Peter Lyon, I

Weaver

1649 Made a freedman of Dorchester

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King Phillip's war, 1675

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GEDCOM Source

@R1553321229@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=55155987&pid...

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GEDCOM Source

@R1450729002@ London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Freedom admissions papers, 1681 – 1930 1,2052::0

GEDCOM Source

London Metropolitan Archive; Reference Number: COL/CHD/FR/02/0595-0599 1,2052::150863657

GEDCOM Source

@R1450729002@ London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Freedom admissions papers, 1681 – 1930 1,2052::0

GEDCOM Source

London Metropolitan Archive; Reference Number: COL/CHD/FR/02/0595-0599 1,2052::150863657

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https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCJ2-TTF

PETER LYON on Dorchester
Lyon Memorial: Massachusetts families, including descendants of the immigrants William Lyon of Roxbury, Peter Lyon of Dorchester
[the Family History compiled by G.W.A. Lyon of Philadelphia, PA]

I, Teresa A. Chapman, Write this material into digital form, to pass down these found stories.

1. I. 1. PETER (1) LYON, born in England; married Ann

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died in Dorchester, Mass., 1693 or 1694.
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 the dear ones who he should never see again; the stronger, the comforting assurance that, in the disturbed condition of England, the Test of Conventicle Acts were little likely to cross a thousand leagues of sea. This young man was he who is known to genealogist 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 that 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 the 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 distraction of early records. It is stated in the "Annals" that "the records before 1657 were burned, and there no records of that period given a few families, and inserted in the next book of births." And so it happens that we know our first maternal ancestor only as "Ann, wife of Peter." Her personality being thus merged into 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 meagre enough.
By occupation he was a weaver.
He was made freeman in 1649.
In 1657 he received L1 (one English pound) bounty for killing a wolf.
In 1664 he signed a petition to the General Court as 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 month, and event that may have some connection with his marriage of his son nathaniel, who had a son born in Concord in 1680.
In 1672 he appears to have been much centered 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, like, 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.

His wife Ann died Nov. 26 1689. He died 1693-4. Administration on the estate of Peter Lyon, weaver, late of Dorchester, was granted to his son-in-law, Daniel Morey; amount, L35 (35 pounds) 8s. 6d. There is, however, no record of his death, and the place of his burial no man knoweth to this day."

Children of Peter and Ann Lyon, all born in Dorchester:
2. I. Mary. b. 4, 9 mo., 1650; bp; 20, 6 mo. 1651 m. Dec. 10, 1678 Josiah Winchester.
( Josiah, son of John and Hannah (Syllise) Winchester: M. Dec 10, 1678.) Mary Lyon: they settled at Muddy River. As there was apparently no other Mary Lyon on record in 1678, it may be assumed that this Mary is the one in question.
3. II. Elhanan, b. 23 7 mo. 1652; bp 3, 8 mo., 1652; m. Jan. 24, 1682, Mary --- (M -Milton Town records): d. 1689-1690.
4. III. Nathaniel, b. 28, 10 mo., 1654: bp. 31, 10 mo., 1654; m.

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; d. March 15, 1705.
5. IV. Susannah, b. 25. 1 mo., 1658; bp. 3, 1 mo., 1658; m. Daniel Morey.
(Susanna seems to have been a favorite of Peter's, and may have been named for the Susanna who was a member of the church, 1639.
6. V. Ebenezer, b. 20, 12 mo., 1660; bp. 3, 1 mo., 1661; m.

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; d. Dec. 31, 1689.
7. VI. Peter. b.

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; bp. 6, 7 mo., 1663 m. (1) about 1663, Jane Vose; d. July 7, 1733.

I, Teresa insert this note: following child number 7. we see an assumed daughter that may have been a female Israel. For our records here in Family Search, this name is not added for it is only assumed by previous research and has NO documented validity the information is as follows: 8. VII. Israel, b.

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bp. 3, 7 mo., 1665.)

9. VIII. Israel, b. 21, 8 mo., 1666; bp. 4, 9 mo., 1666; m. March 25, 1609, Hannah Hewens (B); d. Sept. 28, 1690. (D-Dorchester Town Records).
10. IX. Mehitable, b. 23 8 mo., 1669; bp.

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; m. Jan. 29, 1690, Joseph Hewens; d. Sept. 14, 1733. (C -Canton Town Records).
{Mehitable was admitted to chi. 3, 8 mo., 1690. Her husband, Joseph Hewens was on the jury which tried Goodwife Morse for witchcraft. The whirligig of time make all things even, and the compiler, a descendant of Peter, used in his courting days to be sorely tried by the witchery of his present wife, a relative of the accused.}

11. X. Eliab, b. July 12, 1673; bp. 20 8 mo., 1673.
{further entries are part of this book: Lyon Memorial: Massachusetts families including descendants of William of Roxbury, Peter Lyon of Dorchester, page 322 for Eliab.}

12. XI. Freegrace, b. Aug. 18, 1677' bp. 2, 9 mo., 1677.