Peter Lyon

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGD-T5

Notes:

Somewhat more than two and a half centuries ago, there walked the lanes of Good
Old Dorchester a young man in whose breast were struggling conflicting
emotions: the weaker, perhaps, a yearning for dear ones whom he should never
see again; the stronger, the comforting assurance that, in the disturbed
condition of England, the Test and Conventicle Acts were little likely to cross
a thousand leagues of sea. This young man was he who is known to genealogists
as Peter Lyon the First.

Of his antecedents and of his age nothing is known with certainty. As to his
English home, all data point to London of either Essex or Middlesex stock.
That he was made freeman in 1649, and his first recorded child was born in 1650
indicate that he was born between 1620 and 1630. It is possible, indeed, that
he was twice married, and that Susanna, member of the First Church in 1639, was
his first wife. This supposition might account for some of Lyon name who
appear at an early date, but who have no apparent connection with those whose
position in the colony is definitely known. Unless we assume, however, that
while Susanna was a member, Peter did not qualify for citizenship for some
years after his first marriage, this supposition must be rejected.

Much of early Dorchester history is forever lost through the unfortunate
destruction of early records. It is stated in the "Annals " that "the records
before 1657 were burned, and there were no records of that period given by a
few families, and inserted in the next book births." And so it happens that we
know our first maternal ancestor only as "Ann, wife of Peter." Her personality
being thus merged to that of the head of the house, we have of her family not
even that vague and barren statement of old Judaean days, "Peter's wife's
mother lay sick of a fever." That she lived her uneventful life, and died at
her appointed time is all that ever will be known.

The short and simple annals of Peter's life are meager enough. By occupation
he was a weaver. He was made freeman in 1649. In 1657 he received
for killing a wolf. In 1664 he signed a petition to the General Court an
inhabitant of Dorchester. In 1665 he granted a strip of ground for a highway.
He was given permission to entertain Peter Green. of Concord, into his family
for one mouth, an event that may have some connection with the marriage of his
son Nathaniel, who had a son bornn Concord in 1680. In 1672 he appears to have
been much concerned about his sons, for in answer to a summons from the
Selectmen, he reported that they follow their employment, and that he would
look diligently after them. He served on the jury in cases of appeal, life,
limb and banishment, 1675-77-85, and in 1681-2 held what would now be
considered the very undesirable office of tithing man. He sold a house and lot
on Green St. to the Davenports in 1693.

Administration on the estate of Peter Lyon, weaver, late of Dorchester, was
granted to his son-in-law, Daniel Morey, carter, of Boston. Jan. 8, 1694.
Inventory presented by Daniel Morey; amount, 35 pounds, 8 shillings and 6
pence.

Record of his death, and the place of his burial no man knoweth to this day.
33. Ann TOLMAN, died on 26 Nov 1689 in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 320-321.

Peter married Ann Tolman 26 Nov 1649, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Ann (daughter of Thomas Tolman) was born Abt 1628, Of Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts; died 26 Nov 1689, Dorchester, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1HKL-09

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 321.

Mary married Josiah Winchester 10 Dec 1678, Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: MGM9-JK

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 321, 322.

Elhanon married Mary 24 Jan 1682. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGG-TF

Notes:

Of Nathaniel also very little is known; and he also preferred fighting to
weaving, for we find him in garrison at Springfield in 1676, during King
Philip's War. He was in Dorchester in 1700; but had a lease of land in Canton
from the Indians, and had 50 acres laid out to him by the proprietors on the
road leading to Dry Pond. His wife died March 27, 1705 in Dorchester; and the
Dorchester record, "Nathaniel, d. March 15, 1705," evidently refers to him.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 323.

Nathaniel — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGG-VL

Notes:

Baptism date may be incorrect.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 321.

Susannah — Daniel Morey. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGD-M4

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 321.

Ebenezer — Mrs. Ebenezer Lyon. [Group Sheet]

Ebenezer — unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGG-WR

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 321.

Peter married Jane Vose Abt 1686. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGG-XX

Notes:

Died young.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 322.

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGG-Z4

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 322.

Israel married Hannah Hewins 25 Mar 1690. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGH-08

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 322.

Mehitable married Joseph Hewins 29 Jan 1690. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TGH-1F

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 322.

Other Events:

• AFN: MGM9-G7

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 322.

Notes:

Batch #: M502203, Source Call #: 974.461 V26, 397047

No children of Nathaniel are recorded in Dorchester or in Canton records, but
the persistency of family names was very strong in Peter's line. It may, then,
be presumed that had Nathaniel had children, he would have handed down the
name. There appears in Needham a Nathaniel, who from the date of birth of his
eldest son would appear to have been born about 1710, and who died there in
1760. As this name does not occur in the Roxbury line, this Needham family
will.be assigned to a place among Peter's descendants, unless the assumption be
subsequently disproved. The name Thomas, occurring in the will of Nathaniel
without apparent cause, suggests that he may have had a brother Thomas.

Lyon Memorial lists birth as 28 December 1680.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 323, 329.

Nathaniel married Esther White 27 Nov 1707, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 323.

Zachariah married Sarah Drake 21 May 1729. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 323.

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 323.

Notes:

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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 329, 333.

Nathaniel married Mary Lyon 17 Sep 1734, Roxbury, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Not confirmed.
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Reference:
"Lyon Memorial", A. B. Lyon, 1905, p 329.