Delano Kindred

10/07/2026

At the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Delano Kindred in September, members voted to donate $200 for trail maintenance to the Stephen C.L. Delano Memorial Forest in Rochester, Massachusetts. Rochester is located about 26 miles southwest of Duxbury. Part of the Delano Kindred mission is to memorialize and support locations and structures of historical significance to DELANO family history.

Stephen C.L. Delano (1911-1980) was involved in the textile production industry of nearby New Bedford, Massachusetts. There, he was active in a number of historic and civic groups and was a founder of the Waterfront Historic Area League. The Delano family has deep roots over the centuries in New Bedford and nearby areas, beginning with Philippe de Lannoy’s son Jonathan who settled in Acushnet (now Fairhaven) across the river from New Bedford. The Memorial Forest served as a woodlot for the Delano family from 1850 to 1985.

After Stephen’s death in 1980, his wife Sarah arranged for the establishment of the Memorial Forest. It is part of several preserved areas along the South Coast managed by the Wildwoods Trust. Their mission includes protection and preservation of Massachusetts South Coast farms, woods and fields from development. Founded in Duxbury in the 1970s, the Trust is now a 501 (c)3 operating from Plymouth.

Like many other towns in Southeastern Massachusetts, Rochester is experiencing ever-expanding development that threatens the rural landscape and biodiversity of this beautiful town. Farming once permeated the town’s identity, as evidenced by old farms and stone walls dotting the landscape. Although farming is still a way of life for many, cranberry bogs account for an increasing proportion of the town’s agricultural industry. Rochester maintains its rural character today through scenic vistas of wide-open spaces, along with meadows, woodlands, old cart paths, cranberry bogs, ponds and farmlands.

A memorial stone placed near a path in the northeast sector of this forest bears the inscription, “Stephen C. L. Delano, 1911-1983. This woodland was his.”

Open cart paths and a gentle terrain make this an enjoyable preserve for a walk, especially for family outings. A two-mile loop trail wanders through the uplands and travels along the Sippican River, passing several interesting woodland swamps which are also vernal pools. These shallow depressions support red maples, highbush blueberries, ferns, swamp azaleas and a variety of other species.

https://www.wildlandstrust.org/stephen-cl-delano-memorial-forest

10/02/2026

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Delano Kindred took place at the Alden House Historic Site in Duxbury on September 18 – 19. The Alden property is adjacent to the 17th-century homesite of Philippe de Lannoy and his family. The meeting also was available on Zoom for those who could not attend in person.

In-person attendees hailed from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, DC, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona and the Netherlands. Zoom attendees joined from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, California, England and Scotland.

Friday’s meeting began with our guest speaker, Stephen O’Neill, Executive Director of the Hanover Massachusetts Historical Society, who shared three stories about the Delano family. He began with Philip Delano’s 1621 immigration to the Plymouth Colony at the age of 18 on Fortune, discussing the provisions settlers brought with them, material culture and the development of early colonial homes, citing numerous examples. Next, Stephen explored the father-son shipbuilding duo, Benjamin and William Delano, who had a business on the North River in Norwell during the 18th century. Finally, Stephen presented the story of Ruth Delano Haskins Wright (1813-1861), the wife of blacksmith Warren Wright who lived in Hanover in the 19th century. The presentation included a detailed discussion of probate inventories, shipbuilding history and architectural examples of colonial homes, with particular attention to the Delano House in Norwell.

Later in the afternoon, participants toured the 1653 Alden House, as well as the new J. Alden & Virginia E. Keyser Center for Living History. A previous post featured this new museum. Tours were followed by a reception with appetizers, drinks and a catered dinner in the Alden Barn.

On Saturday, President Tom Delano chaired the Delano Kindred Annual Meeting. Members approved last year’s meeting minutes, offered by Secretary Margaret Delano. Treasurer Paula Delano presented her report, highlighting the recovery of the organization’s 501c3 status, the hiring of a new bookkeeper, and the current budget. Members approved the budget. Becket Soule provided an update on the Emerald Books project which is nearing completion and is expected to be published through Heritage Books. A charitable contribution of $200 was approved for the Stephen C. L. Delano Memorial Forest. The slate of officer candidates was elected without opposition.

