05 Monday Dec 2022
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Timber
Tags
Anderson Blair, Appalachia, genealogy, Harrison Stafford, history, James Brewster, Logan County, logging, Mingo County, Thomas McCoy, Thomas Runyon, Valentine Hatfield, West Virginia, William A. Dempsey, William Staton, William Vinson
05 Monday Dec 2022
Tags
Alderson-Wilkinson Land Company, Appalachia, Ashburn, attorney, Big Huff Coal Company, California, Carroll County, Cincinnati, David Wilkinson, Ernest Eugene Wilkinson, First Baptist Church, genealogy, Guyan Coal Company, Guyan Valley Bank, Guyandotte Valley, history, Hollywood, John B. Wilkinson, John B. Wilkinson Jr., Knights Templar, lawyer, Logan, Logan County, Margaret Midyette, Mary Belle Straton, Mingo County, Mona Coal Company, Mona Russo, Mystic Shrine, prosecuting attorney, Robertson Consolidated Land Company, Robertson Grocery Company, San Diego, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Virginia, Wayne, West Virginia, West Virginia Biographical Association
From West Virginians, published by the West Virginia Biographical Association in 1928, comes this profile of Judge John B. Wilkinson of Logan, WV:
The Honorable John B. Wilkinson, who died August 12, 1919, at Logan, where he had long been a foremost citizen, held rank among the best known and most successful lawyers and jurists in West Virginia. In business likewise Judge Wilkinson enjoyed a distinguished success. One of the leaders in the early development of the coal industry in the Guyan Valley, his position at the time of his death was among the great figures in business and industry. He was treasurer of the Guyan Coal Company, the Mona Coal Company, the Robertson Consolidated Land Company and the Alderson-Wilkinson Land Company. He was president of the Big Huff Coal Company and a director of the Robertson Grocery Company. He was originally a director of the Guyan Valley Bank, but later disposed of his holdings in that institution. Throughout the state at large, however, his fame was earned chiefly by his work as a jurist. During twelve years on the bench of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, he was noted for his fairness, accuracy and knowledge of the law. The press of the whole state reported his passing at great length and with sincere regret that so valuable a personality had been lost to the community. Judge Wilkinson was born in Logan County, W.Va., February 13, 1860, the son of David Wilkinson, who had come from Carroll County, Va. He lived on a farm and attended school in that part of Logan County which afterward became Mingo County, coming to the then village of Logan Court House to attend a teachers’ institute and take an examination for a teacher’s certificate. He taught two or three local normal schools here and at Wayne. His legal career began in 1882, when he was admitted to the bar. He continued in the legal profession until his death in 1919. In 1884 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Logan County, which office he filled continuously till 1896. After an interval of four years he again assumed that office, in 1900, and served till January 1, 1905. Having been elected Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, he resigned as prosecutor and took his place on the circuit bench on the first of January, 1905, and remained as judge until failing health induced him to resign twelve years later. Several times Judge Wilkinson was urged to become his party’s candidate for Governor of the State, although he preferred not to accept that honor. In the summer of 1916 he was nominated for Judge of the Supreme Court of West Virginia. After leaving the office of circuit judge, the condition of his health inclined him to give up the practice of law and close his office, but many friends had learned to depend on him for legal counsel, and at their urging he continued in active practice until his death. Judge Wilkinson was married, September 21, 1882, to Mary Belle Straton of Logan, who survives him with their four children, John B., Jr., who resides at Ashburn, Va.; Ernest Eugene, of Cincinnati; Mrs. Mona Russo, of San Diego, Calif.; and Mrs. Margaret Midyette, of Hollywood, Calif. Judge Wilkinson was for a long time a member of the First Baptist Church of Logan, and a member of its board of deacons. He was a member of the Masonic Orders—the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine. Hundreds of people in West Virginia and neighboring states, although not personally acquainted with Judge Wilkinson, knew of his work as a jurist and his renown as a civic leader in general, so that at the time of his death, his passing elicited the sincere feeling that the state had lost one of its best and most constructive citizens.
