JAMES PYLAND’s will was probated in Isle of Wight, Virginia. He was christened in St. Mary’s Le Porte, Bristol, England, August 30, 1607. (27) James immigrated, by 1642. Destination: destination unknown. James and Alexandria came to America by 1642, and settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Headright for 746 acres was claimed by Francis England in Isle of Wight County Virginia on June 20, 1642 for the transportation of 15 persons from England to America. James Piland and his wife, Alexandria, are among the persons arriving. Headright claims for 650 acres was filed November 11, 1642 by John Sweete, Isle of Wight County, Virginia, for the transportation of 13 persons Alexandria and Joane Piland were listed among the persons arriving. James and wife, Alexandria, the females, Alexandria and Joane, all probably emigtrated three years or more prior to 1642, because, Headright claims were not to be demanded until the emigrant had stayed in Virginia for three years. Joane and Alexandria were probably the daughters of James and Alexandria Piland. The old spelling of Jane was Joane. Headright claims for 43 person, including Richard Piland (Pyland), were made on November 20, 1683 by Peter Wycke and John Leneare (Lanier). The Headright system was a successful plan used to populate the colony. Every shareholder/stockholder in the Virginia Company who transported an emigrant, whether free or bond, to the colony, could claim fifty acres as Headright if the emigrant remained in Virginia for a period of three years. The person claiming this Headright was expected to furnish each one he transported with a small tract of land and the necessities of life. The indentured servant signed a contract that specified the terms of this servitude. He also relinquished his right to the free grant of 50 acres of land that was offered to those who would immigrate to the colonies. This land was given to the person who paid their passage and who claimed them as indentured servants. After the terms of the agreement were up he could then become free to acquire his own land. Some claims were made as long as 13 years after their date of immigration. Multiple claims have been documented for the same persons who were able to pay their own passage to take several trips back to England and then returned to Virginia. This Headright claim was usually made by a relative in behalf of the traveller. Francis Hill, Mary his wife, John Powell, Eliza Webb, Sarah England, Jon Lippett, Jon Sykes, Robert Davis, John Brent, Edward Palmer, Jon Action, Thomas Coggin, James Piland, Alexandria his wife. (Cavaliers &amp; Pioneers - Abst. of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666 Nugent 755 NUG Vol. 1. page 140.) James served in the House of Burgess in 1653. He was expelled for “cavalier sympathies”. Upon the Restoration he was returned to the House of Burgesses in 1859. The Biographical Dictionary of Early Virginia, 1607-1660 listed John Pyland as a Member of the House of Burgesses, 1652, Isle of Wight County. James Pyland was also listed with the same date and County. Those serving in the House of Burgesses 1658-59 representing the Isle of Wight County were: Col. Robert Pitt, Major John Bond, Capt. English, Mr. James Pyland. The first representative legislative body in America was the House of Burgesses. It was the first in any English colony. Jamestown was the capital of Virginia and they first met on July 30, 1619. Two citizens (Burgesses) from each burrough/subdivision of Virginia attended the sessions. The House was given the authority to make all legislation (1621), but the governor and his council had the right of veto. English law was used in the House and they followed the Englis Parliament procedures. The House claimed the right to act on all tax laws. The House of Burgesses impeached Gov. Sir John Harvey because he fought them, and the English government recalled him in 1635. thereafter, the House managed the affairs of the colony. The failure of Gov. Sir William Berkeley to call a new election to the House was one of the many grievances which led to Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. James Pyland and John Hammond were Burgesses from Isle of Wight County, Virginia in 1652 and their cavalier attitude is recorded in historical records. Hammond wrote so strongly about the powers that be, that he was expelled for “libell”, and James Pyland entertained, aided and abetted Thomas Woodward, a violent royalist, who had been assayer to the London Mint, and was dismissed in 1649 by Bradshall, President on the Council of State because of his opposition to Parliament. He came to Virginia vowing that he would never see England again until his Majesty’s return from exile.
In 1653, soon after Virginia yielded to the authority of the Parliament, the two representatives from Isle of Wight, John Hammond and James Pyland, were expelled from the House of Burgesses - the one because of his “scandalous” character, and “being a frequent disturber of the peace of the country’, and the other because of his “abetting Thomas Woodward”, a noted loyalist, in his “mutinous and rebellious declaration” against the Parliament.
John Hammond moved to Maryland, where he was a friend of Lord Baltimore. In the will of John Vasser written January 14, 1650 he wrote, “My will and pleasure is to appoint Mr. James Pyland and Thomas Waller my overseers of this my Last Will and Testament over all my Estate”.
In the will of John Oliver, written April 19, 1952, he wrote, “I do appoint my loving friends James Pyland and Robert Bird, Overseers. James Pyland as Testes”. JAMES PYLAND, 300 acres Isle of Wight County, February 19, 1662, page 268. bounded Wly, with land of John Oliver,&amp; Ely with land of Xpher. Flinton. Granted to Thomas Greenwood February 23, 1652 & due sd.
Work:  Pyland as marrying the relict of sd, Greenwood. (Cavaliers and Pioneers - Abst. of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623- 1666 Nugent 755 NUG Vol. 1, page 480.) Wills, Isle of Wight County, Virginia: January 14, 1650 - James Pyland, overseer. October 26, 1652 - James Pyland, witness to will of John Stiles. June 16, 1655 - James Pyland overseer, witness - John Oliver April 19, 1952. April 9, 1658 - James Pyland witness to will of Thomas Greenwood, wife Elizabeth, executrix, son Edward Greenwood, grandson Edward Greenwood. February 29, 1653 - James Pyland - will- wife Elizabeth executrix.