William Heathcote DeLancey
Encyclopedia
The Right Reverend William Heathcote DeLancey (October 8, 1797 – April 5, 1865) was a bishop
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the sixth Provost of the University of Pennsylvania
. DeLancey was known as a High Church
man, and served as the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
.
, New York
into a celebrated New York family descended from Caleb Heathcote
. He was the son of John Peter DeLancey, a Revolutionary War soldier, and his wife, Elizabeth Floyd. His sister married James Fenimore Cooper
. DeLancey graduated from Yale College
in 1817 and later studied divinity with Bishop John Henry Hobart
of New York. He served in several positions in New York before being ordained to the ministry in 1822.
He married Frances Munro, daughter of Peter Munro, in 1820. They had five sons and three daughters. Their eldest son, Edward Floyd DeLancey, was president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
.
. He held various clerical offices in Philadelphia and, in 1826, was elected a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania
. Delancey was elected provost of the University in 1828, continuing in that office until 1834. The next three years showed a distinct improvement in the number of students and in other areas.
In 1839 DeLancey was elected first Bishop of the newly created Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
. He was the 34th bishop of the ECUSA, and was consecrated by bishops Alexander Viets Griswold
, Henry Ustick Onderdonk
, and Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk
. DeLancey remained in that position for more than 25 years, residing in the town of Geneva
. In 1852, he attended the fifteenth anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts as one of the two representatives of the American House of Bishops, being the first American Bishop to be recognized officially as one of their own body by the Anglican Bishops.
DeLancey was active in matters of church organization and legislation, and was instrumental in placing Hobart College
and several other educational institutions on a firm basis. He received the following honorary degrees: Doctor of Divinity from Yale in 1827, Doctor of Laws from Union College
in 1849 and Doctor of Civil Laws from Oxford University, in 1852.
He died in Geneva, New York on April 5, 1865.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the sixth Provost of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. DeLancey was known as a High Church
High church
The term "High Church" refers to beliefs and practices of ecclesiology, liturgy and theology, generally with an emphasis on formality, and resistance to "modernization." Although used in connection with various Christian traditions, the term has traditionally been principally associated with the...
man, and served as the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming in western New York. It is in Province 2 and its cathedral, St. Paul's...
.
Family and education
DeLancey was born at MamaroneckMamaroneck (town), New York
Mamaroneck is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Village of Mamaroneck...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
into a celebrated New York family descended from Caleb Heathcote
Caleb Heathcote
Caleb Heathcote was a Mayor of New York . His estate in Westchester County, New York is the site the present-day town of Scarsdale and was granted on March 21, 1701 or 1702 by Lieutenant Governor of New York John Nanfan. A neighborhood and an elementary school in present-day Scarsdale are named...
. He was the son of John Peter DeLancey, a Revolutionary War soldier, and his wife, Elizabeth Floyd. His sister married James Fenimore Cooper
James Fenimore Cooper
James Fenimore Cooper was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. He is best remembered as a novelist who wrote numerous sea-stories and the historical novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales, featuring frontiersman Natty Bumppo...
. DeLancey graduated from Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in 1817 and later studied divinity with Bishop John Henry Hobart
John Henry Hobart
John Henry Hobart was the third Episcopal bishop of New York .He vigorously promoted the extension of the Episcopal Church in Central and Western New York...
of New York. He served in several positions in New York before being ordained to the ministry in 1822.
He married Frances Munro, daughter of Peter Munro, in 1820. They had five sons and three daughters. Their eldest son, Edward Floyd DeLancey, was president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society is a non-profit educational institution located at 36 West 44th Street in New York City. Founded in 1869, it is the second-oldest genealogical society in the United States...
.
Ministry
After his ordination, DeLancey took a position in Philadelphia as general assistant to Bishop William WhiteWilliam White (Bishop of Pennsylvania)
The Most Reverend William White was the first and fourth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, USA , the first Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania , and the second United States Senate Chaplain...
. He held various clerical offices in Philadelphia and, in 1826, was elected a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. Delancey was elected provost of the University in 1828, continuing in that office until 1834. The next three years showed a distinct improvement in the number of students and in other areas.
In 1839 DeLancey was elected first Bishop of the newly created Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, is the diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America with jurisdiction over the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming in western New York. It is in Province 2 and its cathedral, St. Paul's...
. He was the 34th bishop of the ECUSA, and was consecrated by bishops Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold was the Episcopal Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, which included all of New England with the exception of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut....
, Henry Ustick Onderdonk
Henry Ustick Onderdonk
Henry Ustick Onderdonk was the second Episcopal bishop of Pennsylvania.-Early life:Onderdonk was born in New York City. He studied at Columbia University, receiving his degree in 1805, and then traveled to Britain for further education, receiving his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh...
, and Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk
Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk
Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk was the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York from 1830–1861.- Early years :...
. DeLancey remained in that position for more than 25 years, residing in the town of Geneva
Geneva, New York
Geneva is a city in Ontario and Seneca counties in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 13,617 at the 2000 census. Some claim it is named after the city and canton of Geneva in Switzerland. Others believe the name came from confusion over the letters in the word "Seneca" written in cursive...
. In 1852, he attended the fifteenth anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts as one of the two representatives of the American House of Bishops, being the first American Bishop to be recognized officially as one of their own body by the Anglican Bishops.
DeLancey was active in matters of church organization and legislation, and was instrumental in placing Hobart College
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, New York, are together a liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. In athletics, however, the two schools compete with separate teams, known as the Hobart Statesmen and the...
and several other educational institutions on a firm basis. He received the following honorary degrees: Doctor of Divinity from Yale in 1827, Doctor of Laws from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1849 and Doctor of Civil Laws from Oxford University, in 1852.
He died in Geneva, New York on April 5, 1865.