The Hissem-Montague Family

This part of the family are the descendents of David, the youngest son of Thomas Hesom of Trenton. He is my g-g-g-g-grandfather. He brought his family from Northampton county in northeastern Pennsylvania to Westmoreland county in the southwestern part of the state, and finally into Tyler county, West Virginia, in the Ohio river valley.

David Heysham was the youngest son of Thomas Hesom and Catherina Kleyn. His brothers were John, Thomas, William, and Abner, the latter two being killed during the American Revolution - from "West Virginians in the American Revolution." David left a record of his early life in his application for a pension in 1834, saying,

"That he was born the 14th day of March 1762 or 63 in Northampton county aforesaid in the State of Pennsylvania, in Lower Smithfield Township, near Broadhead creek [left] about four miles from the Delaware river. That he has no record of his age, the family Bible left by his father, in which his age was recorded, fell into the hands of a Levi Swarthwoot, a stepson of his father, after his father's death, who says that from long use the record became loose and was lost out. He from his own recollection of the records thinks that he was born on the 14th March 1762 or 63, but inclines to believe the latter year, but of this is not very positive, [garbled] had recent conversation with a Sister in Law of his who is several years older than he and who has frequently seen the record of his age asserts that he is older by two or three years than he make himself, but still he is of the belief that he was born on the 14th March 1763."

David's surname was variously rendered through his life as Heysham, Hysham, Hysam, Hissom, Hissem and Hissam.

In 1764, while David was still a toddler, numerous Indian raids, including along the Brodhead creek, caused a panic and many of the settlers fled their homes. These were, however, the last spasms of an Indian War institigated by the French in 1755. While things were never completely quiet on the frontier, there would be no more major raids until the Revolution began.

There are no records of David's youth, but some things may be assumed about his family. Quaker and Dutch attitudes about the rearing of children were far different from the "spare the rod and spoil the child" viewpoint of the Puritans of New England. The Quakers supported a child-centered household based on affection. The Quaker leader William Penn advised parents to correct their childen with love and never strike in passion. Dutch children enjoyed a relatively carefree youth and their parents were open in their displays of affection.

Based on what we know about frontier life, David would have received little schooling. We do know that he was at least minimaly literate, having signed his own name to his "Declaration for Obtaining a Pension." Interestingly, his brothers, Thomas and John, could not and only made their marks on official documents.

My guess is that the difference in David's education was his step-mother, Elizabeth Brink. Thomas Sr. had married her around 1765, when John was 19 and Thomas 15, thus both "out of the house" in the sense that they spent most of their time in the field or forest. David, however, was only 3 and a perfect candidate for a little tutorial at the hearth. This would assume that Elizabeth was literate and Thomas Sr.'s first wife, Catherina Kleyn, was not. All of the boys probably learned Dutch, or German, from their mother or step-mother.

There were no public schools at this time. The one-room schoohouse of the American West was a product of the next generation. Colonial leaders agreed that education was important, but were not concerned with providing it. The decision of whether to educate children was left to individual families until 1683 when a Pennsylvania law was passed, requiring that all children be taught to read and write and be trained in a useful trade. Religious groups ran most schools and stressed the practical aspects of education. Any school in Lower Smithfield would have been associated with the local Reformed Dutch church. I suspect David was taught to read and write, and do basic sums, but he had no use for anything more. He would learn all he needed to know about farming and woodcraft from his father and elder brothers. In addition to the basics of subsistence farming, he would be able to track game, shoot and skin his dinner, and protect himself and the family. He learned about religion, and politics, from the sermons he heard in church.

In the run-up to the American Revolution, the frontier farmers provided a ready audience for concepts of democracy, equality and independence. They owed little to the government and its military. They had cleared the land, brought in the crops, ensured their safety and fought their own wars with little or no assistance. While the community itself was interdependent, every man was proud to stand on his "own two feet." The automatic deference their forefathers had felt for their "betters" had vanished.

All of David's brothers appear to have served, at one time or another, during the Revolution in support of independence. In a document listing those receiving military pensions, David is listed as a Tyler county, West Virginia Revolutionary War pensioner and as a previous member of the Virginia militia.

"DAVID HEYSAM
TYLER COUNTY
PRIVATE
VIRGINIA MILITIA
$80.00 ANNUAL ALLOWANCE
$240.00 AMOUNT RECEIVED
MARCH 27, 1834 PENSION STARTED
AGE 71"
- from the "Virginia Pension Roll of 1835, Report from the Secretary of War, In relation to the Pension Establishment Of the United States 1835"

From an ancestors source file:

“David Heysham (Hissam) was another interesting patriot ancestor. This information is from his pension file at the National Archives. David served as an Indian spy or scout in 1778 [he would have been only 16 years old!], 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, and 1783 from Northumberland [sic] county, Pennsylvania. David relates several instances of scalpings and killings by the Indians. He also gives a description of his duties. He says he was "employed in part in guarding the said fort [Fort Penn] and settlement; in watching the movements of the Indians; examining their trails and giving information of their approach to the settlement and frequently guarding those who were engaged in cultivating the soil for the support of those in the fort.”

The year 1778, David's first year of service, saw the frontier settlements in New York and Pennsylvania under repeated atttack from the Iroquois and their Tory allies. The Iroquois Confederation, also known as the Six Nations, was a political and military alliance that included the Seneca, Cayuga, Mohawk, Onondaga, 0neida, and Tuscarora tribes. They had openly sided with England in the Revolution, hoping to protect their homelands from the encroaching Americans.

On 30 May 1778 the village of Cobleskill, New York was destroyed by an Indian raid. On 3 July Colonel Zebulon Butler's militia was defeated by Tory leader Major John Butler's rangers and Indians at the settlement of Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The fort and homes of the settlers were put to the torch and men, women and children killed. The painting to the left is a dramatic recreation, from the colonists' point of view, of the massacre. Major Butler and his Indian allies told a different story, claiming only victory in a fair fight. Whichever story was true, refugees of this catastrophe poured into Fort Penn, located on Broadhead creek near David's home, telling a tale of infamy that both aroused and paniced the countryside.

On 17 September Colonel Jacob Klock reported that German Flats, New York was "laid waste for ten miles along the Mohawk river, and an attack made on Fort Dayton".

The final major attack of the year came on 11 November when approximately 800 men raided the setllement of Cherry Valley, New York.

From David Heysham's "Declaration for Obtaining a Pension" of 15 February 1834 -

"State of Virginia
County of Tyler

On this 15th day of February 1834 personally appeared in open court before the county Court of said County of Tyler, now sitting, David Heysham, a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged Seventy or Seventy one years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That sometime in the year 1778 he was residing with his Father in Northampton county in the state of Pennsylvania. He being then under the age at which he would be required to muster by the laws of Pennsylvania, but being active withal expert in the use of the rifle for one of his tender years, his father, who was a violent Whig [that is, a Patriot], permitted him to substitute for one John Schoolcraft (or a man of some such name not now postively recollected by affiant) for Two Months in a company of Scouts or Spy's sent out for the protection of the Inhabitants of Northampton county aforesaid against the hostile incursions of the Indians, a party of whom came in the neighborhood in the time of his tour and killed four persons namely, [John] Larner, his son George Larner and George's wife and child. That he, with the company of Scouts to which he belonged, pursued said Indians whom they overtook and John Larner, a son of the Elder Larner before named, who had joined his company on this occasion for the purpose of revenging his father's and brother's death if possible, shot one of the Indians and scalped him. The other Indians made their escape. Upon the Indian killed was found the scalp of old Mr. Larner."

David's affadavit leaves unclear whether he thought the Larner massacre occurred during his first year of service in 1778 or simply that it was one example of Indian incursions. Clearly though, it was the a significant memory of the period. Note that at least one source thought the massacre occurred in 1780 so perhaps David's possible lapse in exactitude is forgivable.

In a recent biography of Benjamin Franklin I noted that, in his role in preparing Northampton county for its defense during the French and Indian Wars, Franklin admonished the local militia to send out scouts on a daily basis to spy-out the area and ensure they are aware of possible Indian movements. David was apparently given just such a job.

From another source, a newspaper article claiming to use the pension files:

“David Heysham, born Lower Smithfield, Northampton county, Pennsylvania March 14 1762, and died, September 6, 1834, Tyler county, Virginia. Enlisted in Pennsylvania in 1778 and served two years as a private under Lieutenant Shoemaker of the Virginia Line [sic], guarding and defending the western frontier."

The Frontier Ranger A militiaman and guardian of the frontier, this soldier was thought of as an "Indian Ranger," that is, his war was directed at the Indian enemy and fought to their rules. In our modern idiom he might be thought of as Homeland defense. On patrol he would have worn the same clothing he did at home - which was probably his only suit of clothes - comprised of buckskin and homespun. Below is an etching of rangers in a firefight with the Indians - they really ought to take better cover.

From David Heysham's "Declaration for Obtaining a Pension" of 15 February 1834, continued -

"That he served as a Scout or Spy Two Months, the Terms for which he substituted under Lieutenant Henry Shoemaker and was discharged at Fort Penn in the county and state aforesaid, being the place where he joined said company. This Fort Penn was at the time known also by the name of Stroudsburg from the name of the person who owned the land [Jacob Stroud] whereon and mostly in the immediate neighborhood where the fort was created."

David was a private in the Fifth Company of the Militia of Northampton County, commanded by Lieutenant Henry Shoemaker, of the Fifth Battalion commanded by Colonel Jacob Stroud (at least in 1781), under the overall command of General Lacey. There is a story related in the Pennsylvania archives about a soldier, taken prisoner by the Indians on 18 June 1781. On the 19th in a 'recounter' between the same Indians and a party of Militia, commanded by Captain Shoemaker, the soldier was retrieved.

Note that at this early date the militia's officers were elected by their own men. A man like Jacob Stroud, the outstanding man in the community, would have been a natural choice. Other officers might have to pander for their votes. Whiskey was a common inducement. Discipline in the militia, you may imagine, was slack.

Prior to March 1777, all militia and line soldiers were volunteers. After that date, short of the needed manpower, Pennsylvania instituted a draft. The Pennsylvania State Assembly legislated a Militia Act on 17 March 1777 and a Test Act on 13 June 1777. The first statute compelled men between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three to serve in the militia or pay heavy fines. The second ordered all men to swear allegiance to the state or lose their rights as citizens.

From David Heysham's "Declaration for Obtaining a Pension" of 15 February 1834, continued -

"That soon after he was discharged (his father consenting) he again substituted in the same year 1778 for one John Sheckler in a company of Scouts under command of the said Lieut. Shoemaker. Said company rendezvoused at Fort Penn aforesaid, and he after having served the term of Two Months, the time he substituted for, was again discharged at the place where he rendezvoused."

"That in the early part or about the beginning of the year 1779 (his father again permitting) he volunteered as an Indian Spy and joined a company of Scouts under command of said Lieut. Shoemaker in which company he served as a Spy Ten Months and was discharged where he rendezvoused (viz) at Fort Penn aforesaid. That in the time of this last named service a party of Indians, about 10 or 11 in number, penetrated the settlement and made prisoners William Cutright, William McGinnis and John Teel, who they took away with them together with several horses and a quantity of bed clothing, etc. That Lieut. Shoemaker with him [David] and the balance of his company, being 20 in number including officers, pursued the Indians following them about 16 miles from the settlement, with whom they had a skirmish and recaptured Cutright and Teel, the horses and goods. McGinnis, the other prisoner being an elderly grey headed man and probably unable to travel as fast as desired, they had killed and scalped him before his company overtook them. That in the skimrmish a large fine looking Indian took shelter behind a tree, too small to protect his body entirely from the fire of his party, and after the side of the tree had been barked by several shots, the Indian feeling unsafe, left it for another and after leaving it and while running, one Benjamin Hanna of his company shot him in or near the hip, the bullet ranging through to the front part of the other hip. The Indian fell and the others fled - With this Indian they found the scalp of McGinnis, the first they knew of his being put to death, as on their retreat they had sent a party of Indians off to one side of their trail, who had killed and scalped McGinnis, entirely out of sight of Cutright and Teel. From this Indian they tried to ascertain what they had done with McGinnis's body and where it was. This the Indian being unwilling to tell or not understanding the English tongue was unable to tell what was desired of him, Benjamin Hanna the man who shot him, struck his tomahawk into the Indian's head and killed and scalped him. The balanace of the Indians he and his company pursued to what was then called the big Pine Swamp, lying between the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers, when not overtaking them and further pursuit being considered useless and attended with great danger, they returned. On their way back they hunted and found the body of McGinnis and buried it in the best manner they could by cutting rotten logs with their tomahawks and covering it."

In June 1779 the Indian leader Joseph Brant, also known a Thayendanegea, led 400 warriors in an incursion into the Delaware valley and struck the town of Minisinck. The inhabitants fled and the place was sacked and destroyed. A militia company was sent to pursue the enemy, but in an ambush were heavily defeated.

Joseph Brant Today historians are wont to call Brant a hero of his people, and perhaps they are right, but the people living on Broadhead creek saw him as a monster. From Wikipedia: "Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant (c. 1743 – 24 November 1807) was a Mohawk leader and British military officer during the American Revolution. Brant was perhaps the most well-known North American Indian of his generation. He met many of the most significant people of the age, including George Washington and King George III. The American folk image emphasized the atrocities his forces committed against settlers on the western frontier; in Canada, he is remembered for his effort to regain land for his people."

In 1779 John Weitzel was the County Lieutenant, with the rank of Colonel. In the acrimony over the inability of the militia to protect the district he fell into conflict with Colonel Jacob Stroud, the elected head of the Sixth Battalion. Stroud was a powerful man who held 4000 acreas of land in the county and whose fortified home, known as Fort Penn, was the headquarters of the militia.

The clash in authority between the County Lieutenant, appointed by and answerable to the state, and the battalion commanders, appointed by and answerable to their men, meant that each could blame the other when things went wrong, as they did in 1778 and 1779. Colonel Stroud undoubtedly had the common viewpoint of the field officer, that the staff officers, comfortably seated in the rear, had no conception of the situation on the ground and were neglectful of their duty in getting the field officers all the men and supplies they felt they needed. Colonel Weitzel undoubtedly had the common viewpoint of the staff officer, that the field officers had no conception of the difficulty in getting men and supplies, and that furthermore, the field officer's demands were almost always inflated. Colonel Weitzel eventually complained to the state's Executive Council that Stroud was inciting the people to oppose his authority and obstruct the execution of the law.

The President of the Executive Council responded in August 1779 to all three parties involved. To Colonel Stroud he wrote:

"The Distresses of your County by the late Incursions of the Indians has given us very great Concern, and the more so as we understand the Militia having got into some Confusion do not render the Services that might be expected. We are sorry to find that some mistaken Opinions you have formed on the Mode of their being called out & of the appointments of the Lieutenants have had a great share in this Evil. As you are now most probably experiencing the sad Effects of such Mistakes we shall not add to your Pain by dwelling upon them. But desire you to consider the Effects & Consequences which cannot be other than the Ruin of your outer Settlements & Impoverishment of the County itself. A well regulated Militia is the only proper & effectual Force against Such on Enemy & the Enemy would stand more in Awe of them than three Times the Number of standing Troops. To raise Companies for a few Months is not only dreadfully expensive & in most Cases ineffectual, but it seems to unhinge the System & leave you in fact much weaker than before. As you therefore possess a good share of the Esteem & Confidence of the People, I shall hope & do recommend it to you as the best Service you can perform to your bleeding Country to do away as far as possible the Effects of former Opinions & strive by a general Concurrence with the other Gentlemen in the Militia to give them Vigour & Efficacy, encouraging and promoting a Spirit of Fidelity & Obedience to the Laws calculated to afford the best Relief & Security against this dreadful Calamity. Wishing you Health & Safety."

"I remain Sir, your most
obed & very Hbbl Serv't.
JOS. REED,
President."

"The Depredations which have lately been committed in & near the County of Northampton have given us the most sensible Concern. We have flattered ourselves that the Expedition under Gen'l Sullivan would have given perfect Peace to that & every other Part of our Western Frontiers. It must now be clearly evident that nothing can afford effectual Relief against this Calamity but a well regulated Militia, which being always at Hand might before This Time, if duly attended to, have given a Check to their barbarous Incursions. It was to this Force & not to standing Troops or Volunteer Companies, raised for a few months & stationed in Forts, that N. England delivered herself from the most horrible Indian Wars. And we must recommend it to you in the most earnest & serious Manner to give this important Service your utmost Attention. If your other offices, as we fear is the Case, interfere with your Duties as Lieutenant of the County we would wish you to Consider in which you can be most useful, and not suffer one Duty to clash with another by attempting to perform too much or too many."

"If the Colonels or other Officers fail in their respective Duties & do not give you the Support they ought we request you would candidly and fairly communicate such Transactions that Measures may be taken to enforce a different Line of Conduct. If the Frontiers are broke up those who now think themselves safe will be a Frontier & shortly experience that wretchedness from which they now refuse to rescue their Neighbours. We doubt not from the Influence & Weight you must possess that your Representations on this Head will be much regarded & we do entreat you to leave no Means unessayed to effect this desirable Purpose."

"We immediately complied with your Request the other Day, we shall do the same on all other Occasions being resolved that nothing in our Power shall be wanting to give the good People of the County all possible Relief and Assistance."

"I am Sir,
Your most Obed. & very
Hbble Serv't,
JOS. REED, President""

"It has given us great Concern to hear that when your Country is in the utmost Danger & Apprehension, when so many of your friends & Countrymen are suffering so much from a cruel & barbarous Enemy, the Militia which is well regulated would be your best Defence is in such a state of Confusion as to give little or no Aid. We entreat you Gentlemen to bestir yourselves, support your Lieutenants with your utmost Weight & Influence, remove from the Minds of your Neighbours every unkind & uncharitable sentiment & urge them to obey the Laws, to perform the Offices & Duties of Humanity which require us on all Occasions to endeavor to relieve the Distresses & remove the Dangers of our Friends & Fellow Subjects. It is probably from this Beginning that the Indians finding you so unprepared will be induced to continue their Ravages & endeavor to evade the Expedition set on Foot against them by distressing & destroying the Frontiers.-I therefore take this Opp'y to request you would at some convenient Day call out your Battalions, convince them of the Necessity & Duty they are under to turn out with Alacrity & Zeal when such Havock is made among their Friends & Countrymen. If they are Lovers of this Government & Constitution they will shew it by their Submission to its Laws & a cheerful Discharge of their Duty,- for nothing can so effectually disgrace & injure any government as having its Laws neglected, its Frontiers destroyed & a mere handful of an Enemy committing Ravages which the spirited Exertions of a few men will soon suppress if animated by a proper Sense of Duty to themselves & their Country."

"Extinguish the Disputes which subsist among you as fatal to your Peace, Safety & Happiness & hereafter let there be but one Dispute who shall serve his Country best. If there are any Differences between you & any of the Lieutenants in Matter of Opinion avoid Disputes & Heartburnings as much as possible, support each other, & be assured that we will support you with every Necessary. If I could flatter myself this happy Spirit would prevail I should have Pleasure in visiting the Country & examining the State of the Militia. This I shall endeavor to do this Fall if other publick Buseness will admit, in the mean Time recommending these Things to your most serious Consideration."

"I remain Gentlemen
Your Sincere Friend
& Obed Hbble Serv't,
JOS. REED, President"

In the final resolution of the matter the Council wrote:

"This being the day appointed for hearing the complaint against Colonel Stroud, and the parties attending, and producing sundry papers, which were also read, the Council took the same into consideration; whereupon, Resolved, That the conduct of Colonel Stroud, in arraigning the authority of the Lieutenants, and the legality of their appointments, is Highly disapproved by this Board, it being their clear opinion, confirmed by the sentiments of all parts of the State, that the Assembly have a legal constitutional power to appoint Lieutenants, and that they ought to be respected accordingly."

"Resolved, That disputes between officers appointed to promote the same service, and Especially one on which the safety and security of the People so much depend, is highly prejudicial to the Public Welfare; that, therefore, it be recommended to the parties now before the Board, to lay aside all animosities, and, in future, treat each other with kindness, and conduct the Publick business with Harmony."

"Resolved, That in consideration of Colonel Stroud's good Character as an officer, his activity and zeal in the Publick Service, the Board think it proper to pass over any farther proceedings herein.”

Northampton citizens too became tired of militia duty, desiring, in all too common a human trait, that someone else do the job so they could get back to their farms. They did not oppose a well-regulated militia, but they insisted that the "present mode of conducting it is, in fact, one of the greatest nuisances in the state. . . . Battalion days . . . serve only the purposes of idleness, disorder, and vice, de-praving the morals of the rising generation so that many of us, otherwise not averse to militia duty, have withdrawn ourselves and grown sons from such musterings."

From David Heysham's "Declaration for Obtaining a Pension" of 15 February 1834, continued -

"That in the years 1780, 1781, 1782 and 1783 he served the United States as a Volunteer Indian Spy from early in the Spring until late in the Fall at least Six Months in each of the said years, principally under the said Lieut. Henry Shoemaker - That he was employed in part in guarding the said Fort and Settlement, in watching the movements of the Indians, examining their trails and giving information of their approach to the Settlement and frequently in guarding those who were engaged in cultivating the soil for the support of those in the fort [sounds like more fun than cultivating the soil]. He on many occasions was sent in the years last mentioned together with the company of Scouts and Spy's to which he beonged, not exceeding 20 in number and frequently much less than 20, either in pursuit of the Indians from the settlement or in anticipation of meeting them coming to the settlement. On two occasions of this kind he was absent from the Fort and settlement one month or thereabouts each time, but generally absent from one to 10-15 and 20 days. He served in Northampton county principally, ranging from Fort Penn, his head quarters, on to Lehigh river, on to the Susquehanna river, to the Minisinck Settlement on the Delaware river and on to Bushkill [north of Stroudsburg on the Delaware river] and elsewhere. That his service was altogether on the frontiers, unconnected with any part of the regular Army or any of its officers, except at one time being in the time of his 10 months service [in 1779], he with the company of Scouts to which he belonged, commanded by Lieut. Shoemaker, accompanied the American Army under command of General Sullivan from Fort Penn through the big Pine Swamp to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania [in the Wyoming Valley], when Genl Sullivan was on his march to the Genissee Country in the State of New York to destroy and lay waste the Indian settlements there."

