According to Frank S. Delo, who wrote on the early American Delo families, of which I have a copy of this book for several years, he stated " Prior to 1776, the only Delos in the United States were farmers in eastern Pennsylvania ( Dello, Delon, Delow, Dillo, Dillow ) and northern Virginia ( Dillow )." " The Jefferson County Census records of 1810 indicated that the parents of four other Dillow families were born as early as the 1760s. The names of the family heads are reminiscent of Pennsylvania Delos: Peter, William, John and Joseph. Taking the position that Peter was born in 1757 in Virginia, one is led to surmise that the others were also born there. This would indicate that the Dillows were among the early settlers of the county. Surely they must have been directly related to the Dillows of York and Adams Counties in Pennsylvania less than thirty miles to the North? " . By DNA testing the Virginia Dillow's of which Peter Dillow, Sr who lived near Keyes Ferry, Va (now in West Va)is the oldest with wife Elizabeth and son John listed in his lease matches the families of Pierre and Nicholas Delon, Dellone, Dellow, Dillow, etc. But who and which one. ?? Which son. ?? Since my Peter Dillow, Sr. was born in Va in 1757 his father must have a birth date of 1730 or before. I am attempting to find who his father is. The Lease of Peter Dillow from Lord Fairfax in Virginia: Berkeley County Court House, Martinsburg, West Virginia Deed Book #8, pp. 133-140 This indenture made out the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and eighty six between the Honourable George William Fairfax, Esquire, by George Nichols, his Attorney-in-Fact of the one part and Peter Dillow of Berkeley County Farmer of the other part.... The said George William Fairfax for and in consideration of the Rents and Covenants hereafter mentioned on the part of the said Peter Dillow to be paid and performed hath demised granted set and to farm-let.....to farm let unto the said Peter Dillow his Heirs and assigns seventy five acres of land with the appurtenances situate lying and being in the Parish of Norbourne in the County of Berkeley on the main public road being part of a tract of 30185 acres and called Shannondale ... the said seventy five acres unto the said Peter Dillow his Heirs and assigns from the day of the date hereof for and during the natural lives of him the said Peter Dillow, Elizabeth his wife, and Jon Dil! low their son, yielding and paying unto the said George William Fairfax his certain Attorney Heirs Executors Administrators or assigns yearly and every year on the first day of May the rent of two pounds two shillings and six pence in specie currenty money of Virginia ... and Peter Dillow doth promise and agree to ... build or cause to be built ... a good dwelling house twenty feet by sixteen feet and a barn twenty feet square of the manner of Virginia buildings ..., etc, etc. Signed and delivered George Nicholas L S in the presence of : George Roots, William Brady, Bataile Muse At a Court held for Berkeley County the 19th day of April 1786 this indenture was proven by the Oaths of Bataile Muse and George Roots witnesses thereto and ordered to lie further proof and at a court held for the said county the 15th day of April 1788. This indenture was further proved by the oath of William Brady another witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. Examined Teste Mo Hunter Clk This land was on Mountain Mission on the seventy-five acres where all the Dillow's lived on. Peter Dillow, SR and Peter, JR, John, Thomas, William, Joseph, Lee and David Dillow only about 30 miles from the ones living in SE PA with most of the same given names. I wish I could find by record which male of Pierre Delon or Nicholas Dellone or their families in Alsace, France could be Peter Dillow, Sr's father. Would any of these families come to Virginia in the mid 1750's from PA. ?? Marianne Dillow Illinois