport's mining concerns in Cornwall. In the early 1730's he gave up his business connections and went to live at Fulshaw Hall where he carried out extensive repairs and additions. The cost of these and his style of living led to serious financial difficulties. He therefore left his wife and family and went away to Philadelphia in 1738. He never returned to this country and for long periods was lost to his family. He lived at various times in Port Lewis on the R. Delaware, and Annapolis in Maryland. He was last heard of in Philadelphia in 1764. |