SIXTH GENERATION

6. Robert PYLANT (PYLAND) (PILAND) was born about 1739 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He signed a will on 16 Dec 1783 in Chatham Co, NC. He died in Jan 1784 in Chatham Co, NC. ⁽⁵⁾ He had an estate probated in Feb 1784 in Chatham Co, NC. Robert was probably born in the 1740's in Virginia and apparently came
to Edgecombe County, North Carolina to marry (probably about 1770).
His wife, Caroline, was a daughter and co-heir of Thomas Bell. No
record of this marriage is preserved, but Robert inherited a third of
the Bell lands which totalled 221 acres and purchased the other
segments from his in-laws.
Robert's lands on Swift Creek were in the part of Edgecombe County
that became Nash County in late 1777. His name is on the "Petition of
Inhabitants of Edgecombe County Regarding Dividing of Edgecombe Into
Two Distinct Counties" of November 1777.
Robert sold the land on Swift Creek in November 1783 and moved to
Chatham County, North Carolina. He must have fallen ill shortly after
moving to Chatham County; he made his will there (using the spelling
"Paylet") on 16 December 1783. The will was probated in February 1784
and the clerk's annotation more familiarly gives the name as "Pylant".
[UL:Robert Pylant's will: :UL]December the 16 day 1783 In the name of
God amen I Robert Paylet being very sick in body but of perfect mind
and memory thank God for it calls to mind the mortality of my body and
knowing it is provident for all men to die I recommend my soul into
the hands of God that gave it and my body to be buried in a
christianlike manner at the discretion of my executor and touching
such worldly affairs as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give
and dispose of in the following manner Viz
I give to my well beloved wife Caroline all my worldly goods lands and
tenements during her life or widowhood freely to be enjoyed and at her
death my loving children to have a equal part as they marry or come of
age to have their part equally divided amongst the whole James Paylet
William Paylet John Paylet Robert Paylet Benjamin Paylet and
Elizabeth Paylet and I leave Richard Dreack my trusty friend wholly
and solely my executor of this last will and I deny all and every
other former will or testament and this to be my last will signed
sealed and declared in the presence of the subscribers and witness my
hand and seal the day and year written.
his
Robert Paylet
mark
James Sillars
Joseph Griffin
"Isle of Wight Orphans and Other Children" - abstracted by Louise
Jones.
Isle of Wight Order Book 1755-1757, page 39: February 5, 1756 - Robert
Pyland, orphan of James, is to be bound out.
CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DEEDS, Book D, page 122: Robert Pyland
estate by Exr deeded from John Johnson This indenture made this tenth
day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty four and in the eighth year of American Independence between
John Jones of the state of North Carolina and county of Chatham of the
one part and Richard Drake the executor of Robert Pyland dec'd of the
other part witnesseth that the said John Johnson for and in
consideration of the sum of fifty pounds current money to him in hand
paid by the said Richard Drake the executor aforesaid the receipt
whereof the said John Johnson doth hereby acknowledge the said John
Johnson hath granted bargain and sell alien and confirm unto the said
Richard Drake as aforesaid his heirs and assigns forever all that
tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the said county of
Chatham it being part of the tract of land which the said John John
purchased thence along the said Willis' line to .... thence down the
said to the Buffelow Branch thence up the said Branch to the first
station the same containing by estimation fifty acres more or less and
also all lands trees bloods and under woods with common of pasture
profits commodities advantages hered .... ways waters and
appurtinances whatsoever to the said tract or parcel of land and
premises above mentioned belonging or in anywise apopertaining and
also the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents and
services of the said premises and of every part thereof and all the
estate right title interest property claim and remand whatsoever of
him the said John Johnson of in and to the said tract or parcel of
land an premises and every part thereof to have and to hold the said
tract or parcel of land and all and singular the said premises above
mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with appurtinances unto
the siad Richard Drake as aforesaid his heirs and assigns to the only
proper use and behoof him the said Richard Drake and the lawfull heirs
of the said Robert Pyland dec'd for themselves their heirs and assigns
forever and he the said John Johnson for himself and his heirs the
said tract or parcel of land and premises and every part thereof
against him and his heirs and against all and every other person or
persons whatsoever to the said Richard Drake as executor as aforesaid
