Letter From Phyllis Gilli To Don Dilley

4 Aug 1982

 

Mr. Don Dilley

2032 South 333rd

Federal Way, WA 98003

Dear Don,

I am so happy to meet you. I have been writing to Thelma Reeder in West Colina, CA. She sent me a copy of your Dilley in Virginia notes, August 1981. On the third page, I can identify the material from the William & Mary Quarterly:

The John F. Dilley was the son of my Joseph A. Dilley who lived in Frostburg. John F. Dilley attended law College one year (at Wm & Mary in Wiliamsburg--JDA). In the 1850 census, he was back in Cumberland! MD as an attorney . . . also the census taker. In 1856, John F. moved to Minnesota and became a judge there. He must have died about the same time as Joseph, because he is listed as deceased in the list of heirs of Joseph; but none of his children are named as in the case of other children who had died before their father. 

I suspect that the "A" in Joseph's name stands for Acklan, and I suspect that his parents were John Dilley who married Elizabeth Ackland in Bath Co., VA in 1795? (This last piece of information came from Thelma--I do not know her source.)

According to an article in a book named Brown's Miscellaneous Writings by Jacob Brown and written from 1880 to 1895, and published in Cumberland MD 1896, Joseph Dilley was born in Botetourt Co., VA but in his boyhood and infancy found his way to Somerset Co., PA, where he learned the blacksmith trade. After this, he located where Frostburg, MD was afterward built, and carried on his trade with much success. He became rather wealthy. 

It is possible that Joseph was one of the early sons of John who was in Belpre, OH with a wife Nancy (This is not possible--JDA). I will give you a list of Joseph's children as far as I know them on a separate page. You will notice some interesting names in Barney's children. His oldest son was Ackland Clary Dilley (Clary was Barney's wife's maiden name and I suspect Acklan was Joseph's middle name, and possibly his mother's maiden name. My Dilley must be closely related to the line that Thelma is working on.

Your project of an index to the Dille Book interests me. I have a copy of the book, and I would love to obtain an index. Put me on your list to buy one when you have decided to print it.

I have found someone working on your branch of the Dilley family. I gave her your address but the address I got from Thelma was incomplete. You may never have received a letter from Susan K. Wright. I will enclose a photocopy of her letter.

Sincerely yours,

Ms Phyllis Gilli,

Route 7, Box 245,

Bakersfield, CA, 93309

By Phyllis M. Gilli

1. Margaret Dilley b in MD; m 24 Mar 1840 Benjamin L. Edwards, Allegany Co (living in 1880, but children not known)
2. Barney Dilley b 8 Nov 1823, m 20 Aug 1853 Rachel Elizabeth Clary, dau of Aden & Isabella (Welsh) Clary; d 19 Aug 1900
3. John F. Dilley b age 30 1850 census Allegany Co., m Maria; d abt 1880 in Minnesota
4. Minerva Dilley b 28 in 1850 census Allegany Co., m Samuel Athey; d before 1850; Samuel d before 1880
5. Armida Elizabeth b 16 Jan 1825, Frostburg, MD; (age 25 in 1850 census) m 21 May 1843 Dr. John Everett, son of Jesse & Mercy Merry Everett of Herkimer Co., NY; she d 10 Oct 1866

Children of Barney and Rachel Elizabeth (Clary) Dilley

(all b in MD except Alice and Edith in PA) 

1. Acklan Clary (1854-1906), m Cynthia Dilley widow of Uncle Frank?
2. Alice Agusta (1854-1927, m James H. Ward
3. Edith Mae b 1859 m Dr. Charles H. Brace
4. Isabella Elizabeth b 1862 m Wm. Allen Darrow, whose son, Charles Brace invented the game of Monopoly.
5. Penina Golden b 1856 m John Frances Coulehan
6. Lura Barnetta Dilley (1868-1941) m Edward J. Decker
7. Bernard Dougherty (1870-1899) m Anna Agnes Kirby
8. Loydetta Clary (1873-1941) m Wm . D. Sevey Sr.
9. Joseph Guy b 1877 m Olive Cameron

Children of John F. Dilley and wife Maria