 In researching his histories, Haywood examined early colonial and state records and interviewed many of the pioneers or their descendants.Though later criticized for inaccuracies, the books were groundbreaking works in preserving and interpreting the state's history.An outgrowth of Haywood's research was the formation of the state's first historical society, the Tennessee Antiquarian Society, in 1820; Haywood served as president but it ceased operating after two years.