Category Archives: Matewan

Don Chafin: The Most Famous Sheriff in the United States (1925)

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by in Battle of Blair Mountain, Matewan, Williamson

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item about Don Chafin, sheriff of Logan County during the Armed March. The story is dated November 6, 1925.

Don Chafin Renowned as Sheriff of Logan

His Prowess During Threatened Invasion of Union Miners is Recalled in Mingo Republican

Bids Friends Goodbye

Don Chafin, former sheriff of Logan county, paid what might be his farewell visit to Williamson for a long time on Tuesday. While here he expressed to many his appreciation of their concern for him in his present plight.

Chafin was the most famous sheriff in the United States during his regime in Logan county, where he ruled with an iron hand. He was the main prop in the Democratic machine there and a prominent figure in the life of the county.

Sheriff Chafin won his greatest fame during the threatened invasion of Logan county by the armed march of 5,000 or more miners bent on destroying the Logan court house and finally reaching Williamson to release from the local jail a number of union men charged with violations of Gov. Morgan’s martial law.

Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers, two well known union men of Matewan, had just been killed on the court house steps at Welch and the passions of the miners were thoroughly aroused. The armed march was once halted but was resumed after a midnight battle between the officers and miners on the county road near Sharples.

The invasion then began with forts and vigor. The defenders of Logan under the leadership of Sheriff Chafin were intrenched along a wide front and several clashes took place. The fame of the the doughty sheriff caused many from the outside to rally to his banner.

Mr. Chafin has numerous relatives and friends here to whom the parting was one of real regret. They are steadfast in their belief in his innocence, claiming that he is the victim of a frameup. Chafin was profuse in his expressions of gratitude over the loyalty of his friends on this side of the Logan line.

Albert G. McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1881-1887)

12 Wednesday May 2021

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1880-1886 and Land Book 1887-1892 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Albert G. McCoy (of Logan County)1

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 75 acres to A.G. McCoy for $200. References the first hollow below the forks of Sulphur Creek. A.W. Ferrell was a justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 189-190.]

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 50 acres to Albert G. McCoy for $50. References the first hollow on the right hand side of Sulphur. Deed Book __, page __.]

1881: Magnolia District

75 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $131.25 total

[transferred from Asa McCoy]

1882: Magnolia District

Pages missing.

1883: Magnolia District

Pages are mostly blank

1884-1885 Magnolia District

75 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre no building $150 total

50 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre $20 building $100 total

1886-1887: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre $20 building $250 total

***

1Son of Asa McCoy, brother of Selkirk McCoy.

William McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1878-1887)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, and Land Book 1887-1892 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

William McCoy (of Logan County)

No property listed in 1865-1877.

1878: Magnolia District

[On February 11, 1878, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 150 acres to William McCoy for $500. References the mouth of Mate Creek and the land occupied by William McCoy. Ephraim Hatfield was justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 484-485.]

150 acres Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $262.50 total

[Transferred from Asa McCoy.]

1879: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

1880: Magnolia District

150 acres Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $262

1881: Magnolia District

150 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total

[100 acres to S. Simpkins and M.B. Lawson]

1882: Magnolia District

Pages missing.

1883: Magnolia District

Pages are mostly blank

1884-1885: Magnolia District

50 acres Sandy River $4 per acre $25 building $200 total

1886-1887: Magnolia District

50 acres Sandy River $4 per acre no building $200 total

Asa McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1886)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1866-1872, Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, and Land Book 1887-1892 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Asa McCoy (of Logan County)1

[On June 4, 1859, Asa McCoy deeded __ acres on Pigeon Creek to John Ferrell for $__. Deed Book __, page 54. Only part of this deed is recorded. Ephraim Hatfield2 and William Tiller were justices of the peace.]

No property listed in 1865.

1866: Magnolia Township

290 acres South Side Pigeon and Thacker Fork $0.50 per acre no building $145 total

820 acres North Side Pigeon $0.50 per acre no building $410 total

No property listed for 1867-1870.

[On February 29, 1869, John and Jane Ferrell deeded 500 acres on Tug Fork of Sandy River and Sulphur Creek to Asa McCoy for $900. References the store house on the bank of the river, near the mouth of Mates Creek. William Tiller was justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 208-209.]