04 Sunday Dec 2022
Posted in Logan, Native American History, Women's History
Tags
American Primitive, Appalachia, Aracoma, Battle of Point Pleasant, Camp Charlotte, Chief Cornstalk, Chief Logan, Circleville Elm, genealogy, history, Horn Papers, James Logan, John Breckenridge, Lawnsville, Logan, Lord Dunmore, Michael Cresap, Native American History, Native Americans, surveyor, Tahgahinte, The Aracoma Story, Thomas Dunn English, Thomas Patterson, West Virginia, West Virginia Women, William Madison, William Penn, William Preston
Doris Miller (1903-1993), a longtime educator, historian, writer, and poet operating in the area of Huntington, West Virginia, composed this biography of Aracoma, a well-known Native American figure who lived in present-day Logan, West Virginia. This is Part 4 of her composition.
One other detail of the legend, not generally known but occasionally heard, is the story that Aracoma was Cornstalk’s daughter by adoption, that her mother was a sister of Cornstalk who had married Chief Logan and died soon after Aracoma’s birth. For this reason, the infant was taken into the lodge of Chief Cornstalk, where there were squaws to rear her, and this kinship by marriage and common interest in Aracoma was the secret of the alliance between the two famous Indian leaders who joined forces at the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. There is nothing in Aracoma’s dying words to refute this claim—she still would have considered Cornstalk her father and have been the last of his line, through a niece. But Logan’s words do carry a refutation.
At the time Logan made this speech under the Circleville Elm, and it was written down to be dispatched to Lord Dunmore at Camp Charlotte, where peace was being negotiated, he could not have said, “There runs not a drop of my blood in any living creature” if Aracoma had been his daughter.
Some historians have discounted Logan’s speech, but it is fully in keeping with the man pictured by his contemporaries in the Horn Papers and other sourcebooks of American history. Scottish Lord Dunmore must have [p. 10] accepted it as authentic, when it was brought to him wrapped in a wampum belt by a man he had sent to fetch Logan.
Logan had been friendly to white settlers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. As a boy, he lived in the home of James Logan, former secretary of William Penn, who educated the youth, a son of a friendly Indian chief. Thereafter Logan bore the name of his foster-father instead of Tahgahinte, his Indian name. Chief Logan remained friendly to the settlers until his family was treacherously murdered by white men. Later it was established that Colonel Cresap was not a party to the deed, though Logan thought so for a long time.
Colonel Madison who led the Virginians against Aracoma’s settlement, is said to have been a son-in-law of Colonel William Preston, a noted Virginia surveyor. Some of the earliest land surveys in present Logan County were recorded in names of members of the Preston, Madison and Breckenridge families, and it is quite likely others went to men who served under Madison and Breckenridge of the Battle of the Island, or members of their families. So the Legend of Aracoma came into the Guyandotte Valley in the memories of the white settlers who came first after her, and in their imaginations.
Another reason for discounting the story that Aracoma was the daughter of Logan is her name. Cornflower seems the logical name of a daughter of Cornstalk.
The residents of the Guyandotte Valley have treasured their legend and have honored the name of Aracoma in many ways. In the early 1800s, the town which grew up in the area of Aracoma’s settlement and grave was known as Lawnsville. During the 1850s, Thomas Dunn English, a physician and poet who was the first mayor of the town, insisted on changing the name to Aracoma, which it remained until its incorporation as a city in 1907. The change then may have been due to men’s custom of referring to the town as “Logan Courthouse” rather than by its true name. Since that time, the name of Aracoma has been given to a smaller community in the county.
When Logan County observed its Centennial in 1952, Thomas Patterson, the author of American Primitive and other well known plays, was commissioned to write a drama based on the legend of Princess Aracoma. The pageant was produced on successive days of the celebration and was considered one of the highlights. [p. 11]
Source: West Virginia Women, Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock (1974), p. 11.
