Hatfield & McCoy History and more

13/11/2022

Standing on the porch of the Hatfield home-place at Sarah Ann, WV, Louvicey “Levicy” Chafin Hatfield (center) poses next to her husband, William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield (1839-1921). Amongst family members is circuit-riding preacher Uncle D**e Garrett (with white beard). Uncle D**e stands directly behind Levicy and Devil Anse.

D**e happened to be a longtime friend, hunting buddy, and spiritual mentor to the feud patriarch. It was Uncle D**e who eventually led Devil Anse to the Lord, and baptized the feudist on Sept. 23, 1911 in the waters of Island Creek. This image may have been taken early on the day of the baptism.

Hatfield descendant, Wendy Griffith — a reporter with CBN News, co-anchor of The 700 Club, and the Anchor of Christian World News — once reported, "Devil Anse spent the last 10 years of his life in peace, knowing that he was forgiven, his sins washed away in the cool mountain stream.”

Circa 1911; Coleman C. Hatfield Photo Collection

03/11/2022

Troy and Elias Hatfield. The sons of Devil Anse and Levisa. Both killed 1911 in a shoot out over alcohol distribution. They are buried in one grave in Sarah Ann WV. I took the pictures.

03/11/2022

Dils cemetery in Pikeville KY is the final resting place of Randolph McCoy, Sarah McCoy & Roseanna McCoy as well as many others. I took all photos.

01/11/2022

IS THIS OL' RAN'L MCCOY?
We think it could be!

According to Edward M. McCoy, direct descendant of Randolph "Ol' Ran'l" McCoy, this faded image could very well be the oldest known tintype of the feuding McCoy family patriarch.

"I must thank Yvonne Dehart for calling my attention to the photo of the younger gentleman [in the first place] ... It was tagged as an old tintype of Randall McCoy and when I made copies [and compared it against an older known image of Randall] at the same size, and superimposed them on top of each other and held them to the light they were a perfect match! This could be the oldest photo of Randall himself," Edward M. McCoy said.

In later years, Randall, who lived in Pikeville after the burning of his cabin by the Hatfields on New Year’s Day 1888, operated a ferry service that crossed the Tug River.

29/10/2022

“I wouldn’t be young again even if it were possible, but I am not going to pretend that growing old is all sweetness and light.” – Ruth Rendell Young

William Anderson “Devil Anse” and Levisa “Levicy” Hatfield are shown in this photo at their home-place at Sarah Ann, WV. Bad decisions, heartbreaks, and regrets were many for these two; yet, both faced giant obstacles and difficult trials together — and they ultimately survived all to reach old age, and a time of inner peace.

***

. .

27/09/2022

THE OL’ BEAR HUNTER

Captain William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield (September 9, 1839 - January 6, 1921) was a lifelong outdoorsman and mountaineer; exceptional hunter and dead-eye sharpshooter. He was also a husband; brother; father; grandfather; uncle; cousin, neighbor, and fighting Confederate soldier. He was an active Democrat during this period, and became a devoted Christian late in life.

Anse was forever a staunch supporter and protector of his beloved family, cronies, and neighbors.

This worn image of the ol’ Appalachian bear hunter was taken in his old age. Circa 1920.

15/09/2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGAqaf_lL-8&t=903s

On this adventure we visit the stabbing location, paw paw tree site where the McCoy boys were hung and the final resting place of Devil Anses brother..Elliso...

11/09/2022

Short glimpse from our visit to Perry Clines grave site yesterday in Pikeville KY,
Perry Cline was a lawyer, sheriff and jailer during the Hatfield and McCoy trial years, He lived next door to Randall and Sarah McCoy. He was instrumental in bringing the Hatfield's into trial.

08/09/2022

Pawpaw Tree Incident-McCarr/ Buskirk Kentucky, quick visit

This was the result of August 1882 election-day fight. Tolbert, a son of Randolph McCoy, exchanged heated words with Ellison Hatfield, which started a fight. Tolbert, Pharmer and Randolph McCoy Jr. stabbed Ellison to death. Later the three brothers were captured by Hatfield clan, tied to pawpaw trees, and shot in retaliation.

25/08/2022

Pictures we took the other day at the hog trial cabin- in McCarr Kentucky. Anyone can visit it, but ATM you can't go inside. They are working on it right now.

25/08/2022

This is the church Preacher Anse Hatfield was saved and baptized at. He found his calling to serve god here. It's in Matewan historical district. WV

25/08/2022

This is the church preacher Anse aka Anderson Hatfield preached at. It's in Belfry KY. It's actually a good ride from his house through the mountains.

25/08/2022

Hello everyone! I don't usually make posts like this so Ill keep it simple. I have had to ban a few people this week because they are rude and talking down to people. We all have enough going on in our lives and I wont tolerate anything but peace here. If that's too difficult. Join another group that allows the back and forth, cause it isn't here.
We do these videos for fun, we aren't historians, Enjoy what it offers or keep it moving, real simple. To everyone else, we appreciate you all so much and we have lots of great things coming =)

24/08/2022

This area is atv accessible from Williamson and Matewan wv
( Hardy Kentucky) at this location on New Year's Day 1888, the home and its residents were attacked by members of the Hatfield family. Led by Jim Vance. The attack resulted in the death of two of Randolph's children and the destruction of the home. Today, only the site of the McCoy well remain. The land is now the site of a private residence; however, the current owners acknowledge the location's status as a historic landmark and kindly welcome visitors and tourists to view the well and the statue of Randolph McCoy.
The 2 children are buried across the road in the forbidden cemetery. Please find us here https://www.facebook.com/WestVirginiaAdventure

23/08/2022

We retrace some of the steps of Devil Anse's cousin, Preacher Anse and Pollie Runyon Hatfield. From the hog trail cabin where they lived, both churches he attended and preached at and finally their everlasting resting spot.
Preacher Anse preceded over the famous Hog trial.

