Isaac Van Wart: Shoemaker, Father of 11, and Patriot

Today's post will tell the story of my 7th great grandfather, Isaac Van Wart. Before I begin I would like to preface that this is not the Isaac Van Wart who captured Major John Andre during the Revolutionary War (although they are related). This Isaac, like many others, was one of the revolutionary war veterans who weren't honored with a section in the history books, but whose sacrifices should not be forgotten.

Throughout records he is most commonly known as Isaac Van Wart (1) and is sometimes also referred to as Isaac Van Waert (2). Isaac was born in about 1750 (3) to his parents Abraham Van Wart (2)(11) and Anna Maria May (12). On the 13th of April, 1751, he was baptized in the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow in North Tarrytown, New York (2).

The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow. (source)

Upon reaching adulthood Isaac began working in the cordwainer trade (8), crafting shoes out of leather (8).

In the year 1777 Isaac, unmarried and just 27 years old, was commissioned as a 1st Lieut. in Capt. Jacob Wright, Company in the late Philip V Cortland Regiment, on the continental Establishment in which company and regiment he served as Lieut. from that time until the spring of the year 1780, when he retired from the service of the revolutionary war (5). During his service he was engaged in the battles of St. John's, Quebec, White Plains, Hackensack Bridge, Saratoga, Monmouth, and Stony Point (18).



Between the battles of Monmouth and Stony Point, on the 24th of  January 1779, Isaac Van Wart married Amy Bishop in Crompond, Westchester, New York, USA (15). Their marriage was solemnized by Rev. Samuel Sacket, a minister of the Gospel and regular standing in the Presbyterian church and presiding pastor in the Presbyterian church (17).

On the 10th of November, 1779, Isaac and Amy's first son Abram Van Wart was born (16).

In the spring of 1780 Isaac was discharged from service due to a dislocated knee(5).

Following his discharge came the birth of his two next children: Thomas Van Wart on the 26th of November, 1781 and John Van Wart in May of 1783 (16). In total they would have 11 children together, with only 8 being alive in the year 1821 (16).  According to Amy, none of her children were ever baptized, and the only birth records of her children (contained in an old family bible) were destroyed due to overuse (17).

After the end of the revolutionary war in 1783 Isaac, Amy, and their family moved from Mount Pleasant to Pittstown (4).

On the 23rd of September, 1818, Isaac Van Wart was granted a pension for his service amounting to $20 per month to commence on the 14th of April, 1818.

He continued working in the Cordwainer trade until he could no longer, and as a result was able to provide for himself and his family (his wife as well as his minor grandchildren Henry Van Wart and Lavilla Van Wart). Listed below is are his personal property he owned in July of 1820 and the amount of money said items were valued at at the time (8).

1 cow - 12.0
1 Hog - 4.0
1 pair fire tongs - 1.25
1 pair Irons - 1.25
6 old chains - 1.50
1 table kitchen use - 1.50
3 old chests - 2.0
6 tea cups and saucers - .50
6 knives and forks - .50
1 scalpel - 0.18
1 milk cup - 0.06
6 Spoons - 0.37
6 plates - 0.25
1 Tea Kettle - 0.50
2 Iron Pots - 1.75
2 pails - 0.62
1 Mash tub - 0.87
2 milk pans - 0.31
One old kit of shoemakers tools 1.0

Isaac died before his wife on the 13th of July 1840 in Pittstown, Rensselaer County, New York, USA (4).

Sources

1. 1790 U.S. census, Westchester, New York, p. 168 (written), col. 1, Isaac Van 

     Wart; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 3 

     Sep 2018); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm 

     M637, roll 6.  .... 2565 New York Rolls, pg. 3, Isaac Van Wart (1st 

     lieutenant New York Line in the army of the United States during the 

     revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary 

     War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; 

     Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA 

     microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of 

     Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; 

     digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 14 Dec 

     2018). 

2. First Tarrytown Church (North Tarrytown, New York, USA), U.S., Dutch 

     Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 [database on-line]. 

     Provo, UT, USA, "First Tarrytown Church, Church Records, 1697-1817,"  

     Isaac Van Waert 1751 baptism record; p. 91; digital images, 

     Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 3 Sep 2018). 

3. pg. 9, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

4. pg. 12, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

5. pg. 5, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

6. 1790 U.S. census, Westchester, New York, p. 168 (written), col. 1, Isaac Van 

     Wart; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 3 

     Sep 2018); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm 

     M637, roll 6. 

7. 2565 New York Rolls, pg. 3, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in 

     the army of the United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land 

     warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land 

     Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and 

     Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 

     2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 

     15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; digital images, 

     Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

8. pg. 10, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

9. pg. 9, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018).  .... pg. 10, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New 

     York Line in the army of the United States during the revolutionary war), 

     bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and 

     Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War 

     Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm 

     publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans 

     Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; digital 

     images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

10. pg. 11, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018). 

11. First Tarrytown Church (North Tarrytown, New York, USA), U.S., Dutch 

     Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 [database on-line]. 

     Provo, UT, USA, "Record Book of the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow; 

     Members, Baptisms, and Marriages, Indices,"  Abraham Van Weert; digital 

     images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 3 Sep 2018). 

12. "in the U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 

     1500s-1900s," database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 

     4 Sep 2018), entry for Martin May; Date of emigration and place of 

     settlement. Extracted from the last page of a Lutheran churchbook in 

     Bonfeld (part of the city 6927 Bad Rappenau, Landkreis Heilbronn, 

     Baden-Wurtemberg); JONES, HENRY Z., JR., and ANNETTE K. BURGERT. "A New 

     Emigrant List: Bonfeld, 1710-1738." In Der Reggeboge: Quarterly of the 

     Pennsylvania German Society (Breinigsville, PA), vol. 14:4 (Oct. 1980), 

     pp. 3-20; Place: New York, New York; Year: 1717; Page Number: 12; citing  

     Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. 

     Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012. 

13. pg. 11, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 16 Dec 2018). 

14. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 

     January 2018), memorial page for Amy Bishop Van Wart (unknown–17 May 

     1848), Find A Grave Memorial no. 68253994, citing East Pittstown Methodist 

     Cemetery, Pittstown, Rensselaer County, New York, USA ; Maintained by 

     Denise F (contributor 46518282) .  .... pg. 12, Isaac Van Wart (1st 

     lieutenant New York Line in the army of the United States during the 

     revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary 

     War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; 

     Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA 

     microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of 

     Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; 

     digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 14 Dec 

     2018). 

15. pg. 11, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018).  .... pg. 32, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New 

     York Line in the army of the United States during the revolutionary war), 

     bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and 

     Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War 

     Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm 

     publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans 

     Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; digital 

     images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 16 Dec 2018). 

16. pg. 15-16, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 16 Dec 2018). 

17. pg. 11, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the 

     United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 

     18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application 

     Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant 

     Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records 

     of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, 

     Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : 

     accessed 14 Dec 2018).  .... pg. 15, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New 

     York Line in the army of the United States during the revolutionary war), 

     bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and 

     Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War 

     Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm 

     publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans 

     Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; digital 

     images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 16 Dec 2018). 

18. pg. 18, Isaac Van Wart (1st lieutenant New York Line in the army of the United States during the revolutionary war), bounty land warrant file W. 18239; U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C; digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed 29 Dec 2018).