Delano family facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Delano family
Amasa Delano Warren Delano Jr. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Earlier spellings	de Lannoy, de La Noye
Etymology	"of Lannoy"
Place of origin	Walloon Flanders
Founder	Philip Delano
Connected families	Roosevelts

The Delano family is an important family in the United States. Many famous people are part of this family. These include U.S. presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ulysses S. Grant, and Calvin Coolidge. Other well-known members are astronaut Alan B. Shepard and writer Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The family started with Philippe de Lannoy (1602–1681). He was a Pilgrim from a region called Walloon Flanders. Philippe arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the early 1620s. His family also includes people who were on the Mayflower. Seven passengers and three signers of the Mayflower Compact were Delano family ancestors.

Delano Family: European Roots

Captain Warren Delano Sr.

Philippe de Lannoy was born in Leiden, a city in the Netherlands, on December 7, 1602. His parents, Jan Lano and Marie Mahieu, were religious refugees. They had moved to Leiden from what is now northern France.

Philippe's grandfather, Guilbert de Lannoy, was originally Catholic. But he became an early Protestant and left his home country. He moved to England and then to Leiden, which was a safe place for people with different religious beliefs. The family name, Delano, likely comes from the town of Lannoy in France.

Some evidence suggests that the Delano family might be connected to the noble House of Lannoy in Belgium.

Coming to America

Philippe de Lannoy's family joined the Walloon Church in Leiden. This church held services in French, meaning they likely spoke French. Philippe decided to join the voyage to America organized by the Pilgrim leader, John Robinson.

The Pilgrims bought a ship called the Speedwell for the journey. Philippe is believed to have joined his uncle, Francis Cooke, on this ship. The Speedwell was supposed to sail with the Mayflower. However, the Speedwell had problems and could not make the trip.

Some passengers from the Speedwell were able to join the Mayflower. Philippe was not among them. He eventually sailed to Plymouth Colony on another ship called the Fortune. He arrived in November 1621.

FDR and his cousins in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 1897

Life in America

When Philippe de Lannoy arrived, he lived with his uncle Francis Cooke. His uncle had arrived on the Mayflower the year before. In 1623, Philippe received land in Plymouth. He later sold it and moved to Duxborough, Massachusetts.

In 1634, Philippe married Hester Dewsbury. They had six children together. Philippe was successful and helped build roads and bridges in his village. After Hester died, he married Mary Pontus Glass and had three more children.

Philippe fought as a volunteer in the Pequot War in 1637. In 1652, he helped buy land in what is now Dartmouth Township. This land was bought from Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoag. Philippe gave his share of this land, about 800 acres, to his son Jonathan.

Philippe died on August 22, 1681, in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Many of his children and grandchildren became important sailors, whalers, and shipbuilders. Some Delano family members became very successful. They were known as some of the "First Families of Boston."

Famous Delano Descendants

Philippe de Lannoy's sixth son, Jonathan (1648–1720), married Mercy Warren. She was the granddaughter of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren. Many famous people are direct descendants of Jonathan and Mercy.

These include the author Laura Ingalls Wilder, President Ulysses S. Grant, and President Calvin Coolidge. Also, astronaut Alan B. Shepard and journalist Hunter S. Thompson are part of this family. The poet Conrad Potter Aiken and entertainer Martina McBride are also descendants.

Over time, Delano family members moved to many different states. They also moved to other countries, like Chile. In Chile, descendants of Captain Paul Delano are numerous and well-known today.

From the New York branch of the family, Sara Delano married James Roosevelt. Their only child, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, became the 32nd President of the United States.

Delano Family Tomb in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Here are some notable members of the Delano family in America:

• Amasa Delano (1763–1823): A sea captain and author. He was known for his adventures at sea. In 1805, he encountered a Spanish ship where enslaved people had revolted. This event later inspired Herman Melville's famous story "Benito Cereno". Amasa was born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and came from a family of sailors. He was involved in trading and the sealing industry.
• Paul Delano (1775–1842): He became the Commander of the Chilean Department of the Navy.
• Columbus Delano (1809–1896): A statesman, lawyer, and banker. He was a U.S. Congressman from Ohio. He worked to protect the rights of African Americans. He also served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. In 1874, he pushed for Yellowstone to be federally protected. He faced questions about his time in office and resigned in 1875. A town in California is named after him.
• Warren Delano Jr. (1809–1898): He was the grandfather of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was also a leader in a trading company called Russell & Company.
• Franklin Hughes Delano (1813–1893): A merchant and diplomat. He was married to Laura Astor, who was the favorite granddaughter of John Jacob Astor.
• Francis Ralph Delano (1842–1892): A banker and railroad executive.
• Warren Delano IV (1852–1920): He was involved in the coal industry and was a horseman.
• Sara Ann Delano (1854–1941): She was the mother of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Jane Arminda Delano (1862–1919): A registered nurse (RN). She founded the American Red Cross Nurses Service. She died in France in 1919 while helping during the influenza pandemic.
• Frederic Adrian Delano II (1863–1953): A civil engineer and Sara Delano's brother.
• William Adams Delano (1874–1960): A famous architect.
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945): The 32nd President of the United States.
• Warren Delano Robbins (1885–1935): A diplomat.
• Preston Delano (1886–1961): He served as the U.S. Comptroller from 1938 to 1953.
• David Delano Clark (1924–1997): A nuclear physicist.
• Diane Delano (born 1957): An actress.
• James Whitlow Delano (born 1960): A photographer.
• Mary Gray-Reeves (born 1962): The first woman to be an Episcopal bishop in California.

Places Named After the Delano Family

Several places in the United States are named after members of the Delano family:

• Delano, California: Named for Columbus Delano.
• Delano, Minnesota: Named for Francis Roach Delano.
• Delano, Pennsylvania, and Delano Township, Pennsylvania: Named for Warren Delano Jr..
• Delano Hall: This is the main dining hall at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. It is named to honor the Delano family for their support of the American Merchant Marine. It also recognizes President F.D. Roosevelt's support for the Academy.