Johann George Delph (1718-c.1789) & Peter Delph (c.1750-1841)

Before entering into the story of Johann George Delph of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,, I should publish that I descend from the Delp family in multiple branches. All of those branches, however, descend from one man, Peter Delp(h), the controversial Delp family member from Grayson County, Virginia. Years of genealogical research shows that many genealogists have put Peter Delph as the son of Johann George Delph. There may be truth to the matter, considering that Peter Delph, and his assigns, lacked the religious fervor that many of his Pennsylvania brethren possessed and/or married into. It may be true, as well, that Peter Delp’s birth year fits well into the family record of Johann George Delph. However, there is not one hard source or record that justifiably proves that Peter was George’s son. Peter would have been the one son that left Pennsylvania (possibly).

Genetics and DNA research, which has become the biggest rage in genealogy these days, has, at the least, drawn the relationship. George’s ancestry all came from Klein-Bieberau, in the duchy of Hesse, Germany. By light of the ongoing DNA project with the Delp’s, DNA evidence has proven that a few descendants of Peter Delp of Grayson County, Virginia, are related to the Delp’s from Klein-Bieberau. No descendants of Johann George Delph have participated in this study yet, but since most all members of the Delp family seem to be descended from the same man, it is not arguable that Johann George Delph and Peter Delph were related.

Do stay tuned, as the Delp-Delph families (at least those descended from the Klein-Bieberau Delp’s) are the main subject of a family history I am compiling for a publication in the near future. The recent findings of complete family records of the German side of the family, plus the plethora of Pennsylvania church records, have enabled me to get this project put together, as the family is without a definitive genealogical publication of its own. Anyone willing to help me in filling in the details of this research, please let me know!

This leads me onto Johann George Delph, the immigrant ancestor to most of the Pennsylvania branches of the Delp families:

Johann George Delp(h), also known as George Delp and Hans Georg(e) Delp, immigrated from Germany, via Rotterdam, to Philadelphia, arriving in the port of the latter on 28 October 1738, aboard the “Billander (Thistle).”  We know Johann has born at Klein-Bieberau, where he was baptized on 28 June 1718 in the Evangelical Reformed Church in Darmstadt. A translation of his birth and baptismal record reads as follows:

“Delivery of the Birth and Baptismal Register of the Evangelical Church — Lower Modau, City of Darmstadt

Year 1718, p. 141, Item 21

Surname & Given Name: Delp, Johann George
Birthday: 25 June 1718
Baptism: etc: 28 June 1718
Birthplace: Klein-Bieberau
FATHER: Name, Given Name: Delp, Johann Peter
Occupation: (not listed)
Address: Klein-Bieberau
Mother: Given Name: Anna Katharine
Maiden Name: Unknown
God-father: John George Adam, living son of Belten Adams, of Klein-Bieberau”

Delp was naturalized in the colonies on 21 September 1756. He was listed as a weaver when he arrived in the colonies in 1738, but soon he became one of the largest landowners in what is now Montgomery County. His first recorded purchase (thus far today) is a purchase for 146 acres from Casper Wister on the Skippack in Philadelphia County in 1746. He farmed this land before passing the land onto his son Samuel Delp; later this was sold to George’s younger son, John Delp, when Samuel moved to Bucks County.

The same record sheet also shows a deed for 140 acres and some perches George Delp bought from his father-in-law, Samuel Moyer, who resided in Harleysville. This was the farm Delp’s son Abraham later inherited, and to where this George Delp resided when he died in 1789. This same tract of land also was branched off to create the present Delp Burial Ground, which was originally known as the “Menninists Burying Field.” There is also evidence he purchased another tract of land, totaling 140 acres, in present day Hatfield Twp; this land was later willed to his son, Isaac Delp.

One historian shows he may have been a member of the Frankford Land Company. If so, he must have been of the group which bought out the interest from those who never came to America.

In 1774, he appears on the tax and exoneration lists for Franconia Twp, in Montgomery Co (which was Philadelphia County at the time), PA. He was taxed for 146 acres of land & dwelling, totalling 15.9 pds, 1 servant (1 pd, 10 sh), 4 horses, 7 cows, and 6 sheep (all totaling 5 pds, 6 sh), and 150 acres of land and dwelling in Lower Salford Twp (totaling 9 pds, 12 sh); the total value was at 25 pds, 8 sh. He was also the assessor for the township for this list. He appears on the same lists in the same vicinity in 1779, for 4,550 acres, with a value of 68 pds, 5 sh. He was assessed in the same year for 4,300 pds, in the assessment of Franconia Twp, 1779.

