Stephen Delancey facts for kids

Stephen Delancey (French: Étienne de Lancy; October 24, 1663 – November 18, 1741) was a very important person in early New York State. He lived during the time when New York was a British colony. His children and grandchildren also became powerful and important figures. They had a lot of influence until the American Revolution.

Stephen Delancey's Early Life

Stephen DeLancy was born in Caen, France, on October 24, 1663. His birth name was Étienne de Lancy. He was the only son of Jacques de Lancy and Marguerite Bertrand. His family was part of the minor French nobility. They were known as Huguenots, which means they were French Protestants. Even though they were Protestants, they worked for the French King for over 200 years.

His Family History

Coat of arms of the House of de Lancy

The castle of Raray in Picardy

The de Lancy family had important titles like Viscount of Laval and Baron of Raray. Their family coat of arms shows a black eagle on a gold background. It also has a blue shield with three gold spears.

Around 1600, part of the family land was sold. A family member named Nicolas de Lancy built the beautiful Raray castle. This castle was even used as a filming location for the movie Beauty and the Beast in 1946.

Why Stephen Fled France

In 1685, the King of France, Louis XIV, took away the Edict of Nantes. This law had protected the rights of Protestants (Huguenots) in France. After the law was removed, Protestants faced harsh treatment. About 200,000 Huguenots had to leave France.

In 1686, Stephen de Lancy was forced to flee his home. He took some family jewels that his mother had sewn into his clothes. He first went to Rotterdam and then sailed to England. In England, he became a British citizen.

Starting a New Life in New York

Soon after, Stephen sailed to the English Colonies in America. He arrived in New York City on June 6, 1686. About a month later, he became a citizen in New York. In 1687, he promised loyalty to the British Crown. This is when he changed his name to Stephen Delancey.

He sold his family jewels for 300 British Pounds. This was a lot of money back then! He used this money to start a business as a merchant. Stephen Delancey became one of the most successful merchants in New York. He had a famous granary, warehouse, and store called "Delancey and Co."

During a war called Queen Anne's War, Stephen Delancey also traded with pirates. He was also involved in the trade of enslaved people from Madagascar. By the 1730s, he was so rich that he built a large house on Broadway in New York City. This house was later torn down to build a hotel. Today, the United States Realty Building stands there.

Stephen Delancey was very active in the city. He served as an Alderman for many years. He was also a member of the New York Provincial Assembly and the Governor's Council. He even gave the city its first town clock and its first fire engine!

Stephen Delancey's Family

Stephen Delancey and his wife, Anne van Cortlandt

Delancey's home at 54 Pearl Street

On January 23, 1700, Stephen Delancey married Anne van Cortlandt. She was the daughter of Stephanus van Cortlandt, who was a very important judge in New York. Stephen and Anne had ten children, but only five lived to be adults. These five children all got married and had their own families. They were:

• James DeLancey (1703–1760): He became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for New York. He also served as the Lieutenant Governor of New York.
• Peter DeLancey (1705–1770): He became a merchant in what is now the Bronx. He also served in the New York Provincial Assembly for many years.
• Susannah DeLancey (1707–1771): She married Admiral Sir Peter Warren, who was a member of the British Parliament.
• Oliver DeLancey (1718–1785): He was also a merchant. He became a general in the British Army during the American Revolution.
• Anne DeLancey (1723–1784): She married John Watts, who was a well-known businessman.

In 1700, Stephen Delancey started building a house at 54 Pearl Street in New York City. His wife's father gave them the land as a wedding gift. In 1762, the house was sold and became a tavern. Today, it is still standing and is known as Fraunces Tavern.

When Stephen Delancey passed away on November 18, 1741, he left behind a very large fortune. It was worth over £100,000 British Pounds, which would be about $18,000,000 in today's money!

Stephen Delancey's Grandchildren

Stephen Delancey's children and grandchildren continued to be very important.

• His grandson, James De Lancey (1732–1800), was a politician.
• Another grandson, Stephen Delancey (1748–1798), became the Chief Justice of the Bahamas and Governor of Tobago.
• His grandson, Oliver De Lancey (c. 1749–1822), was a British Army officer and a Member of Parliament.
• His granddaughter, Susanna De Lancey, married a British military officer named Sir William Draper.
• His grandson, John Watts (1749–1836), was a lawyer and politician from New York City. He represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives.