Another great bit of information provided by Don Fink.

John Michael Fink was known as “Michael” by family and friends.

The following is taken from the “brief” in the case of Sarah Fink, widow of John M. Fink-alias Michael Fink.

John M. Fink served in the Tennessee Militia, entering the service Nov. 13, 1814 and served to the 13th of May, 1815. The soldier died on the 16th of August, 1843 in consequence of the disease of Rheumatism of many years standing. Lewis Roberts who is certified to be a credible witness testifies that he was well acquainted with Fink–who served in the same Company of Tennessee Militia – (Capt. Landen’s) with him in the War of 1812. That they were mustered into service at Knoxville, Tennessee in November 1814, and were marched south to Mobile — and at Fort Strother on the Coosa River in the Alabama Territory – he Fink contracted the disease of rheumatism – his knees and anchles (sic) becoming so much swollen – as to compel him to use two sticks as canes – to enable him to get along – especially in the return home. He was left behind at Lookout Mountain – in consequence of his inability to travel – and did not reach home ’till sometime after the return of Roberts. He continued to be acquainted with Fink – from the time of his return ’till he died – that he was always badly afflicted with the disease of rheumatism – and grew worse by degrees ’till the time of his death.

George Carr, who is certified to be a credible witness, served in Capt. Landen’s Co. with Fink and fully corroborates the testimony of Lewis Roberts going however more into detail of the hardship and exposures of the service. He states that they were marched in the middle of winter – through an almost unbroken wilderness in the Alabama Territory – wading through rivers & creeks – frequently plunging into swamps – which seemed to be endless and at night having little or no protection by way of tents from the inclement weather – with sleet and rain usually pouring upon them. And when they reached Mobile they were not much better protected. That peace was declared soon after they reached there – and they were ordered home for discharge – the homeward march was almost as difficult as the march out – whilst the men from the previous fatigue and exposures were less able to bear it. Carr marched along close to Fink in the Company – and knows that he was so much crippled up with the rheumatism that he scarcely got along. When they reached Lookout Mountain they were obliged to leave him there to rest and recomit his health sufficiently to enable him to reach home. He continued to know him well (they were neighbors) through life – and that he never recovered from his disease that as he grew older the violence of the disease increased upon him – frequently confining him in his last years to his bed for months at a time. He saw him frequently and knows that he died in August 1843 of his disease.

Dr. Isaac Dolen who is certified to be a physician of reputable standing in his profession testifies that he knew Fink for some years, previous to his death, and knows that he was afflicted with Rheumatism – and that some seventeen or eighteen years ago – he was called on professionally to attend him – and found him in great suffering from his complaint. His limbs were drawn up – joints distended and he exhibited every appearance of a person who had suffered from the disease for many years. He applied the normal practice in such diseases, but of no avail. For after giving him professional attention for some two or three weeks he died of his disease.

Sarah was awarded the government pension of $4.00 per month from Feb. 5, 1861, but never received anything. She reapplied and was later granted $8.00. Sarah signed her papers with her “mark”. John M. died in 1843 and Sarah’s address remained Kendrick’s Creek, Sullivan Co. Tenn. until at least 1868.

At the time of his death, he owed 320 1/2 acres of farmland that was inherited by George, his oldest son and then handed down to his sons.
Today, Dec. 1996, Orville, age 89 still lives on his 21 acres. His brother Henry sold his 21 acres about 10 years ago and moved into town.

The death cert. of daughter Margaret shows that both John M. and wife Sarah were born in Tennessee.

On the military record #374 he is listed as Michael “Finch”, of the 4th regiment (Bayles’), East Tennessee Militia, War of 1812, Private, card number 38512342 of the Captain James Landen’s Company, Col. Samuel Bayles’ Reg’t. East Tennessee Militia. While the remainder of his military files would indicate that he went by Michael Fink, leaving off the John. He was on Captain James Landen’s Company payroll from Nov 13, 1814 to May 18, 1815, for a period of 6 months and 5 days. For this service he received $8.00 per month, or $49.33 for the total service period. John Michael later hired an attorney and went after the govt. for not paying him for the service in the War of 1812.

John M. Fink
Landens Company

to: Power Atty

John McAlister