In 1780, his property in Lower Salford Twp was assessed for 18,000, and taxed  72 pds. This was adjacent to his son, John Delp’s, which was assessed at 3,200, and taxed 12 pds, 16 sh. His Franconia Twp property was assessed for 26,200, and taxed 131 pds.

In 1782, his son, John Delp, was assessed in Lower Salford Twp (by Jacob Reiff, assessor) for 2 horses (22 pds), 3 cows (10 pds, 2 sh, 6 d), 8 sheep (2 pds), and for occupation (22 pds, 10 sh), totaling 57 pds in tax assessment, and for George Delp’s, his father, estate, of 150 acres and a dwelling, assessed at 422 pds.  It seems that John Delp was running his father’s estate at the time, for in the following years, John was assessed each time as “and for George Delp’s estate.” In 1783, as assessed by Jacob Reiff in Lower Salford Twp (in Philadelphia Co at the time), George’s estate was taxed for 150 acres and a dwelling, valued at the sum of 412 pds, along with his son’s, John Delp, who was assessed for 1 horse (18 pds), 5 cows (19 pds), and 5 sheep (1 pd), along with an occupation for 30 pds. He was also taxed in Franconia Twp, for 146 acres and a dwelling (438 pds), 2 horses (18 pds), 5 cows (20 pds), and 8 sheep (3 pds), as well as an occupation for 15 pds, totaling 494 pds in assessment. In 1785, he held 519 acres in Franconia Twp, which was taxed at the rate of 2 pds, 17sh, 1 d. In 1786, he held 450 acres in Franconia Twp, which was taxed at the rate of 2 pds, 10 sh, 1 d.

His will was written in Montgomery County on 11 December 1788, and was probated there on 12 October 1789. An inventory of his estate was made 18 September 1789, and he was deceased by then. The will was witnessed by Jacob Oberholtzer, Christian Moyer, and Abraham Stout. The executors were two of his sons, George and Abraham Delp, and his son-in-law, Isaac Dirstein (Derstine). His wife was not listed in the final version of his will, which assumes she was deceased by then. At the time of his death, George was living in the household of his son, Abraham, in Franconia Twp.

———————————————————————–

WILL of (Johann) GEORGE DELPH (See Montgomery Co Wills, Book 1, pp 199-200):