1871-1874: Magnolia District

500 acres Sulphur and Sandy River $2 per acre no building $1000 total

1875-1876: Magnolia District

500 acres Sandy River and Sulphur $1.75 per acre $100 building $875 total

[On August 19, 1876, Asa and Nelly McCoy deeded 100 acres between Sulphur Creek and Tug River to Alafair Davis3 (wife of H.S. Davis) for $200. Deed Book __, page __.]

1877: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

1878: Magnolia District

[On February 11, 1878, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 150 acres to William McCoy for $500. References the mouth of Mate Creek and the land occupied by William McCoy. Ephraim Hatfield7 was justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 484-485.]

350 acres Sandy River and Sulphur $1.75 per acre $100 building $612.50 total

1879: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 75 acres to A.G. McCoy for $200. References the first hollow below the forks of Sulphur Creek. A.W. Ferrell was a justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 189-190.]

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 50 acres to Albert G. McCoy for $50. References the first hollow on the right hand side of Sulphur. Deed Book __, page __.]

1880: Magnolia District

350 acres Sandy River and Sulphur $1.75 per acre $100 building $612.50 total

1881: Magnolia District

225 acres Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $262.50 total

1882: Magnolia District

Pages missing.

1883: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulphur Branch Sandy River $2 per acre [rest blank]

1884-1885: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulpher Branch and Sandy River $2 per acre $75 building $250 total

1886: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulphur of Sandy $2 per acre $75 building $75 total

1887: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulphurr of Sandy River $2 per acre $75 building $250 total

***

1Brother to Sallie (McCoy) McCoy.

2Most likely, this is the father to Devil Anse Hatfield.

3Daughter of Asa and Nelly McCoy

Daniel McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1872)

11 Tuesday May 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1866-1872 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Daniel McCoy (of Logan County)1

[On December 27, 1841, Andrew Varney deeded 200 acres to Daniel McCoy for $100. Part of John Green survey bought of John Lawson by said Varney and Randolph McCoy2; references the Stafford farm; lists A. Ferrell and John Ferrell as justices of the peace. Deed Book B, page 367-368.]

[On September 17, 1845, Randolph2 and Anna McCoy of Pike County, KY, deeded 200 acres to Daniel McCoy for $300. Deed Book B, page 538-539.]

No property listed in 1865.

1866: Magnolia Township

200 acres Sandy River $6 per acre $50 building $1200 total

1867: Magnolia Township

200 acres Sandy River $6.83 per acre $50 building $1200 total

1868: Magnolia Township

200 acres Two Tracts Sand Lick Creek $6.30 per acre $50 building $1260 total

1869-1871: Magnolia Township

200 acres Sandy River $6.30 per acre $50 building $1260 total

1872: Magnolia Township

Daniel McCoy deeded 200 acres on Sandy River worth $6.30 per acre with $50 building total $1260 to Robert Jackson and others of Logan County

No property listed thereafter.

***

1Father to Randolph and Harmon McCoy of Hatfield-McCoy Feud fame.

2Son of William and Cordelia (Campbell) McCoy.

E. Hatfield Survey (1878)

01 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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E. Hatfield survey, 95 1/2 acres, Mate Creek (1878), Surveyors Record Book B, page __, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV. Note: This property is located in present-day Mingo County.

Cline Property in Magnolia District (1865-1879)

31 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan, Wharncliffe

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1866-1872 and Land Book 1873-1874 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Jacob Cline’s Estate (of Logan County)

No property listed in 1865.

