The Hissem-Montague Family

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This page begins the story of the family of John Hissom, Thomas Hesom's eldest son. After much research I think I've nailed down the story of John's life, if not precisely that of his children. While he moved west with his brothers, Thomas and David, at least one of his children, William Hissam, remained in eastern Pennsylvania and established the branch of the family today residing in the upper Delaware river valley. I'm confident that another son, David Hessom, founded the Pittsburgh family of Hessom.

John probably goes under a greater variety of surnames than any one else in the American family; he was illiterate so he couldn't provide the correct spelling. Also as Hisson, Hissam, Hissem, Hissim, Hessam, Hessem, Hessom, Hessum, Hesson, Hasam, Husam, Hasom, Hesom, Hesum, Hysam, Hysham, Heysham, Heisam, Heisom, and Heisham.

The second child and eldest son of Thomas Hesom and Catherina Kleyn. In a declaration made toward the end of his life, John said that he was born on 20 August 1747 in Smithfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. The Hesom homestead was on the banks of Brodhead creek, right, just above the Delaware Water Gap.

John was christened a month after his birth.

"Church Register of the Walpeck
Congregation.
Commenced with the Pastoral Service of Joh. Casparus
Fryenmuth. Preacher There, May 31, 1741.
______
. . .
1747
. . .
[Date] Sept. 14 [Parents] Thomas Hisson Catharina Kleyn [Child] John [Witnesses] Thomas Brinck, Antje Kleyn, syn Huys vr [the wife of]" - from "The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record," Volume 40, page 198

Walpack township was on the eastern side of the Delaware river, in New Jersey, opposite the confluence with Bush Kill creek. It was at the time a predominantly Dutch community, located on the Old Mine road. This road connected the Dutch communities of the Hudson and those on the Delaware rivers. The road crossed the river at the Walpack ferry, then ran down the west side of the river to Lower Smithfield.

Walpack Church The site of the first church of the Walpack congregation was on a slightly elevated parcel of land within the Walpack Bend of the Delaware river. It was about a mile west of the present-day village of Flatbrookville, in the township of Walpack, Sussex county, New Jersey, near the fork of the road leading down to Rosencrantz ferry. On the other side of the river, in Northampton county, is the Walpack ferry. This site was upon the Old Mine Road which connected the original copper/zinc mines in the Minisinck with New Amsterdam. Land for the Walpack Church and the cemetery was deeded by Thomas Brink and Nicholas Schoonover on 1 February 1737 and contained four acres. The congregation was incorporated as The Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Dutch Church of Walpack Congregation. A marble marker, donated in 1913, identifies the site. The earliest stone in the church burial ground uncovered to date is for Eliza Jyil, who passed away on Aug. 11, 1737. The original church building became dilapidated about 1782 and was replaced by another building.

John's brother, William, was also christened in the Walpack church under the name Hisson, while his sister, Anne, was baptized under the name Hesson. All were, however, listed as the children of Thomas Hisson/Hesson and Catharina Kleyn. I have yet to discover the baptismal records of John's other siblings. They were either baptized at another church in the Minisink for which the records are now lost, or their baptisms were not formally performed because of the lack of a minister, a continual problem in this frontier community.

Nothing is known of John's early life, but it would have been much the same as any backwoods boy. He would have had no formal education. His minister would give him moral and religious instruction during his sermons. His mother, if she herself was literate, might provide him with his letters, though John shows no evidence of this. However, those things he really needed to learn, farming, animal care, and hunting, including the everyday use of firearms, were learned by observing his father. For my previous attempts at describing such a life, see the story of John's little brother on the David Heysham page.

Late in 1755, when John was 8 years old, the Smithfield community was hit by a series of terrifying Indian raids; a large number of homesteads were burned, including that of the Hesom's near neighbor, John Howey. Many of the communities' citizens were killed and scalped. John's elder sister, Mary, was made captive by the Indians, and, as far as I can tell, was never seen again by the family. See her story on the John Heesom page. John's father joined the local militia, but under the pressure of continuing raids, the family fled east, across the Delaware river, into New Jersey. They remained there until 1758, when a local truce with the Indians was negotiated.

In 1763 the Indians struck again, with raids continuing into 1764, but the defeat of Pontiac's alliance in the west and better efforts by the militia finally quelled the violence. John would have been old enough to have been a member of the militia at this time, 15 was the lower limit, and like any frontier boy, he would have been comfortable with a rifle in his hands.

John, and his young brother Thomas, were illiterate and could only make their mark, an X, on official documents. However, their little brother, David, could sign his name. My guess is that the difference lay with Thomas Sr.'s second wife, Elizabeth Brink, who Thomas married around 1768. At that time John was 21 and Thomas 18, thus both were "out of the house" in the sense that they spent most of their time in the field or forest. David, however, was only 6 and a perfect candidate for a little tutorial at the hearth. This would assume that Elizabeth was literate and Thomas Sr.'s first wife, Catharina Kleyn, was not. All of the boys probably learned Dutch, or German, from their mother or step-mother. It was their literal mother tongue.

John's father, Thomas, is on record in three separate accounts holding property in Middle Smithfield, on or near Bushkill creek, between 1766 and 1769. In one of those records Thomas was described as "of Lower Smithfield," which is on Brodhead creek, where we normally think of the family as living. Was the Bushkill creek property kept for rental income, or might John have farmed it? John was 19 to 22 years old at the time and needed to build a home and establish a farm in preparation for marriage.

John married circa 1770, when he was about 23 years old. I base this on the birth of his son (well, who I believe was his son), William, between 1770 and 1773. Note that John's younger brother, Thomas, married in 1772. While the boys wouldn't have to marry in accordance with their birth order, I expect they did. John's wife at the time of his pension application in 1818 was Mary, who was born in about 1759. That must have been a second marriage. Another researcher claims this was Mary Drakes, but I don't know what this was based on

John's father, Thomas Hesom, was known as a "violent Whig" (that is, he was not a Tory/Loyalist), committed to the revolutionary cause and all of the Hissom boys served in the war. Thomas Hissom enlisted in the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment in March 1776, while Abner and William Hissom enlisted in the Flying Camp in July 1776. Little David joined the militia a few years later, as soon as he was of age.

John later recalled that in 1775 [Julian, or 1776 Gregorian] he joined a Ranger company under the command of Captain Isaac Belknap, of Newburgh, in Fish Kill, New York. On 22 August 1775 the Provincial Congress of New York, the Revolutionary Government of the state, had passed a law under which the Revolutionary militia was organized.

Some documents seem to imply that Belknap's Rangers were not established until the summer of 1776. However, in a letter of January 1776, Isaac Belknap wrote,

"Fishkill, January 7th, 1776.
To the Committe of Safety of the State of New-York:

Isaac Belknap, captain of a company of rangers, stationed at this place, reports, that in obedience to an order of your board, to me directed, dated the thirtieth of December last, directing me. . ." - from the "Journals of the Provisional Congress of the State of New-York" of 1842, page 764

It sounds odd that our John would have been a member of a New York unit while coming from Pennsylvania, but New York does lie close by, at the other end of the Minisink valley, and there were many social and cultural links with the Dutch of Ulster and Dutchess counties.

"Capt. Belknap reported with a full company [of Rangers] at the fortification of the Highlands, April 25, 1776 and was part of the garrison at Fort Montgomery Jan. 18, 1777 under Brig. Gen. James Clinton." - from Old Town Cemetery, Newburgh, New York.

On 23 July 1776 companies of rangers were authorized to prevent the incursions of Indians and Tories. That of Isaac Belknap was one - from the "History of Orange County."

I have a muster for Belknap's Rangers, in October 1776.

"On the 23d of July, 1776, companies of Rangers were authorized for the protection of the inhabitants of the northern and western frontiers of the province. These companies were to hold themselves in constant readiness for service, with a view especially to prevent the incursions of Indians and Tories, but were to be confined entirely to the counties in which they were raised, unless by mutual consent of the committees of adjoining counties, or unless otherwise directed by the convention. Three companies were organized in Ulster County, under Capts. Isaac Belknap, Jacob R. DeWitt, and Elias Hasbrouck. Capt. Belknap's company was composed (Oct. 7, 1776) as follows:

Isaac Belknap, captain
Henry Schoonmaker, first lieutenant
Petrus Roosa, second lieutenant
David Clark, corporal
. . .
John Hisson
. . .

The first active service of the company was under the direction of the Committee of Safety [the Revolutionary Executive Committee] at Fishkill." - from "History of Orange County, New York," pg 277-8

The memorandum book of Captain Belknap contains a diary of the unit's service in October 1776. It mustered for duty at the house of Mrs. Ann DuBois, in Marlborough, on the 7th. It marched from there to Fishkill and reported to the Provisional Convention on the 17th when it was placed "under the direction of the committee for trying tories." I suspect it was imagined that this militia unit would be used to round up such tories.

Captain Belknap had trouble keeping his Ranger unit up to strength; in November 1776, when he asked for his unit's pay, he had just 21 enlisted men instead of the 63 he should have mustered (4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 fife & drum, and 54 privates). It was hard to get musters when men felt they had more important things to do at home, like get in a crop.

"New York Committe of Safety, November 5, 1776.
. . .
"Sir: Captain Belknap, one of the Captains of the Rangers ordered to be raised in Ulster County, has applied for the pay and subsistence and half bounty of his Company. The former I have settled; the latter want your directions about.

"It appears there has been moneys sent to the different county committees for the one-half bounty, but as the company is not more than one-half full, there must be money yet remaining in the hands of the committee, which I think it would be best to draw out, and settle their bounty there; for while money is continually advanced to different committees and persons, it will be impossible for me ever to get the public accounts settled."

I am, sir, your very hble. servt.
Comfort Sands."