his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by
these presents. In witness whereof the said John Johnson hath
hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first
written. Signed seal'd and delivered in presence of John Ramsey. John
Johnson Chatham County August Term 1786 This ... was dully
acknowledged in open court and ordered to be registered. Clerk
CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DEEDS, book N, pages 79 & 80: John
Jones deeded to Robert Pyland heirs This indenture made this 10th day
of February in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
three between John Jones of the county Elbert and State of Georgia of
the one part and the heirs of Robert Pyland dec'd to wit James Pyland,
William Pyland, John Pyland, Robert Pyland, Benjamin Pyland, Elizabeth
Pyland of the county of Chatham and the state of North Carolina of the
other part witnesseth that the said John Jones for and in
consideration of the sum of one hundred and sixty pounds currant money
of this state to him in hand paid by the said Robert Pyland deceased
the receipt whereof the said John Jones doth hereby acknowledge the
said John Jones hath granted bargained and sold aliened and confirmed
and by these presents doth grant bargain and alien and confirm unto
the said Pylands their heirs and assigns forever all that tract or
parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Chatham
aforesaid on the north side of Haw River beginning at a line on the
River running north forty four degrees, east sixty four poles to a
Black Oak thence north seventy eight degrees east one hundred and two
poles south seventy degrees east thirty seven poles to a line thence
south twelve degrees east to a certain line of marked trees ... of the
same survey to John Lambeth thence running the said line of marked
trees said Lambeth sold line thence running Lambeth line to the river
thence up the various courses of the river to the first beginning this
land is part of a survey of three hundred and seventy one .....
surveyed for John Jones but one hand .... old from it the balance
remaining two hundred and sixteen acres more or less this balance was
conveyed from John Jones to Robert Pyland .... with all the
appertaniances there unto belonging to have and to hold the above
granted and bargain premised with all the appertainnaces thereunto
belonging unto them the said Pylands their heirs and assigned forever
to there ...proper ... and benefit and behalf and the said John Jones
doth hereby bind himself his heirs executors and administrators
covenant to and with the said Pylands their heirs and assigns forever
to warrant and defend the above granted and bargained premises with
all the aperrtainnances thereunto belonging with them the said Pyland
their heirs and assigns forever against all lawfull claims and demands
whatsoever in witness whereof the said John Jones hear unto set my
hand and seal the day and year above written signed sealed and
delivered in the present of William Clark. Adam Jones
From "Historical Southern Families", 975-D2b Vol. 1, pp. 260-261.
Robert Piland was in the home of James Drake, Esq., of Nash Co., NC on
a night in 1778 during the Revolution when Capt. Beard with a band of
Tories attacked there. Also in the house were Mr. Drake, his son
Albritton, about 17 years old, Benjamin Bridgers, his half brother,
Nathaniel Nichols, and Henry Massenger, and "old Mrs. Drake", who was
in another room. Albritton Drake was one of a corps of light horse and
had been on active duty scouring the country for these very men. He
ran outside and fired at them. The house was then surrounded by the
Tories and they ordered the men inside to surrender. Old Mr. Drake,
gun in hand, advanced on the enemy. Beard was the leader and he and
his men rushed the house. Albritton Drake swung his cutlass, but hit
the joist above his head and broke his sword at the hilt. Old Mr.
Drake began clubbing the Tories with his gun but Beard's sword struck
him down. Old Mrs. Drake entered the room with a "jug of old Nash" and
she kept the brandy flowing until all was peaceful again. This had
been fairly easy because Beard had been a suitor for her daughter's
hand in marriage. Finally Capt. Peter Goodwin and his light horse
troops rode up and made an attack on the Tories who beat a hasty
retreat. Benjamin Bridgers and Beard struggled. Ben's gun misfired
and Beard used his sword. Bridgers thought he killed him after he
knocked him down. Bridger went inside and told the men that he had
killed Beard whereupon all rushed out to see the dead body. Beard
wasn't dead, but was sitting up and was captured. Later, Beard and
another man named Porch were tried by Court Martial and hung.

He was married to Caroline BELL (daughter of Thomas BELL and Martha (UNKNOWN)) about 1767 in Edgecombe Co, NC. Caroline BELL was born about 1740 in VA. Robert PYLANT (PYLAND) (PILAND) and Caroline BELL had the following children:

+7 i. Benjamin PYLAND.

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