Godfridius Dellius

Godefridus Dellius (baptized 28 October 1654 – 1738) was a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church active in and around Albany, New York during the late 17th century and up to 1699. He also served as a missionary to the Mohawk people in what the English claimed as the Province of New York (the former New Netherland). He entered Leyden University in 1672 to study philosophy. Dellius was licensed by the classis of Wijk bij Duurstede about 1680 and ordained by the classis of Amsterdam in 1682.

He became involved in provincial politics and opposed Jacob Leisler in 1689, who had usurped power in New York. For a time Dellius had to flee New York to other colonies but was recalled to Albany by a new governor in 1691. After England and France had made peace, he was delegated with a party to take the news to New France, while escorting the return of nineteen French prisoners. In the exchange, he accompanied English colonists out of New France back to Albany. His work in New York ended in disgrace after Indians complained of being forced to convey a large plot of land to him and other prominent men in Albany; the governor gained approval of a bill to vacate the conveyance. Dellius went to England in his defense in 1699, then he moved to Europe for the remainder of his life, serving in the Netherlands.

To the New World On April 10, 1683, Dellius married Isabella de Ridder in Cothen, and they emigrated to North America the same year. At his death in 1738, his brother Cornelius inherited his accumulated wealth.

Cornelis used it to start a trust fund for the poor. This fund still exists under the name Stichting Boedel Dellius; it helps support an orphanage in Culemborg.