"Whereas it appears by a Certificate signed by the Chairman of the County Committee of Ulster County, that Captain Isaac Belknap, and the other Officers of his Company, are duly qualified according to the Resolutions of the Convention of this State; and by the Muster-Roll of the said Company, signed and subscribed by the Officers, it appears that the said Company consists of twenty-one Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates:

Ordered, That Robert Boyd, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Ulster County, pay to Captain Isaac Belknap two hundred and sixty-two Dollars and one half of a Dollar, in full for the second or last moiety of the Bounty of the said twenty-one Rangers raised in Ulster County, out of the money formerly deposited in his hands for advancing the first moiety of the Bounty to the said Rangers; that Mr. Boyd take duplicates of the receipt from Captain Belknap for that money: the duplicates of that receipt to be of the same tenour and date, and declaring that they are duplicates, and for the same sum. The said Muster-Roll is filed in the Auditor-General' s office." - from "Journals of the Provisional Congress of the State of New-York" of 1842, pg 697-698

There was not much military activity in Ulster county. The Rangers, after a long spell idling, finally found more useful employment at Fort Montgomery, near Fishkill, on the Hudson river. This fort, and its partner, Fort Clinton, on the other side of the river, were positioned to watch the British in New York City and stop any northern movement on their part.

"A Return of the officers and men in Garrison at Fort Montgomery under the Command of the honorable Brigadier general James Clinton, Janr 18th, 1777
. . .
Capt. Belknap . . . 1 Capt, 1 1st Lieut, 1 Ensign, 2 Sergts, 1 Drummer, 22 Pres't for duty, 2 sick pres't, 1 on com'd, 3 on Furlough, 28 Total" - from "New York in the Revolution" by Berthold Fernow

"In February 1777 it [Belknap's Rangers] was attached to Governor Clinton's brigade, and was thereafter kept busy in the Highlands." - from "History of Orange County, New York," pg 278

In March 1777 the unit was disbanded - from the "History of Orange County." Is this correct or does that just mean the end of another 3 month enlistment? From correspondence dated 27 April 1777 by Robert Boyd Jr., the Chairman of the Committee of Ulster County mentioned above, to Brigadier General George Clinton at Fort Montgomery, the Rangers were still at Fort Montgomery, and behaving badly.

"Yesterday evening hearing the Feild [sic] pieces were on the hill above Whites, Major Taylor and I went up to see if there was a guard fix'd over them; we found them without any, although it was then Dark; we informed Major Logan of it who had ordered some of Belknap's Rangers for that Duty; they deceived him, and he and I found them sitting contented in Mr. Hollidays." - from "Documents of the Assembley of the State of New York," Volume 20

On 29 April 1777 Captain Belknap was directed to recruit a company of men to serve within Ulster county. I think this meant he was to find men to fill out his current Ranger unit. In a reply to the Council of Safety [the Revolutionary Government] the Captain claimed that due to "superior encouragement given to those who will accept employment at the works making to obstruct the navigation of the Hudson's river, it is very difficult to obtain men to recruit the company, and that they had not at the date thereof enlisted even one man." At at meeting of the Council on 30 May 1777 it was,

"Resolved and Ordered, That Captain Isaac Belknap, and the remainder of this officers and men, be discharged and disbanded." - from the "Journals of the Provisional Congress of the State of New-York" of 1842, page 949

Before Belknap's Rangers were officially disbanded, but after it was clear that they could not meet their recruitment goals, John Hissom enlisted, on 5 March 1777, in the 4th Regiment, Seventh Company of the New York Line, as a Private. This unit was part of the Continental Line, paid for by the Continental Congress, and liable for service in any part of the country. The 4th Regiment had originally been raised in Dutchess county and was sometimes referred to as the 4th Dutchess. I believe they were stationed at nearby Peekskill at the time, just across the river from Fort Montgomery.

On 23 March 1777 the British, in an attempt to extend their control of the Hudson river, launched an attack on Peekskill, New York.

"Across the river in Peekskill, the commander of the 4th New York, Col. Henry Beekman Livingston, found time to write Washington on March 29, giving him a brief summary of events. He reported that "we have had a visit from the enemy at this Post about 500 in Number;" that after they had landed, "Colo. Courtlandt's Regiment [2nd New York] and my own were Ordered to fall back towards the Highlands. The British advanced, fronting [the 2nd and 4th NY] about 400 Yards Distant when we received orders from Genl McDougall to Retreat."

John absented himself from the 4th regiment without leave on 1 April 1777.

"The New York Line . . . Fourth Regiment . . . Seventh Company . . . Privates . . . Hissam, Jno., Mar 5, '77 [enlisted]; war [duration of service], des'd [deserted] Apr 1, '77. M R . . ." - from "New York in the Revolution"

On 1 April 1777 John enlisted in the 5th Regiment of the New York Line. The 4th Regiment continued, however, to muster John as a deserter. From musters of Captain Israel Smith's Company in the 4th Regiment of New York Forces, commanded by Colonel Henry B. Livingston:

Undated, Jno Hissam Private, Smith's Co. [Captain Israel Smith], 4th New York Regiment, date of enlistment: 5 March 1777, Period enlisted for: W [war], Occurrences: Desrd [deserted] 1 Apl '77
5 September 1777, John Hissam Private, Company near Loudons ferry [on the Mohawk river, five miles above the Hudson, near Albany], Enlisted: March 5, 17__, mustered "for the month of Nov 21/ [sic] to Sept 5, 1777," Remarks: desererted [sic] April 1

A Muster Roll of Capt Israel Smith's Company in the Fourth Battalion [sic] of New York Forces in the Service of the
United States Commanded by Col Henry B Livingston
. . .
Appointed: March 5 Privates: John Hissam For What Time: during war Remarks: desert April 1

The Line Regiment The Line Regiment was at the heart of any European army of the eighteenth century. It was an infantry unit that in battle was deployed in a long line, hence the name, shoulder-to-shoulder, and from two to four ranks deep, directly opposite an enemy who was aligned in the same fashion. These units operated in clock-work fashion, advancing, wheeling, firing and reloading in unison. Our modern manual of arms and parade ground drill both derive from this period. The Line Regiment employed the muzzle loading flintlock musket, known in British and American armies as the 'Brown Bess.' It was a smooth-bore weapon and used an under-sized round to make ramming home easier & faster during reload. However, as a consequence the round 'rattled' down the barrel after firing, exiting the muzzle in an unpredictable fashion. Officers tried to maneuever their men inside 100 yards of the enemy before firing to compensate for this weapon's notorious inaccuracy. However, a well drilled soldier, which the British were, could fire three rounds a minute while standing up against a withering counter-fire. It was armies such of these that created an empire, forcing the French out of their colonies during the Seven Years War and seizing India against armies ten times their size. When undrilled American armies met the British on their terms, as at Long Island, the results could be catastrophic. Importantly, the musket, unlike the rifle, employed a bayonet for the final charge. Many American armies composed of otherwise brave men, collapsed when confronted by hard steel. This was a method of warfare well suited to the European terrain of open plains, denuded of forests over the centuries. It was also well suited to European soldiery. The Duke of Wellington famously said of his own men that they were 'scum,' and he was correct. Only men from the lowest rungs of society, lacking any other means of employment and often recruited from the prisons, would put up with the hellish conditions of armies of that period.

In his pension request John Hissam related that in April 1777 he was recruited by a Lieutenant Lawrence for duty in the 5th Company of the 5th Regiment of the New York Line. A Lieutenant Daniel Lawrence had been an officer in the 4th Regiment, circa February 1776, before moving to the 5th. I suspect that it was he that brought John into the 5th with him.

No muster reports of the 5th Regiment survive prior to 1 July 1777, but those show that John enlisted in the Regiment on 1 April 1777. He served in the Hudson river valley, north of New York City; the regiment keeping a watch on British movements and protecting the inhabitants from Indian attacks.

In his pension request of 1818 John recalled that he served with Colonel Dubois' 5th regiment in Captain Hamtranck's company at the Battle of Fort Montgomery. The small force that had been manning Fort Montgomery, which included the remains of Belknap's Rangers, was due to be discharged on the last day of March 1777 and Colonel Dubois and the 5th Regiment were sent to replace them. Were John and Daniel Lawrence already at Fort Montgomery, with the remains of Belknap's Rangers, when the 5th Regiment showed up? Did they simply change superiors, not geographic locations? I suspect that vigoruous young Lieutenants from all the neighboring regiments attempted to recruit discharging militia and, in John Hissom's case, ended up recruiting him twice.

Captain Hamtramck's company at Fort Montgomery:

"With these cases Captain Hamtramck staked out his position in the 5th Regiment and the Continental Army, serving notice that the troops disobeyed him at their peril. Henceforth he would be known as a strict disciplinarian, a soldier's soldier, who demanded strict obedience. His reputation, common knowledge among the troops, came to the attention of his superiors as well. When Gen. George Clinton approved the sentences he recognized Captain Hamtramck as a fearless officer who maintained discipline, a fact he would remember for years to come.

* * * *

The day he arrived at Fort Montgomery Capt. Hamtramck's company included a full complement of 3 officers and 4 sergeants: 1st Lt. Andrew Lawrence, 2d Lt. Daniel Lawrence, Ens. Francis Hanmer, and Sgts. Benjamin Lawrence, William Barken, Samuel Dimmick and Alexander Humphrey. Whatever comfort he derived from having a full staff soon evaporated, however, for Andrew Lawrence resigned in June, Daniel Lawrence resigned in July and both Ensign Hanmer and Sergeant Lawrence were sick all summer. As the only officer present Captain Hamtramck devoted his full attention to his company assisted by Sergeants Barken, Dimmick and . . . Two of the privates, Moses Gee and John Hessom would serve him well and in 1779 he would promote them to the rank of corporal.

As a junior captain, Hamtramck, reporting 11 privates present for duty, commanded the smallest company in the regiment but attrition slowly decimated the other companies as well. In September Captain Rosekrans reported 45 privates present for duty; Captain Stewart reported 31; Captain Lee, 41; Captain Bevier, 29; Captain Hutchins, 28; Captain Johnson, 17 and Captain Godwin, 17 for a total of 219 rank and file in the entire regiment compared to 267 in June.

