The name of the founder of this family in America, like those of many other families, as the public records show, underwent various changes...and was not fixed until near the close of the seventeenth century, so that of "Kissam" it is most unquestionable, as we say, of American origin.

 

John Kissam, of Flushing, L.I., born July, 1644, of English origin who was the progenitor of this family in America, and then known as John Ocasson [or Ockeson as it was written in the "Albany Records"] had license from the Provincial Secretary dated July 10th, 1667, for marriage with Susannah, a daughter of William Thorne, of Jamaica, L.I.  The same person, under the name of "John Ockeson," purchased a farm of John Smith, February 4th, 1678, on Great Neck, in the same county, to which he then removed.  His sons were Daniel, John, and Thomas.  Under the date of March 26th, 1695, this same individual conveyed to his eldest son a part of the same farm by deed of "John Kissam and Susannah, his wife, to Daniel Kissam," which is recorded in the office of the County of Queens.