1866: Magnolia Township

5000 acres Sandy River $0.30 per acre $150 building $1500 total

225 acres Grape Vine of Sandy River $1 per acre no building $225 total

1867: Magnolia Township

5000 acres Sandy River $0._0 per acre $180 building $1500 total

255 acres Grape Vine Sandy River $1 per acre no building $255 total

1868: Magnolia Township

5000 acres Sandy River $0.31 1/2 per acre $180 building $1575 total

255 acres Grape Vine of Sandy $1.05 per acre no building $267.75 total

1869: Magnolia Township

5000 acres On Sandy River $0.37 1/2 per acre $180 building $1575 total

255 acres Grapevine of Sandy River $1.05 per acre no building $267.75 total

1870: Magnolia Township

5000 acres Sandy River $0.31 1/2 per acre $180 building $1575 total

255 acres Grape Vine of Sandy River $1.05 per acre no building $267.75 total

1871-1874: Magnolia Township

5000 acres Sandy River $0.35 per acre $180 building $1750 total

255 acres Grapevine Creek $1.05 per acre no building $267.75 total

1875: Magnolia District

5000 acres Grape Vine and Sandy $0.36 per acre $50 building $1800

[Note: No indication of who received the 255-acre tract. Note also: This record notes “Jacob Cline’s Heirs” as being located in Kentucky–not Logan County.]

1876: Magnolia District

5000 acres Grape Vine and Sandy [blank] $50 building [blank]

[Note: Jacob Cline’s Heirs located in Kentucky.]

1877: Magnolia District

No records available for Magnolia District

1878: Magnolia District

3500 acres Grapevine Creek and Sandy River $0.28 5/8 per acre $50 building $1001 total

[Note: This record reads “value proportion by parts.”]

1879: Magnolia District

No records available for Magnolia District

Jacob Cline, Jr. (of Logan County)

No property listed from 1865-1870.

1871: Magnolia Township

78 acres Hickory Gap Fork Ben Creek $1.05 per acre no building $81.90 total

[Transferred to Cline from William Collins in 1871. In 1872, Cline transferred this tract to Julius Williamson.]

Absentee Landowners of Magnolia District (1870, 1876, 1886, 1889)

22 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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What follows is a list of absentee landowners in Magnolia Township/District of Logan County, WV, for 1870, 1876, 1886, and 1889… There are three significant types of absentee landowners: 1) those who live outside of Logan County; 2) those who live in Logan County but outside of Magnolia District; and 3) those who own property, for example, at Mate Creek but reside, for example, at Grapevine Creek (both within the district). This list does not include the latter type.

1870

Alexander Mounts, Kentucky, 300 acres

John Counts, Minnesota, 230 acres

Charles Mounts Estate and Jackson Mounts, Kentucky, 150 acres

John Mullins, McDowell County, 150 acres

Christian M. Cline, McDowell County, 85 acres

1876

Jacob Cline’s Heirs, Kentucky, 5000 acres

Warren M. Alderson, Kentucky, 4518 acres

Julius Williamson, Kentucky, 1375 acres

William Collins, Kentucky, 1045 acres

John W. Deskins, McDowell County, 555 acres

Eli Trent, Jr., Wayne County, 524 acres

James M. Lawson, Kentucky, 417.25

William Prater, Kentucky, 240 acres

Asbury Hurly Heirs, Kentucky, 214 acres

Alexander Mounts, Kentucky, 75 acres

Edward Cline, McDowell County, 25 acres

John Mullins, McDowell County, 15 acres

1886

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2999 acres

Jacob Smith, Mouth of Pond KY, 2050 acres

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1581 acres

Julius C. Williamson, Kentucky, 1353 acres

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres

Anthony Lawson estate, Wytheville VA, 816 acres

Oswald Schaaf, Cincinnati OH, 650 acres

A.J. Baker, unknown, 300 acres

James Laidley, Kanawha County, 141 acres

1889

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 8976 acres

James OKeeffe, Tazewell County VA, 3592 acres

Stuart Wood, Philadelphia PA, 1093 acres

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY*, 800 acres

F. Slutienburgh, Cincinnati OH, 350 acres

J.C. Alderson and W.W. Adams et al., Wheeling and Charleston

Lewis Ferrell heirs, Pike County KY

Anthony Lawson heirs, Wytheville VA

William P. Payne et al., McDowell County

*Note: Residence located in Logan County in 1889 but in Morehead, Kentucky, for all other years.

Source: Land Book 1866-1872, Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886 and Land Book 1887-1892.