Additional duties aggravated the shortage. Maj. Samuel Logan joined the regiment in June and immediately went "on command" at New Windsor. Recruiting duty monopolized 4 captains, 4 first lieutenants, 1 second lieutenant and 3 ensigns. From the enlisted ranks the regiment furnished 11 rank and file for recruiting duty; 3 men served as waiters for general officers; 2 armorers worked at Fishkill; and 1 man worked at coopering in New Windsor. On July 3d the regiment carried 276 men present for duty, with 56 on the sick roll, 17 "on command" and 9 "on furlough"." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg. 84-85

In July word was received that General Lord Howe planned to seize both Fort Montgomery and the adjacent Fort Clinton. The militia was called out to complete the manning of the forts, but when no immediate action presented itself, they returned home, leaving the forts short-handed.

The following are the surviving muster and pay rolls for John Hissam in Captain Hamtramck's Company of the 5th Regiment:

10 July 1777, John Hessam Private, Capt. John F. Hamtramck's Co. of the 5th New York Reg't of Foot, commanded by Col. Lewis Duboys, mustered through July 1777, Enlisted: April 1 17__, Term of enlistement: D War

A Muster Roll of Capt John Hamtramcks Company of the Regmt of Foot in the service of
The United States Commanded by Coll Lewis Dubois ___ 1777
. . .
Privates
. . .
John Hessam April 1st [appointment] . . . During war [duration of service]

1 August 1777, John Hessam Private, Apppointed: April 1 17__, Term of enlistment: D War
2 September 1777, John Hasam Private

A "John Hesum, priv" was in the "Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783" for New York.

In October, seeking to relieve some of the stress American armies were placing on Burgoyne's invasion of New England, an army commanded by General Clinton [Henry Clinton, a British general, not to be confused with New York Governor, General George Clinton, or his brother, Brigadier General James Clinton] left New York City and made their long-anticipated assault on the Highlands forts overlooking the Hudson. The speed of the British advance made the further call-up of the militia moot.

The Battle of Fort Montgomery The Hudson river, three miles above Peekskill, was blockaded by the Americans who had strung an iron chain and boom across the river. The boom was protected by four war-ships and two fortifications, Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. The attack on the forts was led by Sir Henry Clinton on October 6, 1777. About six hundred Americans defended the forts but they were vastly outnumbered by the 3000 British and German troops sent against them: General Henry, with Hessian troops commanded by Emmerich Chasseur, American Loyalist troops commanded by Captain George Turnbull, and Lieutenant-Colonel Mungo Campbell with the 57th and 52nd Regiments, were engaged at the Fort Montgomery attack. The attack of Fort Clinton included the 26th, Fraser's Highlanders, one company of German Chasseurs, and the 63rd Regiment. The Americans refused British offers to surrender and repelled the British until nighttime when the British overran the fort. ". . . a large body of the enemy had landed below the Dunderbergh, and were advancing by a circuitous route to attack the fort in the rear. About the middle of the afternoon the British columns appeared, and pressed on to the assault with bayonets fixed. But our men poured down upon them such a destructive fire of bullets and grape shot that they fell in heaps, and were kept at bay till night-fall, when our folks, being worn out by continued fighting, and overpowered by numbers, were obliged to give way. Then Gov. Clinton told them to escape for their lives, when many fought their way out, or scrambled over the wall, and so got away. It must have fared badly with the rest, as the enemy after entering the fort continued to stab, knock down, and kill our soldiers without pity . . . The garrisons, or an many as could, bound not to surrender, gallantly fought their way out, those of Fort Montgomery retreating across the gully on the north side . . . The darkness of the evening much favored the escape of our soldiers, as did their knowledge of the various paths in the mountains, and a large number, with nearly all the officers, got away. But many were taken prisoners, and about 100 were slain . . ." - from "Evacuation Day" by James Riker, 1883, at 5th Regiment History. 275 men were taken prisoner, including 28 officers. These were put on transports and taken down the Hudson to New York City. After news was received of Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga, on 17 October 1777, the officers were paroled. The enlisted men were put into the prison ships where many died. See The Battle of Fort's Montgomery and Clinton for more information.

An interesting note about the uniforms worn by this regiment during the former battle.

"Colonel DuBois (5th) regiment was especially the regiment of this district, both in its membership and in its services. It was stationed in the Highlands in the spring of '77, and was there when Forts Clinton and Montgomery were taken by the English forces in October of that year. Through a mistaken conclusion, arising from the fact that they were clothed in "hunting-shirts such as farmer's servants wear," its dead in that action were ranked as militia. The facts are that the brunt of the desperate and heroic resistance which was made fell on Colonel DuBois' regiment, shared by Lamb's artillery, of which there were two companies, which were divided between three forts, the section under Captain Mott at Fort Constitution not firing a gun." - from "The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands" volumes 1-3

After the battle British General Henry Clinton wrote to General Burgoyne,

"Dear Sir,

Nous y voila [Here we are], and nothing now between us but Gates; I sincerely hope this little Success may facilitate your Operations."

General [Henry] Clinton then ordered an expedition force, under the command of Major-General John Vaughan, north to Kingston, New York. The town had, until recently, hosted the revolutionary state government and supplied General Washington's army with supplies. In retaliation Vaughan had the town burned to the ground on 16 October. Vaughan then continued up the Hudson, coming within 45 miles of Albany before encountering an American army of around 5,000 men and returned to New York City. The day after the burning of Kingston American General Horatio Gates defeated General Burgoyne at Saratoga. Burgoyne surrendered his entire army. The following references a warning letter General Gates sent to General Vaughan, dated 19 October 1777:

". . . the British infantry at Fort Montgomery executed a bayonet attack as soldiers who fought soldiers, exactly as they had been trained. Vaughan, by contrast, carried the war to the townspeople and callously destroyed their homes with winter just weeks away.

On October 17th the situation seemed hopeless. The British fleet and its marauding soldiers had become invincible and the last glimmer of hope for stopping the onslaught vanished. Then the next day two things happened. They hanged Daniel Taylor and the British were gone! James Clinton notified the Governor on October 18th:

"Five of the Enemy's Shipping Returned Down the River Last night without Doing any Damage Except firing Some Cannon and small arms at our men."

General Vaughn, Commodore Hotham and Captain Wallace had pulled in their forces and were scurrying back to New York as fast as wind and sail could take them. Despite their tactical victory, the entire expedition was doomed from the start. On October 7th, the day after Forts Clinton and Montgomery fell, Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan whipped Burgoyne at Bemis Heights. Already weakened by the defeat at Freeman's Farm on September 19th, Burgoyne surrendered on October 17th. This left Gates [after the Battle of Saratoga], with an army of 10,000 men, free to move against Sir Henry's [Clinton's] forces. That is exactly what he intended and on October 19th he sent a letter to General Vaughn which carried an ominous warning:

"With unexampled cruelty you have reduced the fine village of Kingston to Ashes and most of the wretched inhabitants to ruin. I am also informed, you continue to ravage and burn all before you on both sides of the river . . . Other Generals, and much older officers than you can pretend to be, are now by the fortune of war in my hands; their fortune may one day be yours, when, sir, it may not be in the power of any thing human to save you from the just vengeance of an injured People."

As the British retreated [back to New York City] and the Americans hanged Daniel Taylor, the 5th New York Regiment received a respite in which to collect its men and reorganize. On November 1st Captain Hamtramck made out his muster roll. He listed Sgt. Daniel Dimmick, Fifer John Eleann and 7 privates among the missing; Cpl. Joseph Pribble and 1 private as deserters; 5 privates as sick and Sgt. Alexander Humphrey on guard duty. This left him with only nine men present for duty: Ensign Hanmer, recovered from his illness; Sgts. Benjamin Lawrence and William Barken; Cpl. John Wandle; Drummer John Hains; and 4 privates, Elisha Millard, Joshua Griffin, John Hessom and John Arkles." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg 110

Fort Montgomery was lost and John Hissom claimed that the regiment's company books, including enlistment records, were destroyed while Fort Montgomery was in British hands, which makes sense. According to John's later recollections he and many of his compatriots were taken captive. Certainly Colonel Dubois was taken prisoner, on 6 October 1777 - from "Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army" by Francis Bernard Heitman. While the defeat was a bitter blow to the Americans, the delay kept Lord Clinton from reinforcing General Burgoyne's forces to the north and led to the American victory at Saratoga.

I do not see John's name on the list of men taken prisoner during the battle and the reference cited above specifically says he was not captured. It may be that John felt a need to cover up the fact that he fled the fort during its fall, as so many others did. There was no dishonor in this, General James Clinton had told his men to flee, but being taken prisoner, defending the fort to the last, makes a better story. Note that most of the enlisted prisoners who were taken ended up in the prison ships in New York harbor where they died of neglect. The fact that there is no gap in John's enlistment record also implies that if he was taken prisoner it was for a very short time.

The remains of the 5th then wintered at Fishkill, which is north of West Point, on the east side of the Hudson river.

"During the winter the 5th was in barracks at Fishkill. Its condition there was deplorable. In January, General Putnam writes: "DuBois regiment is unfit to be ordered on duty, there being not one blanket in the regiment. Very few of them have either a shoe or a shirt, and most of them have neither stockings, breeches or overalls." And Chastellux writes than many of them were absolutely naked, being covered only by straw suspended from the waist. The loss of stores at Fort Montgomery brought on this destitution very largely. It did not continue long, however, after General Putnam called Governor Clinton's attention to it, but while it lasted the people in the vicinity had a Valley Forge at their own doors." - from "The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands" volumes 1-3

"As the enemy threat dissipated Captain Hamtramck's attention turned to the business of surviving the winter. Colonel Dubois, Chaplain John Gano and Dr. Samuel Cooke all departed on furlough, while Lieutenant Colonel Bruyn and Major Logan remained prisoners and Captain Rosekrans was absent "on command". With no field officers present the . . ." pg 110

The weather turned cold by October, forcing the soldiers to live in primitive huts which provided only modest protection from the weather. At Fishkill the huts consisted of walls made of uneven stones, the cracks filled with wood and straw, a few planks for a roof and a chimney at one end. Exposed to the elements many soldiers became sick. On October 27th the New Hampshire Militia mutinied at Fishkill. Col. Philip Van Cortlandt brought the mutiny under control only after one Capt. Beal:

attempted to stop the Troops who had mutinied and was on the march headed by a Serjeant whom the Cap'. Ran through the Body with his Sword and the Sergeant as he fell fired and shot the Cap', so they both died.

