The Benjamin Lyons Family of Salemville, Pa.: Part 2

Benjamin married Mary “Polly” Heck, a white girl, but their marriage date is uncertain. According to a paper written by historian Frank Bayer of New Enterprise, they were the parents of five children: Mary, James H., Catherine, Richard and Elizabeth.

A fact later found in Benjamin’s will may prove that his marriage to Mary Heck was after the birth of son James H. on Oct. 8, 1826, for in the will, he calls James “son of my wife.” He refers to the other children as “my daughter Mary…my daughter Catherine.” Son Richard, born about 1829, may have died fairly young, but he was apparently married, l...