Significant Tracts in Magnolia District (1867, 1870, 1876, 1886-1889)

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Beech Creek, Big Sandy Valley, Matewan, Wharncliffe

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What follows is a list of 1000-plus-acre tracts in Magnolia Township/District of Logan County, WV, for 1867, 1870, and 1886-1889…

1867

Jacob Cline’s Heirs, Logan County, 5000 acres, Sandy River

William Ferrell, Logan County, 3900 acres, Sandy River

Richard Maynard, Logan County, 3250 acres, Sandy River

David Mounts, Logan County, 3000 acres, Tug River and Tributaries

John Ferrell, Logan County, 2812 acres, Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 2740 acres, Right Fork Ben Creek

John Ferrell, Logan County, 1814 acres, Pigeon Creek

Richard Ratliff, Logan County, 1340 acres, Stafford and Beech Creek

John W. Deskins, Logan County, 1305 acres, Thacker Creek and Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 1300 acres, Spring Fork of Ben Creek

John Ferrell, Logan County, 1100 acres, Sandy River

Jacob Phillips, Logan County, 1000 acres, Sandy River

1870

Jacob Cline’s Estate, Logan County, 5000 acres, Sandy River

Richard Ferrell, Logan County, 3900 acres, On Sandy River

John Ferrell, Logan County, 3075 acres, 7 Tracts on Pigeon

David Mounts Estate, Logan County, 3000 acres, Tug Fork and Tributaries

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 2740 acres, Right Fork Ben Creek

Richard Maynard, Logan County, 2430 acres, On Sandy River

John W. Deskins, Logan County, 1305 acres, Turkey Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 1300 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 1100 acres, Sandy River

1876

Jacob Cline’s Heirs, Kentucky, 5000 acres, Grape Vine and Sandy

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 3000 acres, Thacker and Sandy River

Warren M. Alderson, Kentucky, 2640 acres, Right Fork of Ben Creek

Isabella Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

Michael A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

Warren M. Alderson, Kentucky, 1175 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

Richard Ratcliff, Logan County, 1140 acres, Stafford Branch Sandy

Julius Williamson, Logan County, 1000 acres, Sandy and Branches

1886

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2640 acres, Sandy River

Lewis Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres

Jacob Smith, Mouth of Pond KY, 1500 acres

James Vance, Jr., Logan County, 1500 acres

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1481 acres

Elias Hatfield, Logan County, 1431 acres

M.A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres

1887

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thackers Creek and Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2640 acres, Sandy River

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2360 acres, Grape Vine

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1481 acres, Beech Creek

Elias Hatfield, Logan County, 1471 acres, Four tracts on Mates Creek

M.A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres, Spruce Fork of Ben Creek

1888

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2656 1/2 acres, Grapevine Creek

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thacker and Sandy

J.C. Williamson, Logan County, 1837 acres, Four tracts on Alum and Sandy River

Lewis Ratcliff, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

John Francesco, Logan County, 1500 acres, Grapevine and Thacker

Simpkins and M.B. Lawson’s Heirs, Logan County, 1500 acres, Richard Ratcliff Farm and Sandy River

Elkhorn Sandy R. Trust Co., Logan County, 1481 acres, Ben Creek and Sandy

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1385 acres, Sandy River

M.A. Ferrell*, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

1889

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2656 1/2 acres, Grapevine Creek

W.S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thacker and Sandy River

J.C. Williamson, Logan County, 1837 acres, 4 Tracts on Alum and Sandy River

Lewis Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

Jacob Smith, Logan County, 1500 acres, Richard Ratcliff’s Farm and Sandy River

John Francesco, Logan County, 1500 acres, Grape Vine

Elkhorn Sandy River Trust Company, Logan County, 1481 acres, Ben Creek and Sandy River

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1385 acres, Sandy River

Joseph Glen, Logan County, 1377 acres, Tug River Below Mouth Bend

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1354 1/4 acres, Mates Creek

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1338 3/4 acres, Grapevine

M.A. Ferrell*, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

Alex D. Trent, Logan County, 1246 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

Note: On November 6, 1888, M.A. Ferrell was elected justice of the peace; his term commenced on January 1, 1889.

Source: Land Book 1866-1872, Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, and Land Book 1887-1892.