Unrest among the troops became so serious that the Provincial Congress of New York increased the authorized punishment for . . ." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg 116

More on the winter at Fishkill during the winter of 1777-8:

"George Washington, however, had problems of his own. The hardships suffered by his men at Valley Forge absorbed all of the great general's resources and he could provide no relief.

It became well known that winter that Col. Dubois: has been near half his time absent from his Regiment leaving the Commd. to a Captain; the other Field Officers being prisoners.

The next senior officer, Captain Rosekrans, was absent "on command"; Captain Bevier was sick; Captain Hutchins remained absent until May when he resigned; and Captain Godwin was a prisoner of war along with Lieutenant Colonel Bruyn and Major Logan. . . . The senior captain present thus commanded the regiment, while the four of them, working together, managed day to day operations. They had to mount the guard, collect their scattered troops and recruit replacements, all in the face of insurmountable odds. The stragglers and the missing never returned, while recruiting, always difficult, had become well nigh impossible given the condition of winter quarters. With the arrival of spring the regiment, authorized 640 rank and file, counted only 162 present for duty.

Although the other companies suffered losses from desertion, Captain Hamtramck's men remained loyal to him. Of the men who fought with him at the Highlands, Sergeants Lawrence, Barken and Humphrey; Corporals Wandle and Pribble, (who had not deserted and returned to duty); John Hains, the drummer; and Pvts. Elisha Millard, Joshua Griffin, and John Hessom all stuck with him thru the winter. Of those who were sick Moses Gee recovered from his illness and returned to duty. Joseph Vanote returned to duty in January, but soon returned to the hospital where he joined James Slaven and Jonathan Chatfield, who had been hospitalized since the battle. Only Samuel Gray, listed as missing and William Patterson, listed as sick, never returned after the battle and Captain Hamtramck reported them as deserters on January 1, 1778. He also lost John Arkle, whose enlistment expired on December 10, 1777. As winter progressed extra duties, in addition to sickness, reduced the strength of his company. Sergeant Humphrey, Corporal Wandle and Pvt. Griffin were "on command"; Sergeant Barken, Private Gee, and Private Millard were in inoculation; and Privates Slaven, Vanote and Chatfield were absent sick, while the drummer, John Hains, was "on furlough". In February Captain Hamtramck received orders placing him "on command". This left Ensign Hanmer, Sgt. Lawrence, Cpl. Pribble and Pvt. Hessom present as the sole representatives of Hamtramck's company on March 1, 1778. Captain Hamtramck left New Windsor with orders to report to General McDougall at Fishkill. For the second time in his career he would be called as a material witness in the investigation of a military disaster. On February 12, 1778 George Washington had appointed McDougall president of a court of inquiry to probe the conduct of General Putnam and Governor Clinton in connection with the loss of Forts Clinton and Montgomery. At Fishkill Captain Hamtramck joined Colonel Dubois, Captain Rosekrans, Captain Stewart and Lieutenant English from the 5th Regiment, along with James Clinton, General Putnam, General Parsons, Colonel Meigs, Colonel Lamb, . . ." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg 117-118

The following are more muster and pay rolls:

1 November 1777, John Hessam Private, mustered for Sept-Nov 1777, Enlisted: 15 April 1777
12 December 1777, John Hesson Private, Enlisted: Ap'l 15 17__, Term of enlistment: D War

Muster Roll of Capt John Hamtramcks Company of Foot in the
Service of the United States of America in the Regiment
Commanded by Col Lewis Dubois taken from y. 1. of Febr. to y. 1. of March 1778
. . .
Privates
. . .
John Hessam 15 April [appointment] . . . war [duration of service]

7 January 1778, John Hesson Private, mustered through 1 Jan'y 1778
8 February 1778, John Hessom Private, on Command
12 March 1778, John Hessam Private, mustered for Feb 1778, Enlisted: April 15 17__, Term of enlistment: D War
6 April 1778, John Hessam Private, mustered for March 1778, Remarks: On Command

In the summer of 1778 the army was restructured. "In July, 1778, the five regiments [of New York] were brigaded under Gen. James Clinton." - from the "Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands" volumes 1-3.

". . . This had an immediate effect on Captain Hamtramck. On May 7th he reported only 2 sergeants, 1 corporal and 12 privates assigned to his company. By June 23d he added 30 of the nine month men for a total of 40 privates, 34 of whom served with him during the entire expedition. In conjunction with his recruiting effort General Clinton reorganized his regiments according to the Resolution of 1778. To complete the three companies assigned to field grade officers he found it necessary to transfer many officers to different companies. As a result of these transfers Captain Hamtramck lost Ensign Hanmer and gained Lt. Abraham Leggett and Ens. John Furman, both of whom remained prisoners of war [from the battle at Fort Montgomery]. Although he had no officers to assist him, he did have three good sergeants: Benjamin Lawrence, William Barken and Alexander Humphrey. In addition he had a drummer, John Ross; a fifer, Thomas Russell; and three corporals, Moses Gee, John Hessom and John Wandle. As he prepared for the expedition he could feel a sense of satisfaction. He had never commanded a stronger company.

Captain Hamtramck's concerns that summer spanned the full spectrum of logistic and administrative support necessary to maintain an army in the field and he learned his lessons well. Organization gave Clinton's army a significant advantage over the Indians. The Iroquios might mass hundreds of warriors, but they had not developed the means for providing food, shelter, sewage disposal and resupply for extended periods. Superiority of organization gave the army its edge, enabling it to conduct far ranging expeditions through an uncharted wilderness. An edge Captain Hamtramck would utilize to good advantage in years to come.

The sine qua non of any military operation of any military operation is food and water. In 1779 food was preserved by salting and drying, then packed in barrels. It often spoiled, in which case it had to be destroyed to preserve the health of the troops. A typical situation occurred on June 24th when Captain Rosekrans, Captain Tiebout and Captain Machin, detailed as a Court of Inspection, found seventeen barrels of beef and a barrel of bread unfit to issue. After allowing for spoilage, estimates of the quantities of food and supplies needed in the field required accurate estimates of the number of people the army would have to support. In 1779 this included camp followers as well as soldiers. A variety of persons, including wives, washer women, children, traders, servants and occasional prostitutes usually followed an army, often providing useful services and in many cases,. . ." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg 166

And don't underestimate the power of drink.

"That summer Captain Hamtramck had a powerful tool facilitating his leadership. Rum! If the drum regulated daily life, rum made it bearable. As important as bread or beef, rum became a staple on every supply list. Sullivan considered it so critical that he amassed 15,000 gallons of rum for the expedition." - from "Colonel J.F. Hamtramck: His Life and Times" by William L. Otten, 1997, pg 176

The company, at Peekskill, continued to keep muster.

12 May 1778, John Hasam Private, Enlisted: 31 March
23 June 1778, John Hessom Private, Peckskill, mustered for May-June 1778

John is mentioned in another document,

"The Seventh Company
John F. Hamtramck, Captain . . .
. . .
Privates for Nine Months from June 14, 1778.
. . .
John Hasom" - from "Records of the Revolutionary War," by William Thomas Roberts Saffell, George Washington, and Charles Lee

The regiment then moved south, to the old battlefield of White Plains, New York for the rest of the summer of 1778. General Washington and his headquarters were also based at Camp White Plains. At this time General Clinton, in New York City, proposed an attack to retake Rhode Island. Washington responded by threatening Kingsbridge, at the north end of Manhatten. The threat worked and Clinton hunkered down in Manhatten. Clinton spent much of the war, afraid of an American assault on the city, and denying needed troops to his field commanders in order to maintain his own forces.

22 July 1778, John Hasam Private, White Plains
1 August 1778, John Hessam Private, Pay per month 6 2/3 Doll., Amount L2, 13s, 4d.
6 August 1778, John Hasam Private, White Plains, mustered for July-Aug 1778
4 September 1778, John Hessam Private, White Plains, Remarks: On Command, Wagoner

More muster rolls for Captain Hamtramck's company:

Roll of Captain John F Hamtramcks Company Colo. Lewis DuBois Regiment New York Forces__
In the Field, on Command, and Sick in Hospital. Camp White Plains 12th Sept. 1778
. . .
In the Field
. . .
Privates
. . .
John Hessam war [duration of service]

12 September 1778, John Hessam Private, Camp White Plains, In the Field
7 October 1778, John Hasam Private, Camp, mustered for Sept 1778

On 22 October 1778 General Washington ordered Brigadier General James Clinton's brigade of 820 men, which included Dubois' regiment, to take post at the Highland pass near the Continental Village, on the east side of the Hudson - from "The Writings of George Washington" by John C. Fitzpatrick.

Later in October Clinton's brigade was ordered back to Peekskill based on intelligence General Washington had received about British troop movements in New York City. On 25 October 1778 those orders were countermanded based on a later determination that this intelligence was wrong.

"To Brig. Gen. James Clinton, at Peekskill: "This Letter is intended to countermand the orders which have been given you for marching; if therefore on receipt of it, your troops shd still be at the Continental Village, you will remain with them and revert to the instructions which you received relative to that post; if it shd find you on the march you will halt . . . at the first convenient position and wait further orders; in either case you will give me immediate notice."

1 November 1778, John Hasam Private, Continental Village, Remarks: Wagenner [sic]

The regiment subsequently moved west, into the Mohawk valley, in response to raids by the Onondaga in that region.

"In February, 1779, Gen. Clinton, having learned the Intentions of the Enemy in invading the Mohawk Settlements, marched from Albany to Schenectady, with Col. Van Schaick's Regiment (the Fifth New York Line), and ordered the Latter up to Caughnawaga. The threatened inroad was averted, but the Duplicity of the Onondaga seemed to require a summary Course by way of Punishment and Example. And in April, a Party of five hundred Men, detailed from the Regiments of Cols. Van Schaick and Gansevoort, was sent under the former to surprise the Onondaga Settlements [between Lake Oneida and Lake Ontario], and utterly destroy their Villages and Property." - from "The Order Book of Capt. Leonard Bleeker," edited by Franklin Benjamin Hough.

