Peter Lyons
Encyclopedia
Peter Lyons was born in Ireland
about 1734. He graduated from Trinity College, University of Dublin
. Following this, he came to King William County, Virginia
, and studied law under his uncle, James Power. He was admitted to the bar on February 5, 1756, and started to practice law in the county courts. On October 20, 1779, Lyons was elected to the general court, which made him an ex-officio member of the Court of Appeals
. In 1788, the Court of Appeals was reorganized and the judges, reduced to five in number, were to be elected by a joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. The first five, elected on December 24, 1788, were Edmund Pendleton
, John Blair
, Peter Lyons, Paul Carrington and William Fleming. Peter Lyons was elected from Hanover County. In 1789, John Blair left the Virginia Court to become a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States
. This left Peter Lyons the second ranking member of the Virginia Court of Appeals, which he presided over in the absence of Pendleton. When Pendleton died in 1803, Lyons succeeded him as President. He maintained this position until his death six years later in Hanover County on July 30, 1809.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
about 1734. He graduated from Trinity College, University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
. Following this, he came to King William County, Virginia
King William County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,146 people, 4,846 households, and 3,784 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile . There were 5,189 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, and studied law under his uncle, James Power. He was admitted to the bar on February 5, 1756, and started to practice law in the county courts. On October 20, 1779, Lyons was elected to the general court, which made him an ex-officio member of the Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
. In 1788, the Court of Appeals was reorganized and the judges, reduced to five in number, were to be elected by a joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. The first five, elected on December 24, 1788, were Edmund Pendleton
Edmund Pendleton
Edmund Pendleton was a Virginia politician, lawyer and judge, active in the American Revolutionary War. -Early years:...
, John Blair
John Blair
John Blair, Jr. was an American politician, Founding Father and jurist.Blair was one of the best-trained jurists of his day. A famous legal scholar, he avoided the tumult of state politics, preferring to work behind the scenes...
, Peter Lyons, Paul Carrington and William Fleming. Peter Lyons was elected from Hanover County. In 1789, John Blair left the Virginia Court to become a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. This left Peter Lyons the second ranking member of the Virginia Court of Appeals, which he presided over in the absence of Pendleton. When Pendleton died in 1803, Lyons succeeded him as President. He maintained this position until his death six years later in Hanover County on July 30, 1809.