Following the meeting, cousins enjoyed a catered lunch and guest speaker - noted historian Peter Arenstam who has authored many publications on the Pilgram settlers in Plymouth and surrounding areas. Peter presented a comprehensive overview of the maritime world of early Plymouth, focusing on the Mayflower voyage and subsequent ships to the Colony including Fortune. He detailed the construction and characteristics of 17th-century ships and described navigation techniques during the voyage.

This was followed by a tour of the original Duxbury Delano family land grant by Tony Kelso, Town of Duxbury Historian.

The Annual Meeting is a great time to connect with cousins from across the country (and even the world) to celebrate and honor the history of our Delano family.

Are you a member of the Delano Kindred?
If not, information on membership is below. We’d love for you to join us!

https://www.delanokindred.us/membership

09/15/2026

Tom Delano welcomed Delano ancestors and promoted membership in our Delano Kindred at the 44th Congress of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Many Alden, Standish, Warren and Soule descendants also descend from Philippe de Lannoy.

09/11/2026

The Center for Living History at the Alden House Historic Site in Duxbury officially opened its doors on August 2, 2026. Constructing this new space marks a major milestone for the Alden Kindred of America, as it brings the Alden story, and its central role in the early history of Duxbury and Plymouth Colony, to life through interactive exhibits and hands‑on learning opportunities.

Those of you attending the Delano Kindred Annual Meeting and Reunion will have an opportunity to visit this exciting new family-friendly museum. Don't miss the Duxbury interactive where you can investigate the other residents of Duxbury, including our own Philippe de Lannoy/Philip Delano.

Here's a sneak peak.

08/10/2026

Delano Kindred 2026 Annual Meeting and Reunion
September 18 & 19, 2026
The New Alden Barn in Duxbury, MA

Our 2026 Delano Kindred Annual Meeting and Reunion will be held on September 18th and 19th at the new Alden Barn at 105 Alden Street, Duxbury, MA 02332.

Here is the final agenda for this meeting:
September 18, 2026
1:00 pm 1st Delano Kindred Board of Directors Meeting - Alden Barn
2:00 pm Speaker – Stephen O’Neill, Exec. Dir. Hanover Historical Soc.
3:00 pm Tours of the Alden House and Alden Barn Exhibits
4:30 pm Reception
5:30 pm Catered Dinner

September 19, 2026
10:30 am Delano Kindred Annual Meeting - Alden Barn
12:00 pm Catered Lunch
1:00 pm Speaker – Peter Arenstam, Plymouth Historian
2:30 pm Optional walking tour of the Philip Delano property given by Tony Kelso, Town of Duxbury Historian
4:00 pm 2nd Delano Kindred Board meeting

As with past Annual Meetings/Reunions, registration, meals and refreshments will be provided over the two days. The per-person fee, which includes all expenses, is $95.00. The Delano Kindred website is open to take the Annual Meeting/Reunion reservations. See the link below to register.

We have reserved 12 rooms at the Marriott Fairfield Hotel, 16 Plaza Way, Plymouth, MA 02360 for the attendees who will need a room close by. For a hotel room, please contact Jamy Saade, Director of Sales, at (508) 503-6699 or at [email protected]

The Annual Meeting registration is open as of July 15th, and it will run through Sept. 11, 2026. We will have more of the meeting details as we get closer to the meeting dates. You may register on the Delano Kindred website by clicking on this link:

This page summarizes recent Delano Kindred Annual Meetings and Reunions.

05/07/2026

Delano Soldiers in the 1776 New York Campaign -
After the British evacuated Boston by sea in March 1776, General Washington guessed correctly their next target would be New York. Washington marched his troops to Lower Manhattan. There, he strengthened the batteries that guarded the harbor and constructed forts in northern Manhattan and on Brooklyn Heights across the East River on Long Island. Then he waited.

In June 1776, brothers Jabez (1755-c. 1776/77) and Jonathan Delano (1757-1835) [Jonathan, Jabez, Jonathan, Jonathan, Philippe] enlisted for another six months. This time they were accompanied by their brother Philip (1761-1848) and cousin, Barnabus Delano (1753-1792) [Silvanus, Jonathan, Jonathan, Philippe].

Their orders were to reinforce General Washington’s army at New York, and in August, their company sailed from Wethersfield, Connecticut to Governor’s Island in New York. There, they waited.