Muster Rolls of Capt John F Hamtramcks Company in the (5) Battalion of New York Troops in__
The service of the United States of America Commanded by Col Lew Dubois for the Months Jany. - Febr. 1779
. . .
Privates
. . .
John Hesom . . . On Comd. Jacobus Kill

10 January 1779, John Hasom Private, Schohary, mustered for Nov-Dec 1778
11 March 1779, John Hesom Private, Schohary, mustered for Jan-Feb 1779, Remarks: on Com'd Jacobus Kill
6 May 1779, John Hasam Private, Johnstown [just north of Jacobus Kill, in Fulton county], mustered for Mar-April 1779

After this John's unit became involved in the Sullivan campaign to revenge the Wyoming massacre and suppress the Iroquois Confederacy, allies of the British.

John was also listed under the surnames Hesom and Hessom, as a Private and later a Corporal, in the Fifth Regiment of the New York Line, under the command of Colonel Lewis Duboys per "New York In The Revolution as Colony and State" by James A. Roberts. This was undoubtedly the same person. Remember that John's father, Thomas, spelled his name Hesom on his marriage certificate.

Under the surnames of both Hasam and Hissam, our John were on a list of those who participated in the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, as a Corporal. I have recently found a complete version of the reference below.

"Fifth New York Regiment
. . .
The May 1779 has this officer roll:
Lewis Dubois Colonel
. . .
Eighth Company

John F. Hamtranck Captain
Benjamin Lawrence Sergeant
Alexander Humphrey Sergeant
Wm. Barkens (Barker) Sergeant May 1, 1779
Moses Gee Corporal May 1, 1779
John Hasam Corporal May 1 1779
John Wandle Corporal
John Ross Drummer
Thomas Russell Fifer
. . ." - from "The Sullivan Expedition of 1779: The Regimental Rosters of Men" by Albert Hazen Wright, page 131

"(Jno. Hissam) Corporal (see Capt. I[srael] Smith's Co.)
Wm. Whitehead Drummer
Wm. Cooke Fifer

. . ." - from "The Sullivan Expedition of 1779: The Regimental Rosters of Men" by Albert Hazen Wright, page 131

General Clinton began organizing his brigade for the Iroquois expedition on 8 June 1779. Soon after Clinton's Brigade left their Schoharie county camp and moved up the Mohawk river in batteux.

"Boats were provided at Schenectady which ascended the Mohawk to Canajoharie." - from the "History of Sullivan's Campaign Against the Iroquois" by A. Tiffany Norton

On 19 June a detachment of the brigade began to clear a road to Lake Otsego, 20 miles away. John's regiment took a muster:

23 June 1779, John Hasam Private, Cassogohary, Remarks: promoted to Corpl the first of May
23 June 1779, John Hasam Corporal, Cassogohary

The army moved out of the Cannojohary camp by regiment. John's company left on 25 June. From the Order Book:

"Colonel Dubois' Regiment will march this Morning on their Way to Lake Otsego, as soon as they are ready, together with the Train of Artillery, Military Stores, and Baggage. The Light Infantry Company of Col. Dubois's Regiment, will march in the Front of the Column, followed by the Train of Artillery, after which will march the Military Stores and Baggage, and the Battalion and the Rear of the Whole." - from "The Order Book of Capt. Leonard Bleeker," edited by Franklin Benjamin Hough

"On July 4th the third anniversary of Independence was celebrated, the General "being pleased to order that all troops under his command should draw a gill of rum per man, extraordinary, in memory of that happy event." - from "The Old New York Frontier" by Francis Whiting Halsey

Clinton's brigade encamped at Lake Otsego for over a month.

"The long Delay of the Expedition at Otsego Lake, proved very burdensome to the Army, and both Officers and Privates began to fear that the Campaign would fail in accomplishing any Results. It appears that the Cause of the Delay, was a Series of Embarassments attending the Collection of Supplies at Wyoming . . ." - from "The Order Book of Capt. Leonard Bleeker," edited by Frankling Benjamin Hough

Sullivan sent Hand's Brigade, some nine hundred men, to link up with Clinton's Column. The two columns moved towards each other burning villages between them, meeting on 19 August. Clinton's fifteen hundred men would boost Sullivan's army to a total force of nearly forty-five hundred men.

The expanded army left Tioga on 26 August. Hand's riflemen led the way, again screening the main body, while Clinton's New Yorkers took the rear, and the other two brigades took either flank, quarding the baggage train in-between. Quick word was sent back to the British at Fort Niagara that this was no militia force, but well-trained regulars led by an energetic general.

The Americans still faced many difficulties. The going was difficult, and the wagons and artillery often bogged down or overturned. However, by the 28th the column had reached Chemung, the troops fanning out to harvest the crops the Indians had abandoned.

The Iroquois and their British allies decided to ambush the Americans near the village of Newtown, resulting in the only decisive battle of the campaign. The ambush failed when an alert scouting force detected the trap. Hand's riflemen held down the supposed ambushers while Poor's and Clinton's brigades outflanked the Indian's left, coming up on their rear. The Iroquois and Tory force was heavily defeated. See also The Battle of Newtown, August 29, 1779.

Sullivan's army then carried out a scorched earth campaign, methodically destroying at least forty Iroquois villages throughout what is now upstate New York, in retaliation for Iroquois and Tory attacks against American settlements earlier in the war. The devastation created great hardships for the thousands of Iroquois refugees outside Fort Niagara that winter, and many starved or froze to death. The survivors fled to British regions in Canada and the Niagara Falls and Buffalo areas.

After the successful completion of Sullivan's campaign against the Iroquois the regiment took another muster.

Muster Roll of Capt John F Hamtramck Comp in the Battalion of New York Forces
In the service of the United States of America Commanded by Coll Lew Dubois for the Months of
June July August & September 1779
. . .
Corporals
. . .
John Hessam . . .

17 October 1779, John Hessam Corporal, mustered for June-Sept 1779

The New York brigade marched, via Easton, Sussex, Warwick and Pompton, to Morristown, New Jersey where the army went into winter quarters at Jockey Hollow.

The regiment was quartered in tents during the remarkably severe winter of 1779-80, and did not get into log huts until the snow was deep on the ground - from "The Magazine of American History."

On 29 December 1779 Colonel DuBois resigned his commission and left the regiment. He was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willet who commanded until the merger with the 2nd Regiment. DuBois went back to his home county and later led a "Regiment of Levies," a militia. Willett was not offered a position after the merger and also returned home.

Musters at Jockey Hollow:

12 December 1779, John Hasam Corporal, Camp Wich Farm [Wicks Farm at Morristown], mustered for Oct-Nov 1779
27 January 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Camp Morristown [New Jersey], Remarks: on duty
3 March 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Camp near Morristown, mustered for Jan-Feb 1780, Remarks: on furlough by Capt. Hamtramck Smith [sic] from the 14 of Feby tel 26 of February
4 May 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Camp near Morristown, mustered for Mar-April 1780

In the spring the regiment moved back to Army headquarters in the Northern Department, at West Point, where they were put on garrison duty.

5 July 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Camp West Point, mustered for May-June 1780, under Captain John F. Hamtramck, 5th Regiment, Colonel Lewis Duboys, New York Line, Brigidier General Clinton, for May & June 1780
1 September 1780, John Hessom Corporal, Pay per month: 7 30/90 Dolls

"New York Line--5th Regiment
Captain John F. Hamtamck's Company, May and June 1780
Muster Roll of Capt John F. Hamtamck's Company in the 5th New York Regiment in the Service of the United States of
America Lately Commanded by Colle Lewis Duboys for May & June 1780.
. . .
Corporals
Moses Gee
John Hasam
John Wandell
. . .
Camp West Point July the 5th 1780. Mustered then Capt John F. Hamtramck's Company as Specified in the above Roll
Nicho Fise, Inspector" - from "Muster and Pay Rolls of the War of the Revolution, 1775-1783"

The regiment then moved west to "Schenectady via Albany, where the rank and file were quartered in the barracks, and the officers billeted in private houses. This was the station of the regiment on the 1st January, 1781, when the 4th New York . . . and the 5th New York (late Lewis Dubois', under Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant Marinus Willet), were incorporated with it [the 2nd Regiment], . . ." - from "The Magazine of American History."

6 September 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Camp Stone Rabia [Stone Arabia, in the Mohawk valley], under Captain John F. Hamtramck, 5th Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willet, Esq., for July & August 1780
31 December 1780, John Hasam Corporal, Schenectady, mustered for Sept-Dec 1780

"New York Line - 5th Regiment
Captain John F. Hamtramck's Company, July and August, 1780
Muster Roll of Capt John F. Hamtramck's Company in the 5th New York Regiment in the Service of the United States of
America Commanded by Marinus Willet, Esq., Lt Colo Commandand [sic] for the Months of July & August 1780.
Nov. 21, 1776 Capt John F. Hamtramck.
Commissioned Lieut John Furman, Pris of War [from the Battle of Fort Montgomery]
Nov. 21, 1776 Ensign Abraham Leggestt do do [do=ditto, I thought the officers were paroled?]
. . .
Corporals
Moses Gee
John Hasam On Duty
John Wandell
. . .
Camp Stone Rabia Sept 6th Mustered then Capt Hamtramck's Company as Specified in the above Roll.
Nichs Fish, Inspector." - from "The John Watts De Peyster Publication Fund Series, Volume 11; Volume 48"

From the records of the 5th New York Regiment, under Colonel Lewis Dubois, the Fourth Company of Captain Philip De Bevier:

"Hissam, Jno., Corpl,, Apr 1, '77; war, Corpl. May, '79, m. [mustered] to Jan'y, '82 [sic?]. M R [Military Register]" - from "Documents Relating to The Colonial History of the State of New York" edited by Berthold Fernow.