For more about Doris Miller, go here: https://mds.marshall.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1284&context=sc_finding_aids
01 Sunday May 2022
Posted in Big Harts Creek
Tags
Appalachia, Big Harts Creek, genealogy, history, James Butcher, James Lawson, Josephus Workman, Logan County, Shannon Butcher, Smokehouse Fork, surveyor, Virginia, West Virginia, William A. Dingess
28 Thursday Apr 2022
Tags
A.A. Hamilton, A.A. Vance, A.J. Browning, A.J. Dalton, Adrian Murphy, Albert Dingess, Albert Gore, Allen Mounts, America Justice, American Surety Company of NY, Anthony Adams, Appalachia, Art Chambers, B.J. Hiner, Bert Bush, Bettie Stollings, Burl Adams, C.A. Vickers, C.P. Donovan, C.W. Gore, Cecil Mounts, Charles H. Miller, Charley Conley, Charley Stollings, Clark Smith, Clay Workman, Cush Avis, D.V. Wickline, David C. Dingess, David Dingess, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, Dump Farley, E.R. Hatfield, Ed Chapman, Ed Eggers, Elias Thompson, Elizabeth Ellis, Everett Dingess, F.A. Sharp, F.D. Stollings, Frank Hurst, Frank Justice, Frank P. Hurst, Fred Midelburg, G.F. Gore, G.W. Lax, Garland Adams, genealogy, George Butcher, George Chafin, George E. Thompson, George Justice, George Robinette, Georgia Dingess, Green Ellis, Guy F. Gore, H.H. Farley, Harrison Lowe, Harry S. Gay, history, J.B. Toney, J.E. Barlow, J.E. McCoy, J.H. Ford, J.L. Bess, J.L. Chambers, J.M. Moore, J.O. Hill, J.S. Miller, J.W. Chambers, James Ellis, James Toney, Joe Adams, Joe Blair, Joe Hall, Joe Scaggs, John Barker, John Chafin, John D. Browning, John D. Neece, John F. Dingess, John Harrison, John L. Butcher, John T. Gore, Joseph A. Ellis, K.F. Mounts, Katie Mounts, L.D. Perry, L.E. Steele, L.G. Burns, L.H. Thompson, Lewis Butcher, Lewis Chafin, Lewis Farley, Lillie Mounts, Logan County, Martha J. Stowe, Mary Chafin, Mat Jackson, Matilda Stollings, Millard Elkins, Milton Stowers, Monroe Bush, Moses Williamson, Nim Conley, Noah Steele, O.M. Conley, P.J. Riley, Paul Hardy, Pete Gore, R.H. Ellis, R.J. Conley, Riley Damron, Robert Bland, sheriff, Sidney B. Lawson, Simp Thompson, Sol Adams, T.B. Stowe, Taylor Walsh, Tennis Hatfield, Tom Butcher, U.B. Buskirk, Van Mullins, Vincent Dingess, W.E. White, W.F. Farley, W.H. Bias, W.I. Campbell, W.L. Honaker, W.W. Conley, Wash Farley, West Virginia, William Farley, William Gore, William Hatfield, William White, Willis Gore
The following list of Don Chafin’s deputies prior to the Battle of Blair Mountain is based on Record of Bonds C and Record of Bonds D in the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:
Don Chafin was elected sheriff on November 5, 1912 and appeared on December 28, 1912 with his bondsman U.B. Buskirk for $40,000 (Book C, p. 215)
Name, Date of Appointment, Surety, Surety Amount, Book, Page
Garland A. Adams…28 January 1913…J.W. Chambers…$5000…C…236
Joe Adams…14 October 1913…G.F. Gore, A. Dingess, David C. Dingess, Anthony Adams, Sol Adams, Sr., and Sol Adams, Jr….$5000…C…297
John Barker…5 February 1913…F.P. Hurst…$5000…C…241
J.E. Barlow…26 April 1913…S.B. Lawson…$5000…C…268
J.L. Bess…22 July 1916…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$5000…D…22
Joe Blair…28 December 1912…J.W. Chambers and Allen Mounts…$5000…C…224
John D. Browning…1 July 1914…Fidelity and Deposit Company…$5000…C…345
Bert Bush…6 January 1913…Monroe Bush…$5000…C…230
John L. Butcher…28 December 1912…Lewis Butcher, J.W. Chambers, Albert Gore…$5000…C…221
George Chafin…12 July 1915…James Toney…$5000…C…402
George Chafin…3 January 1917…J.B. Toney…$5000…D…74
