NINTH GENERATION

78. William Jones 'Billy' PYLAND was born on 21 Nov 1850 in Marshall Co, TN. He appeared on the census in 1880 in Dade Co, MO. He appeared on the census in 1880 in Dade Co, MO. He appeared on the census in 1900 in Dade Co, MO. He appeared on the census in 1900 in Dade Co, MO. He appeared on the census in 1910 in Dade Co, MO. He appeared on the census in 1910 in Dade Co, MO. He died on 28 Aug 1952 in Mead, KS. He was buried on 31 Aug 1952 in Dade Co, MO. Copy of letter dated Nov 26, 1950, Lewisburg, Tenn. Rt. #LA - Porter
Nickens - written to Uncle Billy Pyland on the occasion of his 100th
birthday celebration.
Dear Mr. Pyland, I know that you will be surprised to hear from me, an
utter stranger, but the fact is this, that after having read and
enjoyed an account of your 100th birthday celebration I wanted to make
bold and write and congratulate you upon having attained your 100th
birthday. I hope that you may have many more. There are several
reasons why I am writing you, not because I am related to the Pyland
family by blood, but only by marriage. My only brother married Flora
Bell Pyland, daughter of the late Warren Pyland who died here 80 years
ago next month. Warren Pyland's father was Hardy Pyland and today I
have talked with Miss Etta Hill, one of our oldest residents. She
thinks Mr. Hardy's father (was) a brother of your father or
grandfather. Another reason for writing, I live 3 miles N.E. of
Farmington and my place joins the old Bluford Pyland farm. What I
know of Bluford Pyland was told me by the widow of Rev. Robert Freeman
who lived on the old Bluford Pyland farm from 1875 up into the early
20's of this century. She told me that Bluford lived where her garden
then was, in a big cedar two story house. He was a batchelor (sic) and
usually had some family living in the house with him. About the time
of the Civil War he and the man and his wife that was then living with
him were over across the branch, on a slight rise picking cotton in a
field of a few acres. Someone happened to look up and saw that the
house was in flames. When they got there it was too late to save much
of the furniture and in the rush all of them forgot Mr. Pyland's
money, of which he was reputed to have a nice sum, which was most
likely buried under the house, as succeeding events proved. After this
Mr. Pyland erected or at least started another log house of one story,
a bit out in front of where (the) other had burned. I think he died
before it was finished, and Rev. and Mrs. Freeman from Bedford County
bought the place and moved there and added more to the house. They
made their garden where the house had burned, and for many years
afterwards when (their) garden was being plowed small silver coins
would be plowed up. Some of them being half dimes. Some were in
(good) condition. Some of them I have seen. Mrs. Freeman died about
1923 and the farm was sold for division. The man who bought the place
tore the log house away and built one out closer to the road. The
garden spot is where your Uncle Bluford's house burned. I was a kid
when Mrs. Freeman told me these things, pretty much interested and
wish I had listened more closely. Miss Hill tells me that her parents
lived there in the house with Mr. Bluford one year soon after they
were married. I was just wondering if this could not be where you
were born also? Getting back to Warren Pyland, he was twice married.
First to a Noblin, then to a Cleek. He had four children, Willie
deceased, Flora, my sister-in-law, Minnie and Mai. He had two
brothers, Jim Matt and Newton, who moved over Petersburg way, and
changed the spelling of their names to Pylant. There are a lot of
folks over in the Petersburg community who are named Pylant, but they
are just plain old Pylands. Mr. Warren's mother was an O'Neal. Mr.
Warren had several sisters, one of whom married a Rankin. I can
remember Mr. Warren quite well. My brother and sister-in-law live
here near me. Mr. Hardy Pyland and his wife, also Mr. Warren and his
(wife) lies here buried in the old Mt. Lebanon church cemetery. His
last wife is still living. I also knew Mr. Budd Pyland but what his
given name was, I do not know. I think he was a first cousin to Mr.
Warren. He lived to be past 80, having died about 7 years or so ago.
I am surprised at your family being Methodist, not that there is
anything wrong with being a Methodist since my parents were Methodist,
and I used to be but rather because all of the Pylands that I ever
knew were Missionary Baptists. Here in our neighborhood sometime away
before 1830 a Primitive Baptist church was erected close to the
present Mt. Lebanon cemetery. The name of this church has long been
lost to the memory of man. About 1834 a dispute came up in this
church regarding missions and the church was bursted (sic) up. There
were two O'Neal brothers who were members of this church. One stayed
with the Primitive Baptist and the other went with the Missionary
church. One of the brothers gave a tract of land up the road about
two miles and the primitive Baptist erected a big log church which
they called New Zion which stood there until 22 years ago and it grew
so weatherbeaten that long before my day people called it Old Zion or
the Old Baptist. The other O'Neal brother gave a lot a few hundred
yards across the creek from the old Mt. Lebanon cemetery, and on this
in 1844 was erected a big log church dedicated as Mt. Lebanon
Missionary Baptist church. This stood until in 1885 (when) a nice
large frame church was erected just back of the old log church site.
This stood in its turn until Sunday morning Feb 26, 1950 when it
caught (fire) from the flue and burned just after we had gotten home
from Sunday School. A nice new church (frame) stands on the ground
where the other burned and we have it completed except for sanding the
floors and building the porch in front and maybe a cupola or steeple.
Outsiders sent donations as far away as Mayfield, Kans. and so far we
do not owe a cent on the building. It has a membership of 176 and we
are mostly poor folks. Awhile ago I spoke of one of Mr. Warren
Pyland's sisters having married a Rankin. Her name was Molly, and she
has a daughter by (the) name of Mrs. Nannie Powell, or Mrs. Zeek
Powell living close by. Mrs. Powell is about 80 and one of the most
active and lovable old ladies that I ever saw. She still takes an
avid interest in all current affairs such as the Korean war, keeps up
with the radio and newspapers, and still does her own housework. She
perhaps knows more about the Pyland family when it comes to away back
than any other living person. If you cared to write to her I am quite
sure she would be delighted to hear from you, and if you are as
interested in your ancestors as I am, I am sure you would enjoy
hearing from Mrs. Powell. I don't suppose you remember anything about
Tenn. as it seems you were so young when you left here, nor do I
suppose to take either of our Marshall County papers, so since an
account of your celebration appeared in both county papers I am
sending you one account, and keeping the other for my scrap book. My
hobby is collecting antique clocks. I also repair them. I have a
right nice small collection. Pardon taking up your valuable time, and
I say Sincerely yours, Porter Nickens
Moved to Dade Co, MO in 1851.

He was married to Cora A KIRBY on 13 Dec 1893 in MO. Cora A KIRBY was born on 3 Jan 1869 in MO. She died on 15 Nov 1966. She was buried on 17 Nov 1966 in Dade Co, MO. William Jones 'Billy' PYLAND and Cora A KIRBY had the following children:

+229 i. Vernon Elizabeth S PYLAND.
+230 ii. Velma J PYLAND.
+231 iii. Theda P PYLAND.

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