Delia (Bone) Phillips
Rediscovering an Abenaki Ancestor Through Genealogical Research
For over a century, the ancestry of Delia (Bone) Phillips remained uncertain.
Through collaborative genealogical research and historical documentation,
her identity has now been restored. Baptized Caroline Bonne in 1832 at
St-François-du-Lac (Odanak), Quebec, Delia’s story is one of resilience,
cultural continuity, and the restoration of Abenaki heritage.
Who Was Delia (Bone) Phillips?
Delia Bone, recorded in historical documents under multiple variations including Rose de Lima Bone, Rosalie Baume, Delima Bonn, Rose de Lima Bonnes, and Rosalie Lebaume, was the wife of Peter Phillips and a matriarch of a family later examined in the Vermont Eugenics Survey (1925–1936).
For many years, her origins remained uncertain due to the absence of a definitive marriage record, shifting surname spellings (Bone, Baume, Bonne, Bonn), and the use of multiple given names across church and civil records.
Cross-border migration between Quebec and Vermont, combined with linguistic transitions from French to English and the bias embedded in early 20th-century documentation, further complicated efforts to clearly document her Abenaki ancestry.
Abenaki Heritage at Odanak
Delia was baptized at the historic Abenaki community of Odanak, formerly known as St. Francis. Odanak has long served as a central gathering place for the Western Abenaki people.
Supporting evidence includes parish baptismal records dated September 1, 1832, Abenaki godparents recorded in church registers, and family oral history identifying reservation origins. Vermont civil marriage records listing her as Caroline Bone and correlated surname variants consistent with Quebec parish usage further confirm her identity.
Restoring Identity Through Genealogical Research
Delia’s identity was confirmed through rigorous analysis:
Parish Register Analysis
Sibling Correlation (Lucy Benoit Pecor)
Absence of Contradictory Quebec Records
Surname Variant Tracking
Civil Marriage Record Confirmation
Application of the Genealogical Proof Standard
The research was published in the American-Canadian Genealogist, Volume 51, Issue 173 (2025).
Why This Research Matters
Reclaiming the identity of Delia (Bone) Phillips strengthens documented connections between Odanak Abenaki families, cross-border Abenaki communities, French-Canadian and Indigenous intermarried families, and the Phillips family of Vermont.
This research supports the restoration of historical truth and the preservation of Abenaki heritage for future generations.
Read the full published research documenting Delia (Bone) Phillips’ identity in the American-Canadian Genealogist, Volume 51, Issue 173 (2025).
“We honor our ancestors by caring for the land, uplifting our people, and walking forward in partnership.
When we recognize the truths of the past and choose respect in the present, we ensure that future
generations—Abenaki and non‑Abenaki alike—can stand together on this land in a good way.”
— Chief Don Stevens, Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation
Chief Donald Stevens
Chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation
Copyright 2026. Chief Donald Stevens. All Rights Reserved.
Dedicated to the preservation of Nulhegan Abenaki culture and the well-being of its
citizens.