Under the matrilineal kinship system of the Lenape, Gelemend was born into his mother's Turtle clan; his maternal grandfather was "Netawatwees" ("Newcomer"), principal chief of the Delaware.
Under the matrilineal kinship system of the Lenape, Gelemend was born into his mother's Turtle clan, which had responsibility for providing hereditary chiefs for the tribe. His maternal grandfather was "Netawatwees" ("Newcomer"), principal chief of the Delaware.