“In the name of God Amen I George Delp of Franconia Township in the County of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, Being aged, but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding Thanks be given unto God Do this eleventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight Make and publish this my Last Will and testament in the following manner, that is to say
Imprimis I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God my Creator, and my Body to the Earth to be decently and in a Christianlike manner Buried, In hopes of a joyful Resurrection through the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and as for the temporal Estate wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me, I dispose thereof in the following manner and first I order my Just Debts and funeral expences to be paid
Item I give to the Menonite Congregation to which I belong the sum of five pounds to be given to the poor thereof
Item I give unto my Eldest son Samuel Delp the sum of five pounds
Item I give and Devise unto my son Abraham Delp my plantation on which I live situate in Franconia Township, bounded by Lands of Christian Funck, Jacob Oberholtzer, Samuel Meyer, and others Containing one hundred and forty six acres of Land (be the same more or less) To have and to hold unto my Son Abraham Delp, his Heirs and Assigns forever; under this express Limitation that my said son Abraham his Heirs or Assigns shall pay or cause to be well and truly paid for the said plantation (Devised unto him) the sum of seven hundred pounds Lawful money in silver or gold in the following manner that is to say the sum of fifty pounds at the end of one month after my Decease, and the sum of fifty pounds at the end of every following year until the whole sum is paid.
Item I give unto my son Abraham all my share of the Rye, Buckwheat, Indiancorn, and Oats which may be in the fields or Barn, and all the Hay on my plantation at the time of my decease
Item I give and Devise unto my son Isaac Delp my plantation situate in the township of Lower Salford and County of Montgomery and is bounded by Lands of Jacob Meyer and Nicholas Schwenk and others, Containing one hundred and fifty acres of Land (be the same more or less) with the appurtenances to have and to hold unto my son Isaac Delp his Heirs and assigns forever; Under this express limitation that my said son Isaac Delp or his Heirs or Assigns shall pay or cause to be well and truly paid for the said plantation (Devised unto him) the sum of five six hundred pounds lawful money in silver or gold in the following manner that is to say the sum of twenty five pounds at the end of one month after my decease and the sum of twenty five pounds at the end of each of the three then next following years, and the sum of fifty pounds in every following year until the whole sum is paid
And whereas my son George is indebted unto me in the sum of three hundred pounds Lawful money in Specie and my Will is that if his equal share of my Estate as is hereinafter mentioned should not amount to the said sum of three hundred pounds, that he shall pay the Remainder but if it doth amount to more, then he shall likewise receive the same in proportion after my other Children have likewise received an equal sum
Item it is my will that all my goods and Chattels shall be sold by publick vendue, and the money arising by the sale thereof and all moneys due to me on Bonds, Notes, Bookdebts or otherwise as well from my Children and Executors as from others and the moneys which my sons Abraham and Isaac are ordered to pay for the Lands devised unto them shall be equally divided to and between my sons Samuel, George, John, Abraham and Isaac, and my Daughters Catharine and Elizabeth share and share alike, and further it is my Will that my daughter Elizabeth shall receive of the first monies that comes into the Hands of my Executors of my Estate the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds towards her equal share as aforesaid, and likewise afterwards receive her equal share with my other Children until she has received her full equal seventh part of my Estate as aforesaid,
And lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons George Delp and Abraham Delp and my son-in-law Isaac Dirstine Executors of this my last Will and Testament, giving and granting unto them or the survivor of them full power and authority to sign seal and execute Deeds, Conveyances, and releases in my name and stead,
And I allow reasonable changes and no more unto them for their Trouble in the premises
In Witness whereof I the said George Delp have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year first above written —

Signed Sealed Published and Declared        }    George Delp (Seal)
by the Testator to be his last Will and        }
Testament in the presence of us ——        }
Jacob Oberholtzer    }
Christian Meyer    }
Abraham Stout    }

Montgomery S’s
Personally appeared Jacob Oberholtzer Christian Meyer and Abraham Stout, the witnesses to the aforegoing Will and Testament and affirmed according to Law that they were present and saw George Delp the Testator in the said Will named sign and seal the same and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, and at the doing thereof he was of sound disposing mind memory and understanding, as far as they know and verify believed and that they signed their names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator and of each other.

Be it Remembered that on the 12th Day of October Anno Dom. 1789 the foregoing Will of George Delp was proved in due form and probate with Letters Testamentary granted unto George Delp, Abraham Delp and Isaac Dirstine, Executors therein named They having duly affirmed that they will well and truly perform and execute the same and render an account according to Law —
Given under my Hand and Seal of Office this 12th Day of October Anno Dom 1789 —
Registered October the 12th aff’d 1789 —- Robert Loller, Register.”

——————————————————————–

According to William W. H. Davis’ “History of Bucks Co, PA” (Vol 3, p. 731), Delp also owned land in Hilltown Twp, Bucks Co, PA. It was likely on land his son, also George, relocated to, as he is the progenitor of most of the Delps of Bucks County. Because of this, this George Delp is very likely not the George Delp that appears in the tax records for Bucks County between 1785 and 1789, but likely that of his son.

——————————————————————–

AN INVENTORY and appraisement of the Goods, Chattels and Credits of George Delp, late of Franconia Twp in the County of Montgomery, Yeoman, Deceased: Taken by George Delp; Abraham Delp and Isaac Dirstine, Executors of the Last Will and Testament of the said Deceased; and appraised by the Subscribers on the 18th Day of September in the Year of our Lord….1789

{number amounts in parentheses at end of each line are in order: pounds, shillings, pence (abbreviated “d.” for denarius)}

