Godefridus Dellius (baptized 28 October 1654 – 1738)[1] was a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church active in and around Albany, New York during the late 17th century and up to 1699.
[2] Dellius became involved in provincial politics in Albany and opposed Jacob Leisler in 1689, who had usurped power in New York.
On April 10, 1683, Dellius married Isabella de Ridder in Cothen, and they emigrated to North America the same year.
In common with all the Reform clergy, Dellius refused to recognize Jacob Leisler's usurpation of power in 1689.
The latter charged Dellius with being a principal actor in the French and English tensions during King William's War, which played out in the colonies.
Leisler said that Dellius was an enemy to the William III, Prince of Orange, who had succeeded King James II.
Dellius was commanded to appear in New York City to answer Leisler's accusations, but he hid in New Jersey and Long Island.
This land, the deed of which was confirmed by Governor Benjamin Fletcher, was on the eastern side of the Hudson, north of Albany, and was seventy miles in length and twelve in breadth.
In the spring of 1699, the governor secured a bill from the colonial legislature to vacate the lands, and also a vote to suspend Dellius from ministerial duty in Albany county.
Albany and New York contributed £700 to enable Dellius to go to England in order to defend himself against the vacating bill before it received the king's signature.