Thomas HYATT, Abel, HYATT, EDWARD HYATT and Jacob Shook were among the very first few white settlers to Haywood County N.C. area in around 1780 and settled on what was later known as John Turpin's place or Turpin's Chapel. Was wise enough to befriend the Indians and welcom them to his cabin... it is said they declared "We let him stay, no harm", Hyatt, him good man." In 1780 the English were entrenched on Kings Mountain, near Gastonia, and it was a period of time when many mountaineers of Western North Carolina had declared their independence... and were ready to fight for it. So when the Revolutionary War came on, he enlisted in the cause of American freedom, (and for eight years followed the fortunes and mis-fortunes of Washington, Greene and others. His name being among the ten inscribed on the tablet that was erected by the DAR in front of the Haywood Co. Courthouse. After the war, and just after the 'Big Pigeon ' Treaty had been made with the Cherokees about 1785 or '86), EDWARD HYATT settled in this county, which was then Burke. He then went back to Morganton, and after a short while returned with three or four of his sons, two Negroes and a pack horse loaded with provisions. It is said that he made a crop that year which was probably 1785. Late in the fall he returned to Morganton for the rest of his family. EDWARD HYATT was a devout man; and he probably built what was the first Baptist Church in Haywood County. It was a small log house and stood near present Turpin's Chapel and John Turpin's place. He reared a family of six children: Shadrack, Elisha, Nathan, Abel, Alice and Airee. EDWARD HYATT lived on "Hiatt's branch of Richland Creek" in 1810 (Entry No. 196), where he had moved from the Turpin's Chapel vicinity. "HYATT and Thomas Lived Among the Indians" The Early settlers of this mountain section generally made friends with the Indians on arriving here. And some of the whites, like EDWARD HYATT and Wm. H. Thomas . greatly befriended the Cherokees. The old "Indian Trail" (mentioned in Haywood's earliest records) was one of many Indian trails found throughout this region. It ran from about the present site of Cherokee village to Waynesville. At the Waynesville end it came into the (then) Howell Mill Road at the present Band Mill place. EDWARD HYATT was seeing much of his Cherokee Neighbors. As well established tradition has it, the Indians often visited in the home of Mr. and Mrs. HYATT. (This was characteristic of the tribe whenever they were befriended). HYATT would invite them to "put feet under table": and it appears that Mrs. HYATT would also give them food in case her husband was away from home. Edward Hyatt's will is on record in the office of the clerk of the court in Waynesbville and in it he mentioned his beloved wife, Hannah, but there is no other record found of her there? 1817 Haywood Co NC Will Bk. 3, pg. 104-106 Feb. 1817- Edward Hyatt = In the name of God, Amen. I, EDWARD HYATT of the county of Haywood and the state of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory (Blessed be to God), do this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife HANNAH HYATT the use and benefit of all the personal property I am possessed, after my just debts are paid for and during her natural life widowhood and also that she be supported on the plantation, and have the house I live in for the term, above set for. Secondly I give and bequeath to my oldest son, SHADRACK HYATT, a lively cow and calf with such property as I have heretofore vested him with. Thirdly I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter, ALSI HYATT ALLEN wife of WILLIAM ALLEN the sum of one dollar with such property as I have heretofore given her. Fourthly I give and bequeath to my son ELISHA HYATT one dollar with such property as I have heretofore given him. Fifthly I give and bequeath to my daughter AIRY HYATT YOUNG wife of JOSEPH YOUNG the sum of one dollar and such property as I have heretofore given her. Sixthly I give devise and bequeath to my son NATHAN HYATT and his heirs forever one hundred acres of land, lying and being in said County of Haywood on the Caney Fork of Tuckesijah River. Also a young Negro girl named Celi, the oldest child of my Negro woman. And it is further my Will and Desire that if my Negro woman should hereafter have other child that may live to the deceased of my beloved wife, that I will the same to my said son NATHAN HYATT and his heirs forever. Also a horse of reasonable value or the gray horse which he now has in his possession, also such other property as I have heretofore vested him with. Seventhly I give and devise to my youngest son ABLE HYATT and to his heirs forever the tract of land on which I now reside, after his mother's decease, he the said ABLE supporting and maintaining her during her natural life or widowhood and as I have stated in the first part of this instrument that my beloved wife is to be supported on the plantation, yet it should yet it should happen that her life be prolonged until my son ABLE HYATT may marry, on such event then it is....... of the said plantation be giving her a sufficient and decent support with such stock, and Negroes as she may he in the possession of.And further should it so happen that my son NATHAN HYATT be put off the Indian land where he is now settled, and is willing to, then he is to have a reasonable lease, if he chooses the same on that part of my tract of land, at, and above the old store house until he can settle himself elsewhere. Also further it is my will and desire that after my old wife's death. that the whole of my property except what is especially away in the forward part of this will immediate descend and become property of my said son ABLE HYATT and his heirs forever. And furthermore, I do by these presents nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved wife HANNA HYATT and my two sons ELISHA HYATT and ABLE HYATT together with my friend ROBERT LOVE of said County, Executors of this my last will and Testament. And I do by these presents publish and declare this and none other to be my last will and Testament hereto revoking, disallowing and disannulling all and every former or other Will + Testament by me heretofore made. In Witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, and do publish and declare the same . this day and date above written. EDWARD (X) HYATT Seal ... In Presence of : HUGH DONALDSON JAMES LOVE SAM STEVELAW ...A copy of this will was transcribed and sent to me by Millie Stinnett 1837 Haywood Co,NC col. Robert Love's Diary for 1837-38= "Tuesday 10 January 1837-This morning had the appearance of being a moderate day and we made preparation And moved up to where John Henson once lived, and this night MRS. HYATT died." Census records: 1800 Buncombe Co NC pg 173-Edward Highett, 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 female 10-16 , 1 male 16-26, 1 female 16-26 ,1 male over 45, 1 Female 26-45: 1820 Haywood Co NC pg 222 Able Hyatt 1 male 26-45 1 female over 45+ (Hannah Hyatt) 1830 Haywood Co NC pg 372 Rosnnah Hyatt 2 males under 10 1 female 10-15 2 males 10-15 2 feamles 15-20 1 male 20-30 1 female 40-50 1 female 70-80 (Hannah Hyatt) see notes in file of Ann Broadbent - Hyatt regarding Edwards military service in the American Revolution, his will and other notes. When Edward died in 1817 it was necessary to bury the dead by the following day, so there was no possibility of returning his body to his home. Thus, Edward was buried among the slaves and his grave unmarked for 158 years until it was marked in what is now known as the Hyatt Cemetery, Haywood Co, now Jackson Co, NC Was listed on tombstone as revolutionary soldier hyatt Cemetery at Qualla Community of Jackson Co., N.C