General Sullivan's campaign of revenge for the Wyoming Massacre occurred, under the direction of George Washington, from June to September 1779. The army had assembled in Easton, Pennsylvania then moved north through the Wind Gap to the region of Fort Penn where several companies of men joined the force. I suspect that, because of their experience in the area, David's company was given the role of scouting the route through the swamp and, perhaps, taking "point." Note that John Heysham, David's oldest brother, was on this campaign as well, serving with a New York regiment. David would have spent many nights with the New Yorkers, listening to his older brother's war stories.

In a letter to General Washington, General Sullivan noted the swamp through which David's company guided the army:

"Dear General, I Last Evening returned from the Great Swamp for which place I Set off the Day before. I found the Road Cleared to within twenty three miles of Wyoming & through all the Difficult parts of the Swamp . . . the Road is now cut the whole Distance & through a Country the most Difficult I Ever Saw - it is not possible for a Country to be Thicker with wood among which the Laurels are so thick that a man cannot get through them but on his hands & Knees. The number of Sloughs and Creeks are almost Incredible."

The following mentions other officers not noted by David in his affadavit. He had not discounted that possibility, merely saying that he served "principally under the said Lieut. Henry Shoemaker." Also, it is probable that after the passagae of 50 years he had forgotten the names of his other officers. From the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File:
- Private 5th Class David Hysham, Inactive Duty Militia, 5th County Battalion, 2nd Company of Captain Benjamin Schonover, Class List, 18 May 1782. Thomas Hysham Jr. served with him, listed as in the 7th class.
- On 26 May 1784, David Hysham was mustered in the Fifth Battalion, Northampton militia, serving under Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Strowd [sic], Captain Benjamin Scoonhover, Lieutenant John Fish, Ensign Richard Tillberry, and Sergeant John Delong. John Hysham, having mustered out of the New York regiment, and Thomas Hysham Jr. were listed with David. It is not completely clear, but I think this muster roll shows David as being in the 2nd class, his brother John Hysham in the 6th, and Thomas Hysham, Junr, in the 7th. This makes sense to have the boys called up separately.

A Private David Hysham is also listed amongst those "Soldiers Who Received Depreciation Pay as per Cancelled Certificates on File in the Division of Republic Records." From the Pennsylvania Archives card files:
- David Hysham, Northampton county militia, Certificate 9840, 1.3.9 pounds, 16 January 1786. This was perhaps to make up for an arrears.

From David's pension application:

"That he recollects only of receiving four discharges from the service, but by whom signed he does not now recollect, but well recollects that they were given him by the said Lieut Shoemaker, which discharges are all now lost or destroyed as he--considering them of no value, neglected to take any especial care of them."

After the war David married Elizabeth (Sarah) Bush in June 1786 or 1787 in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The LDS database says 1789.

"VA/VA. David Heysham m Elizabeth Bush, last of Jun, 1786/87 Northampton Co., PA, by Appleton, Esq. when she was 19. In 1834 sol, aged 70/71, d 6 Sep 1834, Tyler Co., VA. In 1855 wid aged c88 res Tyler Co., VA. Third child, Thomas Heysham d c1854 would have been 64 on Mar [1855]. W-3819 BLWt24995-160-55." - from "Revolutionary War Period" by Helen M. Lu, Gwen B. Neumann

Elizabeth was born circa 1767 (1840 census indicates between 1770-1790) in Pennsylvania. She later stated that she was 19 years old when she married. The 1850 census shows her still alive at the age of 83. She may have died as late as 30 December 1860, per the LDS database. Sarah’s parents were Jacobus (James) Bush, born 26 October 1740 in Kingston, Ulster county, New York and died in March 1820, and Eva Brink, born circa 1739 and died on 19 February 1809. Unlike David, it appears she had no schooling, unable even to sign her own name.

The 1788 Federal Tax for Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania shows a David Hissom with 1 horse, 1 cow and a tax of 1.8. [1 pound and 8 shillings?].

He was listed in the 1790 federal census of Northampton county as David Hysham. In his household was one male over 16 years old, David, 2 males under 16, Joab and Thomas, and 1 female, Elizabeth. Thomas, Thomas Jr. and John “Hysham,” his father and brothers, were also listed in the same census [William and Abner having died in the war].

For 1793, the Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol.26 (Northampton County) lists a David Heysham with 400 acres. Date of Survey: Feb. 26, 1793. It was about this time that I believe David's father, Thomas Hesom, died. Soon after he moved his family to the northwest. From David's pension application:

"That soon after the Revolutionary War he married and continued to reside in the county last aforesaid [Northampton], until about the year 1795 when he moved from Northampton to [garbled] resided in Luzern County Pa. three years from which [1798] he returned to Northampton county where he resided about nine years [1807], from which he removed to Westmoreland County Pa. where he lived three years [1810], from which he removed to this county (then Ohio county) where he has since continued to reside."

I note that David's nephew, Thomas' son Abner, appeared in a petition of 1796 by the inhabitants of Luzerne county, in the Wyoming valley northwest of Northampton county. The document's signers were unhappy with the administration of Pennsylvania and were trying to convince Connecticut that it should try to regain sovereignty of the region. This implies that Thomas and his family, including Abner, stopped in Luzerne county enroute to the far western Westmoreland county. Note that Thomas' little brother, David, by his own account, lived in Luzerne county from about 1795 to 1798. I think it probable that all of the brothers, including John and brother-in-law Levi Swartwout, moved to Luzerne county at the same time, and that Thomas, John and Levi moved on to Westmoreland at about the same time that David moved back to Northampton, for his short stay there.

In about 1798 David said he returned to Northampton county from Luzerne, for reasons unstated, and resided there for about nine years.

The 1800 census showed David living again in Lower Smithfield township, but his brothers were gone. Thomas, John, and step-brother, Levi Swartwout, had moved to Westmoreland county, in far western Pennsylvania. It is probable that they made this move between 1795 and 1798, while David was in Luzerne county. In the 1800 census David has 3 sons, aged 0-10, Thomas, James, and Jesse, 1 son, aged 10-16, Joab, a wife, aged 26-45, Elizabeth, and 1 daughter, aged 0-10, Elizabeth.

In about 1807 David followed his brothers, leaving Northampton county for western Pennsylvania, eventually to reside in Westmoreland county.

In the 1810 census of South Huntingdon township [Ancestry.com says East Huntingdon], Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as David Hissem [Hissim?]. He was living not far from his adoptive brother, Levi Swartwout. The census lists two boys under 10, David Jr. and Levi, another two who were 10 to 15, James [maybe] and Jesse, 1 boy 16 to 25, Thomas, and a man 45 and over, David, who would have been 48 years old. I assume that Joab, 22 was on his own by this time. Note that Joab voluteered for service in the War of 1812, mustering in the Pittsburgh area. The women of the household included four girls under 10 and a woman 26 to 44, Elizabeth, who would have been about 43. David's brother, Thomas, had moved to Hempfiled township in Westmoreland county at this time while John had moved to Pitt township in Allegheny county.

South Huntingdon township was near the Monongahela river. This river joins the Ohio and Allegheny rivers at Pittsburgh, to the west. David's elder brother Thomas had preceded him, leaving Northampton county sometime between 1790 and 1800. There are many reasons why David may have lagged in his move west, one being that he stayed with his aged father, Thomas, until he died. Thomas Sr. would have been around 75 in 1800.

David said he lived in Westmoreland county for about three years and then moved again, circa 1810, this time down the Ohio river to Tyler county, then known as Ohio county, in what is today West Virginia, where he continued to reside until his death. He may have lived in Westmoreland county longer than he claimed since his son, Jesse, appears to have married there in 1815. Contrarily, we have a reference below that indicates David was in West Virginia by 1813/14.

The next reference cites the service of a David Hissom in the War of 1812.

". . . Co MD Mil
Hissam, James or James Hissom, SC-6538, srv Capt James H. Belsehe's Co 35th US Inf as Pvt
Hissey, Henry, Mary Ann (Lineberger) WC-433, m 25 Dec 1814 Baltimore Cty MD, sd 4 or 5 Jun 1840 or 41, srv Capt John Owings' Co MD Mil as a Pvt, wid lived Baltimore Cty MD 1850-71
Hissom, David Elizabeth, W0-41139, srv Capt P. Wells' Co VA Mil, see James Hissam
Histed, John, no pension, srv as a Capt in NY MIl, . . ." - from "Index to War of 1812 Pension Files" by Virgil D. White

Captain P. Wells was probably Perigrine Wells, who served in the 6th Regiment of Virginia Militia at Fort Norfolk circa 1814. James Hissom, David's third son, served in the 4th Regiment and later the 35th United State's Infantry, also at Fort Norfolk, at about this time. Both the 4th and 6th Virginia regiments had been raised in Ohio county, Virginia. If David and James had joined at the same time wouldn't they have been in the same unit? Might James have substituted for his father at Norfolk, allowing the old man to go home? See the story of the defense of Norfolk and the Battle of Craney's Island, below, which explains why two West Virginia militia units found themselves 500 miles away in Norfolk.

In the 1820 census of Tyler county, Virginia as David Hissem. In the household were one boy 10-16, David Jr., who was about 15, 1 man 26-45, its hard to say whether this was James or Thomas, both fit, and 1 man 45 years old and over, David, who would have been 58 years old. There were 2 girls under 10, one 10-16, and a woman over 45. Jesse, 25, and Levi, 20, were on their own at this time. Women in the house included 2 girls under 10, 1 girl 10 to 16, and one woman 45 and over, Elizabeth, who would have been 53. Two members of the family were engaged in Argriculture. Thomas, David's older brother I think, Thomas Jr., Jesse, and David Hissem were all listed in order on this census. The list appears somewhat alphabetical so this may mean nothing.

In the Tyler county Personal Property Tax List of 1825 were listed,

Hissam? Thomas (the 2nd)
Hissam John
Hewit Daniel
Hughes Jackson
Hanes Nathan
Hains Robert (Exempt)
Hissam David
Hissam Jesse
Hissam Levi
Howel Daniel
Hains William
Hains Benjamin
Hanes John
Hissam Thomas (the 3rd)

This list is only somewhat alphabetical. While they all start with "H," I believe the groupings connote households. That is, of tax-paying adults living in the same residence. This makes sense, and supports my ideas about relationships, in the case of David, Jesse, and Levi - a father and his two adult (unmarried?) sons - and for Thomas (the 3rd) if we assume he was "Thomas of David," an adult son living in his own home, and probably married. See also the two groupings of Hains in the same light.

However, what of Thomas (the 2nd) and John? I've treated John as the son of "Thomas of Thomas," David's nephew, but John would have to have been born no later than 1804, 8 years before his next known sibling, to have been considered an adult in 1825. Could this instead have been David's eldest brother, John? We don't have any records of John after the 1820 census. Might he have followed David and Thomas to Virginia after that time? If so, then unlike Thomas (the 1st), John was still considered to be an adult in the full sense of the word.

In the 1830 census of Tyler county, Virginia as David Hisam. In the household was one man, aged 60-70 years old, probably David, one woman, twenty to thirty years old, an unmarried daughter [?], and a woman, aged between 50 and 60 years old, probably Elizabeth. By the way, there is also a Thomas, Thomas Sr. and Thomas Jr. Hisam in the census, but no Jesse.

David applied for a pension 1834. Here are the closing paragraphs of that document.

"That he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service.

That he is acquainted with William Delaschmutt and Robert Gorrell Esqrs [both JP's] and with Doctor Israel Nicklin, Reverend John W. Allen and Moses Williamson Esqr and others of his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any Pension or annuity, but the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any State."

[signed] David Heysham

A bounty land warrant for 160 acres was also issued. Supporting claims were made by the Reverend John W. Allen, W. Dalashanutt, Robert Gorrell, Thomas Heysham (nephew), Josiah Thomas, Jane Heysham (sister-in-law), William Martin and J.G. Morgan.” - from "West Virginians in the American Revolution." Note: The parenthetical relationships are in the original document. It is doubtful this land warrant was ever used.

The following is Jane Heysham's deposition in support of David's claim.

State of Virginia
County of Tyler

This Day personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid Jane Heysham, aged Seventy Eight years past (who I hereby certify to be a credible person), who being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposed as follows, To wit, that in the commencement of the Revolutionary War Deponent resided in Northampton County, State of Pennsylvania. That Deponent was well acquainted with David Heysham (who is the brother of her late husband Thomas Heysham deceased) from the Commencement of the Revolutionary War to the ending thereof and since. That she has seen the said David Heysham's declaration for obtaining a Pension under the act of the 7th June 1832, and that Deponent believes the same to be true as Stated, except in one particular. She thinks that the said David is mistaken about his age, Deponent being confident that he is at the least one year older than he states. Deponent saith that not long after the Revolution broke out the Indians commenced their depredations on the whites in the said county of Northampton aforesaid, which obliged the white to go into Fort in the summer season during the war afterwards. That Deponent [forted?] in Fort Penn and Deponent well recollects that the said David Heysham served several years in the time of the Revolution as a Spy against the Indians from sometime in the Spring until late in the Fall, but from the great lapse of time and consequent loss of memory Deponent is unable to state the precise number of years that the said David served, but to the best of her recollection the said David served four or five or more years from early in the Spring until late in the Fall as aforesaid and further the Deponent saith not.

Jane Heysham X Her mark

The nephew, Thomas Heysham, should be easy as David's brother, Thomas, had a son, Thomas Jr., born in 1778, and he, unlike his older brother, Abner, moved to Tyler county with his father before 1820.

The Gorrell's, from Scotland, were the first settlers in the county.

William Martin was the forebear of Jane Martin, the wife of David's grandson, Abner.

Moses Williamson was a Revolutionary War veteran; member of the first grand jury held in Tyler county; the first commissioner of revenue for the county; the first sheriff; and a justice of the court.

Note that at least some members of the Nicklin family moved to Iowa at the same time David's sons, Thomas and Abner, did and that Floyd Nicklin married Abner's daughter, Serena. [Doctor] Israel T. Nicklin was buried in the Stealey cemetery, Tyler county, tombstone: "12 August 1797-31 August 1879, born Loudin County, 83 years." Per the University of Virginia library, he was the superintendent of the Sisterville and Salem turnpike road from at least 1853-1857. There is a story that "Israel T. Nicklin, a country doctor of Middlebourne, reportedly tested a similar device [a telegraph] in Tyler County. He did not patent it, but dated drawings and descriptions" seem to imply that he invented, but did not market, this device 7 years before Samuel Morse.

Another source has Revolutionary Pension records for a David, Elizabeth and Thomas Heysham. I assume this refers to the veteran, his wife, and perhaps his nephew, a supporter of David’s pension claim, as above, or his son. Note that Thomas would have been his eldest son residing in Tyler county.

David died on 6 September 1834 in Tyler county, West Virginia - from "West Virginians in the American Revolution." He was buried in Little, Tyler county, under the name David Heysham - from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Elizabeth received David's pension and bounty land warrant, and further money's under subsequent pension acts.

7720
Elizabeth Heysham
Declaration for
Pension. Act
of
7th July 1838

Virginia 6,379
Elizabeth Heysham
widow of David Heysham
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 1832
and who died on the 6, September 1834
of Tyler Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Shoemaker of the ---- commanded
by ---- in the Va.
for 2 years
Subscribed on the Roll of Wheeling
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Septr
Middlebourne, Va. and sent to D. Hickman,
Assets to the 4th of March 1841 $400.00

Act July 7 1838

State of Virginia
Tyler County

On this 2nd day of December in the year 1843, personally appeared before me John B Lacy a Justice of the Peace in the county of Tyler aforesaid Elizabeth Heysham a resident of the county of Tyler aforesaid aged about Seventy Six or Seventy Seven years, who having first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of David Heysham who was a private in the War of the Revolution and that she received a pension from the War Department of the United States as the widow of the said David Heysham of Eighty Dollars a years for Five years under the [garbled] of the Congress of the United States passed July 7th 1838, and she further declares that she is still a widow.

Elizabeth Heysham X Her mark

State of Virginia
Tyler County

On this 18th day of February in the year 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said county of Tyler in the state aforesaid Elizabeth Heysham, a resident of the said county of Tyler aged about Seventy three or Seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows, That she is the widow of David Heysham, who was a private in the war of the Revolution, and to whom a Pension certificate for services in the Revolutionary war issued from the War Office of the United States the 27th day of March 1834. That she was married to the said David Heysham in the month of June in the year 1786 as she believes, but is not certain whether she was married in 1786 or 1787, but is positive that it was in the harvest time of one of those years, as her son Thomas Heysham, will be Fifty years old in next month and he is her third child by her said husband. That her husband the said David Heysham died on the 6th day of September 1834. She further declares that she has no record of her age or of her marriage, but she well recollects that she was nineteen years of age when she was married. That she does not know of any person now living who was present at her wedding. Josiah Thomas who was lately living somewhere in the state of Ohio and a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, was at her marriage with the said David Heysham, but she has heard of late that he is dead and she knows of no oter person to whom she could apply who knows of the circumstances spoken of.

Elizabeth Heysham X Her mark

Middlebourne Sept 4th 1841
Dear Sir,

Mrs. Elizabeth Heysham finds some months after her declaration was made and sent to obtain a Pension, discovered [sic] that Josiah Thomas, the person spoken of in her declaration, was living and where and procured his deposition in relation to her marriage with her late husband David Heysham decd., which is here with enclosed -- It will be seen that there is a variance in Mrs. Heyshams statement as to the time of her marriage and the time stated by the Witness Thomas -- she says in 1786 or 1787 and he in 1783 -- However it does not weaken her claim to the Pension she claims -- I do not doubt but that he is correct and she mistaken both as to her age and the year she was married in.

She has no education whatever and Thomas (who I well knew 18 or 20 years ago) has, and he is most likely to be correct in his recollection of the year of the marrige -- I was told by the person who took Thomas' deposition that he Thomas was informed at the time of giving it that he and Mrs. Heysham differed about the year of the marriage. He however expressed the strongest confidence in his recollection of the time and said he could not be mistaken! This proof might entitle Mrs. Heysham to a pension for life perhaps, but she is content to take under the act of 7th July 1838 . . .

J. L. Edwards Esqr
David Hickman

Thomas Heysham, David's nephew, also made a deposition in 1841.

State of Virginia
Tyler County

This 18th day of February 1841 personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said county Thomas Heysham, (who I certify to be a credible witness) and made oath according to law that the affiant was Fifty Eight years old last July [c1783]; That he was well acquainted with David Heysham, late of this county of Tyler aforesaid and a Pensioner of the United States in the life time of the said David. That the said David was affiants uncle and affiant knew him and his wife Elizabeth Heysham from the time he can first recollect any thing, which is upwards of Fifty years. When affiant first knew the said David and Elizabeth, they were living together as husband and wife and continued to live so until the death of the said David. Affiant has not a doubt but that they were legally married as in the course of his whole life he has never heard anything to the contrary; and is confident that if they had not been legally married, affiant would have heard it from his, affiants, Father and Mother (both now dead) who were no doubt well acquainted with all the circumstances attending the same, and further that the said Elizabeth Heysham has remained unmarried since the death of her said husband the said David Heysham, and further affiant saith not.

Thomas Heysham X His mark

3524
Virginia Wheeling
Elizabeth Heysham
Widow of David Heysham
who served in the Revolutionary
war as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
--Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March 1848
Certificate of Pension issued the
31 day of July 1849
and sent to D Hickman
Middlebourne Va
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act of
February 2, 1848, Page 153 Vol. [page torn]

State of Virginia
County of Tyler

On this 9th day of June AD One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid Elizabeth Heysham aged about Eighty Eight years, a resident of Tyler County in the State of Virginia who being duly sworn according to law declares tht she is the widow of David Heysham, who was a Soldier of the Revolution, that her said husband David Heysham drew a Pension from the Government of the United States of Eighty Dollars per annum for such service. That she was married to the said David Heysham in the summer of the year 1786 or 1787 as she verily believes and she thinks about the last of June of one of those years, in the County of Northampton, in the State of Pennsylvania by [blank] Appleton Esq. who was duly authorized to celebrate the rites of matrimony in the said county of Northampton, State of Pennsylvania, his christian name she has forgot, she has no record of her age, nor of her marriage with the said David Heysham, but refers in support of this application to the proofs (being the Depositions of Josiah Thomas) filed in the Pension Department with her Declaration made in 1841 or 1842 by which she obtained a Pension under the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 as the widow of the said David Heysham. She is aware that the statement of Josiah Thomas and of her own conflicts as to the year of her marriage. He alledging it to have been a few years sooner than she believed and states it to have been Her reason for her belief, is, that had her third child Thomas Heysham, who died within the last year, been living, he would have been Sixty four years old last March, and from her recollection that she was about nineteen years of age when she was married. She further states as before stated that she was married in the said David Heysham in the Summer of 1786 or 1787, and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Bush; That her said husband died in the said county of Tyler, Virginia on the 6th day of September 1834, and that she is now a widow; She further declares on oath that she is the identical Elizabeth Heysham to whom a certificate of Pension from the Government of the United States was granted as the widow of the said David Heysham for Eighty Dollars a year, numbered three thousand five hundred and twenty nine (3529) and dated the 31st day of January 1849.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled as widow of David Heysham, who was a Soldier of the Revolution under the act approved the 3rd day of March 1855. She also declares that she has never before applied for nor received any bounty land under this or any other act of Congress.

Elizabeth Heysham X Her mark

Witnesses
John G. Morgan
William Martin

Levi Hissem J. P.

D. Hickman Clerk of Tyler county court

Elizabeth was still alive in 1860, claiming to be 99 years old. She would actually have been between 93 and 94 years old. In the 1860 census of Russell's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia she was living living with her grandson, David Hisam, a 34 year old farmer. Elizabeth was shown as born in Pennsylvania, as expected. Elizabeth lived in Tyler county until her death on 30 December 1860.

