Dally Family History

ear family:   Here is  the information from my disk concerning the Dally Family History from my CD.   Have a great day.   Jim

DALLY FAMILY HISTORY

It would appear that the DALLY or DALLEY family is ancient in origin. In the Dictionaire de la Noblesse" by D. de Marlhol, it is stated that the house of d'Ailly is of the most illustrious and ancient in Picardy and that the family was known there as far back as 1090. The great French dictionary, "Le Petite Larousse" states that the family of d'Ailly was a pro house of Picardy deriving it's origin from Robert d'Ailly, who lived in 1090. They engaged in the religious wars of France, some fighting at the Battle of St. Denis in ranks of the Huguenots, 10 Nov 1567. Mention is made of the ruins of a chateau of the 14th or 15th century, apparently because they were Huguenots.

Arms of the English Dally's show fleur-de-lis of France. Arms: Ard. 3 crosses crosslet fitches in pale, sa. between 2 pellets, on a chief gules, a fleu-de-lis- sa. Crest. a demi-angel issuing, holding a griffin head, erased ppr.

JOHN DALLY

There are numerous references to John Dally in the calender of New York history, from Apr. 1644 to Dec 1645. One states he was from Bristol which was then a thriving port, with important trade relations with America. It is in the SW of England in a section where many of the Huguenots fled as a result of the persecution in France. Many of the Dally family were in and about the city of Exeter in Devon, early in the 17th century. Others were in Hamps as well as Dorset and Surrey as early as 1556.

John Dally was undoubtedly primarily a mariner, either as an officer, on one of the ships of the Dutch West Indies co., or as a master of a ship, chartered from that co. On 12 Apr 1645, he stated that he had bought the West India ship "St. Peter", which had been confiscated for smuggling powder and other commodities. He also stated that he had been in New Amsterdam, as early as 1644, at that time. About 2 years later he was sued for non payment of wages by crew members of the "Tamadare". While he claimed they had not performed their duties, the decision was against him. On several occasions he was a party to suits of a maritime nature, involving freights, ships, etc., showing his calling as a sea captain, who traveled up and down the coast.

His name does not appear in the records of New Amsterdam after 1648 but several years later appears in the records of Northampton Co., Va. He was undoubtedly married about that time for his son John was taxed in that co. in 1666 as being in the group who were 16 years and older. As a non-puritan and a Royalist, Dally with 15 others, was obliged to sign a pledge of obedience to parliament in 1681. Later with others he was indicted for carrying on an unlawful war against the Indians, but all were released.

About 1663, John Dally, was on Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine, where he continued to live for about 25 years, except short periods. In 1676 together with others of the population, he was driven out by the Indians, later returning. He was the owner of considerable property, both on the island and the main land.

During some 15 years he served as Justice of the peace, constable and sergeant of militia. He is also shown as being tavern keeper, trader, fisherman and farmer. Being again driven out by Indians he moved to Staten Island, New York, where records show him living Feb. 1689. In 1676 or 1677 he was recorded as living on Staten Island as a farmer up to 1677, Feb. In 1691 he was a member of the New York assembly.

His age at death is uncertain, probably about 70 or 80. It seems he was a man of more than ordinary education, and possessed considerable means until later in life, when most of his property had been destroyed by the Indians or rendered useless by them. His estate at this time of his death was valued at 34 lbs. He died 1691, exact date unknown, leaving a widow, name unknown. For some reason her name was erased from the records now in the N.Y. surrogate court. She waived the right to administer in favor of Nicholas Bayard, his principal creditor. Records show that he had at least two children, John and Nathaniel. Our ancestor was John Jr. He married Elizabeth Obee and Nathaniel married Margaret Obee.

John Dally Jr. was born not later than 1650. His wife's father, Hendrick Hendrickson Obee, probably came from Obry, Denmark. John was in New Amsterdam, as early as 1650, holding various offices, such as City Constable and Collector of excise taxes. There is frequent mention of him in records of New Amsterdam, now New York City.