James Lyons, son of Samuel

James Lyons was born about 1804 in Northern Ireland to Samuel Lyons; mother's name unknown. Family sources in Ireland say he was a carpenter and a farmer. He married Nancy Lamont, born about 1805 in Northern Ireland. James and Nancy had 10 known children:

• James - born about 1833, was a farmer who never married. He died in 1917 in Ireland.
• William John - born about 1834, was a farmer who married twice. He died January 21, 1890 in County Antrim, Ireland.
• Samuel - born about 1836, died young according to family sources.
• Mary Ann - born about 1840. Married Robert Biggart on January 10, 1860, in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland. They had 13 children, 3 of whom emigrated to the U.S., according to family sources.
• Samuel Lamont - born about 1841 and died 1915 in Ireland. He was a carpenter and farmer, and was married twice according to family sources.
• Robert Steen - born about 1842. He was a farmer and a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. Robert married Isabella Trolland, daughter of Archibald Hart and Mary (Elder) Trolland, on August 29, 1872 at the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church, County Antrim, Ireland. Robert died in 1909.
• Nancy - born about 1844. Married Thomas Kelly on February 18, 1874 at the Ballymoney Reformed Presbyterian Church, County Antrim. Nancy died in 1935.
• Josiah - born 1846 in Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland. He was a farmer. Josiah married Annie Boyd Lyons, daughter of Martial Lyons, on October 30, 1877 at the New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, County Londonderry. They had 10 known children.
• Alexander Stavely - born about 1848, he was a Presbyterian Minister. Alexander married Margaret Jane Nevin, daughter of John Nevin, on August 27, 1878 at the Clarendon Street Reformed Presbyterian Church, Templemore, County Londonderry. Alexander died in 1908.
• Moses Chestnut - born about 1852, he was a shopkeeper. He married Jennie Dunlop, daughter of William Dunlop, on June 4, 1880 at the Ballywatt Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, Ballyrashane, County Antrim. Moses died in 1917.

James died in 1870 and Nancy died in 1862, in Ireland.

Which Lyons Is Our Direct Line Ancestor??

According to family sources in Ireland, a Joseph Lyons leased land at Drumaheglis, Ballymoney, in 1763 on the lives of 3 sons: James, born circa 1739; John, born circa 1741; Hugh, born circa 1744.

One of these sons - John - is believed to be the father of the following children:

• Samuel - born 1764, died 15 October 1863 in his 100th year [see previous posting]
• Elizabeth - nothing more known
• Joseph - living in Ballymoney in 1814
• Mary (?) - married a Mr. Chestnut [this name is probably not correct, see my note below]
• Sarah - married Mr. Hemphill [see previous posting]
• James - born 1777, died 1866; emigrated to South Carolina 1804/1805 [see previous posting]
• Other brothers

Above is taken from a hand-written family tree chart.

[NOTE: The Mary(?) mentioned above who married a Mr. Chestnut is probably not her correct name for 2 reasons - first, her name is followed by a (?) which would indicate the author was not sure of her name and second, my 3rd great grandmother Mary (Lyons) Smith was a sister to the above siblings but is not listed on the chart. It would appear that 2 daughters have been mixed up.]

I feel that the above information is mostly correct, as the other information on the family tree chart matches up with my research with just a few discrepancies. If anyone can shed any light on Joseph Lyons and his 3 sons, or can provide any kind of documentation, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.