Person:Adam Wiley (1)

Of the children of Jenny Wiley, Adam P. was the most noted. In physique he was scarcely excelled by any man in the Sandy Valley. Tall, straight as an arrow, brown of skin, slow of movement and speech, he was an attractive figure to look upon. He was known far and wide as “Vard” Wiley, sometimes called “Adam Pre Vard.” Why thus designated the writer is unable to say.* In his early life “Vard” was a great fiddler, and carried his violin far and near^ to make music for the young people to dance by. But umting himself with the Baptist Church, he for a time gave up the fiddle and went to preaching. His sermons were, like himself, very long, and he was very zealous and earnest. After some years in the ministry — the number we do not remember — he gave up his calling, and was often seen making his old violin ring out charming music for the young people at the log-rolling, house-raising, or corn-husking. He lived to a ripe old age, and died only a few years ago, at his home in Johnson County.

1.   Connelley, William Elsey. Eastern Kentucky papers : the founding of Harman's Station: with an account of the Indian captivity of Mrs. Jennie Wiley and the exploration and settlement of the Big Sandy Valley in the Virginias and Kentucky. (New York: The Torch Press, 1910)
   Chapter II, 1910.