Pylant Geneology

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".
Robert Pylant's will: 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 ecutor 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.
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Robert Paylet
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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 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.

From: "History of North Carolina, Chapter LIV, Nash County":
Nash County was formed from Edgecombe County, in 1777, and named in compliment of General Francis Nash, of Orange, who fell this year at the battle of Germantown, bravely fighting for the liberties of his country.
It is situated in the eastern part of the State, and bounded on the north by Halifax, east by Edgecombe, south by Johnston, and west by Franklin.
Its capital is Nashville, and is distant 44 miles east from Raleigh.
Its population, 5,972 whites; 4,056 slaves; 629 free negroes; 9,034 representative population.
Products, 50,738 lbs. cotton; 1,165 lbs. wool; 32,325 bushels corn; 5,882 bushels oats; 833 bushels wheat.

ATTACK OF TORIES ON JAMES DRAKE, AND GALLANT CONDUCT OF HIS SON--SOOTHING EFFECT OF ONE OF THE GREAT STAPLES OF NASH.
During the Revolution there was a Captain Beard, who spread terror through this County. This account of him, and that of his death, has been narrated to me by my venerable and worthy friend Michael Collins, Esquire, of Warren, now in the 73d year of his age, and may be relied on for its correctess:--
About 1778, Captain Beard, who was a brave and gallant soldier, but mistaken in his duty, attacked the house of James Drake, Esq., of Nash County, with a band of Tories. There was at this time, in the house, no one but Mr. Drake, his son Albritain, then about seventeen, and Benjamin Bridges, his half-brother; Nathaniel Nichols, Henry Massinger, and Robert Piland. Bridges and Nichols retreated. The rest prepared for defence. Albritain, who was one of a corps of light horse, and had been in active duty scouring the country for these very men, ran out with a loaded musket and fired. The Tories then surrounded the house, and ordered a surrender. They had several prisoners, tied, with them. Old Mr. James Drake seized a gun and advanced on the foe, but his gun missed fire; William Ross, a Tory, fired at him with a gun charged with buck shot. His aim missed the old man, but wounded both Massinger (cutting off a part of his nose) and Piland (shot in the abdomen). The Tories, headed by Beard, sword in hand, rushed into the house. Beard was met by young Albritain Drake, with a cutlass; they engaged; at first blow young Drakes's sword struck the joist above his head, and broke off at the hilt; he was knocked down. The old man then joined in the melee, with his gun clubbed; but was soon cut down by the sword of Beard, and was so severely wounded that "he was a gore of blood." Seeing her husband cut down, old Mrs. Drake rushed in, not with a weapon, but with a jug of old Nash, even to this day celebrated for its excellent flavor. Her entreaties and the more potent influences of the liquor, produced a parley. She plied them so liberally with the brandy, that peace was restored. Beard had been an aspirant for the hand of her daughter. During this time Captain Peter Goodwin with a troop of horse galloped up; Albritain Drake threw up his hat, and gave a loud halloo; Goodwin made a furious attack, and Beard and his men made a precipitate retreat. In this retreat, he was encountered by Bridges, who was near. Bridges's gun missed fire, and Beard used his sword, but was knocked down by Bridges, and he fell lifeless. Bridges thought he was killed, and came to the house and informed them that he had killed Beard. They all went out to see his dead body, but Beard had recovered so as to sit up. He was then taken into custody. A negro man, Simon, who had a wife at Drakes's, caught another one of his band, named Porch. These were taken to Colonel Seawell, in Franklin County. They were tried by a court-martial, and both were forthwith hung. Such was the end of Captain Beard.
Mr. Drake lived to a good old age, and died in 1790, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. His brave son Albritain married and settled in Robeson, where his son John now lives, and then moved to Kentucky, where he raised a large family, who, and their decendants, are highly respectable and scattered over the south-western States. His son Colonel James P. Drake, commanded the Indiana Regiment in the late war with Mexico. Albritain Drake died at the advanced age of eighty, loved and respected for his kindness and virtues.

Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584 to 1851 by John Hill Wheeler [1806-1882], originally published in 1851, reprinted in 1964
Pages 274-275, Chapter LIV, Nash County

"...During the Revolution there was a Captain Beard, who spread terror through this County. This account of him, and that of his death, has been narrated to me by my venerable and worthy friend Michael Collins, Esquire, of Warren, now in the 73d year of his age, and may be relied on for its correctness:

About 1778, Captain Beard, who was a brave and gallant soldier, but mistaken in his duty, attacked the house of James Drake, Esq., of Nash County, with a band of Tories. There was at the time, in the house, no one but Mr. Drake, his son Albritain, then about seventeen, and Benjamin Bridges, his half-brother; Nathaniel Nichols, Henry Massinger, and Robert Piland. Bridges and Nichols retreated. The rest prepared for defence. Albritain, who was one of a corps of light horse, and had been in active duty scouring the country for these very men, ran out with a loaded musket and fired. The Tories then surrounded the house, and ordered a surrender. They had several prisoners, tied, with them. Old Mr. James Drake seized a gun and advanced on the foe, but his gun missed fire; William Ross, a Tory, fired at him with a gun charged with buck shot. His aim missed the old man, but wounded both Massinger (cutting off a part of his nose) and Piland (shot in the abdomen). The Tories, headed by Beard, sword in hand, rushed into the house. Beard was met by young Albritain Drake, with a cutlass; they engaged; at the first blow young Drake's sword struck the joist above his head, and broke off at the hilt: he was knocked down. The old man then joined in the melee, with his gun clubbed; but was soon cut down by the sword of Beard, and was so severely wounded that "he was a gore of blood." Seeing her husband cut down, old Mrs. Drake rushed in, not with a weapon, but with a jug of old Nash, even to this day celebrated for its excellent flavor. Her entreaties and the more potent influences of the liquor, produced a parley. She plied them so liberally with the brandy, that peace was restored. Beard had been an aspirant for the hand of her daughter. During this time Captain Peter Goodwin with a troop of horse galloped up; Albritain Drake threw up his hat and gave a loud halloo; Goodwin made a furious attack, and Beard and his men made a precipitate retreat. In his retreat, he was encountered by Bridges, who was near. Bridges's gun missed fire, and Beard used his sword, but was knocked down by Bridges, and he fell lifeless. Bridges thought he was killed, and came to the house and informed that he had killed Beard. They all went out to see his dead body, but Beard had recovered so as to sit up. He was then taken into custody. A negro man, Simon, who had a wife at Drake's, caught another one of his ban, named Porch. These were taken to Colonel Seawell, in Franklin county. They were tried by a Court-martial, and both were forthwith hung. Such was the end of Captain Beard...."

In 1776, Colonel Nicholas Long of North Carolina listed Robert Pyland, along with a group of other men named in the Edgecombe
County Petition, to receive a voucher for pay at a future time for fourteen days service in the Army.