David and Elizabeth’s children were:
(22) Joab Heysham/Hissam (1788)
(22) Daughter Hissem (c1790), noted in the 1800 census, aged 0-10 years.
(22) Thomas Heysham/Hissam (1790), who was said to be the third child of David and Elizabeth in Elizabeth's 1838 petition for a widow's share of her husband's pension.
(22) James R. Heysham/Hissom (1793), though he may have been born as early as 1785.
(22) Jesse Hissam (1795), my forebear.
(22) Levi Heysham (1800)
(22) Daughter Heysham (c1802), in the 1810 census there were four daughters 0-10 years old. The elder daughter, above, was missing, possibly married.
(22) Daughter Heysham (c1804), 2nd daughter from 1810 census.
(22) David S. Heysham Jr. (1805)
(22) Daughter Heysham (c1806), 3rd daughter from 1810 census.
(22) Elsy Heysham (1808), 4th daughter from 1810 census. In the 1820 census there was only one daughter 10-16 years old. The others may have married.
(22) Daughter Heysham (c1810), in the 1820 census there were two daughters 01-10 years old. In the 1820 census there was one daughter, 20-30 years old, still living at home.
(22) Daughter Heysham (c1812), 2nd daughter from 1820 census.

His surname is variously rendered as Heysham, Hessum, Hisam, Hissam, Hissum, and Hissane. The first son of David Heysham of which I have real confidence. He was born on 12 June 1788 and christened on 29 August 1788 at the Reformed Dutch Church, Smithfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Witnesses to his baptism were his grandfather, Thomas Heysham, and Thomas' second wife, Elizabeth Brink. The LDS database clearly shows Joab as the son of David Heysham and Elizabeth Bush. Is there any way that Joab could be a version of Elizabeth’s father’s name, Jacobus? In several places I've seen his name rendered as Jacob.

In the 1790 census of Northampton county David Hysham's household had 2 males under the age of 16, probably Joab and Thomas.

In the 1800 census of Northampton county David Heysham's household had 1 male 10-16 years old, probably Joab, who would have been 12 at the time. His younger brothers, Thomas, James, and Jesse, were probably the 3 males in the census aged 0-10.

According to David's own account, he moved his family to Westmoreland county, in southwestern Pennsylvania in about 1807, but stayed there only 3 years before moving on to Tyler county, West Virginia, though this move may have occurred somewhat later. Apparently David's eldest son, Joab, stayed in Pennsylvania. He would have been 22 years old in 1810. This seems young to me, but his cousin Abner, Thomas's eldest son, also remained in the county when his father moved to Tyler county. I wouldn't be surprised that in both cases a woman was involved.

In 1812 war broke out between the United States and Britain and early in 1813 Joab joined Lieutenant Colonel Ball's Squadron of Light Dragoons of the U.S. Volunteers as a Private. This was a cavalry unit extensively involved in General William Henry Harrison’s campaign in Northern Ohio. Their goal was to protect the region against British and Indian attack.

Name: Joab Hissam; Company: Lieut. Col. Ball's Squadron Light Dragoons, U.S. Volunteers; Rank at Induction: Private; Rank at Discharge: Private - from "War of 1812 Service Records"

Joab served in the troop under the command of Captain Joseph Markle. The following was a muster of 29 March 1813.

"Roll of Capt. Joseph Markle's Company.
Pay-roll of a troop of twelve-month volunteer Light Dragoons in the service of the United States, under command of Capt. Joseph Markle, in the squadron under command of Lieut. Col. James N. Ball attached to the north-western army, under command of Maj. Gen. William Henry Harrison, for the bounty of twenty dollars allowed to each non-commissioned officer, private, &c., by law of Pennsylvania, of March 29, 1813. Expiration of service, September 4, 1813.
Captain.
Markle, Joseph, July 10, 1812.
. . .
Hissum, Joab, February 10, 1813; substitute for Peter Broadsword, who deserted January 20 . . ."
- from "Pennsylvania Volunteers in the War of 1812" in the Pennsylvania Archives

"Muster-roll of a Troop of Twelve-Month Volunteers, Light dragoons, under the Command of Capt. Joseph Markle, in the Squadron of Light Dragoons commanded by Lieut.-Col James V. Ball, in the service of the United States, from the Seventh day of August, 1813, when last mustered at Camp Seneca, to the Nineteenth Day of August 1813, when individually discharged at Franklinton, Ohio, pursuant to General Order of Aug. 16, 1813:

Name: Joseph Markle, Rank: Captain, Date of Appointment: 14 July 1812
. . .
Name: Joab Hissane, Rank: Private, Date of Appointment: 10 February 1813 . . ."
- from "History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania," Capt. Joseph Markle's Cavalry Company

"The muster-roll of the cavalry company raised and commanded by Captain Joseph Markle, and which did splendid service, is as follows: Joseph Markle, captain . . . Privates: . . . Daniel Flemming, Samuel Hamilton, Jacob Hessaul, Stephen Lowry, William Logue, William McClurg, Jonathan McClintock, John McClain, . . ." - from "History of Westmoreland County"

No later than mid-September 1813 Joab would have been back home, a civilian once again.

Maddingly I can no longer substantiate the following statement from Ancestry.com. I don't think I dreamed it, but its not there now.

"In the 1820 census I have a Joab Hessum residing in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. I think he had, at the time, no sons, one daughter, a wife, probably a mother-in-law, and a servant living with him."

In the 1830 census . . . There was a Samuel Hasson in Rostraver county, the next township to the west, at this time, but I can't be certain he's one of ours. Certainly I know of no Samuel who would fit here. Levi Hissem, a cousin, was living in Hempfield township.

A possible son of Joab. In the 1850 census of Rostrover township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania there was a Joab Hissam, a 29 year old engineer, born in about 1821, of Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Martha, and daughter, Adaline, 1. Rostraver was the township just west of South Huntingdon. He disappears after this.

By the way, there was also a Joab Hissam, of the Thomas Hissom branch, who was born in about 1834. He married Debra Nutter.

Her name is unknown.

He was David's second son, and third child, born on 28 March 1790 in Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. His mother, Elizabeth, noted that he was her third child in a letter requesting that David's pension be transferred to her. According to the LDS database, he was the son of David Hissem (1770) and Elizabeth, born in 1790 and died on 28 September 1853 at the age of 63.

Thomas' travels are not clear, but he undoubtedly followed his father, and two younger brothers, Jesse and Levi, to Westmoreland county in 1807.

He later followed his father down the Ohio river circa 1810 to relocate to Tyler county, West Virginia. He married Sarah in about 1819 (1815?). She was born in 1797 in Virginia. In the 1820 census of Tyler county, Virginia I believe he was living with his father, David Hissem. In the household were one boy 10-16, David Jr., who was about 15, 1 man 26-45, who was probably Thomas, and 1 man over 45 years old, David, who would have been 58 years old.

In the Tyler county Personal Property Tax List of 1825 were listed,

Hissam? Thomas (the 2nd)
Hissam John
Hewit Daniel
Hughes Jackson
Hanes Nathan
Hains Robert (Exempt)
Hissam David
Hissam Jesse
Hissam Levi
Howel Daniel
Hains William
Hains Benjamin
Hanes John
Hissam Thomas (the 3rd)

This list is only somewhat alphabetical. While they all start with "H," I believe the groupings connote households. That is, of tax-paying adults living in the same residence. This makes sense, and supports my ideas about relationships, in the case of David, Jesse, and Levi - a father and his two adult (unmarried?) sons - and for Thomas (the 3rd) if we assume he was "Thomas of David," an adult son living in his own home, and probably married. See also the two groupings of Hains in the same light.

However, what of Thomas (the 2nd) and John? I've treated John as the son of "Thomas of Thomas," David's nephew, but John would have to have been born no later than 1804, 8 years before his next known sibling, to have been considered an adult in 1825. Could this instead have been David's eldest brother, John? We don't have any records of John after the 1820 census. Might he have followed David and Thomas to Virginia after that time? If so, then unlike Thomas (the 1st), John was still considered to be an adult in the full sense of the word.

In the 1830 census of Tyler county we have a Thomas Hisam Jr. In his household are two boys under 5, Abner and Francis, 1 boy aged 5-10, David, one man 30-40 years old, which is Thomas, one girl under five, Elizabeth [?], 1 girl who was 10-15, ?, and one woman 30-40 years old, which would be his wife, Sarah. By the way, there is also a David, Thomas Senr. and Thomas of Thomas Hisam in the same census.

In the 1840 census of Tyler county I have a Thomas Heysham Jr. While I can't be sure this is the right man, the age of the oldest man in the household fits only this Thomas (the other Thomas' are too young or too old). The household includes one boy aged 10-15, Francis, 2 boys 15 to 20, Abner and David, and one man who is 40 to 50, Thomas, who would have been 50 years old. Women in the house include 2 girls under 5, one 10 to 15, and a wife, 50 to 60 years old. But why is he called Jr?

In the 1850 census of Tyler county, unknown township, Thomas Heysham was listed as a 60 year old farmer, born in Pennsylavnia. His property was worth $2000. Living with him were his son, David, a 30 year old farmer, also born in Pennsylvania [?], Thomas' wife, Sarah, 53, of Virginia, as are all of the following, Francis, a 23 year old farmer, Rhody [Rhoda], 19, Emily, 14, and Ann, 12. Abner Heysham was his next neighbor. I think the fact that he named his eldest son David, after his father?, helps confirm his ancestry. See also the will of Thomas Hissem, below, in which he was called "Thomas Hissem of David."

From a headstone: "Heysham, Thomas died September 28, 1853, age 63y 6m." Note that his mother, Elizabeth outlived him by many years. He was buried at the Little Methodist Church, Little, Tyler county, West Virginia. This headstone is still legible today.

The following is the last will of Thomas Hissem, the son of David.

"I Thomas Hissem of David of Tyler county, Virginia being sick and feeble in body, but of sound mind and [garbled] memory - Knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, and desiring to make some disposition of the property with which God has blessed me, do make this my last Will and testament in manner following - That is to say -"

"1st. I desire that soon as is convenient after my decease a sufficient portion of my personal property be sold to defray my funeral expenses and to pay all my just debts."

"2ly. I wish and desire that my family remain together during the life time of my wife Sarah Hissem and that they hold all the remaining part of my personal property in common for the use and maintenance of my family in general and I especially enjoin it on my executors to furnish a competent support for my aged mother during her natural life."

"3ly. I give and bequeath to my son Abner Hissem one hundred acres of land on which he now lives which land I give to him his heirs and assigns forever."

"4ly. To my daughter Elizabeth Core I give two hundread dollars out of my property either real or personal to be paid after the death of her mother and as soon as a sale of the above named property (herein after provided for) can be made."

"5ly. It is my desire that at the death of my wife Sarah Hissem my property both real and personal be sold and the proceeds equally divided among my other heirs, to wit, David Hissem, Francis Hissem, Rhoda Hissem, Emily Hissem and Ann Hissem, or if they should prefer, they may divide all the property not otherwise bequeathed both real and personal equally between them. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son David Hissem [his eldest surviving son] and my friend Abner Martin my executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of September 1853."

Signed in presents of
us as the last will
and testament of Thomas
Hissem of David

Tom Sexsmith
Thomas J. Hisam
Abner Martin

Thomas Hissem of David his X mark

Tyler county court November Term 1853; This Last Will & Testament of Thomas Hissem of David was presented in court and proven by the oaths of Thomas J. Hisam & Abner Martin [garbled] being witnesses thereto and thereupon the said will was ordered to be recorded and for the Last Will & Testament of the said Thomas Hissem, of David, deed.

Teste D. Hickman Clerk

Thomas and Sarah had the following children:
(23) Elizabeth Heysham (1816), died young
(23) Elizabeth Heysham/Hissam (1823)
(23) David Heysham/Hisam (1824)
(23) Abner Heysham/Hissam (c1825)
(23) Francis A. Heysham/Hissam (1828)
(23) Rhoda Heysham (1830)
(23) Emily Heysham/Hisam (1837)
(23) Ann Heysham/Hissam (1838)

She died young. Another daughter was given her name.

She was born in 1823 in Tyler county. She married Alexander Core and had five children.

He was born in 1824 in Tyler county, West Virginia. In the 1850 census of Tyler county as David Heysham, a 30 year old [sic] farmer, born in Pennsylvania [sic], living at home with his father, Thomas. I'm fairly certain that Pennsylvania was an error. Note that his mother was born in Virginia.

In the 1860 census of Russell's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia, as David Hisam, a 34 year old farmer, of Virginia. Living with him were two women listed as house servants, Emily Hisam, 24, and Ann Hisam, 22, who certainly look like his little sisters, and two women keeping house, Sarah Hisam, 63 [1797], his mother, and Elizabeth, 99 [1761], his grandmother. His brother, Francis Hisam, 32, was his next neighbor. While Elizabeth was shown as born in Pennsylvania, as expected, so was Sarah. Everyone else was born in Virginia. Note from Thomas' will above,

"I wish and desire that my family remain together during the life time of my wife Sarah Hissem . . . and I especially enjoin it on my executors to furnish a competent support for my aged mother during her natural life."

Marlene Batdorf found the following in the Tyler county, West Virginina marriage book.

Heysham, David, 36, of Tyler, West Virginia, the son of Thomas and Sarah Heysham
married
Archer, Esther, 31, of Tyler county, West Virginia, the daughter of James and Sarah Archer
on 16 September 1860.

Heysham, David, 40, Tyler county, West Virginia, a farmer, the son of Thomas and Sarah Heysham
married
Baker, Margaret J., 30, Marshall county, West Virginina, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Baker
on 5 September 1864

I do not know when David died, but I haven't found him in the 1870 census or later.

Also called Abner Hissam. He was born circa 1825 in Virginia [some sources claim Pennsylvania]. He married Jane M. Martin on 7 December 1848 in Tyler county. She was born on 6 June 1827 in Virginia, the daughter of Abner Martin and Helen Clark. Abner and Jane lived next to his father on 100 acres which was later given to Abner in his father's will. Just beyond lived his sister Elizabeth and her husband Alexander Core.

In the 1850 census for Tyler county Abner was the next neighbor of his father, Thomas. The census appears to show that he had a separate home on the same property as his father. He was listed as a 25 year old farmer. Living with him were Jane, 24, and Elizabeth, his 83 year old grandmother, of Pennsylvania. Note that in 1860 Abner's elder brother, David, was taking care of Elizabeth.

His father's will of 1853 granted him 100 acres of land.

"3ly. I give and bequeath to my son Abner Hissem one hundred acres of land on which he now lives which land I give to him his heirs and assigns forever."

In the 1860 census of Tyler county as Abner Hisam, a farmer aged 36 years, with his wife, Jane, 33. He had real property worth $1000 and personal property worth $445. He was the next neighbor of his cousin, Levi Hissem, Jesse's son, and of the Martin's, Jane's folks.

In the 1870 census of Union district, Tyler county as Abner Hissam, a 43 year old farmer, and Jane, 43. He had real estate worth $2,000 and personal property worth $600.

In the 1880 census of the Union district, Tyler county, we have Abner Hisam, a 54 year old farmer, and Jane, his wife, aged 53. He was listed as born in West Virginia, with folks born in Pennsylvania.

Jane died on 29 July 1893. From the Little Cemetery, Little, Tyler county, West Virginia:

"Hissem, Jane M. born June 6, 1827, died July 29, 1893 w/o A [Abner] Age 66y 1m 23d"

Abner next married Sarah Jane Thoburn on 11 March 1895. The Thoburns had been neighbors of Abner in the 1850 census. Abner died circa 1895 and was buried in the Union Church Cemetery [or the Little Cemetary], Little, Tyler county. Sarah was buried in the same place.

Per one researcher they had a daughter, Emily.

She was born in about 1839 in Virginia. Why wasn't she listed in the 1850 census with her parents? She married Thomas H. Smith. He was born in about 1821, the son of William Smith and Susanah Gorrell. They had a large family. Emily died in about 1913 and was buried in the Beech Run Chapel cemetary, Wasp township, Pleasants county, West Virginina.

He was born on 9 May 1828 in Pleasants county, West Virginia. In the 1850 census of Tyler county, unknown township, as Francis Heysham, a 23 year old farmer, living with his father, Thomas.

He married Rachel A. Gorrell [prounounced Gare-el] on 20 July 1856 in Tyler county, West Virginia. Rachel was born on 5 December 1838 [her tombstone shows 12 December 1836] in Tyler county. Her parents were John Birckhead Gorrell and Elizabeth Archer. While the following census documents accurately track Francis's life, his age varies wildly. Perhaps he wasn't sure himself. Note also that Francis was the only one of his brothers to leave male heirs.

In the 1860 census of Russell's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia as Francis Hisam, a 32 year old farm hand. He was a neighbor of his brother, David. His wife was Rachel, 22, and he had a son, John B. Hisam, who was 1 year old.

In the 1870 census of Middlebourne post office, Union township, Tyler county as Frank Hissem, a 37 year old. Living with him were his wife, Rachel, 30, and children, John, 11, Sarah, 10, Bryon, 8, and Joseph, 6, all of Virginia. John Gorrell, Rachel's father, was his next-door neighbor.

In the 1880 census for Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Francis Hissam, a 55 year old farmer. Both of his parents were born in West Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Rachel, 41, and children, John B., 21, who worked in a "B" Shop [blacksmith], Sarah E., 19, Byron A., 18, Joseph, 15, and Sanford G., 6. An Adele Robinson, 11, lived with him. She was listed as an "Ad[opted] Daughter." A John B. Gorrell, 74, who was Rachel's father, lived 'next-door.'

Francis died on 5 February 1891 in Tyler county. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Racgek [sic] A. Hissem, a 63 year old widow [December 1836]. Living with her were her son, Joseph E., 36 [October 1863], and his wife, Jane. Rachel was listed as having 5 children, of whom 4 were still living.

Rachel died on 21 January 1910 and was buried in Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county, without Frances. Francis and Rachel's children were:
(24) John B. Hissam (1859)
(24) Sarah E. Hissam (1860)
(24) Byron A. Hissam (1862)
(24) Joseph E. Hissam (1864)
(24) Sanford Gee Hissam (1874)

He was born on 9 May 1859 and was listed in the 1860 census as John B. Hisam, 1. In the 1870 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virgnia as John Hissem, 11. In the 1880 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virgnia as John B. Hissam, 21, still living at home with his father. Occupation: Works in B[lacksmith] shop.

John B. Hissem, 22, married Sarah Ellen Eddy, 22, on 16 May 1882 in Tyler county, West Virginia. Note that John's niece, (25) Bertha F. Hissom (1887), also married an Eddey. Sarah was born on 5 September 1858. They subsequently moved across the Ohio river, to Monroe county, Ohio.

In the 1900 census of Washington township, Monroe county, Ohio as John B. Hissem, a 41 year old [May 1859] blacksmith, of West Virginia. Living with him were his wife Sarah [Carah in Ancestry.com] E., 41 [September 1859], and children, Bash B., a 17 year old [April 1883] domestic, Joscie D. [Gracie O. in Ancestry.com], 11 [February 1888], and Blanche A., 9 [October 1888].

Sarah died on 28 September 1901. Her tombstone annotated "w/o J.B." After her death John married Margaret Prudence Core, in about 1904. Prudence Core was born in 1866. John B. then moved back across the rive to West Virginia.

In the 1910 cenus of Lincoln township, Tyler county, West Virginia as John B. Hissam, a 50 year old blacksmith. Living with him were his wife, Margaret P., 45, and daughters, Vernie R., 6, and Manda L., 3. This was John's second marriage and Margaret's first. They had been married for 6 years.

In the 1920 census of Lincoln township, Tyler county, West Virginia as J. B. Hissam, a 60 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Prudence, 54, and daughters, Rachel B., 15 [this must be the Vernie R., above - the name is actually Rachel Velida], and Mandalie, 13.

Prudence died in 1925. Finally, John apparently married Lottie Biddle on 30 March 1929. John and Prudence were buried in the Pursley cemetary, Tyler county. John's children, all daughters, were,
(25) Bash B. Hissem (1883)
(25) Joscie D. Hissem (1888)
(25) Blanche A. Hissem (1888)
(25) Rachel V. Hissam (1904)
(25) Mandy Lee Hissam (1906)

A woman. I cannot explain the odd name, but this is clearly what is shown in the census. I can only guess that her father's middle name may have been Bash, for an unknown relative perhaps, and that he bequethed this to his first daughter. Parents can be so cruel. In the 1900 census of Washington township, Monroe county, Ohio as Bash B. Hissem, a 17 year old [April 1883] domestic, of West Virginia.

I don't see anyone in the 1910 or 1920 census named Bash, who was born in Ohio around 1883.

In the 1900 census of Washington township, Monroe county, Ohio as Joscie D. [Gracie O. in Ancestry.com] Hissem, 11 [February 1888], of West Virginia.

In the 1900 census of Washington township, Monroe county, Ohio as Blanche A. Hissem, 9 [October 1888], of West Virginia.

She was born on 13 March 1904. She may have originally been named Vernie R. [Rachel?] Hissam. I wonder if the census taker in 1930 misheard her middle initial as B when it should have been V? A descendent provided the following:

"I have been recently reading your book online about the Hissam Family. I wanted to give you a little insight into the Rachel (B.), actually V. for Velida, Hissam line. Rachel was my husband's Grandmother and mother of John E. He was an illegitimate son. The story goes that a farmhand of J.B.'s had his way with two of John's daughters. They both became pregnant, and when this became known, the farmhand was given the choice of which one to marry. He chose Grandma Rachel's sister, leaving John without a legitimate father. This farmhand's name was Delbert Weekley. I hope this doesn't get the family mad at me, but it is the story I was personally told by John, my father-in-law. He said the only time he remembers his father trying to see him was when he brought him a bicycle. J.B. would have none of it, and told him to take his bicycle and leave. Maybe a DNA test would be the only way to resolve the issue." - Robin Lee Wright Hissam

Rachel married Bernard Elias Wells in about 1926, per the 1930 census. He was born on 8 July 1907 in West Virginia, the son of Philip S. and Clara Wells. In the 1930 census the couple were living with his folks. Their first son, John, was 8 years old, implying a pre-marital birth [see above]. Their other children were listed with birth dates starting in a more reasonable 1926. She died on 1 October 1989 in New Middleton, Jefferson county, Ohio.

An illegitimate son, often called John Hissam, and according to a descendent, the son of Delbert Weekley. He was born on 24 February 1922. In the 1930 census as John Wells, though his birth was 4 years before the wedding of Rachel Hissam and Bernard Wells. John died on 3 February 2003 in Chester, Hancock county, West Virginia. His tombstone at the Locust Hill cemetery listed him as "Hissam, John E. Sr. 24 February 1922-03 February 2003."

