Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

ISUM.
JOHN ISIJM.
This name is uniformly pronounced I-sum, and in a receipt
signed by him on the town records it is so written. The following
anecdote is related of him. On a list of witnesses his name was
written Isham. The judge noticed the odd name, and supposing
it to belong to an Indian, said to the sheriff in a gruff tone,
"bring that old Indian I-sham into court." Isum stepped
upon the witness stand, and the judge to his surprise saw a well
dressed, genteel man appear instead of the old dirty and ragged
Indian that he expected. So great was the contrast that he
apologized to Isum for his rudeness. The earliest notice of him
that I find is in 1677, but he had been of Barnstable for some
years previous. Dea. William Crocker gave him one right in the
meadows, which indicates that Isum had lived with him when a
boy, or perhaps it was in consequence of his marrying a daughter
of his second wife.
John Isum was admitted a townsman March 4, 1692. He
was entitled to a share in all the divisions of the common lands,
and in the last he had 20 3-4 rights. He resided at Osterville.
He married Jane, daughter of Robert Parker, 16th Dec. 1677.
She was born March 31, 1664, consequently was not fourteen at
the time of her marriage. The record of his death, Sept. 3, 1717,
is erroneous, for his will is dated June 1, 1713, and was proved
on the 10th of Oct. following. The will of the widow Jane Isum
is dated April 13, 1715, proved 24th February, 1719-20. In his
will he names his three sons and six daughters, showing that they
were all living in 1713. He appoints his wife Jane and his son
John executors.
Children horn in Barnstable.
2. I. Jane, 7th Oct. 1679, married Michael "Wilson 16th
April, 1718.
3. II. John, 25th Aug. 1681.
4. III. Isaac, Feb. 1682-3. (See below.)