Pvt. Lafayette Fincham, Company G, 12th W. Va. Infantry, was my great grand uncle. Born at Washington, Rappahannock County, Virginia, on August 22, 1840, he was the son of John Fincham and Nancy Dyke. The family moved to Harrison County, Va. (W. Va.) around 1855/56. Lafayette enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, at Bridgeport, and mustered in at Wheeling, Aug. 27, 1862, in Company G. He was in the battle of Winchester and spent the last months of the war sick at Fortress Monroe, Va. He mustered out June 1865.

     Lafayette married Jane Wiseman, Dec. 25, 1866. In 1898, they had nine children living: Amaziah M. b. Mar. 22, 1872; John F. b. Nov. 15, 1873; Lloyd E. b. Jul. 2, 1876; William H. b. Aug. 15, 1877; Orval b. Oct. 4, 1880; Bertha b. Oct. 7, 1882; Ernest b. Sept. 7, 1884. George b. Apr. 18, 1886; and Sherman b. Nov. 3, 1893. - It was Sherman Fincham who assisted his father in his daily needs in his final years.

     Following the war, Lafayette was a farmer. He applied for a pension and his certificate No. was 430760. He passed from this world at the age of 90 on Nov. 21, 1930, at his home at Glen Falls, Harrison County, W. Va. His widow passed on Feb. 17, 1938, and is buried in Griffith's Cemetery.

     Charles H. Fincham, brother of Lafayette, served in Co. G, 6th. W.Va. Infantry, from Sept. 12, 1864 to June 10, 1865.