Edward Hyatt
Edward Hyatt
1829–1894
Edward Hyatt (1829–1894) was a key figure in the development of Maryland’s distilling industry, particularly known for his contributions to the rise of Sherwood Rye Whiskey. His involvement in the business began in 1868 when he, along with a business partner, purchased a controlling interest in a struggling distillery in Hunt Valley, north of Baltimore. This distillery, which had been revitalized by John Jacob Wight in the 1850s, was producing Sherwood Rye Whiskey—a brand that would become one of the most respected in the United States.
Foundations of Success
Under Hyatt’s leadership, the distillery expanded rapidly. The new ownership increased production and launched aggressive marketing campaigns that helped establish Sherwood Rye as a premier product. By the late 1870s, the U.S. Army began stockpiling Sherwood Rye for medicinal use, a testament to its quality and rising popularity. In 1882, after his business partner’s departure, Hyatt incorporated the firm as the Sherwood Distilling Company with an asset value of $30,000 and assumed the role of president.
Throughout his tenure, Hyatt worked closely with the Wight family, ensuring that their decades-long legacy remained deeply intertwined with the distillery’s growth. While Hyatt owned a majority of the company’s shares, the Wight family retained their involvement. John Jacob Wight’s son, John Hyatt Wight, had already played a significant role in the distillery’s operations, and his grandson, also named John Hyatt Wight, would later take over the leadership when Edward Hyatt passed away in 1894.
Crafting a Lasting Legacy and Some Family Drama
Sherwood Rye whiskey continued to thrive under Hyatt’s stewardship. The distillery sold the product in a variety of bottles—flasks, pints, and quarts—and adopted a distinctive logo of a recumbent barrel. By 1897, the taxable value of the distillery was estimated at $308,920—equivalent to millions in today’s dollars. Hyatt’s leadership not only ensured the financial success of the distillery but also fostered a close-knit family atmosphere that continued long after his death.
Hyatt’s personal life saw notable developments as well. He was first married to Margaret Wight, daughter of W.J. Wight, a key figure in the distillery’s early success. After Margaret’s passing, Edward remarried Charlotte in 1892, two years before his death. Following Edward’s passing in 1894, Charlotte married William Dailey, and in 1899, she filed a lawsuit against her nephew, John Hyatt Wight, accusing him of fraud. The case, known as Dailey vs. Wight, became a notorious legal battle in Maryland, involving prominent lawyers and drawing significant public attention. Despite Charlotte’s accusations, the Maryland Appeals Court dismissed her claims in 1902, upholding the lower court’s decision.
Enduring Influence
Edward Hyatt’s legacy in the whiskey industry remains significant, both for his leadership of the Sherwood Distilling Company and for the continued success of Sherwood Rye Whiskey. Under his direction, the distillery expanded its reach, and Sherwood Rye became one of the best-known rye whiskeys of the time. His efforts helped ensure the longevity of the Wight family’s distilling legacy, which would continue into the 20th century under the leadership of his nephew, John Hyatt Wight.
Today, Edward Hyatt’s contributions are remembered as foundational to the history of Maryland’s distilling industry. His role in the success of Sherwood Rye Whiskey and the Sherwood Distilling Company stands as a testament to the craft and vision that helped shape American whiskey production.
Contributed by: Barrett Straub, Lexington Park, Maryland
with support from Bill & Vicki Gallagher, Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey Section Editors, Marriottsville, Maryland
Sources:
https://pre-prowhiskeymen.blogspot.com/2011/07/sherwood-distillery-and-family-feud.html
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-obituary-for-edward-hy/107204729/