J.A. Chafin…20 June 1913…J.W. Chambers and A.A. Vance…$5000…C…275
John Chafins…31 January 1913…H.H. Farley and A.J. Browning…$5000…C…240
Art Chambers…25 July 1914…Cush Avis, J.L. Chambers…$5000…C…349
Charley Conley…18 June 1914…George Butcher, Ed Chapman, William White…$5000…C…342
Nim Conley…18 July 1913…Ed Chapman and W.W. Conley…$5000…C…281
R.J. Conley…25 March 1913…Albert Gore…$5000…C…252
A.J. Dalton…26 December 1913…Fidelity and Deposit Company of MD…$5000…C…315
Riley Damron…5 July 1913…Millard Elkins and J.E. McCoy…$5000…C…278
David Dingess…3 April 1913…J.W. Chambers and George Justice…$5000…C…254
Everett Dingess…10 November 1913…John F. Dingess and Burl Adams…$5000…C…304
Vincent Dingess…7 July 1913…Georgia Dingess, William Gore, and Albert Gore…C…$5000…279
Ed Eggers…21 April 1913…Paul Hardy…$5000…C…264
Green Ellis…1 January 1917…Don Chafin…$5000…D…78
Joseph A. Ellis…30 January 1913…O.M. Conley…$5000…C…239
R.H. Ellis…undated…Elizabeth Ellis…$5000…C…233
H.H. Farley…29 January 1913…L.E. Steele…$5000…C…237
W.F. Farley…28 December 1912…Robert Bland…$5000…C…223
William Farley…13 January 1914…Wash Farley, A. Dingess, Lewis Farley, G.B. Farley…$5000…C…319
J.H. Ford…16 May 1914…P.J. Riley…$5000…C…336
Harry S. Gay, Jr….15 October 1913…S.B. Lawson…$5000…C…299
Albert Gore…28 December 1912…J.W. Chambers, G.F. Gore, Millard Elkins…$5000…C…222
C.W. Gore…2 January 1917…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$5000…D…76
John T. Gore…11 July 1916…G.F. Gore and Lewis Farley…$5000…D…18
Pete Gore…5 December 1916…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$5000…D…63
William Gore…31 December 1914…W.E. White, James Ellis…$5000…C…377
Joe Hall…23 April 1913…C.P. Donovan, Paul Hardy…$5000…C…267
A.A. Hamilton…14 June 1913…A.A. Hamilton…$5000…C…273
Paul Hardy…20 February 1913…W.F. Farley…$5000…C…244
John Harrison…19 April 1913…J.S. Miller, M. Elkins, W.E. White, and James Ellis…$5000…C…262
E.R. Hatfield…6 January 1914…$5000…H.H. Farley…C…316
Tennis Hatfield…14 June 1915…James Ellis and Lewis Chafin…$5000…C…396
William Hatfield…28 December 1912…J.S. Miller and George Justice…$5000…C…229
J.O. Hill…17 April 1913…Katie Mounts…$5000…C…261
B.J. Hiner…23 April 1913…C.P. Donovan and Paul Hardy…$5000…C…266
W.L. Honaker…8 August 1916…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$5000…D…23
Mat Jackson…13 October 1913…Albert Gore, Van Mullins, G.F. Gore, and David C. Dingess…$5000…C…296
Frank Justice…8 July 1914…America Justice…$5000…C…346
S.B. Lawson…12 April 1913…J.W. Chambers…$5000…C…256
G.W. Lax…21 April 1913…Paul Hardy…$5000…C…263
Harrison Lowe…5 March 1914…no surety [blank]…$5000…C…326
F. Middleburg…16 May 1914…D.V. Wickline…$5000…C…337
Charles H. Miller…25 November 1914…Don Chafin, W.E. White…C…368
J.M. Moore…14 May 1915…American Surety Company of NY…$5000…C…391
Allen Mounts…226
Cecil Mounts…11 June 1913…Allen Mounts…$5000…C…272
Cecil Mounts…2 January 1917…Lillie Mounts…$5000…D…79
K.F. Mounts…28 December 1912…Allen Mounts…$5000…C…225
K.F. Mounts…6 January 1917…Katie Mounts…$5000…D…72
Adrian Murphy…6 February 1917…W.H. Bias and W.E. White…$5000…D…77
John D. Neece…21 March 1914…W.E. White, R.H. Ellis, and J.S. Miller…$5000…C…330
George Robinett…17 July 1913…George Justice…$5000…C…284
Joe Scaggs…231
F.A. Sharp…28 December 1912…W.F. Farley and L.G. Burns…$5000…C…217
Clark Smith…22 December 1913…Mary Chafin…$5000…C…313
L.E. Steele…29 January 1913…H.H. Farley…$5000…C…238
Noah Steele…6 September 1913…L.E. Steele, Jr….$5000…C…290
Charley Stollings…21 July 1913…Matilda Stollings, Tom Butcher, Bettie Stollings, W.I. Campbell, and Milton Stowers…$5000…C…283