He married Betty Blanche Knox. Her tombstone: "Hissam, Betty nee Knox 31 August 1924-27 March 1981." They had five children,
(27) Clara Hissam, she married Brady Clutter
(27) John E. Hissam Jr. (1945)
(27) Perry Alonzo Hissam (c1946)
(27) David Lee Hissam (c1950)
(27) Nancy Hissam, she married Guy Lindensmith and had four children.

John was born on 3 September 1945. John Hissam Jr. married Ora Louise Ryan. She was born on 28 June 1946 in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

In the public records that list John E. Hissam, aged 84, living in Chester, West Virginia are also records of a John E. Hissam, aged 60, living in the same town, and at times the same address, 418 Chester Newell Road, B. Also listed simply as John Hissam Sr. and John Hissam Jr. in the Chester phone book.

I recently received an email from John's daughter, Betty.

"Hi Steve,

This is Betty Hissam. I am the daughter of John Edward Hissam Jr. We have a Hissam/Knox family reunion this Sunday at Chester, WV city park and me and my sister Karen Mcoy/Hissam were researching our family tree and found your website. It is amazing.

The following information should fill in some of your missing branches. My father is John Edward Hissam Jr. born in 1922 Febuary 4th. He is not the fire chief in Chester. He has been a saager maker since he was 17 yrs. old and has lived in Chester, WV. all his life. He married Ora Louise Ryan. They are both still living. His father was John Edward Hissam Sr. He married Betty Blanche Knox. They had 5 children. Clara Hissam, Perry Alonzo Hissam, John Edward Hissam Jr., David Hissam, and Nancy Hissam. We don't know who is the father of my grandfather [probably Delbert Weekley, see above]. However, are hoping to find out Sunday at our reunion. Clara Hissam married Brady Clutter. They had 3 children. Tammy, Amy, and Shelly Clutter. Perry married Nancy Sue Karcher. They had 4 children. Tonya, Randy, Idonna, and Crystal. Dave Hissam married Robin Wright. They had 3 children. (not sure of their names. They moved to Georgia.) Nancy married Guy Lindensmith. They had 4 children. Deborah, Pamela, Kimberly, and Guy. John Hissam (my father) married Ora Louise Ryan. They had 4 children. Sherry,Karen, Betty(myself), and Tina. Karen married Jerry McCoy. They had 2 children. Bishop, and Mariah. Tina, Sherry, and myself are not married. Tina has 2 children. Jeffery Hissam and Vanessa Hissam. I (Betty) have 3 children. Tori, Noah, and Charlotte Feicht. Their father is Joel Feicht. Thank you so much for all the research you did on our family. I enjoyed reading it and I am sure the rest of the family will also. After the reuinion I hope some more of the missing branches will be filled in and I will Email you again."

The daughter of John Hissam Jr. She was born on 13 December 1968. She is not married.

The daughter of John Hissam Jr. She was born on 2 May 1970. She married Jerry McCoy and had two children.

The daughter of John Hissam Jr. She was born on 10 December 1972. She had three children, Tory Sue Hissam (1995), Noah and Charlotte. Their father was Joel Feicht. She is not married.

The daughter of John Hissam Jr. She was born on 19 April 1976. She had two children, Jeffrey Hissam, born in 1993, and Infant Hissam, born 1996. She is not married.

He was born on 27 November 1946 in West Virginia. He died in East Liverpool, Ohio at the age of 48. In the Locust Hill cemetery is a tombstone that reads, "Hissam, Perry Alonzo 27 November 1946-19 February 1995." His mother's maiden name was Knox. Alonzo married Nancy Sue Karcher. Alonzo had 12 years of schooling, was in automobile assembly, and was an Army veteran. They had four children,

Of West Virginia. He married Robin Wright and had three children. They moved to Georgia. From David's wife, Robin:

"Oh, by the way, we are the David Lee Hissam family, who moved to Georgia. Our three daughters are:
1. Darci Lee Hissam Francis, born June 7, 1979, married Jeffrey "Daniel" Francis. They have two children:
a. Emma Abigail Francis, December 30, 2006
b. Jeffrey "Tobin" Francis, March 16, 2009

2. Trisha Lee Hissam, born May 29, 1985

3. Kassi Lee Hissam, born October 16, 1987

My father and I have been doing our history for going on 20 years. He passed away in September 2008, and I am combining his research with my own. My hope is to one day put together a book as well. You have written quite an enjoyable read, along with the history of the times. My girls will truly enjoy reading this online. What a legacy! Thank you for all of your hard work.

ow I am looking for the right Mary Hissam who married one of my ancestors, from the Lamp(e) family. I am hoping that my husband and I do not share a common ancestry, at least until we get back to Noah! LOL But many families did come from "down river" to work in Chester, WV, at the Homer Laughlin China Company and other businesses.

- Robin Lee Wright Hissam"

She was born in 1906 and died in 1925, only 19 years old. This was the same time her mother, Prudence died. She was buried in the Pursley cemetary, Tyler county. Her tombstone notes that she was the "d/o J.B. & Prudence."

She was born on 20 July 1860 in Tyler county. Sarah E. Hissem [sic], 20, married George Eberly Williamson, 23, on 4 March 1881 in Tyler county, West Virginia. He was born on 15 September 1857. She died on 4 November 1887 in Tyler county.

He was born on 1 March 1862 in Tyler county, West Virginia. In the 1870 census of Middlebourne post office, Union township, Tyler county as Bryon Hissem, 8. In the 1880 census for Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Byron A. Hissam, 18. A Farmer. Byron A. Hissem, 19, married Paragade Carter, 19, of Pleasants county, on 9 September 1882 in Tyler county, West Virginia.

Bryon Hissam married Parisidia [Parigade, Gade, Paradcarte, Partigade] Carter of Portsmouth, Ohio on 8 November 1882. Marlene Batdorf gives her a surname of Wells.

In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Byron A. Hissem, a 38 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Parigade A., 37 [December 1862], and children, Floyd A., 16 [August 1883], Orpheus L., 13 [December 1886], Rilla V., 11, [March 1889], and Carman D., a son, 5 [August 1894]. Next door was his mother, Rachel A. Hissem, and his young brother, Joseph E., with his wife, Jane. His wife's name gets regularly butchered. One version is Parizala.

Sometime between 1900 and 1910 all of his children moved to East Liverpool, Ohio. In the 1910 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Byron A. Hissam, a 48 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Gade, a 47 year old carpet weaver.

In the 1920 census of Union township as Byron A. Hissam, a 57 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Paradcarte [sic], 57.

In the 1930 census of Union township as Byron A. Hissam, a 68 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Partigade A., 67. He died in 1936. Parigade died in 1939. They were buried next to each other in the Friendly cemetary. Note that in this same cemetary there are tombstones for,
Clyde J. Hissom, 1913-1989, of the James R. Heysham line
Frances H. Hissom, 1913-1996, [a wife possibly of above?]
Larry Joe Hisam, 1951-1989, see Thomas Hissom Branch, and
Gayle Hisam, 1907-1983, annotation US Navy WWII. See Thomas Hissom Branch.

Byron's children were,
(25) Floyd Albert Hissam (1883)
(25) Orpheus L. Hissam (1886)
(25) Rilla Vesta Hissam (1889)
(25) Carman D. Hissam (1894)

His last name is sometimes Hissom. He was born in Friendly, West Virginia on 1 August 1883, though he moved to Ohio as a young boy. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Floyd A. Hissem, 16 [August 1883]. Next door was his grandmother, Rachael A. Hissem. I want to thank Jo Ann Hissam Wilson for providing and correcting much of the information below.

Floyd married Lela [Lelia] Firilla [Frila] Hart on 17 August 1907. She was born on 1 November 1885, the daughter of Jonas Hart and Mary E. Smith. In the 1910 census as Floyd Hissem, age 25, of 3-WD East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Lela, 24 of West Virginia, and Twile B. [sic], 1, who was born in Ohio. Four non-relatives were living with them [boarders?].

He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 at the age of 35. He was a self-employed barber living in Chester, Hancock county, West Virginia. He had blue eyes and brown hair.

In the 1920 census of the Grant district, Hancock county, West Virginia as Floyd Hissam, a 35 year old barber with his own shop. Living with him are his wife, Lela, 35, Twila, 11, Donald, 9, Viva, 4, and Roberta, 2. They were all born in West Viriginia, except for Twila and Donald, who were born in Ohio. Note that Hancock county is just across the river from East Liverpool.

In the 1930 census of Chester, Grant district, Hancock county, West Virginina as Floyd Hissam, a 46 year old barber with his own shop. Living with him are his wife, Lela, 44, Twyla, 21, who was working in a department store, Donald, 19, who was a 'rougher' in a Tire Mill, Viva, 13, Roberta, 11, Alvera, 9, Floyd Jr., 5, and George C., 2.

Floyd A. Hissam died on 19 February 1949 of a coronary thrombosis, in Hancock county, West Virginia at the age of 65. He was buried in the Locust Hill cemetary of Chester, West Virginia. He was a barber. He was noted to be the son of Byron Hissam and Perzitta Wells. Donald Hissam was listed as the informant.

Lela died on 21 January 1980. She was buried at Locust Hill and her tombstone marked "Hissam, Lela F. 1885-1980." The 2002 Wyoming Obituaries lists Floyd Hissam.

Their children were,
(26) Twyla B. Hissam (1908)
(26) Donald Lester Hissam (1910)
(26) Viva Hissam (1916)
(26) Roberta Hissam (1918)
(26) Alvera Hissam (1921)
(26) Floyd "Stu" Hissam Jr. (1924)
(26) George Curtis Hissam (1928)

Or Twila. Her middle initial may be D. She was born on 10 August 1908 in Ohio. She married Clair Finley. He was born on 11 April 1898 and died in February 1958. Twyla died on 14 February 1995.

He was born in Ohio on 27 April 1910. At 19 he was a 'rougher' in a Tire Mill. A rougher operates a roughing machine [does that clarify things?]. He was a member of the Chester Volunteer Fire Department. He married Dorothy Mae Davis on 10 August 1935. She was born on 24 November 1913.

In 1931 fireman Donald Hissam was selected to attend a fire school at West Virginia Universtiy at Morgantown. In 1951 he became a superintendent of the Civil Defense program. He was the Superintendent of the Chester Water Works from at least 1950. An article about his son, Jerry, said, he was "superintendent of the waterworks plant and a volunteer fireman."

Donald died in East Liverpool on 22 May 1975 and was buried in the Locust Hill cemetary. He was, however living in Chester, Hancock county, West Virginia at the time. Dorothy Mae died on 22 December 1984 and was buried at Locust Hill cemetery.

I recently received the photograph below from Donald's daughter, Jo Ann Hissam Wilson.

"I believe the small child is my father, Donald L. Hissam. The man holding him is possibly Floyd A. Hissam, his father. The lady with her hand on his shoulder is probably Lela Hart Hissam. Twila hHssam is the little girl. I have no idea who the others are." - Jo Wilson

Donald's children were,
(27) Jo Ann Hissam (1936)
(27) Carol L. Hissam (1939)
(27) Donna Delores Hissam (1940)
(27) Gerald Keith Hissam (1944)
(27) Karen Lee Hissam (1945)
(27) Linda Kay Hissam (1946)
(27) John Floyd Hissam (1947)
(27) Robert Dean Hissam (1952)

She was born on 7 March 1936. She married Charles L. Wilson of Hammondsville on 17 September 1956. He was born on 23 July 1931. Their children were Michael Ray, Donald Samuel, Steven Charles, Clark Richard, and Carolyn Jo.

She was born on 20 May 1939. She married a Williams. Carol died on 17 July 2004. Her obituary:

"Carol L. (Hissam) Williams, 65, formerly of Alicia Arms Apt's, died Saturday, July 17, 2004 following a long illness. She was born in Chester on May 20, 1939, a daughter of the late Donald L. and Dorothy M. (Davis) Hissam. Mrs. Williams retired from the Hills Dept. Store in Aliquippa as a Dept. Head; was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Chester; and graduated from Chester High School in 1957. She was a very active member of the Chester American Legion Ladies Aux. Post 121, holding many offices over the years and was the Past President of the State Aux. in 1988. She also was a member of Chester VFW Ladies Aux. Post 6450 and East Liverpool Moose Lodge Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include three brothers, Jerry Hissam of Hot Springs, Ark., John Hissam and wife Cheryl and Robert Hissam and wife Connie both of Chester; four sisters, Mrs. JoAnn Wilson and her husband A. Charles of Hammondsville, Ohio, Donna Lee of Chester, Mrs. Karen Plimpton and her husband James of New Manchester, W.Va. and Mrs. Linda Allen and her husband Daniel, Jr. of East Liverpool; and many nieces and nephews. The Rev. Debra Dague of the church will officiate a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at the First United Methodist Church, 240 Carolina Ave., Chester, W.Va. Friends may visit one hour prior to service at church. Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to a favorite charity. The Arner Funeral Chapel is in charge of services."

Of Chester. She was born on 27 October 1940. She attended Chester High School from 1955 to 1959, graduating in that year. She married Ralph Edward Lee on 12 October 1964. He was born on 6 March 1940 and died on 20 May 1997. They had no children.

Of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born in Chester, West Virginia on 29 April 1944. He graduated from Chester High School in 1962. He married Joan Mary Bonella Harvey, the daughter of Manuel and Jessie Bonnello. on 13 October 1974. She was born on 21 August 1940 and brought two step-children, Keith and Katherine, to the family. Jerry is apparently a horse racing Jockey agent, closely affiliated with a winning jockey, Calvin Borel. Note that Oaklawn Park is the local horse racing venue. The following is from an article sparked by the recent Triple Crown racing news.

"Jerry Hissam was born in Chester, W. Va., on Apil 29, 1944. His father was superintendent of the waterworks plant and a volunteer fireman, his mother was a housewife raising eight kids. A generally precocious youngster, Hissam was already running things at the tender age of 18, when he managed two bars near the old Waterford Park, now Mountaineer Park. He became good friends with a regular client, a jockey named Terry Lipham, and once Lipham brought him to the racetrack, he never left.

It started with a broken air conditioner. Hissam was working the track at age 19, hot walking and making his money in the valet parking and mutual departments. He moved up to supervisor of mutuals in a private turf club, where Mr. James F. Edwards had a suite. Mr. James F. Edwards owned the track.

"One day we had a malfunction of the air conditioner," Hissam recalls, "It was extremely hot and Mr. Edwards told me to go ahead and take my (uniform) coat off. I said, 'No, I'll be alright, boss.' The next day he came and asked me if wanted to be a racing official."

Young Hissam had no concept of what that profession entailed, but he was game. He showed up the next morning at 8 a.m. to meet with the racing secretary.

"Here son," said the secretary. "Get a pencil, an entry pad, and a condition book, and start taking entries over there at booth one."

"I'm sorry, sir," said the befuddled Hissam. "I do know what a pencil is, but I've never seen a condition book."

Six months later he was hustling entries for the West Virginia Derby.

Back in those days, jobs in the racing office didn't offer much room for advancement. The racing secretaries didn't move around that much and the stewards practically lived there forever. Jockey agents were always coming into the place, and before long Hissam decided to give that job a try. His first jock was a kid named Jimmy "Slashin'" Sluss, who rode at Toledo Raceway in the days of Kelso and Buckpasser and Damascus.

"I worked with him for a while and we kept moving around," Hissam says. "Then I had a kid named O.W. Guarst, but only for about two years. I started going to Hot Springs in 1968 and they told me, 'it's live or die here.' I said, 'Well, I might not live, but when I die I want to be buried here.'"

He picked up the book of Sam Maple, who tied Larry Snyder for the riding title at Oaklawn Park, went to Detriot and became the leading rider there, was leading rider at the Meadowlands in 1977 even though he'd never been in that part of the country in his life. They were together for six years, and when they parted ways Hissam took on David Whited, who became the leading rider at Churchill Downs in 1981.

He managed Whited's mounts, and took on a few other nondescript riders, for the next 10 years. Then, in the spring of 1991, he found the perfect fit.

It happened this way. Snyder's old agent, 'Windy' Smith, was very good friends with Hissam. He taught him a lot about the business, like that you should never handicap the races, because you'd be wrong nine times out of 10, and how you should always remain loyal to the trainers you were riding for. Things like that.

"Well, he called and said, 'Jerry, this kid is coming out of Louisiana and he just lost his agent down there; you ought to take his book, he's got a lot of talent,'" Hissam says. "So I said, 'All right, I'll wait for him to get here.' And I was sitting at the racetrack gate the next morning when he came."

Calvin Borel, then 24, rolled through the gates at Oaklawn Park with an agent already employed. But about halfway through the meet, after winning a small number of races, he returned to Hissam.

"You still interested in taking my book?" He asked.

Hissam was.

Fast forward through more than 4,000 winners, riding titles at tracks in Louisiana, Kentucky and Arkansas, grade 1 wins in the $1 million Super Derby, the Arkansas Derby, the Apple Blossom Handicap, and the Stephen Foster Handicap at odds of 92-1. In 2007, the duo took the Kentucky Derby aboard James Tafel's Street Sense for trainer Carl Nafzger. And this year, Borel became only the second rider in history to win the Kentucky Oaks (on Rachel Alexandra), the Kentucky Derby (on Mine That Bird) and the Preakness Stakes (on Rachel Alexandra again). Calvin aboard Mine That Bird, left.

"I never thought we'd reach the pinnacle we've reached," Hissam says. "Of course, you dream of things like this, but I've worked 40 years as an agent and to see something like this happen, we've been very blessed."

The down-to-earth Borel and his agent have formed a mutual admiration society, each claiming to have never spoken "two cross words" to the other. And while it's generally easy to find an enemy or two among the racetrack ranks, Hissam seems not to have acquired many in his tenure with the Cajun jockey.

"I hope that we've prided ourselves on class or on doing the right thing," Hissam says. "Hopefully we do the right thing and when it comes down to the decisions we've made up to this point, this moment, I know we can sleep at night."

This year, Hissam and his rider have been the center of a game of musical jockeys, as they took off their Kentucky Derby-winning mount to ride Rachel Alexandra to victory in the Preakness. Now it is uncertain as to whether Borel will ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes, since everyone is waiting for Rachel Alexandra's connections to announce whether the filly will also run. But Hissam says the situation is not as difficult as it has been made out to be. There was never any decision when it came to choosing between the two horses.

"It's something I can't get across to people," he says. "I've told them a hundred times, there was no decision involved. When (trainer) Chip Woolley called and asked me about riding Mine That Bird, I made the decision to ride but I told Chip up front right then, that if at any time this filly crossed their path, they would need a different jockey. I thought we were 100 percent safe anyway because at that time they weren't gonna run her against the boys, but people change their minds so I still mentioned it. And the Oaks comes, and she wins, and she's sold, and boom, here comes the Preakness, and it was a no-brainer. I was riding that filly as long as Mr. Jackson wanted us, we think she's the best horse in the country, boy or girl, and we're committed to ride her wherever she goes."

And Hissam says he has nothing but the utmost respect for the connections of their Derby mount.

"It's very complimentary of the Mine That Bird people, Chip and his owners, for being so patient to wait and see what the outcome is," he says. "We're so appreciative of their patience, they've been unbelievably gracious."

For now, Hissam will manage the media and drive his old 1994 Cadillac Sedan Seville around the backside at Churchill Downs, racking up the miles as he puts his down-to-earth rider on more horses. Trainers say his key to success is simple -- running his business with extreme loyalty to his clients, and managing the schedule of a very, very good rider.

"I think I've been dealing with Jerry ever since he's been in Kentucky," said Ian Wilkes, who assisted Nafzger in the training of Street Sense. "I've found him very easy to deal with, very loyal. It's a case of being loyal and having a good jock -- for any agent, that's half the battle."

She was born on 10 October 1945. She married James Plimpton of New Manchester, West Virginia on 25 September 1964.

She was born on 19 October 1946. She married Daniel H. Allen Jr. of East Liverpool, Ohio on 9 October 1967. He was born on 12 June 1947.

Of Chester. He was born on 13 November 1947. He married Cheryl Frances Manypenny on 14 May 1977. She was born on 12 December 1951. The following is from an award he won.

Inductees to the Chester, W.V., Hall of Fame.
"John Floyd Hissam

Chester Fire Chief John Floyd Hissam was born in 1947 and attended school in Chester. After graduating from Oak Glen High School, Hissam joined the Marine Corps and served his country in Vietnam. Hissam was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Combat Medal, and two Presidential Unit certificates.

Hissam returned to Chester in 1970, when he joined the Chester Volunteer Fire Department. He was elected Lieutenant in 1974 and Captain one year later. Hissam became Assistant Chief in 1984 and was elected Fire Chief in 1991, a position he has held since.

Hissam is also active in the Chester VFW Post 6450 and the American Legion Post No. 121. He serves as president of the Civil Service Board.

Hissam is married to Cheryl Manypenny and they have two children." - from "The Review" of 23 June 2009.

He was born on 26 May 1972. He was Cheryl's son and John adopted him. The head coach of the Golden Bears, the Oak Glen, West Virginia high school boys basketball team. He was a process server with The Hancock County Sheriff's Department and is now a 1st Lt with the Chester Police Department. He is married to a Tiffany Swerengen, they have 2 childen, a girl Jadeyn and Jared a boy.

Of Chester. He was born on 10 October 1952. He married Connie [Corrine?] Jean McGurren on 29 May 1976. She was born on 16 November 1954. Their children were,
(28) Michael Shawn Hissam (1973)

He was born on 9 January 1973. He was Connie's son by a previous marriage and subsequently adopted by Robert.

The daughter of Floyd A. and Lela Firilla (Hart) Hissam. She was born on 18 June 1916. She married a Johnston and resides in Oldsmar, Florida. She was 90 in June and was "holding up quite well." However, here's an exerpt from her obituary,

"Viva I. Johnston, 91, of Oldsmar, Fla., passed away peacefully, Nov. 26, 2007, at home, with her loving daughter, Judy Johnston, at her side.

She was born in Chester, to Floyd and Lela Hissam.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Oscar V. Johnston, and five brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her sister, Roberta Harris; two sisters-in-law, Jean Hissam and Kathleen Moore; and many nieces and nephews.

The daughter of Floyd A. and Lela Firilla (Hart) Hissam. She was born on 18 December 1918. She married Edward Harris of East Liverpool and today resides in Mount Dora, Florida. Ed died on 6 February 1988.

