Person:Henry Dilley (1)

Biography of Henry Dilley

From "Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County West Virginia", by William T. Price:

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

Henry Dilley went over to John Sharp's, 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, and as long as Dilley's Mill will be known his name will not 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 – one of the best of its kind at that day – and its successor keeps up a good reputation as Dilley's mill yet. Men may come and men may go, but the beautiful perennial strewn, that was utilized by Henry Dilley, still goes on in 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, and near the mouth of Thorny Creek, and settled on a part of the homestead, where he yet lives.

Thomas Dilley married Peachy VanReenan, a native of Holland, and lived on Cummings Creek. He was a Confederate soldier.

Ralph Dilley married Mary Jane, daughter of William Moore, near Mount Zion, and settled on a section of the Moore homestead, 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 the late Dr. Addison Moore, near Edray, and migrated to Iowa.

William Dilley first married Mary Friel, daughter of Jeremiah Friel, the pioneer on the Greenbrier at the mouth of Thorny Creek, and settled in Huntersville as the village blacksmith, in which occupation his skill was very superior. His second marriage was with Elizabeth Baker. There were four children by this marriage. William Dilley's third marriage with Ann Drepperd, and by this marriage there were five sons and three daughters.

John Dilley, son of Henry Dilley, was a mechanic of remarkable skill to be 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. These persons lived for years on Stony Creek. Their daughter Frances married Lieutenant Henry M. Poage. He was a gallant Confederate officer, and was killed near Warrenton, Virginia. Mrs. Poage had died some time previously. They were survived by one daughter, who is now Sallie Woods Berry, of Rockingham County, Virginia. A Pocahontas camp of Confederate veterans has given to Lieutenant Poage the highest honor they can confer when they named their organization the Moffett 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 were the Huguenot French, who had refugeed from France about or soon after 1685, to England, Holland, and Germany, and thence to the New World, as it was then so frequently called.

William Penn's colony had great attractions 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, and found their way to Germany; and after living there some years, their children, hearing of the advantages to be had in America, came over along with the German immigrants, and regarded themselves as such. As a general thing, the Huguenot people were employed in the shops and manufacturers; but what was the loss of France was the gain of continental countries and many places in the United States, as the reader may readily learn by reference to history.

For a long time, too, Lord, Baltimore's Maryland colony was really one of the best places for the early immigrants, and a great many of the early settlers of Maryland were attracted by the inducements he offered. But as "burnt children dread the fire," it is not likely that very many of the French protestants should be inclined to settle permanently 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 of religious tolerance under his administration than almost anywhere else in the civilized world of that period. Some writers go so far as to say that Maryland was the birth place of religious toleration. The matter is an interesting one to inquire into.