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Devil Anse Hatfield

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William Anderson "Devil Anse " Hatfield is seated second from left with his family.

William Anderson "Devil Arse" Hatfield (September 9, 1839 – January 6, 1921) was the patriarch of the Hatfield clan during the infamous Hatfield–McCoy feud which has since formed a part of American folklore. Devil Anse himself survived the feud and agreed to end the feud in 1891.

Biography

Hatfield was born in Logan, Virginia (now Logan, West Virginia), the son of Ephraim Hatfield, of English descent,[1] and Nancy Vance, of Ulster Scots descent.[2] He ran a logging operation, which accrued much wealth for his extended family.

There are a number of stories about the origin of his nickname, "Devil Anse": that it was given to him by his mother or by Randolph McCoy, or earned from his bravery during battle in the American Civil War, or as contrast to his good-tempered cousin, Anderson "Preacher Anse" Hatfield.[3]

A Southern sympathizer, Hatfield formed a Confederate guerrilla fighting unit during the Civil War that he named "The Logan Wildcats."[4] In 1865, he was suspected of having been involved in the murder of his rival Asa Harmon McCoy, who had fought for the Union Army and was waylaid by The Wildcats on his return home. Hatfield had been home ill at the time of the killing, which was likely committed at the instigation of his uncle, Jim Vance. This may have sparked the beginning of the notorious feud between the two families that claimed many lives on both sides.

Hatfield was baptized on September 23, 1911 in Island Creek and converted to Christianity. He went on to found a Church of Christ congregation in West Virginia.[3]

Marriage and children

William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield married Levisa "Levicy" Chafin (December 20, 1842 – March 15, 1929), the daughter of Nathaniel Chafin and Matilda Varney, on April 18, 1861 in Logan County, West Virginia (then Virginia). Their 13 children were as follows:

  • Johnson "Johnse" Hatfield (1862 – 1939)
  • William Anderson "Cap" Hatfield (1864 – 1930)
  • Robert E. Lee Hatfield (1866 – 1931)
  • Nancy Hatfield (1869-?)
  • Elliott Rutherford Hatfield (1872 – 1932)
  • Mary Hatfield Hensley Simpkins Howes (1874 – 1963)
  • Elizabeth "Betty" Hatfield Caldwell (1876 – 1962)
  • Elias M. Hatfield (1878 – 1911)
  • Detroit W. "Troy" Hatfield (1881 – 1911)
  • Joseph Davis Hatfield (1883 – 1963)
  • Rose Lee "Rosie" Hatfield Browning (1885 – 1965)
  • Emmanuel Wilson "Willis" Hatfield (1888 – 1978)
  • Tennyson Samuel "Tennis" Hatfield (1890 – 1953)
Hatfield Family Cemetery

Death

Hatfield died on Thursday, January 6, 1921 in Stirrat, Logan County, West Virginia at the age of 81 of pneumonia at his home along Island Creek. He is buried in the Hatfield Family Cemetery along West Virginia Route 44 in southern Logan County. His grave is topped by a life-sized statue of himself made of Italian marble. Levicy outlived her husband by eight years.[5]

References

  1. ^ http://www.genfan.com/getperson.php?personID=I20327&tree=MASTER
  2. ^ http://www.geni.com/people/Rev-John-Vans-AM/3683472
  3. ^ a b Alther, Lisa (2012). Blood Feud: The Hatfields and the McCoys: The Epic Story of Murder and Vengeance. Globe Pequot. ISBN 0762785349.
  4. ^ Hatfield - McCoys at www.libby-genealogy.com
  5. ^ McKim, Sean. "Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield". Find A Grave, Inc. Retrieved 30 May 2012.

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