Among the early settlers of our county, Henry Dilley deserves more than a passing notice. He was one of four Dilley brothers, one of whom was the late Martin Dilley. It is believed that the Dilleys came from Maryland, and very probably of French descent.

Henry Dilley went over to John Sharps, the early settler of Frost, often enough to persuade his daughter Margaret to have him for better or worse, and they were happily married and settled on Thorny Creek. As long as Dilley's Mill be known, his name will never be forgotten. Mr. Dilley never doubted the truth of the bible, especially that place in Genesis, where it speaks of the ground bringing forth "thorns and thistles." He had enough of these things to contend with on his Thorny Creek land where he settled, opened up a home, and built a mill. It was one of the best of its kind for that day, and it's successor keeps up a good reputation as Dilley's Mill yet. Men may come and go, but the beautiful perennial stream that was utilized by Henry Dilley still goes on its useful service for the benefit of his children's children and a great many others far and near.

Joseph Dilley, son of Henry Dilley, married Mary Ann, a daughter of the late Joseph Friel on Greenbrier River five miles above Marlinton, where he lives yet. Thomas Dilley married Peachy Van Reenan a native of Holland, and they lived on Cummings Creek. He was a Confederate soldier. Ralph Dilley married Mary Jane, daughter of William Moore, near Mt Zion and settled on a section of the Moore homestead. This was at one of the head springs of Moore's Run which debouches into Knapps Creek at Brown Moore s. Four daughters and one son composed their family.

Daniel Dilley married a daughter of Dr. Addison Moore near Edray, and they migrated to Iowa. William Dilley first married Mary Friel, daughter of Jeremiah Friel. This pioneer on the Greenbrier River at the mouth of Thorny Creek, settled in Huntersville as the village blacksmith. In this occupation his skill was very superior. His second marriage was with Elizabeth Baker, and there were four children by this second marriage. William Dilley's third marriage was with Ann Drepard, and by this marriage there were five sons and three daughters.

John Dilley, son of Henry Dilley, was a mechanic of remarkable skill for a self-trained workman. He was honest and industrious, and it is believed by his friends that he sacrificed his health in his devotion to his useful calling through exposure. What he suffered it is hard for anyone to realize. His wife was Ellen Friel and they lived for years on Thorny Creek. Their daughter Frances married Lieutenant Henry M. Poage. He was a gallant soldier in the Confederacy, and was killed near Warrenton, VA. Mrs. Poage had died some time previously. They were survived by one daughter who is now Mrs. Sallie Woods Berry of Rockingham, Co., VA. A Pocahontas Camp of Confederate Veterans has given Lieutenant Poage the highest honor they can confer, when they named their organization "The Moffet Poage Camp", which has Marlinton for the place of rendezvous.

The name Dilley indicates a French origin, and although Martin Dilley claimed to be of German descent, it does not necessarily follow that the family is of pure German origin. A very important element of the immigration to this country in the previous century was the Huguenot French who had refuged from France about or soon after 1865 to England, Holland and Germany, and thence to the New World as it was so frequently called. William Penn's Colony had great attraction for the Germans, and for many others besides. It is altogether possible, and quite probable, that there were Dilleys (Dilles) from France among the exiles that found their way to Germany. After living there for years, their children hearing of the advantages of the things to be had in America, came over along with the German immigrants, and regarded themselves as such. As a general thing, the Huguenots were people who were employed in shops and manufactures. But what was loss to France was gain for continental countries and many places in the United States as the reader learns from history.

For a long time, too, Lord Baltimore's Maryland colony was really one of the best places for the early immigrants. A great many early settlers of Maryland were attracted by the inducements that he offered. But as "burnt children dread the fire," it is not likely that very many of the French protestants inclined to settle in a Roman Catholic Colony, managed by an avowed Roman Catholic. To Lord Baltimore's credit, however, let it be remembered that there was more religious tolerance under his administration than almost any where else in the civilized world of the period. Some writers go as far as to say that Maryland was the birthplace of religious toleration. The matter is an interesting one to inquire into.

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