Pylant Geneology

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.

History of Dade County and Her People, Vol. II, page 252-257:

WILLIAM JONES PYLAND

 A native of Tennessee, was born November 21, 1850, a son of Bennett Pyland and Elizabeth Pyland (cousins), both born in North Carolina, but married in Tennessee.  They came to Dade County in 1851, when William J. was a baby.  Settled nead Dadeville on rented land, where they remained for one year, then moved to Greene 

County for two years, after which they purchased the land where William J. Pyland now lives. This tract consisted of 40 acres, little improved, with a one-room log cabin chinked with cobs and mud with a stick chimney. Here they lived for six years, and here they prospered. He built an addition to the house, entered 80 acres of alnd adjoining, and at the time of his death he was the owner of 200 acres in one body. Bennett Pyland was born June 25th, 1804, and died October 22nd, 1883, on the home place in Dade County. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. church. Elizabeth Pyland, his wife, was born May 19th, 1812, and died on the home place in 1892.
William J. Pyland was of a family of nine children, two boys and seven girls:
(1) Teressa C., born March 19th, 1833, now deceased. She married J. M. Routh, also deceased.
(2) Permelia A., born February 19th, 1835, married John Lyman, and both are now deceased. He was a soldier in the Union Army.
(3) Clarinda A., born March 3rd, 1838, now the widow of W. L. Lee, and lives on the old Lee homestead in Dade County.
(4) Melissa D., born March 18t, 1841, married William McCaniel, both now deceased. They left four children, who were taken and raised by William J. Pyland. They were: Ama W., now deceased; Joseph K., now living in Oregon at Freewater, a teacher and a farmer; Bessie W., married C. R. McCalley, who is an accomplished musician and is prominent on the platform, and Laura P., who married W. J. Douglas, a Methodist preacher at Ashland, Oregon. Mr. Pyland raised and educated these children with as much care as if they had been his own.
(5) Sarah P., born January 2nd, 1843, married Jasper Blair, both living in Portland, Oregon. He is a veteran of the Civil War.
(6) Louisa Ann, born December 8th, 1844, married Frame Blair, both now deceased. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
(7) Emaline A., born December 10th, 1846, married J. C. Galbraith, now deceased. She resides in Portland, Oregon. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
(8) Joseph B., born October 19th 1848 now living in Oswego, Kansas.
(9) William J. Pyland, born November 21st, 1850.
William J. Pyland, being the youngest child, he remained upon the farm for 61 years, never deserting his father and mother. He received but a meager education in the common schools of the county, and has always been a farmer. After the death of his mother he bought out the other heirs, and now owns 120 acres of the old homestead. In 1903, he rebuilt the dwelling house, so that now it is a fine residence.
On the 13th day of December, 1893, he was married to Cora A. Kirby, born January 3rd, 1879, daughter of C. J. and Martha Speight Kirby, both are now deceased. She was the youngest of a family of four children.
William J. Pyland and wife are the parents of three children:
(1) Vernon E., born January 10th, 1895, received a good education, finished at Springfield State Normal, received a life certificate in 1915, and began teaching at Ashland, Oregon, in the primary department, where she is now located.
(2) Velma J., born February 21th, 1895, has good education, spent some time at State Normal, but finally decided upon a musical education. She is now studying music at Springfield, Missouri.
(3) Theda P., born April 9th, 1900. Is now attending the State Normal School.
William J. Pyland is a Republican and has been a school director for many years. Both he and his family are member of the M. E. Church, in which organization he has been an elder for many years.
Mr. Pyland is engaged in general farming, raises some good horses and mules, is a careful, painstaking farmer, and is a live wire on the question of good schools. Fraternally, he is a member of the W. O. W.
The Pyland family were of Welsh descent, coming across the water prior to the Revolutionary War. Robbin and Caroline (Bell) Pyland were the grandparents of both Bennett and Elizabeth Pyland, they being cousins. Bennett Pyland was a son of William and Abigail (Jones) Pyland. Abigail Jones was a daughter of Jesse and Winnifred (Speight) Jones. Elizabeth Pyland was a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Coplin) Pyland, Anna Coplin being a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Johnson) Coplin. William J. Pyland's grandfather, William Pyland, had had four brother and one sister, vis: James, John, Benjamin, Robbin and Nan Elizabeth, who married Alsie Smart and moved to Georgia. Elizabeth Pyland, the mothe of William J. Pyland, had three brother and two sisters: Cullen, James, Carney, Celia and Cloe. William Pyland was twice married, his second wife being Annie Haithcon. Bennett Pyland had four brothers and two sisters of the whole blood: Benjamin, Berton, Bluford, Bill, Winnifred, and Rebecca, and five brothers and four sisters of the half-blood: Britton, Blakley, Buckston, Branson, Brandford, Elisabeth, Caparity, Nancy and Delitha.