T.B. Stowe…13 January 1913…Martha J. Stowe…$5000…C…234
Elias Thompson…16 April 1913…W.I. Campbell and K.F. Mounts…$5000…C…258
George E. Thompson…17 April 1913…A.F. Gore and Willis Gore…$5000…C…260
Simp Thompson…3 October 1916…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$5000…D…36
C.A. Vickers…12 January 1914…L.D. Perry and F.D. Stollings…$5000…C…318
Taylor Walsh…28 July 1914…W.E. White, Albert Gore…$5000…C…350
Moses Williamson…29 April 1913…L.H. Thompson…$5000…C…270
Clay Workman…28 December 1912…S.B. Lawson…$5000…C…228
Frank P. Hurst was elected sheriff on November 7, 1916 and appeared on November 28, 1916 with his bondsmen J. Cary Alderson, S.B. Robertson, and R.L. Shrewsbury for $100,000 (Book D, p. 54); deputies appointed after November 1916 may be Hurst–and not Chafin–deputies (a few names are duplicated for this reason, I think)
21 Thursday Apr 2022
Posted in Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
Tags
A.W. Ferrell, Asa McCoy, David Mounts, Ephraim Hatfield, genealogy, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, John Ferrell, Joseph Simpkins, justice of the peace, Logan County, Magnolia District, Michael A. Ferrell, Mingo County, Samuel F. Varney, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia, William Tiller
The following list of justices of the peace for Magnolia District in present-day Mingo County, West Virginia, is based on historical documents available at the Logan County Courthouse in Logan. Several things to consider: (1) The list will be expanded over time based on new research; (2) the targeted area for this research is the Hatfield-McCoy feud region; (3) some justices included in this list may have in fact been located outside of the feud region; (4) dates for justices are primarily derived from deeds and county court/commissioner records; and (5) Mingo County was formed from Logan County in 1895.
John Ferrell (1838)
April 26, 1838
David Mounts (1838-1840)
April 26, 1838
January 31, 1840
March 23, 1840
August 22, 1840
Samuel F. Varney (1861)
March 14, 1861
Ephraim Hatfield (1861)
March 14, 1861
William Tiller (1867)
October 1867
Valentine “Wall” Hatfield (1870-1885)
February 11, 1873
April 8-9, 1873
August 12-16, 1873
February 10-12, 1874
October 13-14, 1874
December 8-12, 1874
December 29, 1874
August 10, 1875
October 12-16, 1875
August 8-9, 1876
elected October 10, 1876
July 1, 1878
October 1879
July 1880
December 10, 1880
December 14, 1880
appointed June 13, 1881
January 28, 1882
July 22, 1885
Asa McCoy (1873-1876)
February 11-12, 1873
August 12-16, 1873
December 9-12, 1873
June 16, 1874
October 22, 1874
December 9, 1874
February 11, 1875
June 9, 1875
June 13-17, 1876
August 8-9, 1876
Ephraim Hatfield (1876-1878)
elected October 10, 1876
February 11, 1878
A.W. Ferrell (1880)
April 1880
referenced on February 8, 1881 as a former justice
Joseph Simpkins (1882)
appointed to fill unexpired term, October 17, 1882
Michael A. Ferrell (1888)
elected November 6, 1888
31 Sunday Oct 2021
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Queens Ridge
Tags
Appalachia, Belle Dora Adams, Big Harts Creek, Carl Mullins, Cecil McCloud, Charley Adams, Garnet Martin, Garnet Mullins, genealogy, history, Hoover Fork, Howard Adams, Ireland Mullins, Lincoln County, Logan County, Lucy McCloud, New Orleans, Paralee Browning, Queens Ridge, Troy Town, West Virginia
An unnamed correspondent from Queens Ridge serving Upper Hart in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 13, 1927:
Mrs. Paralee Browning and Garnet Mullins of Lower Hoover were the evening guests of Cecil McCloud Sunday.
