Transylvania County Library logo

The Lyday family roots in Buncombe County date to the late
1700s.  When Buncombe County was
established in 1791 it included present day Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and
Madison counties along with parts of Transylvania, Swain and Yancey
counties.  

Abraham Lyday settled in the
Edneyville area of Henderson County first. 
Later, he bought land and built a home on a creek flowing into the French
Broad River west of present day Penrose.  Today, that creek is known as Lyday Creek.

Abraham Lyday had six children with his first wife and
another eight with his second wife, Rebecca. 
Picturing the Past has featured Dr. A.J. (Andrew Jackson), first son of
Abraham and Rebecca, and his numerous descendants who were also medical doctors, previously.  

Delas Lyday, third from left carried a cloth pouch with everything needed to

shoot a black powder rifle or shotgun.  Others pictured include Lyday’s son,

Will and grandson, Albert to his right.  Jim Sitton, on his left, was Lyday’s

brother-in-law.

Abraham and Rebecca’s second son, A.S. (Abraham Simpson) was
born in 1827.  He received 330 acres on
Turkey Creek from his father in 1852. 
A.S. and wife, Elizabeth Reese had married in 1850.  Their first child, Mary Ann was born in 1851
and son, Delas three-and-half years later. 
Three more children would follow.

Delas Lyday inherited the Turkey Creek property and raised his family on the land, which he farmed.  Descendants of Delas and Sally Sitton Lyday still own much of the original 330 acres, now surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest.

Delas Lyday’s black powder horn and cloth pouch with

gun maintenance and shot-making tools, plus firing caps

and shot.

Lyday family photographs, Abraham and Rebecca’s Bible,
Delas’s powder horn and Dr. Bill Lyday’s medical bag and account books are
currently on display on the 2nd floor at the Transylvania County
Library.  If you are interested in
displaying items telling the story of your Transylvania County ancestors please
contact a staff member in the Local History Room.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library
hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional
photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.

search our catalog

search our events

search our website

search our catalog

search our events

search our website

(828) 884-3151

212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC 28712