In the American Revolutionary War, Kissams fought on both sides - for British Loyalists and American Patriots.  A 2002 article by historian George Williams in Long Island Forum about the Port Washington peninsula (Long Island) gave this information about Daniel Whitehead Kissam (1728-1808): 

 

"Daniel Whitehead Kissam was a patriot and a member of the New York State Assmbly in 1786.  Because of his loyalty to the Revolutionary cause, Kissam was punished during the American War of Independence when the British and their allies occupied Long Island.  The Hessian unit of the mercenary troops, 'The Free Battalion of Hesse Hanau,' was stationed at Kissam's Cow Neck home during the occupation.  Daniel Kissam survived the war, dying in 1808." 

 

More recently, George Williams wrote a two-act play about the town of North Hempstead's secession from the Town of Hempstead (Long Island) on September 23, 1775, in which Daniel Kissam played a key role:

“At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Hempstead and North Hempstead constituted a single town.  While the Town of Hempstead was overwhelmingly Loyalist, supportive of King George III, those residing in the northern section of the Town were predominantly Whigs or patriots, in favor of ending the oppressive actions of their Mother Country.  The ideological differences eventually led to a deep division within the Town of Hempstead.  With little hope of compromise, the patriots of the northern neck issued a Declaration of Secession on September 23rd, 1775 which led to the informal creation of the Town of North Hempstead.  In 1784, North Hempstead officially seceded from the Town of Hempstead by Act of the New York State Legislature.  Few are aware that the will to secede dates back to the year of 1775.”   - Margaret Whitely, The Roslyn News, Oct. 13 2005.

One of the leaders of the secession was Daniel Whitehead Kissam, a signatory of the declaration and a member of the militia company.  In celebration of North Hempstead's 230th anniversary, Toby Kissam  played the part of his distant relative in the reenactment of the moment of secession.  Town officials also took part in the celebration, dressed in period costume, as did members of the audience, who offered cheers and jeers as would have been heard at a 1775 town meeting.   From the September 18, 2005 issue of the New York Times:

“Toby Kissam, a distant relative of Daniel Whitehead Kissam - one of North Hempstead’s  founding fathers - will play the part of his great-great-great-great-great-uncle in the reenactment. Mr. Kissam lives in Northport and is president of the Kissam Family Association, which tracks the descendants of a family that settled Long Island in 1640.”  In that same article, Jon Kaiman, North Hempstead town supervisor is quoted, “As far as we can determine, we are one of the first communities in the 13 colonies to have seceded from England when we seceded from Hempstead.”  

After the performance in the park across from Town Hall in Manhasset, a procession was led  to Daniel Whitehead Kissam’s grave at the Episcopal Church.  Speaking in character, Toby read his part:

 “ I am, dear sirs, Daniel Whitehead Kissam and I’d like to thank the Town of North Hempstead for inviting me back for this celebration.  I am a 4th generation Kissam in America and my nephew Toby who has participated in these proceedings is a 10th generation Kissam. Although my wife Ann Duryea and I did not have children, Toby is a descendant of my brother Joseph who is buried just a few feet away from here.  It must be hard for you today to imagine the activity on the Cow Neck peninsula during the last quarter of the 18th century when I lived here with my brothers and cousin.  Today, if one chooses to participate in the election process, there is usually a choice between a Democrat and a Republican.  In 1775, individuals and families had to make a choice, a choice that many times divided friends and families.   It was a solemn but grand day in 1808 when my family and friends laid me to rest at this site, 33 years after I lead a group of my fellow citizens in a decision that changed the course of history.”