In Cowan's book it says this about Moses Finlay: 1804, Sept 4--Moses Finlay was ordained minister of the Congregation. He was an earnest man, a popular preacher, and very zealous in establishing Sunday Schools within the bounds of the congregation. He was "a father to his people, whose counsel and guidance they largely sought in their multifarious concerns." He was Moderator of the Synod of Ulster in 1833. In that year Donaghmore was a "1st class Congregation" in respect of the Royal Bounty, with 2894 souls. He first appears at the Synod in 1805. During his pastorate (about 1832) the
spacious lecture-room and the commodious stables were built at a cost of L200. He resigned in April 1837, and was subsequently called to the pastorate of Newmills, Co. Tyrone. He died May 5, 1854, and was buried in Donaghmore Parish Churchyard, where a handsome tomb has been erected to his memory and that of Mrs. Finley (nee Thompson), which bears the following inscription: Erected in memory of the Rev. M. Finlay, for 33 years Presbyterian Minister of Donaghmore, who died 5 May 1854 aged 74 years, and of his wife Jane who died 5 Jan 1846, aged 67 years. There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God." The names of Charles and William Laird Finlay (his sons) have had a conspicuous place, and are of fragrant memory still in the history of Belfast, and, indeed, of Ulster Prebyterianism generally.

Note:  We know that Rev. Moses Finley and his wife were related to the Ruddock and McConnell families of Ringclare.  Hannah McConnell Ruddock's mother may have been Ann Thompson.  Hannah and her sons lived with Alexander Finley and Letitia McMullen Finley (daughter of John McMullen)  in Rochester, NY upon her arrival in 1843 from Ireland.  Two of her sons married Finley daughters while in Rochester.  The Ruddock sons and Finley daughters were all born in Ireland.  Was Rev. Finley, Alexander's father?  Was Jane Thompson sister of Mrs. James McConnell (Margaret?).

Anyone having information on Finley's, McConnell's, Thompson's and McMullen's, please let me know what you have.

Norm Ruddock