When the 4th and 5th Regiments were consolidated with the 2nd Regiment in January 1781 John went with them, as did Captain Hamtramck. John Hessum, an enlisted man, was a member of the Second Regiment of the New York Line under Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt - from "New York in the Revolution as Colony and State" by James Arthur Roberts. Cortlandt had been a Colonel in the 4th Regiment. I have a muster card for the 2nd New York Line, similar to the one for the 5th, above, that lists a John Hessum, Corporal. John appears in musters of these New York regiments from 1777 to 1783 as John Hessom, Hessam or Hesom - from www.footnote.com.

The 2nd Regiment, now consolidated with the 4th and 5th, was assigned to the New York Brigade of the Northern Deparment. Here is a sampling of musters/pay rolls for John Hessom in Captain Henry Vanderburgh's Eighth company of the 2nd Regiment, presumably located in New York state at this time:

Pay Roll of Captain Henry Vanderburgh Company in the 2nd New York Reg
Commanded by Colo Philip Cortland for__Jan Feb March May and June 1781
. . .
John Hessem Corp . . . 44 [Dollars]

1 July 1781, John Hessom Corporal, muster for Jan-June 1781,
8 July 1781, term of enlistment: war

". . . you are to proceed (Sir in the order they are mentioned) to Springfield by the way of Sufferan [Suffern], Pompton, the Two Bridges, and Chatham . . . Given at King's Bridge this 25th day of August, 1781. Geo Washington." - from "A History of the County of Westchester."

Several anecdotes survive from Cortlandt's regiment on the march south. The stories themselves aren't very interesting, but the following does show how hard discipline was in the army of that day. Colonel Cortlandt was concerned that his soldiers were stealing from each other. In order to stop the habit he gave orders that the next man found guilty would receive fifty lashes for every shilling stolen. A man named Gregg who stole a shirt whose owner valued it at two dollars was "literally flayed." Other anecdotes reveal that the beatings did not stop the thefts.

By the second week in September Washington's army had reached Baltimore, Maryland.

15 September 1781, Jno Hessom Corporal, Baltimore, Mo pay 7 1/3 Dols [he put his mark, that is he could not write]

The Battle of Yorktown The Southern Campaign of British General Cornwallis had not been successful and in the summer of 1781 he moved north and encamped his army on a penisula at Yorktown, Virginia. Seeing a chance to trap their enemy, Generals Washington and Rochambeau began to move their armies south, out of New York, on 21 August 1781. Before Washington arrived French Admiral De Grasse was able to defeat a British fleet under Admiral Thomas Graves at the Battle of the Capes of Virginia. This ensured control of the sea for the period of the land battle to come, and cut-off Cornwallis' only line of supply or retreat. The battle itself was a siege, from 28 September to 19 October, and played to Washington's greatest asset, meticulous planning, and avoided his greatest weakness, the inability to respond quickly to rapid changes on a more fluid battlefield.

I visited this battlefield recently and the most vivid impression was how small the arena was. Yorktown is a very small town on an eminence which falls away rapidly on the seaward side. The redoubts indicated are close by the town, within a grenade throw. The American lines were within a lightly forested region surronding the town.

On 28 September the battle began with a great overnight entrenchment by the American and French forces. Duty in the trenches was taken in turn by the three divisions, Lincoln's entering on the 9th. The 2nd New York regiment served piquet guard at Yorktown. The piquet, or "picket," is an advance unit acting as a trip wire and ready force in case of a sudden attack by night. The lack of muster reports by the regiment for this period may be due to the pace of the events.

On the 9th, the same day Lincoln's division entered the trenches, the great bombardment of Yorktown began. By the night of the 11th, having silenced many of the British guns, a second trench line was constructed within storming distance of the British lines. The 2nd Regiment entered the trenches again on the 12th and completed the second parellel. The British made an assault on this line, but it failed.

"The Dutchess Regiment (now the 2d New York under Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt) mounted the Yorktown trenches on October 12, "Completing our second parallel." This was only two hundred yards from the enemy's guns. Relieved on the 13th, the regiment returned the 15th, and participated in the repulse of the English counterattack, which ended the active fighting. The next day brought the capitulation." - from "Old Dutchess Forever!" by Henry Noble MacCracken

After the battle the 2nd regiment was given 700 British and Hessian prisoners of war to conduct to Fredicksburg, Virginia. They then went into winter quarters in New Jersey, at Pompton. At this point the Revolution was won, peace only waited on the British Government to come to terms with Cornwallis' surrender.

22 January 1782, Jno Hessom Corporal, Hutts near Pumpton [Pompton, New Jersey], mustered for July-Dec 1781
31 January 1782, Jno Hessom Corporal, Pumpton
28 February 1782, John Hessom Corporal, Pay per month: 7 30/90 Dollars
28 February 1782, John Hessam Corporal, Pompton
5 April 1782, John Hessom Corporal, Furlow'd to the 10th Aprl
12 May 1782, John Hessom Corporal
10 July 1782, John Hessom Corporal

Early in the year the regiment was reviewed at Pompton, New Jersey by General Washington and his wife, Martha.

"During the spring of 1782 his camp [Col Cortlandt's] on the Flat Fields [probably Pompton Plains] was visited by General and Lady Washington." - from "A History of the County of Westchester."

At some point the regiment left winter quarters at Pompton and returned to New York, camping at Newburgh. In April 1782 General Washington had moved American army headquarters from West Point to Newburgh, New York.

8 September 1782, John Hessom Corporal
16 October 1782, John Hessom Corporal, Reduced 11th Sept [to Private, no reason given]
6 November 1782, John Hessom Private, term of enlistment: duration

Roll and Muster of the Eigth Company 2nd New York Regiment for the Month of December 1782
Capt Henry Vanderburgh
. . .
Privates
. . .
John Hessom Corp

1 December 1782, John Hessom Private, mustered for Nov 1782
19 January 1783, John Hessom Private, mustered for Dec 1782
20 February 1783, John Hessom Private, mustered for Jan'y 1783

Roll and Muster of Seventh Company 2nd New York Regiment for the Month of March 1783 [Vanberburgh's company now called the 7th]
. . .
Stephen Nicholls Corp
. . .
John Hessom Private

22 April 1783, John Hessom Private, mustered for March 1783
21 May 1783, John Hessom Private, mustered for April 1783

Muster Roll of Capt Henry V Derburgh Company in the 2nd N. York Reg. in the Service of the United States
of America Commanded by Col. Philip Cortlandt for the Months of Jan'ry Feb'ry March April May & June 1783
. . .
Corporals
. . .
John Hessum

The reference below is to the register of certificates issued by John Pierce, Paymaster General and Commissioner of Army Accounts for the United States, to Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Army under the Act of July 4, 1783. This act attempted to make good shortfalls in pay experienced during the revolutionary war years. There appear to be three certificates issued to John. A note in the explanatory text says, "Apparently it was not practicable to consolidate into one certificate all the amounts due each particular soldier, and several certificates on account of separate items of indebtedness, in some cases for as small a sum as $1, were issued to the same man."

No. of Certificate - To whom issued - Amount
57308 - Hessom, John - 30.08
56734 - Hesson, John - 78.22
58348 - Hesum, John - 80.00
- from Report of Daughters of the American Revolution in "Pierce's Register" by the United States Pay Department

John was probably home by May 1783; it was not a long hike from Newburgh.

On 26 May 1784 John 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. David and Thomas Jr., his younger brothers, were mustered in the same unit. This muster roll shows David as being in the 2nd class, John in the 6th, and Thomas Junr in the 7th. This makes sense, since it would mean the boys would be called up separately, allowing someone to remain back on the farm.

There was no listing for John in the Federal Tax lists of 1785, 1787 or 1788. However in 1786 we have,

"Heysham, John, 400 acres, surveyed Nov. 20, 1786" - from "Land Warrants for Northampton county, Pennsylvania 1752 - 1886"

"Whereas John Hysham of the County of [blank] hath requested to take up Four hundred Acres of Land, adjoining Nicholas Depui Esqr and Elijah Horton about two miles North from Delaware river and about two miles or more from John Van Campins Mills in lower Smithfield Township in the County of Northampton . . ."

"Northampton County

No. of Warrant: 274. Name of Warrantee: Heysham, John. Description of Warrant: Survey. Quantity: 400. Warrant Location: Smithfield Twp. Date of Warrant: 20 Novr 1786. Date of Return: 21 Jany 1790. Acres Returned: 425 3/4. Name of Patentee: Jacob Strowd. Where Recorded: P 16 138. Where Survey is Copied: C75 272."

Joe also showed me where to find a pdf of the plat, at John Hysham and Reverse.

"By Virtue of a Warrant dated the 20th November 1786 Surveyed the 2d December 1787 to John Hysham the above described tract of land situate about two miles from Delaware River in Lower Smithfield Township Northampton County Containing four hundred & twenty six acres three quarters & the allowance of six P Cent."

"The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Whereas John Hysham of the County of [blank]
hath requested to take up Four hundred Acres of Land
adjoining Nicholas Depui Esq and Elijah Horton about two miles North from Delaware river and about two miles in more from John Van Campens Mill in lower Smithfield Township in the County of Northampton (Provided the Land is not with the last Purchase made of the Indians) for which he agrees to pay, immediately, into the Office of the Receiver General, for the use of this State, at the rate of Ten Pounds per Hundred Acres, in Gold, Silver, Paper Money of thie State, or Certificate; agreeable to an act of Assembly, passed the first day of April, 1784 . . ."

"Quit Claim, 25 November 1786, for 5 shillings:
Grantor: John HYSHAM (M), Lower Smithfield Township, yeoman
Grantee: Jacob STROWD, Lower Smithfield Township, esquire
Property: all right and title to a warrant for 400 acres in Lower Smithfield Township adjoining Elijah HEATON [Horton], Nicholas DEPUE, esquire
History: 20 November 1786, warrant issued to HYSHAM for the tract
Witnesses: Andun S. ALDEN, Patrick MCCLUSKAY; acknowledged by grantor before Samuel PRESTON, Justice of Court of Common Pleas, on 16 December 1790; recorded 21 December 1790." - from "Abstracts of Deeds and other Property Records, Northampton County, Pennsylvania" volume 3

So here's what I think happened. John was in position to get land for a cheap price, 40 pounds for 400 acres. However, he was not in a position to raise that kind of money himself, so he let Jacob Stroud have the land, and the bill, in exchange for 5 shillings. But that amount of money can't be right, can it? I can only guess that something else was involved, a settlement of John's other debts for example, that was not considered a part of the transaction. This would be like the time I transferred the ownership of a car to my son and the paperwork said the value of the transfer was $1. The actual payment I had received had been my son's good performance in college and sterling personal behavior, but the Department of Motor Vehicles wasn't much concerned with that.

