Windmuller-Heynen Family Tree

John Kissam had the rank of Major among the Loyalist forces in Long Island

[1781, June 80. Major Kissam was surprised at night, and carried off by the Rebels to Connecticut.—See Revolutionary Incidents, p. 173.] ^_

Wethersfield, August 16TH, 1781. To Daniel Kissam, E*q.

Honored Sir :—Mine of 27th July, if it got safe to you, must have informed you of my being at this place on parole, with a circuit of three miles from my lodging ; since which I have remained in the same situation; and a day or two ago I was informed by Mr. Reed, who was last week brought away from East Hampton, that the Commissary of Prisoners here had made a proposal of a parole, exchanging Mr. Reed and myself for Colonel St. John and son, acquainting Governor Franklin that, should it not take place, he should be under the necessity of retaliating ou us, which I cannot say but my fears are greater than my hopes will be the case. I yesterday got leave and took a ride to Hartford to see Mr. Jeremiah Platt and his brother Ebenezer, who, on their first hearing of my being at this place immediately came to see me, to know whether I was in want of anything, and every few days since, Ebenezer takes a ride to see me, and with me yesterday made application to the Deputy Commissary for leave to go to Long Island and New York on my parole, for a few days, in order to work an exchange, but he informed us that he had often been censured for such indulgences, and could not grant it without leave from the Commissary General of Prisoners ; and therefore I cannot do anything at present myself, and expect 1 must remain here a long time, unless some friend make an interest for some other person to be offered. If Colonel

St. John should not be permitted to come out, there have been four Captains of whale-boats, , Sellew and Foster, prisoners

to Colonel Hamilton, which Governor Franklin* has had, three of which have been exchanged for the Associated Refugees since my being here; and I think in justice Colonel Hamilton has a right to expect from the Board of Directors at least one of their prisoners for a parole or exchange for me.

If it is concluded I must stay any time, or winter here, I could wish to have some winter clothing sent to me soon, as the morning and evening already begin to be a little cool, and I expect by the first frost my pockets will be nipt pretty well of cash, and consequently a little of that commodity will be not disagreeable to me, as I find all places nearly alike—no living without money, and especially one in my situation, expenses running much higher than I expected. What way to get things to me, I cannot inform you of, but should wish that some friend might come with them in a flag. At present I quarter at the house of Captain Absalom Williams, in Wethersfield, and should I be removed from here, anything that can be left for me will be forwarded by him ; and I could wish to hear from the family and friends, as I have not heard a word from any one there since my leaving the Island. Communicate my love to all and acquaint them I should have written to them, but the uncertainty of a safe conveyance renders it difficult. If I had one of my old social friends with me here, the country would be pleasant enough to make it agreeable, although a number of the inhabitants, I find, endeavor to make it so to me, as there is a good deal of company, and I enjoy health well. Mr. Ebenezer Platt, who carries this for me to Norwalk, is now waiting, and I wish it might arrive safe to you. If Colonel Hamilton and friends want my continuance here, pray send me a good sum of money and two inkstands. I am, honored sir, your dutiful son, John Kissam.

Parole.

"I, John Kissam, Major of Militia in Queens County, on Long Island, in British

• 1781, Jan 8. Board of Directors of Associated Loyalists: William Franklin, Daniel Coxe, George Rome, Anthony Stewart, Jo«iah Martin. George D. Ludlow, George Leonard, Timothy Buggies, Edward Lutwycb and Robert Alexander.
  service, do hereby acknowledge myself a prisoner of war to the United States of America, and being now indulged the liberty of returning to the city of New York on parole, do pledge my faith and sacred honor that I will not say, do, or cause to be said or done, anything that can be in any shape construed to injure the welfare of the said United States; and that unless I can effect an exchange of myself for some oflicer of like rank or for some other such person as shall be agreed to and accepted by Abraham Skinner, Esq., the American Commissary of Prisoners, I will return by the way of Elizabethtown Point, on New Jersey, and render myself a prisoner to said Commissary General or to his order, or to some one acting under him, within thirty days of this date."

The within is a true copy of parole signed by Major John Kissam. Whereupon it is desired he may pass on directly to Norwalk and from thence to New York, in such way as shall be thought best by the Authority there, he behaving as becometh, &c.

Ez. Williams,
Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners.

Exchange.

To whom it may concern. I do certify that Major Kissam, of the Regiment of Queens County Militia, of Long Island, was regularly exchanged for Major George Wright, of the Pennsylvania Militia, at New York, the 20th of October, 1781.

Joshua Loring, Commissary General of Prisoners.

Children of John <Daniel> Kissam and Phebe <John> Allen were as follows:

   +    38.     i. Elizabeth <John> Kissam Underhill (Rn=40599) and married William <Richard> Underhill (Rn=40600).   +    39.    ii. Phebe <Daniel> Kissam Jackson (Rn=40601), who was born 1750 and married Richard <Samuel> Jackson (Rn=40602).        40.   iii. Anne <John> Kissam Allen was born 1755 and died 1823) {David was born 1753 and died 1829)}.        41.    iv. Sarah <John> Kissam Allen was born 1757 and died 1848) {Elijah was born 1756 and died 1827)}.        42.     v. Daniel <John> Kissam was born 1759 and died 1848) [Phebe Platt was born 1768 and died 1855)].        43.    vi. Elizabeth <John> Kissam Thorne was born 1761) {Thomas C}.        44.   vii. Benjamin Tredwell <John> Kissam was born 1764 and died 1847) [Mary Platt was born 1771 and died 1846)].