Meanwhile following his first engagement in Canada in 1775, Barnabus’ brother, Aaron Delano (1756-1823) of Kent, Connecticut had joined Captain Oliver Root’s Massachusetts militia company raised in Pittsfield in spring 1776. Aaron’s company marched to reinforce New York and was stationed in Manhattan awaiting a British attack.

When the British moved in, Jabez, Jonathan, Philip, Barnabus and their unit were forced to evacuate Governor’s Island to Long Island under great confusion and chaos.
Aaron’s company was ordered to support troops on Long Island.

On 27 August 1776, the British attacked the western end of Long Island and laid siege to the American position at Brooklyn Heights. By that evening many Americans had been captured or killed. The most significant action for our Delano cousins’ units occurred on the night of 29-30 August 1776 when they made a daring nighttime evacuation across the East River back to Manhattan that saved the Continental Army from total capture.

Our cousins’ units then retreated north from the city, and the British pursued. On 16 September, Aaron’s company engaged the British in the Battle of Harlem Heights. This was the first time the Continental Army - and specifically the raw militia units - saw they could face British regulars in an open-field firefight and win. The men in Aaron’s unit had gained vital experience that would serve them later at the Battle of White Plains in October.

All five cousins - Jabez, Jonathan, Philip, Barnabus and Aaron – would see action at White Plains on 28 October 1776. This American loss left an estimated 48 killed; and Captain Birge was mortally wounded. General Washington was forced to retreat further north before turning south toward New Jersey.

The retreat through New Jersey in November and December 1776 was a period of extreme hardship for the remaining men of our cousins’ units. British forces under General Cornwallis were often just a few miles behind, sometimes entering a town as the American rear guard was leaving. The soldiers faced deteriorating conditions as a mild autumn turned into a freezing November. Many were without shoes, stockings or blankets. While the two companies belonged to different state militias, they both shared in the harrowing withdrawal that Thomas Paine famously described as "the times that tried men's souls.”

For our cousins, the retreat ended not in battle but in the expiration of their enlistments. Aaron’s company was officially dismissed on 5 December, just as the army reached the safety of the Delaware River. For our other cousins, their term ended on 25 December 1776.

All returned home safely with the possible exception of Jabez. It’s been said he was killed in action in 1777, but there is no record of any additional enlistment.

It’s possible Jabez Delano died sometime during this 1776 campaign, perhaps at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights of the Battle of White Plains.

04/21/2026

The Disappearance of Jethro Delano -
In February 1776, Jethro Delano (1732 - ?) [Jonathan, Jonathan and Philippe] enlisted as a private in Captain David Down's militia company, raised in Sharon and other areas of Litchfield County, Connecticut. His unit was part of Col. Charles Burrell's Battalion, raised to reinforce troops besieging Quebec. After the Americans retreated from that position in April 1776, Jethro’s company was stationed briefly at Ticonderoga and vicinity.

Jethro’s was one of two companies in the regiment sent to reinforce the American garrison at The Cedars, 40 miles above Montreal. On 20 May 1776, this column of roughly 100–140 men, led by Major Henry Sherburne, was ambushed at Quinze-Chênes (about 4 miles from The Cedars) by a force of British regulars and Iroquois warriors. After a brief, sharp engagement, the entire company was forced to surrender.

After the surrender, some Iroquois warriors, who made up the majority of the British-allied force, sought revenge for their own losses. At least seven prisoners were confirmed to have been killed or tortured to death by Iroquois warriors shortly after the surrender. Those taken prisoner were stripped of their clothing, baggage, and arms, and they were denied food for several days. The prisoners were held for approximately ten days before being exchanged in a controversial agreement negotiated by Benedict Arnold.

What happened to Jethro Delano? Did he survive the Battle of The Cedars?

After appearing on a payroll list for this militia company, Jethro seems to have disappeared from all records. His name is not on the prisoner list, but those rolls are incomplete.

While most prisoners were returned to Fort Anne, New York by 30 May, contemporary accounts suggest some remained in the hands of the Iroquois and were taken to their villages. Because Congress eventually repudiated the exchange agreement, some American prisoners who had not yet been handed over may have remained in British or Indigenous custody indefinitely.