Or Alveria. The daughter of Floyd A. and Lela Firilla (Hart) Hissam. She was born on 9 November 1920.

Known as Stu. The son of Floyd A. and Lela Firilla (Hart) Hissam. He was born on 6 July 1924 [1925 per the "History of the Rousch Family in America] in Chester, West Virginina. He was raised and educated at Chester. Floyd Hissam Jr. enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army on 6 March 1943 at Fort Hayes, Columbus county, Ohio. He was a single man, with no dependents, and had four years of high school with an occupation of machinists helper. He served on the K-9 Dog Corps. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Robinson, Nebraska.

After the war Floyd married Norma Jean Ruffing on 4 February 1947 at Chester. Norma Jean, the daugher of Michael Joseph Ruffing, was born on 3 February 1929 in Sioux county, Nebraska.

Floyd and Jean continued to live in the East Liverpool/Chester area through at least 1951. In April & May of 1951 Floyd put several notices in the newspaper in an effort to recover his wife's wristwatch, lost on the Chester bus.

Jean was from Crawford, Nebraska and the couple moved back there after 1951. Floyd was the postmaster at Crawford and a horse wrangler and trail guide at Fort Robinson. He also was a part-time employee at Converse County Weed and Pest. He had been a member of the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department and the Lions Club, a Boy Scout leader, sports referee, church choir director and on the Crawford School Board.

He may have lived in Largo, Florida in 1994, or perhaps he was just visiting.

After 1994 he lived in Douglas, Wyoming at 429 South 5th street. His middle initial was shown as R. Could that be a mistranscription for Stewart? He died on 4 February 2002 at the age of 81 at Memorial hospital of Converse county, in Douglas, Wyoming. He was buried in the Douglas Park cemetary.

He had four children, Mark Hissam of Alliance, Mike Hissam of Douglas, Cathy Moody of Newark, Ohio, and Cheri Grant of Chadron; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He also was survived by two sisters, Roberta Harris of Mount Dora, Fla., and Viva Johnston of Oldsmar, Fla.

His children were,
(27) Michael F. Hissam (1947)
(27) Cathy Hissam (c1950)
(27) Cheri Hissam (c1950)
(27) Mark J. Hissam (1959)

Perhaps Michael E. Hissam. The son of Floyd "Stu" Hissam. He was born on 1 October 1947. Of Douglas, Wyoming. He married Robyn L. She was born in 1968. Robyn Hissam attended Northwest College, in Powell, Wyoming from 1986-1988.

I also have a Floyd Hissam with a phone number in Douglas, Wyoming, but at a different address than Michael.

I've put all the Wyoming Hissam's together as a family, and the Nebraska Hissam's as a separate group.

Of Powell, Wyoming. Jill attended Powell High School, in Powell, Wyoming from 1983-1987. Another Jill Hissam did so in 2003-2007. There may be a brother, Jack [no kidding]. She married a VanAntwerp. At right is Jewell, left, and Jill, right.

Of Powell, Wyoming. Jean R. Hissam and Jewell Hissam were mentioned under "Accounts Payable" in the Converse county, Wyoming Board of Commissioners meeting minutes 0f 2 September 2008. Jewell Hissam is an EDSD Support Dispatcher & Purchasing Agent in Caspar, Wyoming. I believe these are federal jobs.

Kirk Hissam was a 2004 graduate of the Wyoming Library Leadership Institute. It provides an opportunity for librarians and others associated with libraries to learn about leadership potential. The Technology Services director of the Converse county, Wyoming library.

The daughter of Floyd "Stu" Hissam. Crawford High School, Crawford, Nebraska Alumni: Cathy Hissam 1965-1969. She married a Moody. Of Newark, Ohio.

The daughter of Floyd "Stu" Hissam. She married a Grant. Of Chadron, Wyoming.

The son of Floyd "Stu" Hissam; he appears to be called Stu as well. He was born on 1 January 1959. Of Alliance, Wyoming. He married Sandra K. Callan. She was born in 1952. Phonebook: Mark J. and Sandy Hissam, 672 W. 20th Street, Alliance, Nebraska.

I have a Stu Hissam in the Alliance, Nebraska phonebook as late as 2003, a year after Floyd S. Hissam died.

"Stu Hissam, Alliance [Nebraska] locomotive engineer, and his wife, Sandy [Callan?], had to think and act quickly Oct. 5 when they encountered a suddend car fire . . ." - from the "Powder River Reflection" magazine of the BNSF railroad of November 2008

"Host couples [for the wedding of Jami Lynn Brennemann, Parents of the couple are Sharon Brennemann of Alliance, Will Brennemann of Fairbanks, Alaska] were Mark and Sandy Hissam, Chris and Kim Abbott, uncles and aunts of the bride, and Mark and Peg Glover, uncle and aunt of the bridegroom. [so both Stu and Hank have wives named Sandy] The reception was at the Alliance Eagles Club. The cake was made by the bride's mother and served by Carri Redmond of Rapid City and Tiffani Hissam of Alliance, cousins of the bride."

I also show a Tiffani "Tip" Hissam of Alliance, Nebraska.

Of Chester. He was born on 09 April 1928 [1927?], the son of Floyd A. and Lela Firilla (Hart) Hissam. Of Chester. He attended the Chester High School and volunteered for the draft in January 1951. He was assigned to the 40th Infantry Division at Camp Cooke, California.

He returned home to marry Martha Kathleen Carman of Wellsburg on 21 May 1951. She was born on 5 April 1927, the daughter of Forrest Armstrong Carman and Martha English Cox. After the marriage he returned to schooling at Morgantown. As a PFC, he was awarded the combat infantryman's badge while fighting with the 40th Infantry Dvision on the central Korean front. He was in Korea from June 1951 to June 1952. He was discharged as a Corporal at the end of 1952.

He died of a gun shot wound on 17 January 1990 and was buried at the Locust Hill cemetary. His children were,
(27) Candace Suzanne Hissam (1954), born on 6 November, 1954. She married M. Bradley Allen Glass
(27) Debra Kathleen Hissam (1957), bornon 17 June 1957. She married M. Robert Burks.

He was born on 21 December 1886 in Pleasant county, West Virginia. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Orpheus L. Hissem, 13 [December 1886].

In the 1910 census of the 4th ward, East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio as Orpheus L. Hissam, a 23 year old pottery kiln "placer." Living with him were his wife, Bertha [McCombs?] , 23, brother, Carman, a 15 year old pottery helper, and sister, Vesta, a 21 year old pottery finisher.

He registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 in Akron, Ohio at the age of 30. He was living at 44 Ames street, a married man and a salesman for the G. H. Hammond meat company [this was a Detroit meatpacker]. He was described as of medium height and stout build, with brown eyes and dark hair. He enlisted in the Army as Orpheus L. Hissam on 26 July 1918 in Columbiana county, Ohio at the age of 31 7/12 years. He was honorably discharged on 13 January 1919 as a Corporal. He would not have had time to be trained and shipped to the front by the time the war ended in November 1918.

In the 1920 census of Akron, Summit county, Ohio as Orphus Hissam, a 33 year old sales manager of a meat company. Living with him was his wife, Bertha, a 30 year old clerk at a dry goods store.

Orpheus and Bertha divorced sometime between 1920 and 1925. In the 1930 census of Summit county, Ohio, Bertha Hissam, a 43 year old buyer for a department store was living on her own as a lodger. Orpheus [in Ancestry.com as Arpatus [!] Hissam], a 43 year old clerk working in an insurance office, was in Akron living with his new wife, Lucy, 30. They had been married for 5 years, but had no children.

Orpheus died on 13 January 1973, at the age of 86, while living in Akron, Summit county, Ohio.

He was born 04 June 1907. In the 1910 census of East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio as Orphie Hissam [Ophie in Ancestry.com], a 2 year old, of Ohio. He was living with James McCombs [garbled, may be McConnels], a 41 [1869] year old pottery presser, his grandfather. James' wife was Carrie and his eldest daughter, then at home, was Florence, 20. Could Bertha, who was 23 years old in 1910, have been an older daughter whose husband could not support the child? Orphie must be related in some way to (25) Orpheus L. Hissam (1886), above.

In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census of East Liverpool, Ohio as Orpha W. Hissam, a 22 year old packer at the tile works, of West Virginia [?]. His father was of West Virginia and his mother of Ohio. He was a lodger living Mary R. Bovey. Orpha had married when he was 18, but Where was his wife?

At the time of his death he was listed as married. Orphie Hissam died on 11 March 1971 in East Liverpool at the age of 63. "Hissom, Orphie W. 04 June 1907-11 March 1971 Spring Grove, of East Liverpool, Ohio, at the age of 63."

Also known as Vesta. She was born in March 1889. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Rilla V., 11, [March 1889]. In the 1910 census of the 4th ward, East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio as Vesta Hissam, a 21 year old pottery finisher, living with her older brother, Orpheus.

Also spelled Carmen or Carnon. He was born on 21 August 1894 in Shiloh, West Virginia. His death certificate, however, says Wellsville, Ohio. The Carman's were a family in the area, perhaps explaining his peculiar name. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Carman D. Hissem, a son, 5 [August 1894]. In the 1910 census of the 4th ward, East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio as Carman Hissam, a 15 year old pottery helper, living with his older brother, Orpheus.

Carman D. Hissam, a 22 year old locomotive fireman of the Penna Co. of Wellsville, registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. He was a single man, born in Shiloh, West Virgnia on 21 August 1894 and was then residing at 1610 Nevada street, in Wellsville, Ohio. He described himself as of medium height and build, with brown hair and dark brown eyes. He listed no next of kin. He enlisted in the Army at Columbiana county, Ohio on 26 July 1918, as did his older brother, Orpheus. Ancestry.com lists him as Carnon D. Hissom. He doesn't appear to have gotten any further than the Depot Brigade and was honorably discharged on 1 January 1919 as a Corporal.

In the 1920 census of East Liverpool he may be Carl D. Hissom, a 26 year old city policeman, of West Virginia. Living with him was his wife, Francis, 26, and his mother-in-law, Mary Earley, a 56 year old widow. Francis was from Pennsylvania and her mother from Ireland. Their only child, Francis C. Hissam "s/o Carmen and Frances" was born on 11 September 1924 and died on 13 July 1925. He was buried in the St. Aloysius Catholic cemetary.

In the 1930 census . . .

"Frances J. Hissam nee Early w/o Carmen D." died on 27 November 1931 and was buried in the St. Aloysius Catholic cemetary. His second marriage was to Laura Coleman.

He registered for the draft again in 1942 as Carman D. Hissam, a 47 year old "operator of Yellow Cab." He lived at 429 Elm St., E. Liverpool, Ohio. He claimed at this time to have been born in Sistersville, West Virginia on 21 August 1894. His wife was now Laura.

Carmen D. Hissam, the son of Bryon Hissam of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Parisidia Carter of Portsmouth, Ohio, died of a coronary thrombosis on 21 September 1943, at the age of 49, in East Liverpool, Columbiana county, Ohio and was buried at the Locust Hill cemetary. Carman had not children.

He was born on 20 October 1864 in Tyler county, West Virginia. A Farmer. In the 1870 census of Middlebourne post office, Union township, Tyler county as Joseph Hissem, 6, of Virginia. In the 1880 census for Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Joseph Hissam, 15.

Joseph Hissam marred Jane Johnson on 5 April 1891 in Tyler county. In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Joseph E. Hissem, a 36 year old farm laborer [Oct 1863], living at home with his mother, Rachel, a 63 year old widow, and his wife, Jane, 36 [Apr 1864]. They had been married for 9 years and had no children.

In the 1910 census for Union district, Tyler county, West Virginia as Joseph E. Hissam, a 47 year old widower. Living with him were his nieces, Adra D., 23, and Ade. D. [Adele Robinson?], 1. "Next door" was a Mrs. Sarah Hissam, a 51 year old widow.

In the 1920 census for Union district, Tyler county, West Virginia as Joe E. Hissam, a 56 year old farmer and widower, living alone.

Joseph died on 15 August 1924.

Gee for G. or Gorrell, for his mother's family? Apparently also known as Francis, per his descendent, Emel "Bud" Hissam. He was born on 4 April 1874 in Shiloh, Tyler county, West Virginia. In the 1880 census for Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Sanford G. Hissam, 6.

He married Irene Francis Evans (Evena) on 11 January 1899 in Pleasant Ridge, Tyler county. She was born 4 December 1877.

In the 1900 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Sanford G. Hissam, a 26 year old oil well engineer. Living with him was his wife, Irene F., 22. They had no children at this time. In the 1910 census of Lincoln township, Tyler county as Sanford G. Hissam, a 36 year old oil field pumper. Living with him were his wife, Irene, 32, and his son, Arlie E., 4. Irene died on 13 June 1919, rather horribly, as related below in the section about her son, Arlie. She was buried in Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county.

Sanford registered for the draft on 12 September 1918, at the age of 44, in Middlebourne, West Virginia. He was a pumper at the Reno Oil company. He was shown as of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair, born on 4 April 1873. He was living in Sistersville. He listed his wife, Irene F., as his nearest relative.

Irene died on 13 June 1919.

In the 1920 census of Lincoln township as Fee S. Gee Hissam, a 45 year old widower and manager at the oil plant. Living with him were his son, Arlie, an 18 year old farm manager, daughter, Beryle R., 6, and a house keeper, Ella Alkine, 62.

Sanford next married Lucinda [Lou] Starkey [Starchey]. This may be wrong - I also show that (25) John Oliver Hissam (1881), the son of Elijah on the Thomas Hissom page, married Lucinda Starkey - from "A Carpenter Genealogy" by Lyle Charles Sharp.

In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Sanford G. Hissam, a 56 year old poultry farmer. Living with him were his wife, Lou B., 45, and daughter, Doris, 7, and nephew, Ben Starchey, 15.

Sanford died on 8 October 1953 in Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia. His grand-daugther is Wanda Hissam of Tyler county. Her son, Jeff Koerber is also researching the family. Sanford's children were,
(25) Arlie E. Hissam (1902)
(25) Beryle Romaine Hissam (1913)
(25) Doris Doreen Hissam (1923)

His name was apparently short for Arlington. In the 1910 census of Lincoln township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Arlie E. Hissam, 4. In the 1920 census of Lincoln township as Arlie Hissam, an 18 year old farm manager. He was an oil field worker in the Sisterville, West Virginia area. According to Jeff Koerber, his grandson,

"My grandfather pumped wells in the 1930's, 40's and 50's retiring in the mid 60's. He purchased approx. 40 acres on Middle Island Creek in Little and started building cabins on the property in the 30's. He also built a country store and dance hall. After several successful cabins of his own design he started tearing down old hewed log cabins that were built around the 1790's to 1830's when the county was first settled. This was also the time that Thomas Heysham settled in Tyler county. It was a well known landmark in the area and attracted campers from as far away as Wheeling and Parkersburg WV."

"As for my grandfathers ancestry, we didn't know much because his usual reply was that he had no family. As to the reason we were always told that it was because many, including his father, Sanford Gee Hissam, held him responsible for his mother's early death. She died when she threw what she thought was water on a kitchen fire. It turned out to be coal oil catching her dress on fire. She actually drown[ed] when she jumped head first into the water barrel to extinguish the fire. As you can imagine it made him [Sanford] a bitter man. Because of this we didn't know that his great-grandfather was buried in the Little Cemetary adjacent to his property."

In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Arlie E. Hissam, a 29 year old roustabout at the gas company. Living with him were his wife, Gladys M., 29, and children, Kenneth H., 8, Bernard E., 4 1/12, Wanda I., 1 7/12, and his sister, Berle R., 17. Arlie and Gladys had been married for 10 years.

Jeff Koerber's brother, the great-grandson of Sanford Gee Hissam, now runs Hissam's Camp. His grandmother was Wanda Irene Hissam, who was born in 1928.

Arlie died on 19 September 1979 at the age of 77. Of Route 1, Sistersville, West Virginia.

"Arlie Hissam was one of the people who gave Tyler County its unique flavor. One of the best-known residents of the county, he will be missed by the fishermen and hunters who always made Hissam's a stop on the way to field or stream. I'll miss his salty comments on the national news of the day on my too infrequent fishing jaunts in the area." - from Adam Kelly in The Tyler Star News

"Leader" - February 4, 1984

GLADYS M. HISSAM
Died Jan 31, 1984

Gladys Mae Hissam, 83, of Rt. 1, Friendly, died Tuesday evening, Jan 31, at Sistersville General Hospital, Sistersville.

She was born in Tyler County, a daughter of the late John Ira and Rhoda Meredith Kelley. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and had owned and operated Hissam's Cabins for 50 years at Little West Virginia, Tyler County.

Survivors include her stepmother, Mary Haught Kelley of Sistersville; sons, Bernard Hissam of Parkersburg, Bill and Emil Hissam of Sistersville, Kenneth Hissam of Naples, Fla., Harold Hissam of Chagrin Falls, O., and Jim Hissam of Moundsville; one daughter, Mrs. Herman (Wanda) Koerber of Paden City; two brothers, Earl Kelley of Sistersville and Paul Kelley of Henderson; one sister, Nora Kelley of Sistersville; 28 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Hissam, in 1978.

Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Eckels Funeral Home in Sistersville. The Rev. Gail Smith officiated, and burial was in Paden Memorial Park, Paden City.

Son of Arlie. He was born on 6 April 1922. In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Kenneth H. Hissam, 8. He married Elizabeth H., who was born in 1926. Of Naples, Florida. He and his wife, Elizabeth H., are still living today, in Avon Park, Highlands county, Florida, aged 85 and 82.

Kenneth and Elizabeth's children were,
(27) Michael Hissam (1949)
(27) Emel Bernard Hissam (1951)
(27) Mary Kay Hissam (1953)
(27) Virginia Ann Hissam (1954)
(27) Christine Hissam (1959)
(27) Kenneth "Kenny" Hissam (1965), of Benwood, West Virginia

Of El Paso, Texas. He is Director of Corporate Affairs for Delphi, an American car parts manufacturer, working in Juirez, Mexico.

I aslo have a Michael B. Hissem. His Senior Honors Thesis in 2005 was "C. William O’Neill and the 1958 Right-to-Work Amendment." He graduated from Ohio State University.

There is an Emel B. Hissam of Sarasota who was born in March 1951. I had thought this was (26) Emel B. Hissam's son, but his daughter, Ashley, says he was the son of Kenneth. Emel Jr. married Sharon R. (1952) and they had a daughter, Ashley L. (1980), and a son, William K. (1977).

Ashley wrote me on 27 January 2006.

Hello,
My name is Ashley Hissam and I have recently been searching the history of my family name, or original family name I should say. My father, Emel Bernard Hissam, has told me that our original name is Heysham and his great, great, great grandfather was David Heysham. I know he lived in Pennsylvania and ended up in Tyler County, West Virginia (where the Hissam name is well known).

I love your website and am extremely fascinated with my genealogy as well as getting all historical information. I was curious to know where and/or how the names split from Heysham to Hissam, Hissem and Hissom? I knew that Hissam was similar to an Ellis Island name, where David purchased property and the person writing the deed wrote Hissam instead of Heysham. Do you have additional or different information? Just to give you additional info- my grandfather (father's side) is Kenneth Hissam and his father was Arly Hissam. I hope this helps- thanks for your time.

Ashley Hissam

"Hey Steve: Glad to see my daughter (Ashley Hissam) has been in contact with you and I am glad to see she has a unique interest in her family tree. She wanted me to contact you. I am Emel Bernard Hissam and I have gone by the nickname of "Bud" since childhood. I have been married to Sharon Roberts Hissam since 1972 and we currently reside in Sarasota, Florida. Our children are William Keith Hissam (1977) and Ashley Lynn Hissam (1980). In your website on the descendants of Heysham, I am listed as the son of Emel Sr. (1930). Actually, I am the son of Kenneth Herman Hissam (1922) who is the oldest sibling of Emel Sr. I was named after Emel Sr. who at the time of my birth (1951) was serving his country in Korea, thus, my name. My father was Kenneth who was the oldest child of Arlie (1901) and Gladys (1900) Hissam. Arlie's father was Frances Gee Hissam (1874), his father was Francis Hissam, his father was Thomas Hissam and his father was David Hissam. Until reading your website, this is as far back as I had knowledge of my descendants. The children of Kenneth and Elizabeth Hissam (my mother and father) are: Michael Hissam (1949), Emel B. Hissam (1951), Mary Kay Hissam (1953), Virginia Ann (1954), Christine Hissam (1959) and Kenny Hissam (1965). I have copies of wills that were signed in 1853 by I believe a Thomas David Hissam. I believe this will is in your website. Our family gets a little confused with the large number of Thomas's and David's in our family tree. Having spent many summers at Arlington Log Cabins in Little, W.Va, I have been to the Methodist Church and have seen the Heysham tombstone. We were always told there were two brothers from Western Penn. who settled in Tyler, County, W.Va. sometime in the early 1800's. We were also told there were two different family trees in Tyler County originating from these two brothers. I think this is why there is so much confusion about descendants of these two brothers since down through generations, many of the names of the descendants were common to each tree. I will try to find a family tree constructed by my brother Michael which should take us back to the family of Arlie and Gladys and I will try to find the wills as I have mentioned above. Please let my know your line of descent so I can find it on the website. Thank you for your fine work so future generations will have the information necessary to answer questions they may have regarding their line of descent. I will keep in contact. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Ashley."

Emel "Bud" Hissam and Sharon R. Hissam

Of Parkersburg and later of Vienna, Virginia. The son of Arlie, he was born on 18 November 1928 [1926?]. In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Bernard E. Hissam, 4. He married Naomi S. Slider, the daughter of Harvey and Luna Buck Slider. Naomi was born in 1927.

Naomi died on 2 October 2005.

"Naomi S. Hissam, 78, of Vienna died Oct. 2, 2005,at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital. She was born in Paden City, the daughter of the late Harvey and Luna Buck Slider. She had retired from the Bureau of Public Debt where she was an issue branch manager. She was a member of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church. She was a loving mother and was a life master at Bridge. She was a 1944 graduate of Sistersville High School, where she was the class valedictorian. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bernard E. Hissam of Vienna; her daughters, Nancy Cole and her husband, Gary, of Vienna, Va., Amy Crews of Charlotte, N.C., and Linda Farrenkopf and her husband, Martin, of Columbus, Ohio; her son, Mark Hissam and his wife, Julia, of Washington, W.Va.; and her grandchildren, Ben, Danny, Gretchen and Holt. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Leona Wells and Evelyn Hays; and three brothers, Ralph, Earl and Kenneth Slider."

