The earliest reference I’ve found to a LEES family in Lissan on the 1831 census.

1831 Londonderry Census
John Lee, Ballybriest, House No. 32; 2 Males, 1 Female; 3 Presbyerians

As there are no earlier listings in the usual earlier record sources (tithe, flax growers and religious censuses), It seems likely that the family moved to the parish at a later stage.

John Lees c.1797-1885 & Isabella [likely Hagan] c.1806-1890 from Ballybriest

The couple may be the following one recorded in the Tyrone Presbytery marriage records
9 Jan 1826 John Lees in Magherafelt, m. Isabella Hagan in Cookstown, wit. Wm Taggart & John Hagan

I’ve identified 7 children to the couple so far, though there way have been more;

  1. Isabella Lees b. abt 1837 Co. Derry, m. William Crooks 1855 Lissan, d. 1905 Lissan
  2. Mary Lees b. abt 1838, m. John Fleming, d. unknown
  3. Matilda Lees b. abt 1842, m. William Donaghy, d. 1900 Lissan
  4. Margaret Lees b. abt 1848 Co. Derry, m. 1st David McGirvey, 2nd John Speers, d. aft 1901
  5. William Lees b. abt 1853, m. Margaret Jane Wilson, d. 1911 Lissan
  6. Annie Lees b. abt 1855, d. 1880 Lissan
  7. Eliza Lees b. abt 1860, m. William Taylor, d. unknown

Children’s ages are all based on later records and may not be accurate.