Alexander Lyons Sr.

Alexander Lyons Sr. was a Presbyterian farmer in Knockantern, Macosquin. He appears on record in Griffiths Valuation at Farm #2 as a tenant of Messrs. McCready. There he held 35 acres of land and a house rated at £2 5s. 

His parents were: Joseph Lyons  (1766-1846) and Hannah Lyons (1781-1869) of Knockenetern.  In 1833, John Lyons of Knockanturn emigrated to Quebec. 

In 1883, on account of his declining health, Alexander sold the lease to his farmland (retaining the farmhouse).

[Coleraine Chronicle 11 August 1883]

IMPORTANT SALE VALUABLE FARM OF LAND, AND CROP AT KNOCKINTERN 

I have received instructions from Mr. ALEXANDER LYONS (on account of declining health), to Sell by Auction, upon the Premises, on WEDNESDAY, the 15th AUG.. at 11 o'clock, his INTEREST in all that FARM and PREMISES now in his possession. The Farm, which is situate at KNOCKINTERN, about 11 miles from Coleraine, is in the very highest state of cultivation, well-watered, fenced, drained, &c.; contains, 33a 2r 11p, statute measure, or thereabouts, and is held under T. U. GREER, Esq., who is a most indulgent landlord, at the Judicial Rent of £34 etc. There is upon the Farm a very comfortable Dwelling House and extensive Office Accomodation, all in good repair. Immediately after the Sale of the Farm will be Sold the following CROP, comprising— About 11 Acres Prime Oats, about 14 acres of Potatoes (champions and sherries), 14 acres of Turnip., One Field Upland Hay, in cocks. Terms—For Farm. £20 percent. Deposit at time of Sale, the remainder on getting possession; for Crop, Approved Security at 3 Months. Purchasers to pay 3 percent. Auction Fees at Sale. GEORGE MOONBY, Asst. Knockintern 28 July 1883. 

After this, possession of his farmland transferred to Alexander McElwinne.

Alexander died a bachelor (at home in Knockantern) in 1895 with his brother Hugh Lyons (bachelor) present at death. In 1896, Hugh Lyons (1819-1910) was named as the lessor of the house. He appears in the townland of Ballindreen Irish, Knocantern in the Census of 1901 along with John Lyons (b.1855) also a bachelor. 

 

 

 

 

In 1884, Alexander Lyons Jr. (born 1868) a laborer at Ballycairn, Macosquin married Jane Dunlop. He was living in Clintagh, Aghadowey in 1903 when (widowed) he remarried Margaret Stewart of Garvagh. This record states he was the son of Alexander Lyons, farmer.