Still others from Jethro’s unit were devastated by smallpox. Fear of the disease caused some soldiers to secretly and improperly self-inoculate, but they failed to quarantine themselves during the process, causing it to spread rapidly. The situation was described as catastrophic.

The company’s term expired 19 January 1777. Did Jethro survive his enlistment?
No evidence has been found to answer this question.

If you know what happened, please let us know.

04/02/2026

Connecticut Cousin Volunteers of 1775 -
Our Connecticut Delano family was heavily involved in the American War for Independence. And in 1775, they took their place on the two primary war fronts – the New England Front and the Canadian Front.

On 9 July 1775 brothers 20-year-old Jabez (1755-77) and 18-year-old Jonathan (1757-1835) [ Jonathan, Jabez, Jonathan, Jonathan] enlisted together into Captain Abraham Filer’s Connecticut militia company for six months. Many Connecticut companies raised in the spring and summer of 1775 were stationed at various points along the Long Island Sound to monitor British shipping and prevent the seizure of livestock from coastal farms. And at first, this is where Jabez and Jonathan were stationed. But in mid-September General Washington ordered their unit to the Boston Camps.

After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Americans pursued the retreating British troops back to Boston. Patriot militias quickly blocked the only land routes out of the city - the Charlestown and Boston Necks - effectively surrounding the British. The goal was to force the British to evacuate Massachusetts.

Posted at Roxbury, Jabez and Jonathan were part of the right wing of the American forces during the Siege of Boston. Their primary duty was to prevent a British breakout through the Roxbury Neck. The brothers probably spent most of their time constructing and manning heavy fortifications, and they frequently found themselves targets of British artillery fire from the Boston Neck and floating batteries.

Jabez and Jonathan’s company was officially discharged on 10 December 1775, but they were encouraged to stay until the new Continental Army was organized on 1 January 1776. Jabez and Jonathan complied. This would not be their last enlistment.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Aaron Delano (1756-1823) [Silvanus, Jonathan, Jonathan, Philippe[ was on the Canadian front. Here, the goal was to bring the “14th colony” into the revolution and eliminate the British treat from the north.

In May 1775, Aaron, who lived in Kent, Connecticut, enlisted as a private for nine months into Captain Thomas Lusk’s Massachusetts militia company. His company participated in the first offensive victory of the war - the seizure of Fort Ticonderoga on 10 May 1775 - alongside Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. It was a daring surprise attack that secured vital military supplies and established a strategic foothold in the North.

Following the capture of Ticonderoga, Aaron’s company was one of the primary units that marched from Crown Point, New York into Canada under General Richard Montgomery’s army. Fort St. Johns sat on the Richelieu River, the primary waterway from Lake Champlain into the heart of British Canada. To capture Montreal and Quebec City, the Americans first had to neutralize this fort to secure their supply lines. Aaron’s company was part of the Continental force that surrounded the fort, enduring the swampy and freezing conditions of the Richelieu River valley.
The Siege of Fort St. Johns (F. S. Jean on the map) was a critical 45-day operation from 17 September to 3 November 1775. It served as the first major battle of the invasion of Canada and a testing ground for the newly formed Continental Army. Captain Lusk was later specifically recognized by the Connecticut Council of Safety for his company's service at St. Johns.

As American troops then advanced on Montreal, the British realized the city was indefensible and abandoned it on 11 November. The Governor of Quebec boarded a small fleet of eleven ships to flee downriver to Quebec City, but Aaron’s company helped blocked the British retreat. While the Governor escaped, the fleet commander was forced to surrender the entire flotilla to the Americans on 15 November 1775.

These captured vessels provided General Montgomery with the transportation and winter supplies needed to move his army downriver to join Benedict Arnold for the final assault on Quebec City. Meanwhile, Aaron was probably directed back to Fort Ticonderoga and Crown point to secure the flow of prisoners, wounded men, and captured supplies.

By late December 1775, enlistment contracts for most of the regiment expired. This mass departure of veteran troops, including Aaron’s company, occurred just as the Continental Army was preparing for its ill-fated assault on Quebec City on 31 December.

Interestingly over the next winter, 30 artillery pieces secured by Aaron’s company at Ticonderoga (along with 29 pieces from Crown Point) would make their way to Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston and its harbor. Finally on 17 March 1776, after their eleven-month occupation, the British abandoned the city.