She married Gary Cole of Vienna, Virginia.

She married a Crews of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She married Martin Farrenkopf, of Columbus, Ohio.

He was born in July 1952. He married Julia A., who was born in 1953. Of Parkersburg and, later, of Washington, Wood county, West Virginia. He may have lived for a time in Medford, Oregon.

Daughter of Arlie. In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Wanda I. Hissam, 1 7/12. She married Herman Richard Koerber. Of Paden City, West Virginia. Jeff Koerber, her son, provided much of the material above.

Of Sistersville, West Virginia. Son of Arlie. He was born on 15 August 1930. Of Sisterville. He married Esther Kathelene Billiter, the daughter of Lloyd Edgar Billiter and Margaret Alice Hays. He and Esther are still living, aged 77 and 71 respectively, but now in Indiantown, Martin county, Florida.

Son of Arlie. He was born on 26 October 1932. Of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Glenville State College class of '54. He married Margaret L., who was born in 1931. A trustee of the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. His children were,
(27) Jennifer Lee Hissam (1955)
(27) Timothy P. Hissam (1959)
(27) Thomas Edward Hissam (1961)

A note from David Jones, the husband of Jennifer Hissam (Jones), says,

"She married David Ernest Jones, an Australian, in Brisbane, Australia in 1991 and has since had two children, Lauren Emily Jones born 7/16/91 in Brisbane, Australia and Lydia Emery Jones born 11/29/1995 in Cleveland Ohio. The family currently lives in Bainbridge Township, Ohio."

"We live in Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 (in Geauga County). We live about 10 minutes from the former Seaworld . . . On my Mother's side she is Margaret Lou Ashworth born in Moundsville WV the Ashworth tree is done. Her mother was Thelma Johnson of Moundsville [?], WV and that tree is done as well. My brother lives in TX with his wife Lucille and son Phillip. My other brother lives in Wilmington NC with his wife Dit and girls Belle and Rhett. I know 1 big error on Ancestry.com shows my Dad's brother Bernard as deceased and he is not. Luckily none of my Dad's siblings have passed. Bernard lives in Parkersburg WV. His wife Naomi Slider did die a few years back. My husbands family all live in Australia and he knows that history."

Of Columbus Ohio, then of Pflugerville, Texas. Timothy P. Hissam married Lucille B. Relano on 23 February 2000 in Travis county, Texas. "My brother lives in TX with his wife Lucille and son Phillip." I believe his father, Harold, lived with him for a period.

Of Wilmington, New Hanover county, North Carolina. He was born in November 1961. He married Charlotte Eleanor James (1963) on 17 August 1991 in New Hanover county, North Carolina. "My other brother lives in Wilmington NC with his wife Dit and girls Belle and Rhett." His children were,
Eleanor Isabelle Hissam, born 2 March 1995, in New Hanover county, North Carolina
Margaret Alexandra Hissam, born 9 March 1997, in New Hanover county, North Carolina [did they nickname her Rhett?]

Of Wilmington, New Hanover county, North Carolina. Is it a coincidence that he lives in the same town as Thomas Edward Hissam? Charles married Nancy Lee Bailey on 7 November 1972 in New Hanover county. He married Nancy Sue Lee on 19 December 1976. He is an amateur poet and tropical fish fancier. He children are,
Bronson Michael Hissom, born 12 September 1982 in New Hanover county, North Carolina
Madison Everett Hissom, born 25 August 1988 in New Hanover county, North Carolina

Of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. I think he is one of Arlie's grandsons, but apparently is not Harold's son, even though he is from Chagrin Falls.

Bill, not William. Son of Arlie. He was born on 1 January 1945. Of Sistersville.

Son of Arlie. Of Moundsville, West Virginia.

The sister of Arlie, above, she was born on 10 March 1913. In the 1930 census of Lincoln township as Berle R. Hissam, 17, living with her brother, Arlie. She married John Cecil Wilkinson on 21 June 1930. They had one daughter, Martha Irene Wilkinson, who was born on 10 September 1931. Martha married Don Keith King on November 1, 1952.

Beryle's husband, John, died on 22 December 1963. Beryle then married Robert Baker, of Sisterville, in 1969. Beryle died on 31 October 1984.

She was born in 1923, the daughter of Sanford Gee and his second wife, Lucinda Starkey. Doris married Franklin P. Clegg in 1941. They had no children, but adopted a son.

Rhody was born on 4 April 1830 in Tyler county, West Virginia.

"Thomas and Sarah Hissam were the parents of Rhoda Hissem, who was born in Tyler County, April 4, 1830. Her parents were among the early settlers in this county, and both and both lie buried at Boles Mills." - from www.e-familytree.net

Benjamin does not appear to have any relatinship with Juliann Cornell, of Howard, New York, who married John "Hessum" Heysham.

She was born in 1837 (or 1836) in Virginia. In the 1860 census of Russell's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia, Emily Hisam was a "house servant" of her brother, David.

She married Thomas E. Smith on 1 January 1863 in Tyler county. He was born on 4 July 1822 in Tyler county, West Virginia, the son of William Smith. They resided in Falls Mills, near Middle Island creek. This is close by the town of Little. In the 1880 census for Tyler County, West Virginia, Thomas was listed as a married farmer, age 59, born in West Virginia and whose parents were also born there. Emily was a wife, keeping house, aged 43, born in West Virginia, whose parents were born in Pennsylvania. Oddly, Thomas and Emily had a servant keeping house named Ann Hissam, aged 39 in 1880. This was probaly Emily's younger sister, below. Tom died on 11 November 1884 and was buried in Beech Run Cemetery, Pleasants County, West Virginia.

Emily died in 1913.

Listed as both Hissam and Heysham, she was born in 1838 in Virginia. In the 1860 census of Russell's Mills, Tyler county, West Virginia, as a "house servant" of her brother, David. In the 1880 census of Union district, Tyler county, there is an Ann Hissam, 39 [born 1841], a servant in the home of Thomas Smith. This is probably the same woman.

I have a couple of questions about James R. Heysham and his relationship to David Heysham.

- First, according to most researchers he was born on 14 February 1785, two years before the marriage date of his supposed parents. One researcher goes as far as to claim he was born in 1779.
- Second, they have him born in Pittsylvania county, in southeastern Virginia, while David and Elizabeth lived in Pennsylvania and western Virginia.

However, descendents of James claim that David is his father. How could this be?

- First, his date of birth may be wrong. His enlistment papers, cited below, indicate he was 21 in 1814, meaning his date of birth was closer to 1793. That would be after the birth of Thomas and before Jesse Heysham. I have also found a James Hisum in the 1850 census of Jackson county, Ohio, aged 60 [that is, born in about 1790], from Pennsylvania, and a James Hisam in the 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia, aged 69 [born in about 1791], born in Pennsylvania. While in the 1880 census his age is listed as 101, making his birth date 1779, I propose that James exaggerated. It is fairly common, especially in an era when dates of birth were not well recorded, for people to inflate their ages when they approached significant milestones, such as the century mark. As you'll see below, I think James' real age at the time was a respectable 87, based on a birth in 1793.
- Second, the 1880 census indicates his parents, if the James Hissom cited is really the same man, were from Pennsylvania, so perhaps the Pittsylvania cited is a typo or a mistake based on his army duty in Norfolk, Virginia. Afterall, the only P---sylvania in Virginia is Pittsylvania.

So, I believe James was born in about 1793 in Northhampton county, Pennsylvania, the son of David Heysham.

James, like his brother Joab, was a veteran of the War of 1812. James Hissom enlisted in the 4th Regiment of the Virginia Militia as a Private - from War of 1812 Service Records. Based on other men's records, this may have been as early as June 1812. James' father, David, had been a member of the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolution and probably regaled his family repeatedly with tales from those days. It would have been surprising if his son hadn't volunteered as soon as the need arose. Note too that as a frontier community the threat from the Indians, as agitated by the British, would have been uppermost in the settlers' minds.

James' family had moved to what later became Tyler county, (West) Virginia in about 1810. Ohio county, where the 4th regiment was formed, was later split up, creating Tyler county. While raised to meet the threat of attack by Indian and British raiders from the north and west, as events in the east turned more bleak this unit was ordered to the Tidewater region to meet the more urgent threat.

James Hissom was discharged as a Private from the 4th Regiment of Virginia Militia.

James Hissam then enlisted in the 35th Infantry in Norfolk on 15 November 1814.

"Hissam, James or James Hissom, SC-6538, srv [served in] Capt James H. Belsehe's Co 35th US Inf as Pvt" - from "Index to War of 1812 Pension Files" by Virgil D. White

"James H. Belcher (Vir[ginia]) Fst lt 35. infy 31 Mar. '13: Capt Sept. '14: disband. June '15." - from "Dictionary of All Officers by Charles Kitchell Gardner

A newspaper reference indicates that James Hissom was a 21 year old farmer, born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia - copied from the original newspaper clippng and submitted by Anne Vestal Miller. This was probably our James, with Pittsylvania a mistranscription for Pennsylvania. Note that the 35th regiment, like the 4th Regiment of Virginia militia, was stationed in Norfolk and it was raised from a militia unit - or perhaps from elements from several such units. At about this same time a number of men in the 4th Regiment of Virginia militia were being discharged. Was this the end of their period of service? These were only from 3 to 6 months long. Why would James have done this? Perhaps he wasn't ready to start his long, lonely walk back home.

The 35th Infantry Regiment The 35th was part of the regular U.S. Army, as opposed to a state militia. However, it has been said that the 35th, raised in Virginia, had at its core a state militia - from the National Archives. The regiment was organized under the act of 29 January 1813. During 1813-1814 they were stationed in the vicinity of Norfolk under the command of Colonel Goodwyn [or Gooden]. "Many applications were made by Colo Joseph Goodwyn our commandant for orders to march his Regiment to the northwestern frontier but all in vain. We wear kept on that station until peace, without having an opportunity of sharing the honours, with our bretheren in arms, who being in a more salubrious climate sufered only from Inclementcy of the weather, the fategues of the march and in Glorious Battle." "Blair's memoir vividly captures the unglamorous, but expected and essential duties of the regiment of drill, picket, and erection of fortifcations etc; yet speaks to the spirit of the Regiment when he states that the duties "although arduous were performed without a murmer." Bolling is most poignant when he describes the losses suffered to wars then greatest killer - uncontrollable disease - a steady and unrelenting occurrence and a fact of life for all militaries until modern medical practice was able to reverse this situation. Indeed, the expected loss from disease alone underscores the 35th's deployment, though not great in distance from home counties, as an act of knowing and considered risk, and thus courageous, on the part of all those who then volunteered to serve in the army, militia or regular." - from the "Memoirs of First Lieutenant Blair Bolling, 35th US Infantry Regiment" with comments from A Search for the Old 35th U.S. Regular Infantry. To the right is a private’s uniform of the this regiment, circa 1813. For more about how the troops lived, see Aspects of the Military Life of Troops Stationed Around the Norfolk Harbor, 1812 to 1814 by Rodney C. Foytik. The regiment was consolidated with the 5th and 18th regiments on 17 May 1815.

James was discharged in Norfolk on 15 March 1815. This was when most of the men who enlisted for the war were discharged. James' discharge papers were supposedly burned up in a house in Tyler county, West Virginia.

James married Lavina Knight in January 1818, probaly in Monroe county, Ohio. Depending on when we think James was born, he was between 25 and 33 years old.

On 3 March 1819 James Hissam requested a Military Bounty Land Warrant for his duty during the War of 1812. This was awarded to him in April.

"No. 21182
Jas. Hissam Private 35th Infantry.
Pursuant to the second section of an Act of Congress, passed the 6th of May, 1812, authorizing the Secretary of War to issue Land Warrants to the noncommissioned Officers and Soldiers enlisted in the service of the United States, conformably to the acts of the 24th of December, 1811, and of the 11th of January, 1812 [The acts of 1811-12 promised 160 acres to privates and NCOs who enlisted in regiments raised by Congress and who served for five years, unless discharged sooner or killed. These warrants were redeemable only in military reserves in Illinois, Arkansas, and Missouri until the act of 1842 made them redeemable at any GLO land office.], James Hissam, late a Private in the company comanded by Captain Jas. H. [?] Belsches, of the 35 Regiment United States Infantry, is entitled to ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES OF LAND, to be located agreeabley to the said act on any unlocated part of the six millions of acres appropriated by law for the original grantees of such military warrants; and this warrant is not assignable or transferrble in any manner whatever.
Lic April 1819.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 27 day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and Ninteteen.

J. C. Calhoun [This was the famous John C. Calhoun of South Carolina]
Secretary of War" - from "War of 1812 Military Bounty Land Warrants 1815-1858"

I don't see James Hissam in the 1820 census, though Levi [called Hipen in Ancestry.com], David, Jesse, Thomas, and another Thomas Hissem were in Tyler county, West Virginia at this time. There were five Knight families in Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio, led by Aquilla, James, John, Susannah, and William Knight. James and Lavina may have been living with her folks at this early point in their marriage.

In the 1830 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio lists a James Hisum. In the household there were 3 boys under the age of 5 [Thomas, Elson, and John] and 3 between 5 and 10 years old [James R. and two unknowns], one man aged 30-40 years [James] and one woman aged 20-30 years [Lavina].

The 1840 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio lists a James Hissam. In the household there were three boys 10 to 15 years old, two that were 15 to 20, and a man 50 to 60 years old, which would be James. Women in the house included a girl 5 to 10 years old.

The 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio lists a James Hisum, a 60 year old farmer [1790], born in Pennsylvania. He had real property worth $1000. Living with him were Ellson, 20, and Eliza, 15. Lavina apparently died sometime between 1835 and 1850. Eliza may have died in June 1850 of consumption.

On 1 August 1850 a James Hysem purchased 39.57 acres of land, "1 SWSW Ohio River Survey, No. 2N 4W 19," at the Marietta land office based on an "Act or Treaty" of 24 April 1820, statutory reference 3 Stat. 566. The Land Act of 1820 was a federal law that eliminated the purchase of public land in the United States on credit. The act required a down payment of $100 and reduced the price from $1.65 to $1.25 per acre ($408 to $309/km˛). The land was located in the Northwest Territory and Missouri Territory.

The following must be James, and his litte brother David, using the surname spelling of Hyssom - not too distant from the Hysem spelling just above. Both lived in Monroe county, Ohio at this time, but this does appear to be a little spirited for men of their age; David was 52 and James 64.

"Clarington, O., Aug 21st 1857

Mr. Editor:- In a recent number of the “Spirit” there is an account given of one SAMUEL BEARGY, in connection with his father’s death.

On yesterday David Hyssom, in company with his brother, James Hyssom, came to our place in pursuit of some one, as they said, who had stolen a horse from the former, the night previous. They were walking and had heard of him frequently along the road where he had stopped endeavoring to sell the horse. At John Muhleman’s Esq, he had harness put on the horse, and tried whether he would work. Learning that he was but little in advance, James H. Ray and Martin Troy started in persuit [sic] of him, and near the foot if Fish Creek Island over took him. Mr. Ray being somewhat in advance rode up along side of him, took the horse by the bridle and the man by the shoulder. There upon something of an encounter ensued, in which the latter (as Mr. Ray did not design injuring him) was likely to prove too much for him, but by using the necessary force he was captured. Mr. Troy coming up in the mean time, they brought him back to Clarington, and to day has had an examination before me, and in default of bail was committed to jail.

But who should it turn out to be but the aforesaid Samuel Beargy!

Jacob T. Morrill" - from the "Spirit of Democracy" 26 August 1857

At some point James moved across the Ohio river to West Virginia. The 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia lists a James Hisam, a farmer aged 69, born in Pennsylvania. He was living alone, though he was listed just below the entry for William Hisam [sic], a grandson of Thomas Heysham/Hissom, James' uncle. He had real property worth $250 and other property worth $360.

In the 1870 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as James Hissom, 86 [accelerating his age by 6-7 years since the 1850/1860 census]. He was living with his grandson, James Hissom, 19, and his wife, Lucy, 16. His son, James R., died about this time.

Apparently he then moved back to Ohio. The 1880 Monroe county census shows a James Hissom who claimed to be 101 at the time of the census, that is born in 1779. Note that he "aged" 14 years in the 10 years since the 1870 census. He was probably "only" 87 based on a 1793 year of birth. This document shows him to be born in Pennsylvania, as were his parents. He was living "next door" to his son, Thomas Hissom.

"James Hissom, at the age of 103 years in 1881, was a pensioner of the War of 1812. At that age, he rode horseback to Woodsfield (a distance of about 16 miles) to cash his pension check." - from "History of Monroe County, Ohio," by H.H. Hardesty & Co., Publishers, dated 1882 [Jackson township].

James died on 24 June 1885.

James and Lavinia’s children were
(23) James R. Hissom (1820)
(23) Thomas Hissom (1828)
(23) Elson Hissem (1829)
(23) Alexander Hissam (1829), an anomoly that may fit here
(23) John Hissem (1830)
(23) Jane Hissem (c1829)
(23) William S. Hissom (1828), Marlene Batdorf has as a son of David Heysham Jr.
(23) Eliza Hissem (1835)

He was born in about 1820. In the 1840 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as James Hissam, though this was probably his father. According to a descendent, this whole section of the family resided in Monroe county. James married Ruth Knight. She was born in 1824, the daughter of Quiller and Betsey Knight. This was probably Aquilla Knight of the 1820 census, above. He was also listed in the 1840, 1850 and 1870 census for the township. How closely related were they to James' mother, Lavina Knight, I wonder?

In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as James Hisum, a 23 year old farmer, born in Ohio. Living with him are his wife, Ruth, 26, daughters Levina, 4, and Susannah, 2, and a son, Alexander, 6/12.

James died in about 1860, though other researchers claim as early as 1854. In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio Ruth Hison [sic] was shown as a 30 year old head of the household. She was farming the land, clearly a tough old bird. Living with her were her children, Levina, 15, Susianna [sic], 13, Alexander, 10, and Henry, 8.

In the 1870 census of Jackson township as Ruth Hissom, 40. Living with her were her children, Alexander, 20, Henry, 18, and Martha, 9. Where did Martha come from? Perhaps Ruth was pregnant at the time of the 1860 census? Yvonne Hissom Donlon writes,

"The question you have about Martha Hissom (b 1862), daughter of James R. Hissom (1820-1854) and Ruth Knight, I had myself. How can this be? I thought. If James died in 1854, and I have not found a record to suggest that his death was later, how could Martha be his daughter?

When I questioned my great uncle Ernie, he had no idea (and he is the family historian who passed this project on to me) who I was talking about.

However, in the papers he passed on to me, I find I find this:
Ruth Eicky is buried at Locust Grove, died May 12 1881. Was 56 years old. She is listed as former wife of James Hissom.
In the 1880 Census, I find a Ruth Eicky and Lewis Eicky, along with a 17 year old Martha Hissom Eicky.

Three things are now possible:
1. James' date of death is wrong and he actually died after 1862, but I don't think so.
2. She [Ruth Knight Hissom] had a child when she was a widow and out of wedlock, and Martha was naturally given the name Hissom
3. Ruth married Lewis in or before 1862 (found no record of their marriage) and upon her birth Martha was given the name Hissom as a middle name.

As we are talking about 1850-1865, I am most persuaded by the last two scenarios. At the time it was a social and economic imperative that a widow remarry as soon as possible. 8 years was a very long time to be unmarried with kids in that climate. In the 1880 census Martha is listed as Lewis Eicky's stepdaughter, not his daughter. Either way, his or an unmentioned man's, she is not a Hissom (paternally) if it's true James died in 1854. ??? It's one of my things that make you go hmm?

[(22)] James Heysham Sr (1785-1885) - so many different reports of his year of birth and death are available, it's hard to say for sure when either was. The story is he was 110, but his gravestone has him at 100. The story is also that he always told he would live to bury all his sons. And he did. He walked to the cemetery to bury his last son, Thomas who died at age 59 (b.1826). That makes his date of death as probable as it is sad, and touching. 100, 105, or 110 years old at his death, there is no one who can deny him the strength and pure pluck it takes to live that long at that time!"

In the 1880 census . . . see a Yvonne's comments, above

James' children were,
(24) Levina Hissom (1846)
(24) Susannah Hissom (1848)
(24) Alexander Hissom (1850)
(24) Henry H. Hissom (1853)
(24) Martha Hissom (1862)

Named for her grand-mother, Levina [Lavinia] Knight Hissom? In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Levina Hisum, 4. In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Levina Hison, 15.

In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Susannah Hisum, 2. In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Susianna Hison, 13. I have a Susanna Hyssom who married John Justice on 18 August 1867 in Monroe county, Ohio.

He was born in Ohio. In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Alexander Hisum, 6/12, living with his parents. In the 1860 census as Alexander Hissom [Alexandria per Ancestry.com], 10, living at home with his widowed mother, Ruth. In the 1870 census of Jackson township as Alexander Hissom, 20, still living at home.

Alexander Hissom married Barbara Ann Fagert on 11 December 1873 in Monroe county, Ohio. That's her in an undated photo at the right. She was born in May 1841 in Ohio, the daughter of John Michael Fagert and Thekia [Thelma] Weisert, both German emigrants. This was Barbara's second marriage. First she had married David Bishop Smittle in 1857. They had four children, Henry M., Edgar Vain, Ezekial S., and John Michael Smittle. David Smittle died in 1872 at the age of 33.

Alexander and Barbara had four children together. These were Ruth, Ethel, Anna, and Mattie, all born between 1877 and 1882. Alexander apparently raised the Smittle children as well.

In the 1880 census of Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio as Alexander Hyssom [Hypom in Ancestry.com], a 30 year old farmer, of Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Barbara, 39, daughter, Ruth, 3, and step-children, Henry, 22, John, 18, Ezekial, 15, and Edgar Smittle, 12.

Alexander died before 1900.

In the 1900 census of Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio as Barbara Hissom, a 59 year old [May 1841] widow. She was living alone, but next-door to her son John Smittle.

