In 1908, John was embroiled as defendant in a court case, brought against him by a widow in her 40s, that he had apparently 'promised to marry and leave his farm etc' to. It seems his sons-in-law had stepped in once John had gone to the registrar and had his and the woman's names 'put up' , to persuade him not to proceed to actual marriage.The court described John as being 80yrs old, whilst the plaintiff had believed him to be 73.
The Lisburn Standard of 17th October 1908, has the full story.