To Cash (pounds) 16 10/3, To Wearing Apparel (pounds) 10 15/8…….(27.5.11)
To a Mare, Saddle, and Bridle…….(7.0.0.)
To a Wagon (pounds) 5, To Do. (pounds) 5 10/, A Drag Chain 7/6………(10.17.6)
To a Drag Chain 9/, to Two Harrows 35/, A Clever 1/……….(2.5.0)
To a Plough, 25/, Oak Boards 5/…………(1.10.0)
To a cow, a Bell (pounds) 4 10/, To a Cow 3 10/………..(8.0.0.)
To a Cow (pounds) 3 10/, to Do. (pounds) 3 15/, to a Bull (pounds) 3…….(10.5.0)
To two Swine and a half 50/ To Six Sheep (pounds) 3…………(5.10.0)
To a Small Bell 1/6, To a Sleigh 30/, to Ladders 5/………….(1.16.6)
To Instruments fore Rope-making 2/6, A Chain 1/6………….(0.4.0)
To Horse Gears (pounds) 2 14/, a Cutting Box 15/………….(3.9.0)
To Four Needles 7/, A half bushel 6d………….(0.7.6)
To Dutch Farm 37/6, To 22 Bushels of Wheat (pounds) 6 15/………(8.12.6)
To a Shovel 2/, a Dung Hook 1/6, a Grubbing Hoe 4/, an Addz & Hatchet 3/…….(0.10.6)
To Rakes 2/, Malleable Wedger 4/6, a Jobber 1/6, a cabbage chopper, 3/6……..(0.11.6)
To a Scale 6d, An Ax 5/, a Grubbing Hoe 4/6, a Big Cycle Wheele 3/…………(0.13.0)
To Four Barrels 12/, to Two Open Casks 2/, Five Hoes 8/6, a Scythe 2/……….(1.4.6)
To Two Chisels 3/, for a Loom (pounds) 4, two Wheeles for Spools 20/……….(5.3.0)
For Weaving Uttinsils & Gears (pounds) 3, To a Cross Cut Saw 7/6………….(3.7.6)
To a Churn 25/, a Hatchet 7/6, two Augres 3/,to Six Do. 6/…………(2.1.6)
To an Iron Hook 2/, a Compass 1/, a Clever 1/, a Chopper 2/………..(0.6.0)
To the half of an Apple Mill 12/, a Break 2/, a Tub 1/6, a Bench 3d………(0.15.9)
To a Skillet 3d, Butter Tubs 3/, a Pot Rack 2/, a Reel 3/9………(0.9.0)
To two Open Hogsheads 3/, to Four Casks 4/, a Water Pot of a Trough 6d………..(0.8.6)
To an Ax 1/, a Saw & Hook 2/, Three Chisels 1/6, an Iron Kettle 15/………….(0.19.6)
To an Old Stove 2/6, a Grind Stone 7/6, to Two Benches 6d, a Tub 1/6………(0.12.0)
To two Barrels 7/6, a Cagg 3/9, a Cawk 2/6, a Funnel 1/6, a Barrel 2/6………(0.17.9)
To a Cabbage Tub 5/, a Barrel 2/6, two Hogsheads 7/6, two Casks 2/6…….(0.17.6)
To two Caggs 3/, an Old Brass Kettle 15/, an Iron Pot 2/6, a Fish Iron 6d……..(1.1.0)
To a Bucket 6d, to Seven Beehives 5/, to Four Dryers 1/4, a Little Sack 4d…….(0.7.2)
To Old Iron 10/, to Old Waggon Rings & Iron 25/, to a Little Wheele 5/………(2.0.0)
To Walnut Boards 25/, a Cradle 1/, Three Little Old Sacks 1/6, two Skillets 3/6….(1.11.0)
To a Jug 6d, a Bake Iron 2/, a pair of Tongs 3/6, a Pot Sack 1/6, three Lamps 2/….(0.9.6)
To an Iron Pot 5/, to Do. 3/, a Tea Kettle 3/9, a Pale 8d, a Candle Mould 1/…..(0.13.5)
To a Brass Bowl & Ladles 9/, to Pewter Ware 32/6, to ten Spoons 3/………(2.4.6)
——————–
Total on first legal page…….116 pds, 18 sh, 6 d
BROUGHT OVER………

