The following pension on Robert Nelson Pylant is contributed by Joy Gallagher.
Bounty Land File #65810 for service during the Cherokee Indian War by Robert Nelson Pylant, second son of John and Martha “Patsy” A. Hilliard Pylant.

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The State of Alabama County of Coosa The State of Alabama, County of On the 8th day of January A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one personally appeared before me a Judge of Probate…within and for the County and State aforesaid, Robert Pylant [listed in subsequent documents as Robert N. Pylant] aged thirty years, a resident of Coosa County in the State of Alabama, who being duly sworn according to Law, declares that he is the identical Robert Pylant who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain G. W. Hudlow, in the Tennessee Regiment of militia, commanded by Col. H. Youkim, in the War with the Cherokee Indians or aiding in removal of the same, in the year 1838 [other pages of file state 1836], that he volunteered at Franklin County State of Tennessee, on or about the seventh day of May 1838 [other pages of file state 1836], for the term of three months, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of about two months, and was honorably discharged at Fort Cass Tennessee, on the 12th of July A D 1838 as will appear by his original certificate of discharge herewith presented….

Robert N. Pylant’s pension application #3728 for service during the Cherokee Indian War State of Florida County of Polk On this 8th day of June A.D., one thousand, eight hundred and ninety-six personally appeared before me, W. H. Johnson, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, R. N. Pylant aged 75 years, a resident of Homeland, County of Polk State of Fla. Who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical R. N. Pylant who served the period of ninety days in the Cherokee disturbance service of the United States in the Cherokee removal of the Cherokee Indians from the State of Tennessee, who enlisted under the name of R. N. Pylant at Winchester County of Franklin State of Tennessee on the 7th day of May 1836 as a Private in Company of Captain G. W. Hudlow’s Co. Tenn. Vols. Commanded by Colonel H. Yokum and was honorably discharged as a Private at Calhoun Tenn. 1836. Since his discharge from said service he has resided as follows: I resided after discharge from said service in Coosa County Ala. about 15 years, have lived in Fla. since about 36 years Polk County….[later in file states his name is Robert Nelson Pylant and then signs it as such] Applicant declares that he was born at Jones Cross Roads, County of Wake and State of North Carolina, that he was at the date he rendered said service 16 years of age…

Tombstone in Homeland Cemetery, Homeland, Polk Co., FL inscribed:
Rev. R. N. Pylant
Sept. 5, 1820
Dec. 5, 1905

Bartow Courier-Informant-issue December 7, 1905, page 1, Death of R. N. Pylant. On Sunday last, December 3rd, Robert Nelson Pylant, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Polk County died at his home near Homeland in this county. Mr. Pylant was born in South Carolina [should be North Carolina-see pension application above] on the 5th of September, 1820 and was therefore more than eighty-five years of age at the time of his death. He removed to Florida in 1858 and after living in Tampa for several years came to Polk County and settled at Homeland, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a soldier in the Confederate service during the war [no service record in this war has been found], serving his state faithfully in her time of need and since that time he has been one of her best citizens. He was not only a consistent Christian but labored in the vineyard of the Master for many years as a local preacher of the Baptist church. Mr. Pylant was twice married, his second wife surviving him [in fact, he was married three times]. He also leaves two daughters and one son and a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The daughters are; Mrs. B.F. Stokes and Mrs. L.H. LaRue [initials should be M. H.], and the son of J. B. Pylant, former county commissioner and at present game warden of the county. The burial took place at Homeland on Monday afternoon, the Masonic fraternity of which the deceased was a member, conducting it according to their beautiful and impressive ritual.

Robert N. Pylant’s widow’s pension application #10098 for his service during the Cherokee Indian War State of Florida Polk County. In RE N10098 Widow of Robert N. Pylant Before the undersigned authority personally appeared Frank Wilson who being first duly sworn deposes & says that he is a regular practicing physician in said County & State; that affiant was well acquainted with Robert N. Pylant in his lifetime; that affiant was his attending physician when he the said Robert N. Pylant died; that said Robert N. Pylant died on the 3rd day of December A. D. 1905; that affiant knows of his own knowledge that said Pylant is dead; that there is no public record kept of his death in this County, to wit, Polk County, Florida, in which said County, near the village of Homeland, the said Robert N. Pylant died as aforesaid. Frank Wilson M. D. Subscribed & sworn to before me this 20th day of February A. D. 1906 A. B. Ferguson Clerk Circuit Court Polk County, Florida

1850 Coosa Co., AL census nine households from his half-brother, John Allen Pylant
Robert N. Pylant 30 NC
Manurva 25 AL
Lenacen 6 AL
Eliza 3 AL
Warren 1 AL
Esther Casey 50 TN

Coosa Co., AL Marriage Book A, page 128: 20 July 1843 Robert N. Pylant and Minerva Casey married by Guy Smith, J. P.

1860 Hillsborough Co., FL census household #420/334
August 25, 1859 Robert N. Pylant married 2nd Susannah Carlton in Hillsborough Co., FL

1880 Polk Co., FL census Robert was a widower again with children Bordman J., Helen, Adella B. and Susan J. Robert was 60 born NC and his father and mother were born NC.

Putnam Co., FL Marriage Book A, page 193: October 12, 1881 Robert N. Pylant and Mrs. Elizabeth Howard [nee Barker] married in Orange Lake, Putnam Co., FL by Rev. William Carlton