New York set aside a large acreage in the western part of the state in the Finger Lakes district for their veterans. This included 28 townships in the present counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Cortland, Oswego, Wayne, Schuyler, and Tompkins. However, as more fully discussed in 'Bounty Land Warrants,' most men sold their grants to speculators and never settled the regions set aside for that purpose. There were two land records recorded for John in New York around 1790:

"Hesum, John. N.Y. Private. 8 Jul. 1790. 600 acres." - from the "Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants" by Lloyed DeWit Bockstruck

"Name: Hesum, John Grade: Private Line: New York
Warrant Number: 7236 Acreage: 100 Issued: Jan. 6, 1791 [underwritten] to ____ not shown ____" - from the "Calendar of the N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers, Extracts."

"Hesum, John, N. Y., BLWt. 7236-100-Pvt. Issued 1/6/1791. No Papers" - from the "National Genealogical Society Quarterly"

"John Hessom . . . 600" - from "The Balloting Book: And Other Documents Relating to Military Bounty Lands"

My guess is that the warrant was transferrable based on service in the Continental Line and that John exercised the warrant in Pennsylvania.

In the 1790 census of Lower Smithfield, Northampton county, Pennsylvania as John Hysham. In the household was one woman and a boy less than 16 years old. His father, Thomas, and brothers, Thomas Jr. and David, were also living in Lower Smithfield at this time. John's eldest son, William, would have been 17 to 20 years old at this time, so the boy above may or may not have been him.

John married Mary, I think sometime between his return from the war, in 1783, and 1790, that is, when she was between 24 and 31 years old.

400 acres were again surveyed for John on 26 February 1793 on the "Main Branch Lehigh" river. Thomas Sr., Thomas Jr., and David also had land surveyed in this area at the same time. See Northampton. The patentee, that is the eventual holder of the title, was Robert Wescott. He also ended up with the the warrants of Thomas Sr., Thomas Jr., and David Heysham. The return of the survey was dated 28 October 1794, probably about the time that the sale of the warrant was made.

For the plat map see Lehigh and Reverse.

"By Virtue of a Warrant dated the 26th February 1793 Surveyed the 24th October 1793 to John Heysham the above described tract of land Situate on the Waters of Pokono and Brodhead Creek in the County of Northampton containing four hundred and two acres eighteen perches and the allowance of Six P Cent &tc."

While the plat map indicates this land was located on the Pocono and Brodhead creeks, the description in the Warrant Register described the Lehigh river. These are not one and the same. The Pocono meets the Brodhead at today's Stroudsburg.

Sometime soon after 1793 I believe John's father, Thomas Hesom, died.

Based on the movements of his brothers, Thomas and David, I believe John initially moved to the Wyoming Valley in Luzerne county, probably staying there from about 1794 to 1798. John then moved on to western Pennsylvania with his brother, Thomas Jr., and step-brother, Levi Swartwout. Little brother, David, moved back to Lower Smithfield where he stayed for a time before ultimately joining his brothers in Westmoreland county.

However, John left his eldest child, William, behind. William was probably living across the river in New Jersey with his new wife circa 1800.

By the time of the Federal census of 1800, only John's youngest brother, David, was still shown as living in Lower Smithfield.

In the 1800 census of Mount Pleasant township, Westomoreland county, Pennsylvania as John Hissim. Note the use of the Hissim spelling in his son's family back in New Jersey, below. John's brother Thomas was also listed with the Hissim spelling. John's household included one man over 45, that is born no later than 1755, one girl 10 to 15 years old [she must have been born circa 1790 since she was absent in the 1790 census], and a woman, presumably his wife, aged 26 to 44 years old. If this was our John Hissom, he would have been 54 years old in 1800. John's wife looks to be Mary, his wife at the time of his pension application in 1818, who was born in about 1759, being about 41 years old in 1800. Strangely John didn't settle that close to his brother, Thomas Hissem, who was living in Unity township, Westmoreland county at the time. John's other surviving brother, David, was still in Lower Smithfield at this time.

In 1807 a daugher, Elizabeth, was born followed by a son, David, in 1809, according to John's pension request, below.

In the 1810 census of Pitt township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hissem. Pitt township is the proto-city of Pittsburgh, just down the Monongahela river from Westmoreland county. In the household was a boy under 10, David, and a man 45 and over; that is, he must have been born before 1766. Our John would have been 64 at the time. Women included a girl under 10, Else, another 10 to 15, and a woman 26 to 44 years old, John's wife, Mary. John's brother, Thomas, had moved to Hempfiled township in Westmoreland county at this time while David had finally come out west, to East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county.

In about April 1812 John's house burned down, destroying among other things his discharge papers. During the War of 1812 John's nephews, Joab, James and David fought with the militia. James and David may have passed through Pittsburgh on their way to Norfolk, Virginia with the militia of Western Virginia.

In 1818 a pension act for veterans of the Revolutionary War was passed by Congress. At this time John was living in the village of Lawrenceville, near Pittsburgh. He may have been drawn there by the new federal arsenal which was the chief employer in the town.

Amongst a plethora of pension documents for John were,

Commonwealth of Penna Allegheny County

The Declaration made under Oath this Sixth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen of John Heisam a Soldier of the late revolutionary army, a resident citizen of the United States of America now abiding in the Village of Lawrenceville in the Township of Pitt County of Allegheny Penna and an applicant for a Pension from the United States.

Represents. That he was born on the 20th August A.D. 1747 in the Township of Smithfield County of Northampton Penna. That he is now in reduced circumstances in life from Old age disability and Losses by fire and other Misfortunes and that he is in need of assistance from his Country for Support that he has heretofore received no pension or aid whatever from the United States and if any has been allowed to him he hereby relinquishes the Same except that allowed him by the Act of Congress of the 18th March 1818.

That he was enlisted by Lieut Lawrence in the 5th Company of the 5 Regt of the New York line on Continental establishment in the Month of April A.D. 1776 [sic] for the period of three years but that at the Storming of Fort Montgomery in the Highlands on Hudson River in the State of New York the Enlistments and other papers with the Company Books of his Regiment were lost the Enemy having possessed themselves of the Same and all the Survivors of the Regiment were returned for during the War [i.e. prisoners were exchanged]. At the Storming of Fort Montgomery the Company in which the deponent Served was commanded by Captain John Hamtramkc [sic] A Canadian Frenchman. The Regt was commanded by Col Lewis Dubois. That there were five Regiments raised in New York in the Early part of the War when that State made up its Quota of Troops but through losses sustained they were afterward consolidated into the 1st and 2nd Regts when he was attached to the 2nd Regt Commanded by Col Philip Van Courtland and Served in the 5th Company [sic] Commanded by Capt Henry Vanderburgh. That his Discharge and other papers were destroyed in the Destruction of his House by fire Six Years ago last April. That he Served through the War to the taking of Cornwallis and was discharged at Newburgh on the 7th April 1783.

Pennsylvania Allegheny Co.

John Heisam X His mark

County of Westmoreland of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Thomas Hissim personally appeared before me one of the Commonwealth Justice of the peace in and for said County who being sworn as the law directs who disposeth and sayeth that John Hissim was a inlisted [sic] soldier in the Company Commanded by John Hamtrainck in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven. I was with him in the army and seen him on the Cuntary on Furlow and [garbled] sayeth that I seen him after the peace was Confirmed and had a discharge from the Redgment or Company to wich he did belong.

Thomas Hissim X His mark

Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 day of October AD 1818
Wm Hunter

Service: New York
Name: Heisam, John
Claim: S39672

Pennsylvania
4337
John Heisam
Colo Dubois 7 Private
New York Line 1776 War
the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Described on the Roll of Pennsylvania in the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 6 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 of Nov 1818 and sent Major A. R. Wooley
Pittsburgh Penna
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818 [some math follows] 31.76
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 22 Mar 1819 - 48.
$79.76
Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818
Pittsburgh Allegheny Co

The records even include the envelope in which John's petition for a pension was enclosed, addressed to J. C. Calhoun, in Washington D.C. In 1820 a new law required every pension recipient to submit a certified schedule of his estate and income. The following was that for John. It included a list of personal property and an affirmation that no property, securities, contracts, etc were due to him.

United States
Western District of Pennsylvania

On the 26th day of June 1820 pesonally appeared in open court being a court of record in and for said District John Heisam said about seventy five years [1745] resident of said District [garbled] being first duly sworn according to law [garbled] on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, to wit that in the year 1775 I enlisted at Fish Kill in the state of New York in Capt Isaac Belknap's Ranger's company. I served eight months therein, in 1776 I enlisted in Capt John Hamtramack's company in the 5th New York regiment commanded by Col Lewis Dubois and that after various services I was discharged at [Schenectady?, garbled] in said State [garbled] 1783 [garbled] being in Capt Henry Vanderburgh's company in the 2nd regiment of the New York line commanded by Col Philip Courtland. That I secured a pension on certificate No. 4337. And solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have [very garbled, but very obsequious] . . . on the 18th day of March 1818. That I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule [garbled] annexed & by me subscribed viz 3 chairs 1 table 2 bucketts 3 crocks 3 [garbled] 1 Kettle and 1 [garbled] Kettle 1 coffee mill 4 cups & 4 saucers 4 delf plates 6 [garbled] 1 sugar bowl 1 tin coffee pot 1 spinning wheel 1 small trunk 1 milch cow all worth perhaps twenty two dollars twelve & a hlf cents.

