Among the well-known citizens of our county from the 1820s to the 1840s was Martin Dilley. It is believed that he was from Maryland and of Quaker descent. His wife was Hannah Moore, daughter of Pennsylvanian John Moore the pioneer. He located near Dilley's Mill where his son the late Andrew Dilley lived. Here he settled in the virgin forest and rescued from the wilderness quite a large estate and accumulated an ample competency. His home was known far and wide for the bountiful hospitality that was dispensed; a cordial welcome awaited friends and strangers alive.

 In reference to his family, the following information was gleaned from the reminiscences of his surviving friends. His son John Dilley married Isabel (Ibbie) Dilley, daughter of Henry Dilley a brother to Martin. John Dilley's daughter Margaret married Samuel Sutton near Greenbank where she now lives.

 Jeremiah Dilley son of John, married Margaret McCarthy daughter of Daniel McCarthy. Clayton Dilley married Mary Moore daughter of James Moore. Clark Dilley, a Union soldier, married Margaret Arbogast daughter of Rev. Henry Arbogast, and he was slain during the Civil War between Frost and Glades Hill.

 John Dilley's second marriage was with Naomi McNeil daughter of John McNeil of Swago. The children by the second marriage were as follows: Hannah Jane married Wesley Irvine and lives near Verdant Valley. George married Amelia Warwick. He died in Lewis Co. and his widow married Hopkins Wanless; they now live near Dilley's Mill. Register Dilley moved to Iowa. Wilson Dilley married Margaret Rush, and they live on Brown's Mountain. Fletcher Dilley married Nancy Hannah on Elk and they live near West Union. Kenny Dilley is a journeyman printer, and he founded the Pocahontas Herald at Huntersville in 1893. Davis Dilley lives at home. Summers Dilley married Amanda McLaughlin, and died near Frankford recently. Peter Dilley married Georgia Hamilton and they live on Knapps Creek. Rebecca Dilley became Mrs. Gratton S. Weiford and they live on the old homestead.

 Elizabeth Dilley, daughter of Martin Dilley, married Peter Yeager, and they live at Traveler's Repose where Peter Yeager Jr. her son now lives. Her other children were Martin and Ella.

 Ann Dilley married William Sharp and they lived on Thorny Creek where Linsey Sharp now lives.

 Martha Dilley married William Cleek of Bath Co., VA, and lived near Windy Cove. Martha's children were William, Charles and daughter Ann Cleek who married George Simpson. Daughter Sarah Cleek married William Simpson, and they lived near the Big Spring of Elk in Bath Co.

 Rachel married William Sharp, Jr. and they lived at Big-Spring of Elk. Rachel's daughter Ella Sharp died at the age of six years. Her sons, Bernard, Henry and Luther, were Union soldiers and died of wounds received during the war. Sons Hugh, Silas and Harmon are well known and prosperous citizens living on or near the homestead.

 Mary Dilley married Alexander Sharp near Verdant Valley, and they lived on part of the William Sharp homestead; her only child is Mrs. Hannah Johnson.

 Andrew Dilley, Martin's second son, married Martha Sharp, the youngest daughter of William Sharp Sr. and settled on the homestead. Andrew's family consisted of two sons, Hanson, and Amos, and daughter Elizabeth who died at the age of two years.

 Amos J. Dilley married Araminta Dilley, daughter of Ralph Dilley near Mt. Zion in the Hills, and they settled on Thorny Creek. Amos' children were Missouri Frances, now Mrs. James A. Fertig; William Andrew; Noah Patterson; Howard Dennis, lately deceased; Uriah Hevener; Elizabeth Martha; Virgie May; Ernest; and Everett Amos.

 Hanson Dilley married Caroline Stalnaker and they settled at Dilley's Mill, of which he is now the owner.

 John Dilley and Andrew Dilley were worthy sons of their very worthy father, Martin Dilley. In his day, Martin was one of the most widely known of Pocahontas citizens, and his presence and character reflected credit upon the citizenship of the county in the estimation of those coming from abroad. He was of the type of citizenship of which my county might be considered fortunate to possess. As a member of society, Martin Dilley was worthy of high esteem because of his energy, industry, attention to business, honest economical thrift, and exemplary morals. He owned a family of slaves to whom he was very indulgent and lenient. For many years on public occasions at Huntersville-musters, superior courts and presidential elections--"Dilley’s George" was usually one of the most compicuous figures in the crowd as the vender of ginger cakes, apples and cider. He would be dressed "fine as a preacher," very dignified in his manners and would count the cakes and deal out the cider as if it made no difference to him whether you wanted it or not. He put on very sanctimonious airs trying to look and act like the preachers and the imitation of tone, look and gesture was quite a success. The articles he vended were the admiration of the whole country, and the prosaic old colored man found it remunerative, and all was owing to the indulgence of his benevolent master.

 Some years before his decease, Martin Dilley was waylaid, fired upon and severely wounded at the bend of the road a mile or so east of Driscol. The event startled the whole county, and was one of the most pathetic and tragical scenes ever transacted in our county.

 Mr. Dilley deserves to be remembered as one of the most substantial and useful citizens of his generation. He should be held in high esteem for what he accomplished in developing his part of our county, for he demonstrated that a rich reward the diligent worker, and that an ample competence could be gathered by such in spite of natural obstacles of dense soil and seemingly capricious climate.

 A chilly, rainy evening in April 1847,-the writer spent under the roof of this good old man and shared the comforts so profusely provided. and he will ever remember how impressively the venerable man stood up, repeated and sang a hymn. Then he had us to kneel and he the "priest and father" led in the family devotions preliminary to retiring for the night's repose. Such are the homes whence true peace and prosperity come forth to bless our people at large. May there be many such.