To Tinware 3/9, a Pepper Mill 2/, a Skillet 4/, a Frying Pan 1/……….(0.10.9)
To a Roller 1/, a Brande Iron 1/6, a Cutter 6d, a Bucket Shelve 3/……..(0.6.0)
To a Kitchen Shelve 15/, a Box Iron 2/6, a Hog Trap 1/…………(0.18.6)
To a Bowl 1/, a Pepper & Salt Box 1/, a Basket 6d……….(0.2.6)
To Five Open Casks 5/, an Old Saddle 2/6, a Lantorn 6d……(0.8.0)
To Nine Caggs 18/, to Six Do. 8/, to Eight Bread Caskets 1/4……..(1.7.4)
To a bed & bedstead 30/, to do. 30/, To Tobacco 4/………(3.4.0)
To Six Casks 3/, To Salt & Lumber 6/6, Butter Boxes 1/………(0.10.6)
To Two Old Iron Pots 3/6, a Brush 6d, to a Steele Rod 7/6…….(0.11.6)
To Eleven Pounds of Wool 16/6, to Fourteen lbs of Fl. 14/……(1.10.6)
To Twine 7/6, a Chest 15/, Some Yarn 15d, a Gauge 1/………..(1.4.9)
To a Hammer & Piece of Iron 2/, an Old Saddle 5/……….(0.7.0)
To 32.5 Yards of Flaxen Linnen (pounds) 4 1/, To 39 Yards of to Do. (pounds) 3…..(7.1.0)
To Eight Yards of Flaxen Linnen 24/, to Some Bedding 5/…….(1.9.0)
To a Bed and Bedstead and Curtins……..(6.0.0.)
To a Bed 20/, a Tabel 2/6, Bottles & Glasses & Vials 6/6………..(1.9.0)
To a Razor and a Hoan 4/, a Bleeding Iron 1/, a Gun 18/……….(1.3.0)
To Lead Weights 2/, a Saw and Baskets 1/6, to Leather 1/5……..(0.4.11)
To two Planes 4/, a Basket & Nailes, 6d, a Hammer & Anvil 2/……..(0.6.6)
To a Pincher & Knipper 2/, to three Knives 1/6, to two 9d………(0.4.3)
To a ………………(—m.4.9)
To a piece of Lindsey 9/, Buttons 10d, a Box 6d……..(0.10.4)
To four Yards of Worsted 12/, To Six Towels 2/6, five Table Cloths 5/6………..(1.0.0)
To a Bed Cover 15/, two Pillow Covers 3/, to Flaxen Linnen 4/6………(1.2.6)
To one Table Cloth 2/6, to Two Patches of Check and Stripe 3/……(0.5.6)
To two Shifts 6/, two Pillow Covers 2/, to three Sheets 10/………(0.18.0)
To Lumber 3/, two Wallets 2/, one Pillow Cover 3/………(0.8.0)
To a Cover Lid 30/, Some Yarn 1/, a Cagg 1/, a Chest 10/……..(2.2.0)
To a Clothes Press (pounds) 4 10/, a Table 30/, a Milk Shelve 6/……….(6.6.0)
To a Clock and Case (pounds) 7 10/, to Three Benches 5/……….(7.15.0)
To a Crow Barr 10/9, a Whip 9d, a Slate 1/, a Jug 1/, a Goblet 6d………(0.14.0)
To four Glass Bottles 5/, To a Tin Box 3/, a Sheep Skin 3/………(0.11.0)
To two Snuff Boxes 1/, a Spectacle 2/, a Rubber 6d……..(0.3.6)
To Two Pocket Books 2/, to Sundry German Books (pounds) 5 4/9……(5.6.9)
Debts Due by Book (pounds) 2 2/, by a Note of Hand (pounds) 10…….(12.2.0)
To Four Bounds due from John Delp………..(163.5.0)
……….Interest due thereon…………..(6.10.0)
To Eleven Bonds of (pounds) 50 each to become due of do………..(550.0.0)
———————–
Total on second legal page…………….(905.1.10)
Continued   ………..   Brought Over ….(905.1.10)

On account of what the Said Deceased did pay unto
Each of his Children in his Life time in Money and
Goods of Value for which they are accountable in
Their Shares that is to Say as Entered in his Book —

To his Son Samuel Delp……………………(65.1.0)
To his Son-in-Law Isaac Dirstine………..(53.7.4)
To his Son George Delp…………………….(333.19.0)
To his Son John Delp………………………..(35.12.0)
To his Son-in-Law David Resh……………(42.16.0)
To his Son Abraham Delp…………………..(32.10.0)
To his Son Isaac Delp……………………….(61.12.0)
———————————————-
Total Sum………………………………………..(1529.19.2)

Appraised by us on the day and year first above said.