He was born September 25, 1835 and died March 6, 1920, lived 84 years 5 months and 10 days. Elder Hatfield received a hope in Christ in 1853 and joined the Primitive Baptist Church, called Enon, located on Mate Creek, Logan County, West Virginia and was baptised by Elder John Ferrell on the fifth day of July 1853.
Elder Hatfield had a call to the ministry and the church gave him license to preach on the tenth day of November, 1868. He then moved his membership to the old Pond Creek Church, Pike County, Kentucky; then was ordained by Elders John Ferrell and James Williamson, on the eleventh day of July, 1869.

Elder Hatfield preached 51 years and 5 months. The last text he ever used was Genesis, second chapter and seventh verse: "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, etc." He was wonderfully blessed to preach Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. Brother Hatfield was a faithful minister; he would always leave his worldly affairs and go to his meetings.

He was married to Polly Runyon August 2, 1855, and unto them were born fourteen children; twelve living, two dead. Brother and Sister Hatfield lived to see their fourth generation. Their grandchildren were one hundred and eighteen in number; their great-grandchildren, one hundred and fifteen, and their great-great-grandchildren, fourteen.

23/08/2022

HAVE YOU VISITED THE COAL HOUSE YET?

The famous COAL HOUSE in the business district of Williamson, WV, is still considered a unique building built of coal masonry.

According to reports, the bituminous coal was quarried as blocks and dressed as stone using 65 tons of coal from the nearby Winifrede Seam.

At the time of its construction it was the only coal building in The Mountain State, designed by architect Hassell T. Hicks of Welch, WV, and supervised by D.M. Goode. The coal masonry was varnished for weather-resistance. Located adjacent to the Mingo County Courthouse, it houses the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The building's construction in 1933 was organized by O.W. Evans of the Norfolk and Western Railway, who wished to create a symbol of the "Billion Dollar Coalfield" centered on Williamson.

On Oct. 11, 2010, the Coal House caught fire. There was extensive damage to the inside of the building, but minimal damage to the outside structure. Following $200,000 of restoration work, the Coal House reopened in Sept. 2011.

Today, the Coal House remains an attraction standing strong in downtown Williamson, WV.

20/08/2022

Today we are headed to Phelps Kentucky to check out the grave site of Bad Frank and Nancy McCoy! Video to follow

UPDATE-THE ROAD WAS WASHED OUT, SO WE HAVE TO GO BACK. but we did a great video retracing Preacher anse Hatfield and his wife Pollie, as well as Ephraim (Eaf of all Hatfields). If your a Hatfield, you are related to that man. All family trees go back to him, we will explain more in the video!

20/08/2022

This is a fantastic Hatfield and McCoy play if you can make it out!

Bloodsong: The Story of the Hatfields & McCoys has 2 remaining shows at the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre this weekend. Don’t miss your chance to catch this nationally awarded production on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7:30pm. Tickets available at the door and through macarts.com.

📸 by Bennie Jones

19/08/2022

Sid and his wife Jessie. She was married to Mayor Testerman as well until he was killed. Sid married her 12 days later.

19/08/2022

19/08/2022

If you watched the video we posted last night..this is the widows of Ed Chambers and Sid Hatfield killed on the courthouse steps by Baldwin-Felts agents in 1921 , Sid Hatfield's widow Jessie is on the left. I couldn't find the name of Ed Chambers widow. Granted I didn't look that long.

19/08/2022

Beautiful old church in Matewan the other day. It's about 6 minutes from the birthplace of Devil Anse Hatfield. Literally next door to Warm Holler where Ellison Hatfield died and Devil Anse lived awhile.

18/08/2022

Near the feud sites, Williamson is a great place to come see it all! Join our other page Trail 10 tours as well.

18/08/2022

THE AGING DEVIL: This image, taken from a tattered cabinet card, is of William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield (September 9, 1839 – January 6, 1921), the often controversial and famous feud family patriarch, with his wife, Louvisa "Levicy" Chafin Hatfield (December 20, 1842 – March 15, 1929).

By this period, the Civil War and later Hatfield-McCoy feud gunfire had ceased; but old feud-related warrants still existed in the Bluegrass State against Devil Anse and on family members and supporters—often described as the notorious Hatfield Gang in newspapers of the day.

Circa 1919

17/08/2022

Went by the forbidden cemetery in Hardy Ky today. This is where 5 of Randall McCoy's children are buried. All killed in the feud. Alifair and Calvin were killed at the New Years day massacre, across the street from this picture. Tolbert, and his brothers Pharmer and Randolph Jr were killed in the Paw paw tree Incident about 15 mins down the road. We made a video Ill get posted soon.