I also do declare that my occupation is a laborer, but owing to age, infirmity etc I am unable to pursue it. [Garbled] wife living with me whose name is Mary aged about fifty nine years [1759] who is likewise weak & infirm. Also a son David aged Eleven years & a Daughter Else aged thirteen years & no other family residing with me. And further deponent doth declare [garbled] he is in [garbled] indigient circumstances as to be unable to support myself without the assistance of my [struck out] his country.

John Heisam X His mark

PA Residents who were Federal Pensioners in 1820

"A list of Persons residing in the State of Pennsylvania who have been placed on the Pension Roll of the United States under the Act of Congress of the 18th day of March 1818; showing the rank or capacity in which each served, and made in compliance with a request of the Senate of Pennsylvania."

[Privates unless otherwise specified - highlighted persons are on Federal Pension Schedules for Luzerne County in the 1840 Census]
. . .
John Heisam [not highlighted]" - from the "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783"

"Heisam, John" - from Alphabetical List of Revolutionary Soldiers in "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution"

"Name: John Heisam. Rank: Private. Line: New York." - from "Letter from the Secretary of War" 1820

"NY/PA John Heisam b 20 Aug 1747, Smithfield Twp., Northampton Co., PA.
In 1820 sol, aged c75, res Allegheny Co., PA. S-39672."
- from "Revolutionary War Period: Bible, Family & Marriage Records" by Helen M. Lu and Gwen B. Neumann

There was a "John Heisham, Private" in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Agency's lists of U.S. Pensioners, of 1818-1832 and 1833-1849. His pension began on 6 May 1818.

In the 1820 census of Pitt township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hissem. In his household was a boy under 10, another 16 to 26 [David would have been 13], and a man 45 and over. Our John would have been 74 at this time. Women in the household included a woman 45 and over. John's brothers, Thomas and David, had moved to Tyler county, Virginia by this time.

In 1820 the population of Pittsburgh was over 7,000.

In 1823 John was recorded as being a Federal Pensioner living in Pennsylvania.

"PA Residents who were Federal Pensioners in 1823
. . .
John Heisam" - from the "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783"

In 1824 the Marquis de Lafayette visited the Allegheny Arsenal. This would have been a huge event in the town, involving parades and parties, and never to be forgotten by the participants.

The following is from a record of payments to soldiers of the Revolution. John's file is shown to have been transferred to the Pittsburgh office after March 1826.

"Name: Heisam John...Rank: Private...Monthly Allowance: 8...Allowance for 1-2 Year: 48...Commencement: 6 May 1818...1818: March: 0 September: 2+19...1819: 2 / 4...1820: 2 / 1...1821: 1 / 1...1822: 1 / 1...1824: 1 / 1...1825: 1 / 1...1826: 1 / transferred to Pittsburgh Agency." - from "United States Revolutionary War Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872"

In 1828 there were 200 people living in Lawrenceville.

In the 1830 census of Byardstown, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as John Hesham. In the household were a boy, 10 to 14 years old [1816-1820], a man, 20 to 29 [1801-1810], perhaps David, and another 90 to 99, who, I assume, was John wildly inflating his true age of 84. There were also two girls, 5 to 9, one girl, 10 to 14, a woman, 30 to 39, another, 40 to 49, and one woman, 70 to 79, probably Mary. Byardstown/Bayardstown, first known as the Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh, is today known as the Strip District, between downtown Pittsurgh and Lawrenceville, on the Allegheny river.

"Northern Liberties was organized and laid out in 1816 and existed until March 1837 when it was annexed by the City of Pittsburgh. It was located on the southern bank of the Allegheny River bounded by Pennsylvania Canal (present Eleventh St.) extended to Grant Blvd. (presently Bigelow) followed eastward to a point midway between 25th and 26th Streets hence along Allegheny westward to Eleventh Street. Later it became popularly known as Bayardstown for George A. Bayard, who owned several substantial tracts of land." - from "Miscellaneous History of Lawrenceville" by Joseph A. Borkowski

John Heisham "died 3d March 1834. Paid 1st Q'r 1834." according to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Agency's lists of U.S. Pensioners, of 1833-1849. John would have been 88 years old. Interestingly, John's little brother, David, died the same year, on 6 September. Another source has more information.

"Heisam, John [or Heissam, Heisham, Hessom] 1818

"Pittsburgh, 10 Mar 1834, former pensioner John Hessom died 3 March 1834, widow Mary [x her mark] collected $47.37, children Ellen and David." - from "Selected Final Pension Payment Vouchers 1818-1864, Volume 1" by Kathryn McPherson Gunning

Another document spells John's name in yet another way,

"[Name] John Husam [Rank] Private [Annual allowance] 96 00 [Sums received] 1,519.73 [Description of service] N.Y. cont'l line [When placed on the pension roll] Nov. 11, 1818 [Commencement of pension] May 6, 1818 [Ages] 87 [Remarks] Died March 3, 1834" - from "U.S., The Pension Roll of 1835"

The Pittsburgh Gazette carried a report of a David Hessom dying the same day as John.

"Obituary.
Another Revolutionary Soldier has fallen!!

Whilst the nation is mourning the loss of her great Statesmen, and illustrious Patriots, who have filled the measure of their country's glory, permit me to announce, through your columns, the departure of a soldier of the revolutionary war--one who, although occupying but an humble place in the history of the republic, yet will ever be remembered by those who were the listeners of those noble actions which ended in forming this great nation--Corporal David Hessom [sic] is no more!--This old warrior of 76, left his scene of action on the 3d inst., in the town of Lawrenceville, at the advanced age of 95 [1739], admidst innumberable generations, with scarcely a companion of former times. In writing the obituary of this valiant non commissioned officer, it is pleasing to state, that after fighting the battles of his country, and witnessing the rewards of those eventful days, which tried [garbled] died, in the possession of the faith of the Christian soldier." - from "The Pittsburgh Gazette" of 3 March 1834

The Pittsburgh Gazette published a follow-up that provided additional detail about John's funeral, which was more lavish than I had imagined.

"Internment.
Tribute of Respect to the Dead.

Yesterday, the remains of Corporal Hessom, formerly of Washington's army, were consigned to the grave, with military honors. The procession consisted of the Volunteers of Pittsburgh, with the Regulars composing the U.S. Garrison, and the citizens of Lawrenceville. The line of march commenced at one o'clock, and proceeded to the burial ground, in the vicinity of the place. When the procession arrived at the spot where the veteran and follower of the benefactor of his country was to be entombed, the firing party marched, and formed the inlines; the Commander of the Arsenal, Major R.L. Baker, delivered, in the most impressive manner, the eulogium of the departed soldier of the revolution. The whole presented a scene at once imposing and of solemn sorrow; particularly when we recollected that, in a few short years, not one of those faithfull patriots would live to tell the stories of those eventful days! No more shall the fire side witness the interesting narratives, and the history of many a hard fought battle.--In listening to the 'oraison funebre,' pronounced by the military gentleman, who done [sic] so much justice to the warrior of '76, we could not help recalling to our mind the many noble actions related to us by the old non commissioned officer, who bore ample marks of his services for the cause of his country, and at whose request the last tribute of martial honors are now paid.
Monmouth"

- from "The Pittsburgh Gazette" of 5 March 1834

I don't know where John was buried, the article above is frustratingly vague. The burial ground was "in the vicinity of the place," meaning, I guess, Lawrenceville since the citizens of that place were the last mentioned in the previous sentence. The Lawrenceville Burial Ground on Main Street and Government Way, also called the Washington burial ground, was most likely. John's son, David, was buried there circa 1850. This cemetery opened in 1814, but fell into disuse after the opening of the larger Allegheny cemetery in 1844. The old cemetery was subsequently destroyed and the bodies reinterred in the Allegheny cemetery. Records of whose remains were transferred was poorly kept and one of the few remains identified were David's. There was a burial site at the Trinity church in downtown Pittsburgh, but I wouldn't expect anyone to take such a journey when Lawrenceville already had a cemetery.

The following were the children of John Hissom (1746) that I've been able to trace. Of young William I am uncertain. He could also be the son of John's next younger brother, Thomas, who married in 1772, if we assume William's date of birth was circa 1773. There were three boys, all under 16, living with Thomas at the time of the 1790 census. Two of them were Abner (1774 or 1776) and Thomas (1778). The third I haven't identified. I don't think young William could have been the son of John's other brothers, William, Abner, or David Hissom; Abner was only 18 in 1770, William 16 and David 8. While it is conceivable that Abner was William's father, pun intended, it is unlikely from the evidence of all of the records I've seen.

No matter whose son William was, either John or Thomas, when they went west, circa 1800, they did not take the already adult William with them.
(22) William Hissam (1771)
(22) Female Hissam (c1790), in 1800 census
(22) Female Hissam (c1800), in 1810 census
(22) Elizabeth Heisam (1807)
(22) David Hessom (1809)
(22) Male Hissam (c1816-1820), in 1820 and 1830 census
(22) Female Hissam (c1820), in 1830 census
(22) Female Hissam (c1821-1825), in 1830 census
(22) Female Hissam (c1821-1825), in 1830 census

Else, or Elsie, and Ellen are dimunitives forms of Elizabeth. In 1820, while living in Pitt township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, John Heisam wrote:

"I also do declare that my occupation is a laborer, but owing to age, infirmity etc I am unable to pursue it. [Garbled] wife living with me whose name is Mary aged about fifty nine years [1759] who is likewise weak & infirm. Also a son David aged Eleven years & a Daughter Else aged thirteen years & no other family residing with me. And further deponent doth declare [garbled] he is in [garbled] indigient circumstances as to be unable to support myself without the assistance of my [struck out] his country.

John Heisam X His mark"

Upon the death of John Heisam [or Heissam, Heisham, Hessom] in 1834 a final pension payment was paid to his widow, Mary. This document identified John's two children who, I assume, were living with him,

"Pittsburgh, 10 Mar 1834, former pensioner John Hessom died 3 March 1834, widow Mary [x her mark] collected $47.37, children Ellen and David." - from "Selected Final Pension Payment Vouchers 1818-1864, Volume 1" by Kathryn McPherson Gunning

Steve Hissem
San Diego, California