Samuel Lyons

Samuel Lyons was born in 1764 in Drumaheglis, Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland. He is the brother of Mary Lyons Smith, Sarah Lyons Hemphill, and James Lyons about whom I have previously written.

According to family sources, Samuel may have been married 3 times. He had 2 children who are believed to be from Samuel's third marriage:

• James - born about 1804 and died about 1870 in Ireland. He was a farmer and a carpenter. James married Nancy Lamont.
• sister - no more information is available

Samuel died at the home of his son James in Ballygan, Ballymoney, on October 15, 1863, in his 100th year. He is buried in the graveyard beside the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church.

The information on Samuel was provided by Leone Lyons in letters to the family. Samuel was her husband's great great grandfather.

Sarah Lyons

Sarah Lyons was born in Northern Ireland, circa 1770, exact date and place unknown. She is the sister of James Lyons (who I wrote about in 2007) and Mary Lyons Smith, my 3rd great grandmother. The parents are unknown at this time, however, some family sources seem to believe the father is a John Lyons.

Sarah married Hugh Hemphill, also born in Ireland, sometime before 1795 in Northern Ireland. They had 3 known children:

• Esther - born about 1795 in Ireland and died September 16, 1869, according to family sources, probably in Monroe County, Indiana. She married William Semple in Ireland about 1815.
• John - born about 1798 in Ireland and died after 1880, possibly in St. Clair County, Illinois. He married Mary Reid about 1823-1824 in Ireland.
• Matthew - born October 18, 1801 in Ireland and died December 18, 1865 in St. Clair County, Illinois. He married Matilda White in Ireland. Matthew and Matilda are buried in Marissa Cemetery.

Sarah and Hugh Hemphill both died in Ireland. Family sources say they are possibly buried in Coleraine, County Londonderry.