In the 1910 census of Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio as Barbara Hissom, a 68 year old widow. She had 11 children, of which 7 were still living. She was living alone, but next-door to her son John Smittle.

In the 1920 census of Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio as Barbara Hissom, a 78 year old widow. She was living alone, but next-door to her son John Smittle.

In the 1930 census of Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio was Barbara Hissom, an 88 year old widow, living with her son Ezekial Smittle. Barbara died in about 1943 at the age of 102! Alexander and Barbara's children were,
Their children were,
(25) Alexander Hissom (1875)
(25) Ruth Hissom (1877)
(25) Ethel Hissom (1880)
(25) Mattie Hissom (1882)
(25) Anna Hissom (1885)

He was born on 21 January 1875 in Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio. He probably died young.

She was born on 23 March 1877 in Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio. She married Walter Rowe Bolen on 20 October 1895 in Monroe county, Ohio. He was born on 15 August 1874 in Monroe county, the son of Samuel Bolen and Elizabeth Huffman. Walter died on 19 July 1930 in Mead township, Belmont county, Ohio. Ruth died in Cincinnati in 1948.

She was born on 4 July 1880 in Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio. She probably died young.

She was born on 28 September 1882. She married Gottfried Glauser.

She was born on 6 January 1885 in Lee township, Monroe county, Ohio. She probably died young.

He was born on 28 October 1853 in Monroe county, Ohio. In the 1860 census of Jackson township as Henry Hissom, 8, living at home with his widowed mother, Ruth. In the 1870 census of Jackson township as Henry Hissom, 18, still living at home.

Henry Hissom, 20, married Alphena [Alphrena] Jane Fagert [Faggert] on 15 [17?] June 1873. She was born on 6 October 1856 in Ohio. Her parents were from Germany. I assume Alphrena was the sister of Barbara Ann, above, who married Henry's brother, Alexander. Note that Alexander was a witness to this wedding.

In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Roane county, West Virginia as Henry Hisom, a 25 year old farmer, of Ohio. Living with him was his wife, Alphena J., 22, and children, Pebe L. [Phoebe], a 6 year old girl, of Ohio, and Charles F., 9 [?], of West Virginia. While Charles' age definitely looks like 9, it must be a 4, perhaps inadvertantly closed at the top, because he was listed after Pebe and born in West Virginia.

In the 1900 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Henry Hissom, a 46 year old huxter [peddler/hawker], born in October 1853. Living with him were his wife, Alphena J., 44 [October 1856], and children, Charley F., 23 [October 1876], Marie M., 16 [April 1884], Lola E., 9 [October 1890], Earl G., 6 [October 1893], and Dewey G., 2, [April 1898]. These children were all born in West Virginia.

In the 1910 census of the 3rd Ward, Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Henry Hissom, a 56 year old wholesale poultry merchant. Living with him were his wife, Alphina, 53, and children, Charlie F., a 33 year old widowed butcher, Earl G., a 17 year old teamster on a poultry wagon, Dewey G., 12, and grandson, Henry B., 3.

In the 1920 census of Mair township, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Henry Hisson, a 67 year old farmer, of Ohio. Living with him was his wife Alphenia J., 64.

According to the Charleston Daily Mail of 16 April 1924, Henry Hissom was at that time in the local hospital, seriously ill with Bright's disease. He died the next day, 17 April 1924 in Kanawha, West Virginia. Alphena died on 20 August 1929 in Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia.

Their children were,
(25) Phoebe Lovena Hissom (1874)
(25) Charles Frederick Hissom (1876)
(25) Marie M. Hissom (1884)
(25) Lola E. Hissom (1890)
(25) Earl Gorman Hissom (1893)
(25) Dewey George Hissom (1898)

She was born on 21 April 1874 in Jackson township, Monre county, Ohio. In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Roane county, West Virginia as Pebe L. Hisom, 6, of Ohio. Phoebe Lorrene [Loraina/Loviniana] was born on 22 April 1873. She married Gilbert E. Edgell. He died on 24 November 1889. She later married Peter Simmons. Phoebe died on 17 May 1949.

He was born on 28 October 1876 in Roane county, West Virginia. In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Roane county, West Virginia as Charles F. Hisom, 4 [?], of West Virginia. In the 1900 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Charley F. Hissom, 23 [October 1876], still living at home with his parents. He was born in West Virginia.

He married Augusta Myers in about 1901, at the age of 25. She died before 1910. In the 1910 census of the 3rd Ward, Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Charlie F. Hissom, a 33 year old widowed butcher. Living with him in his father's house was his son, Henry B., 3.

Charlie later married Bessie M. Humphrey. She was born September 1894 in Kanawha county, West Virginia, the daughter of John P. Humphrey and Nancy Elizabeth Jones. Charles registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 at the age of 41. He was a self-employed Huckster [that is, a peddler or hawker, like his father]. His wife was Bessie May Hissom. He was described as tall and of medium build, with grey eyes and black hair.

In the 1920 census of Charleston Ward 1, Kanawha county, West Virginia as C.F. Hissom, a 43 year old Whole Sale Pro[duce] Dealer, of West Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Bessie, 24, and children, Bernard, 13, Mildred N., 4 0/12, and Dewey M., 1 3/12, a daughter.

In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Charles Hissom, a 53 year old retail meats producer. Living with him are his second wife, Bessie, 33, and children, Mildred, 14, Dewey M. [female], 12, Ira P., 9, and Lawrence, 4.

In the Charleston Daily Mail of 1 February 1932 is a notice, "Charles F. Hissom, a produce merchant, died early Monday morning at his home in Pennsylvania of a complication of diseases. He was 55 years old [1877] . . . He is survived by his widow and these five chidren, Midred, Dewey Mae, Ira, Lawrence and Bernard Hissom."

His children were,
(26) Henry Bernard Hissom (1906), the only child of Augusta
(26) Mildred Leona Hissom (1916)
(26) Dewey Mae Hissom (1918)
(26) Ira Preston Hissom (1921)
(26) Lawrence Lomie Hissom (1926)

Known as Bernard. He was born on 17 August 1906, the only child of Charles Frederick Hissom and Augusta Myers. Of Sissonville, West Virginia. In the 1910 census of the 3rd Ward, Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Henry B. Hissom, 3. In the 1920 census of Charleston Ward 1, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Bernard Hissom, 13.

He married Bessie Irene Shamblin.

In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Bernard H. Hissom, as 23 year old butcher in a grocery store. Living with him were his wife, Bessie, 23, and children, Lewis F., 3 9/12, George B., 1 10/12, and James R., 1/12.

He died in December 1970 in Charleston. His children were,
(27) Lewis F. Hissom (1926)
(27) George B. Hissom (1928)
(27) James R. Hissom (1930)
(27) Ronald Hissom (1933)
(27) Byron Raulph Hissom (1935)
(27) Charles Hissom (c1930)
(27) Carolyn Sue Hissom (c1930)
(27) Judith Hissom (c1930)
(27) Larry Hissom (c1930)
(27) Robert Hissom (1942), born on 21 June 1942, died on 17 Septembert 1942 in Charleston, West Virginia
(27) Infant Hissom (1944), born on 7 April 1944, died on 8 April 1944 in Kanawha county, West Virginia

In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Lewis F. Hissom, 3 9/12. He enlisted as a Private in the Army on 11 October 1944. He was single and had two years of high school. Interestingly, he enlisted out of Camp Attterbury, Indiana. He lived in Charleston and was married to Margaret L. (1921). He died before 2005.

There is a court case involving Lewis, but I only have a snippet reference. ". . . an automobile driven by him and a taxicab, owned by the defendant, Skyline Cab, Inc., and operated by its employee, the defendant Lewis Hissom, at the intersection of Court . . ." - from the "Southeastern Law Report." Apparently Lewis was driving east on Virginia street when it collided with another car. This event occurred before 1950.

Of Marmet. Known as Corky. In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as George B. Hissom, 1 10/12. He is living in Charleston today with his wife, Lois M. (1924).

"George Hissom. 317-583-2938" offering a 1972 Porsche and a Pontiac Firebird for sale. - from "Cars & Parts" 1980. George Hissom, Sissonville High School, Charleston, West Virginia, 1942 - 1946.

He was born on 6 March 1930. In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as James R. Hissom, 1/12. He and his wife, Vivian L. (1931), lived in Greendale, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin with their son, Bruce James Hissom (1962). James died on 14 September 2005 in Greendale, Wisconsin. His obituary:

"James R. Hissom of Milwaukee, Wis. died Sept. 14, 2005. He was born March 6, 1930, in Charleston, the son of Bernard and Bessie Hissom and was a graduate of Sissonville High School. He is survived by Vivian, his wife of 51 years; a son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Rita Hissom of DeForest, Wis.; sons, Bruce and Douglas of Milwaukee, Wis.; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, George and his wife, Lois, Charles and his wife, Frances, and Byron and his wife, Anna Mae; and sisters, Carolyn and husband, Calvin Fitzwater and Julia and husband, Frank Crowder, all of the Charleston area. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and after an honorable discharge from the Air Force, he attended Marquette University and then worked for 35 years at Allen-Bradley in Milwaukee."

He married Rita Ann Sauer (1967) on 31 May 1997 in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Of DeForest, Wis.

Of Milwaukee.

Of Milwaukee. Doug is a radio announcer. "Doug Hissom has covered local and state politics for 20 years. He lives in Bay View."

An article published in the Milwaukee Magazine in September 2006 notes that Doug Hissom, the son of Jim, was a reporter and sometimes editor of the weekly Shepherd Express, but had recently been let go in what the magazine thought was an ill-advised move by the paper.

According to his nephew, John Hissom. Ronald L. Hissom was born on 5 January 1933 and died on 8 January 1998. He was buried in the Foral Hills Garden Memories cemetary, a veteran. Ronald and his wife, Eleanor J., both born in 1933, lived in Charleston, West Virginina. His obituary,

"Ronald L. Hissom, 65, of Charleston died Jan. 8, 1998, in St. Francis Hospital, Charleston. He was a retired Charleston police officer, 1965 Policeman of the Year, an Army veteran and former secretary-treasurer of the West Virginia State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was a member of FOP Lodge 74, Charleston, Elks Lodge 202, Charleston, Moose Lodge 1444, Charleston, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Charleston. Surviving: wife, Eleanor J.; brothers, George B. of Marmet, Charles L. of Sissonville, the Rev. Byron R. of Miami, James R. of Greendale, Wis.; sisters, Julia Crowder of Hurricane, Carolyn Sue Fitzwater of St. Albans."

Of Miami. He was born in 1935, according to his son, John Paul. His middle name was derived from the "maiden name of one of the grandmothers." Also known as Butch. "From an early age he identified with his father's & grandfather's profession, becoming a master butcher later in his life by going to [a] Toledo meat cutting school." A reverand minister, he worked with Reverand Earl Hissom in the late 1960's. He was "a home missions pastor here in WV, He started in Estdale WV, up Cabin Creek, and went on to various small country churches. He has since retired. He is an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. His great uncle Earl G. Hissom Sr. started most of the Nazarene Churches in the Kanawha Valley of WV. My father worked with him in his mission, which now has a website Hissom Interdenominational Ministries."

Byron married Anna Mae (1940). Per John Hissom. His children were,
(28) Byron Rolf Hissom Jr. (c1960)
(28) John Paul Hissom (1969)

A grandson of Henry Bernard Hissom. A medical doctor now living in Muckegon (or Spring Lake), Michigan. He married Judith Renee (1964). "He has 5 children ranging in age from 17 to 9. four boys and one girl," said his brother, John.

From a school board election notice: "Incumbent B. Rolf Hissom Jr., 46, of 18878 Greenwood is a medical director/hospitalist with Mercy Health Partners and has his medical degree from Marshall University. He has lived in the district for 15 years and has five children attending Spring Lake schools. He has volunteered as a school board member and a school chaperone."

A grandson of Henry Bernard Hissom. He was born in 1969. He married Patricia Ann McDougall on 16 December 1989. Ranson is his maternal grandmother's maiden name. He was a psychology major and is becoming a minister, a strong Hissom tradition. He wrote recently,

"My dad is one of Henry Bernard's son's; most of your info is right, but he was born in 1935, and I in 1969, I am married to Patricia Ann McDougal Dec 16 1989, we have 2 Children Matthew Ranson Hissom, (Ranson is my maternal grandmother's maiden name), and Emily Grace Hissom. there were also two to three miscarraiges one named, Michael Morgan Hissom.

My Brother is Named Byron Rolf Hissom Jr. He has 5 children ranging in age from 17 to 9. four boys and one girl. One thing I have noticed about Hissom's is we produce about 80% male births.

We do have a strong military tradition, but unfortumately due to asthma I was unable to join the marines as a teen as I desired, and so have gone on into psychology and am becoming a minister another family tradition. Many of us have become minister's, my father was a home missions pastor here in WV, He started in Estdale WV, up Cabin Creek (Not far from where Jerry West the pro basketball player comes from), and went on to various small country churches. He has since retired. He is an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. His great uncle Earl G. Hissom Sr. started most of the Nazarene Churches in the Kanawha Valley of WV. My father worked with him in his mission, which now has a website Hissom Interdenominational Ministries.

Earl Sr. was prolific in the usual Hissom way and had several boys and some girls, Earl Jr. had Earl the 3rd, who recently died (last May 2007). Phil Hissom and Eric Hissom are Earl the 3rd's sons, they also have a sister. Phil is going to seminary to become a minister, Eric is indeed the actor noted on your website. Davey Joe was indeed our cousin (my 5th), and another Earl, Earl Cochran a grandson of Earl Sr. is a minister. One of my uncles "Larry", was in the CIA in Laos, during the Vietnam war, he died when I was 4 in the US, in a car crash. many of my fathers siblings have died, and Henry's 1/2 sister died recently. We are a very tight knit family, and have married into the early settlers of Sissonville WV, the Fisher's, Laynes, Pfosts, Atkissons, Shamblins, Milams, Carneys, and Harisons just to name a few. There is a strong family resemblence whenever I see a Hissom. I am sending you a picture of me as well. Sorry this is so tangential, we have that as a trait as well. Write more later. John."

I suspect he is the Fire Chief of Chester, West Virginia. Note that the (25) Floyd Hissom family lived in Chester and some members were part of the fire department.

They have two children,
(29) Matthew Ranson Hissom,
(29) Emily Grace Hissom

Of Sissonville, Kanawha county, West Virginia. Per James R. & Ronald L. Hissom's obituaries, their brother. He married Francis.

She married Calvin Fitzwater, of Charleston.

Known as Julia. She married Frank Crowder, of Charleston.

A CIA operative in Laos during the Vietnam war. He died in a car accident in 1973.

In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Mildred Hissom, 14.

In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Dewey M. Hissom [female], 12.

He was born on 25 September 1921. In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Ira P. Hissom, 9. In the Charleston Dail Mail of 27 March 1942 he was noted to be one of four volunteers who accompanied 197 inductess into the Army. He reached the rank of Tech Sergeant.

"Hissom, Ira Preston
T/Sgt. U.S. Army. Born Oct. 25 1922 [sic]. Entered service Aug 1942, Ft. Knox, Ky.; Camp Gordon, Ga. Attended Charleston Schools. Methodist and Baptist. Son of Mrs. Bessie Free, 616 Brooks St., Charleston, W. Va." - from "World War II Young American Patriots"

They had a daughter, Patricia Ann, who married Dennis Richard Repko on 14 February 1976. in Repko, Ohio. I believe their other children were Karen, a teacher, and Gary Wayne.

I also have a James Preston Hissom who wrote "The Significance of Archetypal Expression in the Poetry of Wordsworth" in 1977.

He was born on 1 July 1926. In the 1930 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Lawrence Hissom, 4. He married Ida A. He enlisted in the Army on 11 July 1944.

"Hissom, Lawrence L.
Sgt. U.S. Army. Born July 1, 1926. Entered service June 1943, Ft. Knox, Ky.; Abiline, Tx. Attended Charleston schools. Methodist and Baptist. Son of Mrs. Bessie Free, 616 Brooks St., Charleston, W. Va." - from "World War II Young American Patriots"

"Ida A. Hissom of Dunbar, formerly of Charleston, died Oct. 22, 2003, in St. Francis Hospital, after a short illness. Her husband, Lawrence L. Hissom preceded her in death. She was a retired dietary clerk at St. Francis Hospital and attended Canaan Baptist Church. Ina [sic] is survived by daughters, Carol Latchhaw of Deland, Fla., and Sunshine Cain of Elkview, W.Va.; sons, Charles F. of Deleon Springs, Fla., and Lawrence R. of St. Albans; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Katie Worden of Dunbar."

Of Deland, Florida.

Of Elkview, West Virginia.

He was named for his grandfather.

Known as Maggie. She was born in April 1884. She married Ernest Meyer, of Gallia county, Ohio, the son of Frederick Meyer and Augusta Ralph. They had a son, Byron, and a daughter, Mildred.

She was born in October 1890. She married Allen Spradling.

He was born on 10 October 1893. In the 1900 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Earl G. Hissom, 6 [October 1893]. He was born in West Virginia. In the 1910 census of the 3rd Ward, Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Earl G. Hissom, a 17 year old teamster on a poultry wagon.

He registered for the draft at the age of 24. He was described as tall and stout, with brown eyes and brown hair. The Pastor of the Charleston First Church of the Nazarene.

Earl Gorman Hissom married Tressa Lena Dodd.

In the 1920 census of Thaxton, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Earl G. Hissom, a 25 year old clergyman. Living with him were his wife, Tressa L., 23, and children, Elizabeth A., 5, Charles H., 4 1/12, Mary F., 2 6/12, and Carol W., 11/12.

In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Earl G. Hissom, a 35 year old pastor of the Nazarene church. Living with him were his wife, Tressie, 34, and children, Elizabeth, 15, Charles, 14, Mary T., 13, Carol N., 12, Earl G. Jr., 10, Albert W., 7, George L., 4, and Roxilina, 2.

During the Depression he had a mission in town and delivered food to the poor. He also appeared on the radio. He founded the Hissom Holiness Tabernacle in 1934. The church survives to this day. He died in September 1970 in Charleston.

His nephew, John Hissom, writes,

". . . Earl Hissom Sr. was a preacher of great renown in WV, planting 14-20 churches in the Kanawha valley, many of his decendants are also preachers, Earl the III currrently runs the Hissom Tabernacle in Charleston WV. My father Byron . . . worked with Earl Sr. in the late 60's."

The following may below here - and yes, it breaks the heart of a father to read this.

"Milk Bottle Hangs Baby

Charleston, W Va, Feb. 18--Hanging by the cord which tied his milk bottle to his high chiar, eight-months old Clarence Hissom, son of Earl Hissom, was found dead by his mother. The little fellow had fallen from the chair and the cord, twisting around his neck, had strangled him to death." - from the 18 February 1914 Gettysburg Times of Pennsylvania.

In the 1920 census of Thaxton, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Elizabeth A. Hissom, 5. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Elizabeth Hissom, 15. She married a Cash. She died on 4 April 1999. She was a retired cook from Humphrey's Pine Room and Dairy Bar, Charleston, West Virginia.

In the 1920 census of Thaxton, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Charles H. Hissom, 4 1/12. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Charles Hissom, 14. In 1924 a Charles Hissom had a perfect 2nd grade attendance record at Elk Annex Elementary school. Things went down-hill from there.

There is a news article in the Charleston Dail Mail of 18 June 1933 that indicates that Charles Hissom and two friends were indicted in six cases of auto theft. He would have been 17 years old at that time. While I don't know this is the same man, he was of the right age and in the right town. On 8 August 1933, while under a sentence of five years probation, he was brought up on charges of breaking and entering the Jarrett Service station at Mink Shoals. This charge was later dismissed. On 28 September, however, Charles Hissom, a youth of West Charleston, was taken into custody for violating his probation. He was charged with auto theft. On 15 November 1933, following his plea of guilty to theft of an automobile, a judge directed that he be confined in the state industrial school for boys until he reached the age of 21 [which would be in about 1937]. Preachers' sons do the strangest things.

Charles H. Hissom is associated with the Reverend Earl G. Hissom in many church-type events. He and his wife were usually "in charge of the music" and it appears that both were singers. From the Charleston Dail Mail, 4 March 1938, "Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hissom, of Seventh avenue, announce the birth of a son, James Edward, on Thursday at the home. Mr. Hissom is the former Miss Virginia Moore, of Charleston. [I think she was really a Miller, her step-father being a Moore. Note that her brothers were Millers and her step-brothers were Moores]"

After the death of Charles, his widow apparently married a Rickard. Virginia died on 2 August 1998 in Charleston at the age of 81. His children were,
(27) James E. Hissom (1938)
(27) Helen Kay Hissom (1946)
(27) Sheila R. Hissom
(27) Nancy J. Hissom
(27) Kathryn A. Hissom
(27) Reverend Davy Jo Hissom

He married Elizabeth C. Price, 30, on 20 May 1986 in Boyd county, Kentucky. Of Charleston.

She married a Lares, of Charleston. She was born on about 19 November 1946.

She married a Massey, of Charleston.

She married a Graczyk, of Sterling Heights, Michigan.

She married a Reeds of Houston, Texas.

David Joseph Hissom. An evangelist of the Ranger Full Gospel church of Ranger, West Virginia. In the photo he is the man on the right. A son of Charles and Virginia. He predeceased his mother. Rhonda was his wife. "Charismatic pastor and TV evangelist Davy Joe Hissom was killed when his small plane crashed May 18, 1987, in Reily Township, Ohio. Hissom's New Life Church had grown to 650 members, and he wanted to build a facility that would seat 2,000 to 3,000. He and three others had been visiting churches to look at their sanctuaries when the crash occurred. All on board were killed. A 12-piece band played at their funeral, held at the Charleston Civic Center to accommodate the 2,000 people who attended. Nearly a year later, his replacement, the Rev. Michael Agnello, resigned after confessing to the congregation that he committed "adultery of the heart" with Hissom's widow, Rhonda. In the years since, a divorced Agnello has had radio talk shows and is now a hairstylist."

In the 1920 census of Thaxton, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Mary F. Hissom, 2 6/12. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Mary T. Hissom, 13. She name may actually be Mary Francis. She married a Graham. A member of the Hissom Holiness Tabernacle. She died on 20 September 1998 in St. Albans.

In the 1920 census of Thaxton, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Carol W. Hissom, 11/12. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Carol N. Hissom, 12. She married a Ross.

