Washington, Isam

Isam [or Isom or Isham] Washington was born in North Carolina and brought enslaved to Lovelaceville, KY. He was a Civil War veteran who served with the 8th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, Company "L" out of Paducah, KY; he was honorably discharged in 1866.

Isam returned to Ballard County, KY, where he later acquired 55 acres of farmland to produce tobacco. He later lost his land, then in 1900 moved his family to Massac County, IL, where he died in 1903. He had also been a minister.

Isam Washington was the father of Isam Mack Washington, the grandfather of Roy L. Washington, Sr. and the great-grandfather of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington.

For more see The Ancestry of Mayor Harold Washington (1922-1987), by C. G. Brasfield.