Pylant Geneology

Benjamin Harrison, oldest child of John Harrison, was probaby born in Virginia. He was about seven years old when his father made a deed of gift, in Prince Edward County, Virginia, giving him and his brothers & sister, all of his personal. We know from family information that his mother died and his father married again. This may have been when she died. The deed of gift was dated 19 January 1793.
Benjamin apparently grew up in Jefferson County, Tennessee where his father bought land and settled down to farm. He must have left home to seek his fortune sometime before 2 November 1810 because in his will of that date, his father stated that Benjamin had already been given a big coat, a saddle and a horse.
Benjamin traveled to Lincoln County, Tennessee and Madison County, Alabama where on 13 March 1812 he married Anna Walker, daughter of prominent early settler James Walker. The James Walker family is said to have come from east Tennessee. We do not know if Benjamin knew the Walkers before coming to Madison County or not. There were also several other Harrison families in Madison County at that time and they may have been related to the Jefferson County, Tennessee Harrisons. Benjamin's sister Polly and her husband John Buckner also moved to Madison County, Alabama and John was witness to James Walker's will in 1817. Benjamin's sister Elizabeth and her husband Troyless Barnes also moved into the area and were living in Lincoln County, Tennessee, probably near the others.
Benjamin's father, John Harrison, in his will, left him 100 acres of land in Jefferson County, Tennessee on Long Creek. Benjamin sold this land 29 November 1813.
We learn from James Walker's will, made in 1817, that Anna and Benjamin Harrison had children. Although Anna was still living, her father willed her part to his estate to her children rather than to her, but he does not name them. We know, from family information, that Benjamin & Anna had three sons: Lorenzo Dow, John and James Walker Harrison.
The 1816 State Census of Alabama lists Benjamin Harrison as living in Madison County, Alabama. This is the last record we have found of him. We do not know the date of his death nor where he is buried. A petition to sell James Walker's land for division among his heirs is signed by Troyless Barnes as guardian of the children of Benjamin Harrison, deceased.
Anna Walker, widow of Benjamin, married Kinchen Pilant on 3 October 1818 in Madison County, Alabama and when the 1840 census was taken they were still in Madison County. According to the census several children were born to Anna and Kinchen but we only have names of those who were still at home when the 1850 census was taken. These children were: Luther M. Pilant, Margaret Pilant, and Andrew Pilant.
Anna Walker Harrison Pilant and children were living in Lincoln County, Tennessee when the 1850 census was taken. By the time the 1860 census was taken, Anna, Luther, and Andrew and their families were living in Limestone County, Alabama. Mrs. Dora Daniel, great-granddaughter of Benjamin and Anna, said that Luther Pilant was a school teacher. She said he lived at Pulaski, Tennessee and was killed by bushwachers after the Civil War. She also said Aunt Calt told her that Grandmother Anna Walker had relatives in Athens and every time she went to visit them, she came home with a new bonnett.