His first name was Israel and Bissel is a Yiddish name so he had to have been Jewish. Sorry.
Israel was a very common colonial name. It is very unlikely that he was Jewish.
Have you never taken a black history class. This person’s real name was Islam BaShall. It was changed in history books to Israel Bissel by white historians.
This was a very common thing to do in Colonial Times. It is only in the past 15 years that this revisionist history has come to light.
Mr. BaShall was actually considered a Renaissance man in his time. He not only ran a successful farm outside Boston but there is also historical evidence that he dabbled in wind and solar power.
He also was the first American to cross grow a Dahlia Orchid with the common Jack in the Pulpit. He was responsible for the introduction of the flower commonly known as The Black Dahlia.
He had 8 children, two of which helped found Texas A&M. Mr. BaShall lived well into his eighties.