/s/ Jacob Oberholtzer
/s/ Abraham Stout
156-14-8

Now that the story of Johann George Delph has been told, I now move onto Peter Delp(h) of Virginia, and the research that I have, thus far, been able to provide and publish. Additions will surely be continued, as there is more to locate and try to understand, especially in the early migration patterns before Delp and his family settled in Virginia.

Peter’s background is largely theorized at this point, because we do not know, for certain, what branch of the Delp family he belongs to. At this point, we also see that his birth date may be 5 March 1758 or 7 January 1750. Where either of his possible birth dates originates we do not know, but they have been circulated around for quite some time, and 1758 seems to be the more popular choice among genealogists today. However, if he was involved in land transactions as early as 1777, it would be somewhat unlikely that he was born in 1758.

Because his daughter Catherine’s death certificate shows his name to be George Delp, spouse of Evaline, we could surmise his full name was George Peter Delp. If so, he could be of relation to the George Peter Delp who appears in a Pennsylvania Compiled Census and Census Subsitutes Index (for the years 1772-1890), as having lived in 1753 in Philadelphia Twp, Philadelphia Co, PA. This same George Peter Delp arrived in Philadelphia on 24 September 1753 from Rotterdam, aboard the “Peggy,” captained by James Abercrombie, and took an oath of allegiance upon his arrival. This relation, however, is only speculative.

In fact, at this time, we have no idea about the early life of Peter Delph. Aside from the debate over his birthdate, we can surmise his birth from his advanced age in the Grayson County census records after 1800. However, where he was born or where he migrated to is still a matter of deeper genealogical research. It is only believed that he was born and raised in Pennsylvania as a matter to explain his relationship to the other Delp families, who, save for the Delps of Culpeper and Madison County, Virginia, all immigrated to Philadelphia from Rotterdam.

The popular theory to explain Peter Delph’s possible relationship to Johann George Delph and Barbara Moyer is that he left the Mennonite faith and was shunned by his father, hence Peter not being mentioned in his father’s will. Peter also was living in North Carolina in around 1789, when Johann George Delph wrote his will, so his whereabouts may have been unknown to George. Most genealogies that list the number of children of Johann George Delph do not list all of the children he had, namely the younger children who died young. They simply count the seven children named in his will. One could also point to the families Peter Delp’s children married into: the Hacklers and the Shulers. Both were families that had origins in Pennsylvania. Although both have clouded histories upon arrival in the United States, particularly the Hacklers, both were also close families to the Delps in Montgomery and Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Whether they are related or not will take much more detailed genealogical research to detail, but the coincidence cannot go without being stated. However, the circumstances surrounding Peter’s early life are all speculative at this point, so no conclusions can be drawn regarding Peter’s birthplace, and if it was Pennsylvania, when and how he ended up in North Carolina.

He is also not the only Delp(h) in North Carolina at the time. A Michael Delps is listed in a bond for marriage in Caswell County on 29 January 1782, as having been posted for bond by Jonathan Star and witnessed by Ald Murphey. There were also two Delp(h)’s born in Catawba or Lincoln County in the 1780s and 1790s: Mary “Molley” Delp, who married Jacob Sipe(s), and Jacob Delp, who married Leah Schell. Mary was believed to be the daughter of another Jacob Delp(h). We have found no records of this Jacob Delph at this time. There was a Leah Delph, born around 1799 or 1800, who married Joseph Thomas and relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She is very likely the sister of the aforementioned Jacob Delp, husband of Leah Schell, for he also moved to Cape Girardeau. There is also a Sarah Delp born about 8 May 1795, apparently near present day Statesville (though one genealogist suggests she was born in Germany), who married William Wasson before the birth of their son, Miles, in 1827, in Iredell County. This couple also relocated westward, where Sarah died in Decatur County, Iowa. Some research believes she was the daughter of Peter Delph, possibly a wife named Elizabeth. We do not know if it was our Peter Delph or another of the same name.