He was born on 20 December 1920 in Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Earl G. Hissom Jr., 10. He was also a Reverend minister in Charleston. He married Julia R. Jordan on 13 March 1939. She was born on 1920 in Charleston.

Julia died on 23 November 1997 in Weiton, West Virginia. She was buried in the Emma Chapel cemetery of Liberty, West Virginia. From her obituary,

Julia R. Jordan Hissom, 77, of Weirton, formerly of Charleston, died Nov. 23, 1997, at home after a short illness.

She was a member of Hissom Tabernacle Church of Emmanuel, Charleston, attended Weirton Church of the Nazarene, and was a retired employee from Goldfarb Electric Co.

Surviving: son, the Rev. Earl G. Hissom III of Charleston; daughters, Judith LaChance of Quinwood, Sharon Reed of Colliers; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren

Earl died on 8 June 2005 in Fairlea, Greenbriar county, West Virginia. Of Rainelle. He was buried in the Foral Hills Gardens of Memories cemetery of Sissonville, West Virginia. The following is from his obituary,

Rev. Hissom was the son of Rev. Earl G. Hissom Sr. and Tressa Lena Dodd.

The Rev. Hissom is survived by his three children, Earl G. Hissom III, Th.D., of Charleston, Judith Hall of Kentucky and Sharon Reed of Colliers, W.Va.; eight grandchildren, Eric and Phil Hissom of Florida, Yvonne Donlon of Charleston, Jeff LaChance of Delaware, Brad LaChance and Kye Fadeley of Texas, Kristy LaChance of North Carolina and Joya Fadeley of California; and four great-grandchildren.

He is further survived by two brothers and one sister of Charleston, Earnest, Albert and Roxie Hamer.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia; parents, Earl and Tressa Hissom; brother, Charles and George; and sisters, Mary Graham, Elizabeth Cash, Betty Atkins and Carol Ross.

Rev. Earl Jr. was a minister, evangelist and religious leader in West Virginia. He was converted and called to preach at age 17 in a tent meeting being conducted by his father, Earl G. Hissom Sr., located at the corner of Madison and Randolph Streets, the current location of Sav-A-Lot and Agsten Manor.

Before joining the Church of the Nazarene in 1945, the Rev. Hissom sold Bibles, held tent meetings, conducted revivals and preached whenever and wherever he could. He then pastored at Uneeda and Seth.

When the Seth church was organized into a Nazarene Church by District Superintendent Dr. Oney, he lost his pastorate. Dr. Oney said, “That's okay, son. Don't be upset. The Church of the Nazarene has lots of places for you to preach.” And they kept him busy the next 25 years, pasturing in Seth, New Martinsville, Glasgow, Weirton, Southeast Nazarene and Capitol View Nazarene in Charleston.

He also served as an evangelist. During the years that he pastored for the Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Hissom was able to report gains in all departments with all budgets paid. At every pastorate, he made notable capital improvements to church properties. He served on various boards and committees of the West Virginia District of the Church of the Nazarene.

The Rev. Hissom was instrumental in planting several Holiness churches, including Burnsville, Ohio, Paris, Pa., Handley, Hooverson Heights, Colliers Way, Capitol View (now known as South Hills Church of the Nazarene) and the Church of Emmanuel in Charleston, and Gap Mills.

The Rev. Hissom served as a mentor and encourager for many young, aspiring ministers, such as John Hancock, Harold Runyon, Carl Gray, James Withrow, Paul Nester, Tony Costello and many others. During a recent telephone call, Mrs. John Hancock expressed their deep appreciation for the tremendous amount of time the Rev. Hissom spent with them in their early Christian lives.

After his retirement from the Nazarene Church, the Rev. Hissom operated a Bible selling business, pastored the Hissom Holiness Tabernacle and the Church of Emmanuel, Charleston, and Harry Peyton Tabernacle, Hinton. He continued to hold revivals across the state of West Virginia, preach whenever and wherever he was called and frequently conducted radio broadcasts. He also worked as a fundraiser throughout the state for fire and police departments, emergency services and health clinics through RMJ Studios.

The Rev. Hissom was a renowned Bible scholar. His favorite pastime was studying the Bible, preparing sermons and discussing the scriptures. His hobbies were walking, hunting and watching old westerns on TV.

Earl G. Hissom III was born 06 Aug 1942. He married Bonnie Lavonne Starkey on 02 June 1960, the day after they graduated high school. Also a Reverend minister of the Hissom Tabernacle. Earl G. Hissom III, Th.D., of Charleston. He died in May 2007. His children include,
(28) Eric Hissom
(28) Phil Hissom
(28) Yvonne Hissom

Of Orlando, Florida. This has been confirmed to be the Eric Hissom, actor, director and playwright, who has performed at the Orland-UCF Shakespeare Festival. A program from one of the plays he directed says of him that he,

"is an Associate Artist at the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, where he has performed in over 25 productions, and directed As You Like It, The Complete History of America (abridged), and (at Theatre UCF) Arsenic and Old Lace. He has an MFA from Florida State, and has worked as an actor and/ordirector in many other regionaltheatres. Two of his plays, The Island of Doctor Moreau and Dead Man Flying, enjoyed successful runs recently in Orlando. He is the director of PlayFest: The Orlando Festival of New Plays, an annual interactive maelstrom of new plays, scheduled this year for January 14-23 in Loch Haven Park."

A musician and music producer. Of his CD "Swimming In The Nihil", a reviewer states,

"this album combines lively folk singer/songwriting with big glitchy electronic effects and traces of heavy duty dub. Bits and pieces bring to mind Martyn Bates' EYELESS IN GAZA or Will Oldham's odd experiments in dub perhaps, but SHADU's sounds seem more decontructivist in nature. 'Swimming In The Nihil' blazes its' own path and virtually creates a new genre or three. Steer clear if you're expecting an easy ride, as SHADU is quite experimental and tends to jump around, hinting at a number of disparate styles and vibes. But strangely, it remains not inaccessable to the open mind's ear. Cool work."

Yvonne was born in 1963. She married David B Donlon in 1991. Yvonne recently emailed me.

"Steve -

Hi, my name is Yvonne [Hissom] Donlon, and I am currently working on a ancestry for our branch of the family (David Heysham Branch) and ran into your website.

From your site: "Also a Reverend minister of the Hissom Tabernacle. Earl G. Hissom III, Th.D., of Charleston. He died in May 2007. His children include,

(28) Eric Hissom
(28) Phil Hissom
(28) Unknown Sister Hissom" - This is me. LOL, as I am the current chairperson of the board of Hissom Interdenominational Mission, it cracks me up that John Paul doesn't remember my name. Yvonne Lorraine Hissom b.1963. Married David B Donlon, 1991. My brothers: Eric William Hissom (b. 1961) and Phillip Keith Hissom (b. 1965) Eric's wife is Angela Conran and Phil's is Jennie Fitch. (As I was living in Los Angeles at the time, I am hard pressed to come up with their marriage dates - perhaps that is why I am the "unknown" sister"...as you say on your site, we preacher's kids are a strange lot...LOL!!)

To clarify a few things for you - Billie Dewey From your site: [Dewey married Willie D. [Dewey?] Herendon (1899) in about 1918. Perhaps her name was Williamina, after her father. She was the daughter of William N. and Alice L. Herendon [or Herndon]. Her middle name may have been Dewey.]

Yes, her middle name was Dewey, and her first name was Williamina. My great uncle Ernie (Ernest Hissom, son of Earl Gorman Hissom, Sr) says they called her Aunt Dewey. It is a very West Virginia thing to go by your middle name. It's something that's taken me the ten years I've been here now to get used to.

From your site: [I've confirmed that Mrs. Dewey Hissom lived on Crescent road from a 1935 newspaper article, so the above must be our couple. I wonder if the boys were adopted, perhaps after 1930?] Yes, they were adopted. And they were twins.

John Paul mentioned in one of the quotes you have for him that we have a website for the Hissom Interdenominational Mission - the address is http://www.hissommission.org."

"A few more things you don't have...

My father, Earl G. Hissom III was born 06 Aug 1942, married Bonnie Lavonne Starkey on 02 June 1960 the day after they graduated high school.

Judith Hall, who you have listed as dad's sister, has been remarried. She was first married to Paul James LaChance and they have 3 children: Jeffrey Wade LaChance, Bradley Kent LaChance and Kristy Lynn LaChance.

Sharon Reed, his other sister, is also on her second marriage. She was first married to Paul Bruce Fadeley and they have 2 children, Joya Dawn Fadeley and Kye David Fadeley. Coincidentally, Joya is the director of a mission in Los Angeles.

My great grandfather, Earl Gorman Hissom, Sr and Tressa Lena Dodd also had a child named Betty Lee Hissom (b 1933). It is her you see at the building of the top portion of the missinon on home page of website...she was the youngest of 11 children."

In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Albert W. Hissom, 7. Of St. Albans, West Virginia. He enlisted in the Army on 8 February 1943. He was a Reverend Minister. He died on 1 August 2005. The following is, I believe, derived from his obitury,

"He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, a retired millwright from Union Local 1755 and was a vendor every weekend for the last 15 years at the Capitol Flea Market. He pastored the Hissom Holiness Tabernacle Church on Spring Street, Charleston, for 20 years."

"Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Earl G. Sr. and Tressie Dodd Hissom; three brothers and four sisters. Surviving are his loving wife of 35 years, Joan E. Hissom of Ripley; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen L. and Susie Hissom of Elkview; daughter and son-in-law, Paula and David Silverman of Cross Lanes; brother, Ernie Hissom of Charleston; sister, Roxie Hissom Hamer of Charleston; and four grandchildren.

Of Elkview. He married Susie. He may have a son, Stephen, who is a student at Marshall University at Huntington, West Virginia.

She married David Silverman of Cross Lanes.

He was born on 25 December 1926. In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as George L. Hissom, 4. He enlisted in the Army on 17 November 1945. He married Arretta M. (1936). He died on 15 June 2001 in Elkview, Kanawha county, West Virginia. Of Pinch and/or Charleston, West Virginia.

"Roxy." In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Roxilina Hissom, 2. She married a Harner [or Hamer?], Of Charleston.

Of Sissonville. While I don't seen him in any census, he was mentioned in the obituaries of his sisters', Elizabeth and Mary Francie, and was the source of a photo in a web site about his father, Reverend Earl G. Hissom. Of Charleston, West Virginia.

An Ernest Hissom was an attendee at the third constitutional convention of the United Steelworkers of American, circa 1941. If that was our man it would assume a much earlier date of birth.

I also have this: "Ernest E. Hissom, Jr., "Special Purpose Districts for the Provision of Water and Sewer Services in West Virginia" (Master's Thesis Marshall University, 1976)." Ernest E. Hissom, Jr. Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Charleston, South Carolina.

I also have a newspaper snippet which is for a younger man, perhaps Ernest's son, "Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch laughs at a story told by Ernest Hissom of Sissonville. Hissom, who served in the Marine Corps, met Lynch while she was . . . "

He was born on 22 April 1898. In the 1900 census of Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Dewey G. Hissom, 2, [April 1898]. He was born in West Virginia. In the 1910 census of the 3rd Ward, Charleston, Kanawha county, West Virginia as Dewey G. Hissom, 12.

He registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 as Dewey Hissom. He claimed to be 21 years old at the time, that is born in about 1894, but he also claimed that he was born on 22 April 1885 which would have made him 32. Perhaps he meant 1895. He was a chauffeur employed by Charles Hissom. I suspect that was his elder brother, Charles Frederick Hissom. Dewey was described as of medium height and medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Dewey married Willie D. [Dewey?] Herendon (1899) in about 1918. Perhaps her name was Williamina, after her father. She was the daughter of William N. and Alice L. Herendon [or Herndon]. She was known as Billie Dewey.

In the 1920 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Dewey G. Hissom [Hirron in Ancestry.com], 23, of West Virginia, whose occupation reads "Hale Sale Produce." I suppose that means wholesale produce. He was a boarder living in the home of Willie and Alice Herendon. Also living there was Dewey Hissom [Hirron in Ancestry.com] a 21 year old female boarder of no occupation, of West Virginia. This was Dewey's wife, but oddly they weren't listed together. Where were their sons?

In the 1930 census of Charleston, West Virginia as Dewey G. Hissom, a 31 year old proprietor of a food service company. Living with him were his wife, called B. Dewey Hissom, 31, and his mother-in-law, Alice L. Herndon, a 60 year old widow. They lived on Indiana Avenue. Where were their sons?

"Mr. and Mrs. Hissom Give Birthday Party

Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Hissom entertained with a birthday party at their home in Crescent road Saturday afternoon, celebrating the fourteenth birthday anniversary of their twin sons, George Finley and William Henry.

The guests were:

George Finley and William Henry Hissom . . . Dewey Mae Hissom* . . . Lawrence Lomie Hissom* . . . Ira Preston Hissom* . . . Luther Hissom . . . Wallace Hissom . . . Lewis Frederick Hissom#, Mildred Leona Hissom* . . ." - from the 5 February 1933 Charleston Daily Mail.

I've confirmed that Mrs. Dewey Hissom lived on Crescent road from a 1935 newspaper article, so the above must be our couple. I wonder if the boys were adopted, perhaps after 1930? - the answer is yes. Dewey George died on 7 March 1952 in Kanawha county, West Virginia.

He was born in 1919. In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census . . .

He enlisted in the Army as a Private on 20 November 1942. He was single, with dependents, and had one year of high school. He was rated as a Truck Driver or Chauffeur. Sometime not long after he married Ella DeLorraine Henson (1921).

"Hissom, George F.
Sgt. U.S. Army. Born Feb. 4. 1918 [sic]. Entered service Dec. 2, 1942, Camp Beale, Calif.; England; France. Wounded in action in Germany Nov. 27, 1944 and Dec. 8, 1944. Awarded three Battle Stars. Attended God's Bible School, Nazarene Church. Son of Mr. And Mrs. Dewey G. Hissom, Box 31, Dunbar, W. Va. Husband of Mrs. Ella DeLorraine Henson Hissom. Charleston, W. Va." - from "World War II Young American Patriots"

He was born in 1919. In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census . . .

He enlisted as a Private in the Army on 1 May 1944. He was married and had a grammar school education. He was rated as a Truck Driver or Chauffeur. His wife was Dorothy Perry.

"Hissom, William Henry
Pvt. U.S. Army. Born Feb. 4. 1919. Entered service May 1, 1944, Ft. McClellan, Ala; England. Wounded in action in France, Dec 8. 1944. Attended God's Bible School, Nazarene Church. Son of Mr. And Mrs. Dewey G. Hissom, Box 31, Dunbar, W. Va. Husand of Mrs. Dorothy Perry Hissom. Charleston, W. Va." - from "World War II Young American Patriots"

She was born on 25 May 1862. In the 1870 census of Jackson township as Martha Hissom, 9, living at home with her widowed mother, Ruth.

Martha married Daniel Webster Cooley, of Sardis, on 30 March 1884. He was born on 15 March 1854 in Monroe county. Ruth died on 29 December 1946. Daniel died on 27 October 1948 in Paden City, Wetzel county, West Virginia.

Their children were Nellie, Carrie, Ira, Dora and Alex. Here is the obituary of their son, Alex.

"Alex Hissom Cooley. Funeral services were held Friday in Sardis for Alex Hissom Cooley. Mr. Cooley died Tuesday, August 7, at his home in Sardis. A retired oil field worker and a veteran of World War I, he was born July 13, 1893, at Sardis, the son of Daniel and Martha Hissom Cooley. Surviving are his wife, Anna, a sister, Mrs. Neil Pubal of Cleveland and a brother, Ira Cooley of Sardis. Arthur Probst conducted the services from the Rush funeral home in Sardis and burial was in Northview Cemetery in New Martinsville. 8/7/1962" - from Monroe County Obituares of the Monroe County History and Genealogy Website

He was born in 1828 [or 1826] in Ohio and died on 23 April 1885. He married Maryjane Smith [Mary Smith] in 1849 in Monroe county, Ohio. She was born in September 1832 in Greene county, Pennsylvania.

In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Thomas Hisom, a 23 year old farmer, living with his wife, Mary, 17, and a son, Blanck [?], 11/12.

In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Thomas Hissom, a 32 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 27, and children, Blenchy [?], 11, Luther, 10, Sarah E., 7, and Jane, 3.

In the 1870 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Thomas Hissom, a 44 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 39, and children, Luther, a 19 year old farm laborer, Sarah, 17, Jane, 11, Joseph, 8, Arthur, 6, Elson, 6, and Noah, 1.

In the 1880 census for Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Thomas Hissom, a 54 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 48, and children, Jane, 20, Arthur, 18, Elson, 15, Belle, 5, and William, 2. He was living "next door" to James Hissom Sr., aged 101.

In the 1900 census of Jackson township was Mary Hissom, a 67 year old widow [September 1832]. Living with her was her son, William, 22 [September 1877]. She was living "next door" to her sons, Luther and Elson.

His children were,
(24) Blanck "Blenchy" Hissom (1849)
(24) Luther Hissom (1851)
(24) Sarah E. Hissom (1853)
(24) Job Hissom (1855)
(24) Jane Hissom (1857)
(24) Joseph Hissom (1862)
(24) Arthur Hissom (1862/4)
(24) Elson Hissom (1865)
(24) Noah Hissom (1869)
(24) George B. Hissom (1871)
(24) Belle Hissom (1874)
(24) William M. Hissom (1877)

I cannot explain this given name. In the 1850 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Blanck [?] Hisom, 11/12. One researcher claims this is actually Blanche, a daughter, but the census clearly shows this to be a male. Blanck, while uncommon, was a given name of the period. In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Blenchy Hissom, 11. He disappears after this.

He was born in Ohio in October 1851. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in Pennsylvania. In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Luther Hissom, 10. In the 1870 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Luther Hissom, a 19 year old farm laborer.

Luther Hyssom married Laura R. Ullom on 5 May 1878 in Monroe county, Ohio. She was born in September 1857 in Ohio. Her parents were from Pennsylvania.

In the 1880 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Luther Hissom, a 28 year old. Living with him were his wife, Laura, 23, and daughter, Jessie, 10/12. Living "next door" was his father, Thomas Hissom, 54.

In the 1900 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Luther Hissom, a 48 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Laura, 42 [September 1857], and daughter, Jessie D., 18 [May 1882].

Luther died before 1910. In the 1910 census for Jackson township we have Laura O. Hissom, a 51 year old widow. Living with her were her daughter, Jessie, 30, and grand-son, Thomas, 6. No last names are shown for Jessie and Thomas implying they were both Hissom's. Could Thomas be illegitimate?

In the 1920 census of Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia as Laura Hissom, a 61 year old widow, of Ohio. Living with her were was Jessie Leonard, 40, and Thomas Hissom, 16, her grandson. William and Elson Hissom were her next-neighbors.

Luther's children were,
(25) Jessie D. Hissom (1879)

She was born in Ohio in July 1879, though the 1900 census says May 1882. In the 1880 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jessie Hissom, 10/12. In the 1900 census of Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jessie D. Hissom, 18 [May 1882].

In the 1910 census for Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jessie Hissom, 30, living with her mother. A Thomas Hissom, 6, is listed as Laura's grand-son. No last names are shown for Jessie and Thomas implying they were both Hissom's. Could Thomas be illegitimate?

She may have married a Leonard, or simply taken the name of the man who fathered Thomas, if he really was her son.

In the 1920 census of Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia as Jessie Leonard, a 40 year old seamstress. She was shown as married, but no husband was listed. She was living in the home of Laura Hissom, 61. Thomas Hissom, 16, was also living there.

Thomas Hissom was born on 12 December 1903. In the 1910 census for Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Thomas Hissom, 6, the grand-son of Laura Hissom, Luther's wife. Could he be an illegitimate son? Thomas and his mother, whoever that was, were from Ohio, but his father was from Pennsylvania.

In the 1920 census of Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia as Thomas Hissom, 16. He was the grandson of the Head of the Family, Laura Hissom, a 61 year old widow. Also in the house was Jessie Leonard, 40. She was shown as married, but no husband was listed. All were of Ohio, but Thomas' father was of Pennsylvania. There was a family of Leonard's in Tyler county from 1900 to 1910. The head of the family, John C. or L. John Leonard, was from Pennsylvania. He was born in 1865. They were absent in 1920. Could this be Thomas' father?

The Thomas born in 1903 married Thelma Ophelia Starkey on 19 March 1925. He was 23 years old at the time and she was 21.

In the 1930 census of Island Creek township, Jefferson county, Ohio as Thomas Hisssom [Thos Hesson in Ancestry.com], a 27 year old laborer at the paper mill. Living with him were his wife, Thelma, a 25 year old dipper at the pottery, and son, Ray, 3 10/12. All were of Ohio. Thomas and Thelma had been married for about 4 years.

Thomas Hissom, born on 12 December 1903, died on 2 March 1983 in Toronto, Jefferson county, Ohio.

In the 1930 census of Island Creek township, Jefferson county, Ohio as Ray Hisssom [Hesson in Ancestry.com], 3 10/12, of Ohio.

There was a Ray Lewis Hissom whose wife was Alicia Infante. They had a daughter, Susana Cristina on 11 July 1966, in El Paso, Texas.

In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Sarah E. Hissom, 7. In the 1870 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Sarah Hissom, 17. Sarah Hyssom married Consignee Tuel on 16 March 1871 in Monroe county, Ohio. Consignee was born in 1850 in Monroe county, the son of Daniel and Dianna Tuel. His sister, Gratia, married John Hyssom [?]. Consignee died in 1922 at the age of 72. He was buried in the Tuel/Bradfield cemetary.

He was born in Ohio. He died on 19 March 1861 [this should be 1860] at the age of 6 [5] years. Why wasn't he in the 1860 census? Note that Job Hissom was included in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, 1850-1880. He died during the year ending 1 June 1860. He died in March of Scarlett Fever after being ill for four days. He was buried in the Witten cemetary. Listed as the son of T & M Hissam. See Witten Cemetary for further listings of Hissam/Hissom burials.

In the 1860 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jane Hissom, 3. In the 1870 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jane Hissom, 11. In the 1880 census for Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Jane Hissom, 20. Is it a female thing that she keeps getting younger?

In the 1870 census of Sardis, Jackson township, Monroe county, Ohio as Joseph Hissom, 8. Not seen afterwards.