Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5: 1-4 

The Finley Family can be traced in Winchester back to 1875, almost 150 years ago, when Matthew Floyd Finley and Hester Virginia Turner were married in Winchester. Matthew was born in Staunton in 1850 and Hester in Middletown in 1853. Hester’s history shows that she was born a slave, but there’s not much information on Matthew unfortunately.  They lived on Pall Mall Street in Winchester, an area that’s part of Tater Hill, along with many family members in the other houses on the street. This provided a close-knit neighborhood for the family to grow up together. One of the family’s houses became the first African-American Nursery School, known as the Negro Day Nursery.

Matthew and Hester had 14 children, 8 boys and 6 girls, all born in Winchester. This started a legacy of Finley family members throughout Winchester’s history. Their son Fred became a vaudeville dancing performer on Broadway. Maybe this was the beginning of our musical talents that have continued through the years. Also, from Matthew and Hester came Lillie, who married Charles Taper, creating the Taper family line. Another daughter was Ida, who married Howard Magruder. One of their other children was Floyd Finley, Sr., who married Sadie Carter, the daughter of Rev. George and Ellen Spencer Carter. 

In the community, the first known black doctor in town was Dr. Taylor Floyd Finley, Sr. His grandson, Donald Finley, Sr., here with us today, was the first black City Councilman. Doc Finley, as he was affectionately called, graduated from Douglas in 1918 and later taught at the old black school and started the Douglas Alumni Association in 1934, which is still going strong and provides scholarships for high school seniors. Kirk Gaskins, Sr. – father of June Gaskins Davis – was the Principal at Douglas High School for 26 years from 1940-1966. Taylor Finley, Jr. owned a cleaners on Kent Street and Finley’s Recreation Center was open for many years in Winchester, providing musicians from across the United States a venue to play. Sue and Ella Finley also worked at Freemont Street Nursery on the North End for many years, helping to raise many of Winchester’s black youth. 

In addition to the community, through the years, the Finley Family has taken leadership roles in the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Winchester, VA as well. In the church records, you see Rev. Carter who became Mt. Carmel’s 8th minister, serving from 1893-1894. Also noted are Trustees Matthew, Floyd Sr., Dr. Taylor Finley, Sr. and Howard and Leslie Magruder in the early 1900s, Sunday School Officers and teachers Marcia Taper, June Gaskins Davis, Lucille Finley, and Arisa Taper. Our history shows up in the 1970s with Trustees Harry Taper, Freddy Taper, and Clifford Brooks. Later came Trustee Floyd Finley, III, Ministers, Charmissa Washington Biscoe and Barbara Finley Davis, as well as  Deaconess Maxine Brown, Deaconess Debbie Crawford, Trustee Willa Banks.

Beyond our Christian faith, our presence in the Church and our contributions to the Winchester Community, the Legacy of the Finley Family continues to grow strong. We are a family of Managers, Activists, Artists, Doctors, Accountants, Graphic Designers, Homemakers, Administrative Assistants, Lawyers, Counselors, Cosmetologists and Barbers, Educators, Members of the Military and so much more! The Finley Family of Winchester, VA has a long rich heritage and history that has launched us into the present, and continues to help us build a future for our family, the Winchester Community  and the various communities we reside. More importantly, we are setting the stage and raising the bar for future Finley generations to come.  

It must also be noted, we have some familiar surnames that are part of our family: Taper, Washington, Gaskins, Blowe, Day, to name a few. Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. We are FOREVER, THE FINLEY FAMILY.

-adapted from a Family Presentation by Nancy Finley Barbour, March 2015 

MORE HISTORY COMING SOON...