03/23/2026

Connecticut Delanos and the War for Independence -
After the Lexington Alarm of April 1775, numerous Connecticut Delano family members joined the revolutionary cause.

Looking at the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Captain Jonathan Delano Jr. of Tolland ( 1680-1752) provides a snapshot of how the War for Independence impacted one branch of our family.

By 1775, Captain Jonathan and three of his sons - Jabez (1708-52), Nathan (1711-74) and Jonathan III (1715-1758) - had died. The middle sons - Barnabus (1718-91), age 57, and Silvanus (1720-96), age 55, - appear not to have fought in the war. But with the exception of Jonathan who had only daughters, sons and grandsons of the others are listed in various militia regiments supporting the Continental Army.
• Nathan (1738/9-1794) - son of Nathan - 4 enlistments in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont militias.
• Abishai (1756-1802) - son of Nathan - 1 enlistment in a New Hampshire militia.
• Gideon (1742-1809) - son of Barnabus - 2 enlistments in New Hampshire militias.
• Amos (1747-1828) - son of Silvanus - 4 enlistments in Massachusetts militias.
• Barnabus (1753-92) - son of Silvanus - 1 enlistment in a Connecticut militia.
• Aaron (1756-1823) - son of Silvanus - 4 enlistments in Connecticut and Massachusetts militias.
• Jabez (1755-1776/77?) - grandson of Jabez, son of Jonathan - 2 enlistments in Connecticut militias.
• Jonathan (1757-1835) - grandson of Jabez, son of Jonathan - 3 enlistments in Connecticut militias.
• Philip (1761-1848) - grandson of Jabez, son of Jonathan - 2 enlistments in Connecticut militias.

Jonathan of Tolland’s younger sons - Thomas, Timothy, and Jethro - actively supported the war effort.

Thomas Delano (1726-1803) appears on a “company of householders” list of Sharon, Connecticut minutemen and volunteers in 1776, though there is no record of specific alarms to which he may have responded. Thomas served on the Committee of Inspection in 1776 and 1777. He also was appointed to Sharon’s committee to regulate the price of grain and other articles in 1776 and 1777. At other times during the war period, he was a lister, grand juror and surveyor of highways. Clearly, Thomas’ civil contributions were significant. His sons also served.
• Reuben (1755-1830) - son of Thomas - 1 enlistment in a Connecticut militia.
• Thomas (1760-1835) - son of Thomas - 5 enlistments in Connecticut and New York militias.

As was mentioned in the last post, Timothy (1729-77) was one of 57 Tolland men to march as part of the Lexington Alarm. He also was serving the town as a fence viewer when he died in 1777.
• Calvin Timothy (1756-1832) - son of Timothy - served from about 1775-77 as a surgeon’s mate, physician and surgeon in the Continental Army.

Jethro (1732-1776?) - Jonathan of Tolland’s youngest son – served in a militia raised in Sharon, Connecticut in 1776 that saw action on the Canadian front. This is the last known documented reference to Jethro.

Future posts will highlight some of these individuals.

Did one of your Delano ancestors fight in the Revolutionary War?
Tell us about them.

03/14/2026

A Connecticut Delano Answers the Alarm -

The first battle of the American Revolution occurred at Lexington, Massachusetts on Wednesday, 19 April 1775. News reached Tolland, Connecticut early the next morning. As word spread, county militia members were ordered to gather at the meeting house, and 56 men from Tolland enlisted for the relief of their brethren in and near Boston. By nine o’clock Friday morning, they were on the march.

Among their number was Captain Timothy Delano (1729-77) - son of Jonathan Delano of Tolland, grandson of Jonathan and great-grandson of Philippe.

At 47 years old and a veteran captain of the French and Indian War, Timothy was an experienced soldier and quick to act. After nearly four days marching, his company reached Cambridge on Monday in time to parade in the town square that afternoon. But before long, he was marching back to Tolland; the immediate crisis was over.

Militias from Massachusetts (which included Maine), Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire had answered the call. While many companies served only a few days before returning home to their farms, by the end of April, a make-shift army of roughly 15,000 to 20,000 men had surrounded the City of Boston, trapping the British inside.

Timothy was paid for 10 days of service. While he was the first in our Connecticut family to serve, he would not be the last.