We know that by the mid-1770s, the first mention of our Peter Delph is in North Carolina. In the Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Mecklenburg County, a transcription from the July 1790 session shows:

“…One from Jacob Cline & wife [a deed of sale] to Peter Delf [sic] for 150 acres dated 28th day of Novr 1776, Proven by the Oath of (German signature] a Witness…”

This tract of land is in present-day Cabarrus County (it was Mecklenburg County at the time), on Lick Branch of the Dutch Buffalo Creek; he appears there in 1777 as well. This tract of 150 acres was recorded in January 1778 as having been sold to Johann Jacob Meisenheimer (1718-1801). Meisenheimer was an affluent farmer from Berks County, PA, who had emigrated to Mecklenburg Co, NC, by August 1775. The deed of sale is as follows, from the Mecklenburg County Court Minutes:

“A Deed of Sale from Peter Delp & wife to Jacob Misenhamer for 150 Acres of Land dated the 24th of Novr 1777 was proved in open court by Joseph Shinn an Evidence thereto. Ordered to be Registered.”

His whereabouts between 1777 and 1790 are unknown at this time, but he appears in the Rowan Co, NC census in 1790. There, he appears with 4 free white males under age 16, 2 free white males over 16, and 6 free white females, for a total household of 12 individuals. By 1793, he appears in Virginia, where he appears on the personal property tax lists in Wythe County. That year, he was taxed for 4 horses. This area later became Grayson County, likely in the Elk Creek district.

In 1794, once Grayson County was established, he appears in the Grayson County personal property tax list. There were 3 men over the age of 16 in the house, and he was taxed for 3 horses. He is distinguished from the another Peter Delph with the suffix “Sen.” The land tax assessment for the county, however, was partially destroyed, and the remaining fragments of the documents do not list any Delps on it. No Delps appear on the 1796 Land Tax List as well.

He is the only Delph that appears in the Grayson County tax lists for 1799. He was taxed for 220 acres, valued at $73.33, and was taxed for $0.35.

Because his son, Peter, is very likely the Peter Delp enumerated in Ashe County, NC, in the 1800 Census, this Peter Delp is likely the Peter Delp that appears in the Grayson County Land Tax List in 1805. On this list, there are three Peter Delps; one may have been his son. The first was for 220 acres, valued at $73.33, and taxed $0.12. The second entry was for 30 acres, valued at $7, and taxed at $0.03. The third entry was for 0.1 acres, but no other information was given about this entry. The only other Delp on this list was Daniel Delp, his son.

In the 1810 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County, he appears as Peter Delp, Sr, where he was taxed 2 white tithables, and for three horses, one being a stud horse. In the 1813 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County, he was taxed 1 tithable and 5 horses, and taxed $1.8; he was also listed as having a grist mill. In the 1817 Personal Property Tax List, he was taxed 1 tithable (for males 16 and over) and for 1 horse, for a tax of $0.18. In the 1824 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County, he was taxed for 1 tithable (for white males 16 and over) and for 3 horses, for a total tax of $0.36.

He may be the Peter Delp who subscribed to witnessing the last will and testament of Timothy Roward, according to the Grayson County, Virginia 1811 Court Order Book: July 1811 “The last will and testament of Timothy Roward deceased was exhibited in Court, and proven by the oath of William Hail and Lewis Hail susbscribing witnesses there unto and the same is ordered to be recorded and Timothy Roward, Jr and Charles Rowark executors their named entered into bond with George Ring, Lewis Hail, Francis Hail and Peter Delp their securities and qualified according to law, whereupon a certificate is granted them…”

In 2006, Randy Walker, project administrator for the Delph Surname DNA Project, put together a project to determine the relationships of the three main branches of the Delp family known in the USA: that of Johann George Delp (1718-1789) in Pennsylvania, those of Conrad Delp (c.1720-?) in Culpeper and Madison Co’s, Virginia, and those of Peter Delph (1758?-1841). By 2013, only six members had participated, all being direct descendants of Peter Delph. From these, all were close matches and proved they were descendants of Peter Delph, mostly through his son John (ca. 1777-?). His Y-DNA belongs mostly, it seems, to Haplogroup I, which is mainly found in northwestern and central Europe, as well as the British Isles, often in areas with Viking populations.

In addition to these descendants, a German Delp participated in the study, being a direct descendant of Johann Wilhelm Delp, the earliest known Delp in our records. His DNA matched those of the Grayson County Delps, thus proving these Delps were descendants of Johann Wilhelm Delp. However, no participants at this time in Pennsylvania have taken part of this project, to prove if Peter Delp(h) really was of the Pennsylvania Delps.

To be continued….