Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hyatt, John
HYATT, JOHN (1767–1826), preacher, son of a publican, was born at Sherborne in Dorsetshire 21 Jan. 1767. He was educated at a day school, and at fourteen was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, on whose death Hyatt carried on the business. Hyatt first received deep religious impressions through the influence of Miss Westcomb, who became his wife in 1787. She was the niece of a dissenting minister named Vardy. Hyatt, after considerable discussion with one of Wesley's Arminian preachers, became a Calvinist. In 1794 he began to preach; in 1798 gave up his business; moved with his family to Mere in Wiltshire, and devoted himself wholly to religious work. His unauthorised ministration, though acceptable to the multitude, did not meet with the approval of the regular preachers. Monetary difficulties drove him to Frome in Somerset in 1800, but his reputation as a preacher was then established, and shortly afterwards he was invited to become minister of the London Tabernacle. He died in London in 1826, leaving a widow and one son, Charles. Hyatt published many single sermons, and a collection of addresses on various subjects, London, 1811, 8vo (2nd edition in the same year). Another volume of sermons was edited by his son, with a memoir by J. Morison prefixed, London, 1828. 'Sketches of fifty sermons of the late J[ohn] H[yatt] appeared in 1827, 12mo.
[Memoir by J. Morison; Brit. Mus. Cat.]