Ireland and Carl Mullins went up Hoover late Sunday enroute to Troy Town.
Mrs. Belle Dora Adams is going to have a son-in-law some one said. Gee, the girls will have to quiet fliring with Charley.
Lucy McCloud was visiting her aunt Mrs. Garnet Martin here Saturday.
Howard Adams made a business trip to New Orleans. Many tears were shed on account of his long absence.
30 Saturday Oct 2021
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Logan, Twelve Pole Creek, Whirlwind
Tags
Bernie Adams, Big Harts Creek, Bulwark, Bulwark School, Daniel McCloud, farming, genealogy, history, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lora Martin, Lucy McCloud, singing school, Twelve Pole Creek, West Virginia, Whirlwind, Wilburn Mullins
An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on May 10, 1927:
Mrs. Alla Mullins was the guest of Daniel McCloud Monday.
Daniel McCloud made a business trip to Twelve Pole Monday.
All the farmers are getting very busy in this vicinity.
Wilburn Mullins was calling on friends at Daniel McCloud’s Sunday.
Lucy McCloud visited her aunt Lora Martin Sunday.
Bernie Adams has just returned from a business trip to Logan.
Daniel McCloud is teaching a singing school at the Bulwark school house. All report a nice time.
Daily Acts: Florence and her straw hat; Lucy and her pink dress; Lenville carrying milk; Roy making whistles.
30 Saturday Oct 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Logan, Matewan, Women's History
Tags
Appalachia, attorney, attorney general, Big Sandy River, Bill Smith, Cap Hatfield, Catlettsburg, Devil Anse Hatfield, feuds, genealogy, Georgia, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Howard B. Lee, Huntington, Jim Comstock, Joe Glenn, Kentucky, Logan, Logan County, logging, Mate Creek, Matewan, Mingo County, Nancy E. Hatfield, Ohio, Ohio River, Portsmouth, Tennessee, timbering, Tug Fork, University Law School, Wayne County, West Virginia, Wyoming County
Howard B. Lee, former Attorney General of West Virginia, provided this account of Nancy Hatfield (widow of Cap) in the early 1970s:
“Mrs. Hatfield, we have talked much about an era that is gone. Feuds are ended, railroads and paved highways have come, the huge coal industry has developed, churches and schools are everywhere, and people are educated. Now, I would like to know something about you.”
This is the brief life-story of the remarkable and unforgettable Nancy Elizabeth Hatfield, as she related it to me.
She was Nancy Elizabeth Smith, called “Nan” by her family and friends, born in Wayne County, West Virginia, September 10, 1866. (She died August 24, 1942). In her early years, she lived “close enough to the Ohio River,” she said, “to see the big boats that brought people and goods up from below.” She attended a country school three months out of the year, and acquired the rudiments of a common school education, plus a yearning for wider knowledge.
While she was still a young girl her parents moved by push-boat up the Big Sandy and Tug rivers into what is now Mingo County, then Logan County. They settled in the wilderness on Mate Creek, near the site of the present town of Matewan.
“Why they made that move,” said Nancy Elizabeth, “I have never understood.”
In her new environment, in the summer of 1880, when she was 14 years old, Nancy Elizabeth married Joseph M. Glenn, an enterprising young adventurer from Georgia, who had established a store in the mountains, and floated rafts of black walnut logs, and other timber, down the Tug and Big Sandy rivers to the lumber mills of Catlettsburg, Ky., and Portsmouth, Ohio.
Two years after their marriage Glenn was waylaid and murdered by a former business associate, named Bill Smith–no relation to Nancy Elizabeth. Smith escaped into the wilderness and was never apprehended. The 16-year-old widow was left with a three-weeks old infant son, who grew into manhood and for years, that son, the late Joseph M. Glenn, was a leading lawyer in the city of Logan.
On October 11, 1883, a year after her husband’s death, at the age of 17, Nancy Elizabeth married the 19-year-old Cap Hatfield, second son of Devil Anse.
“He was the best looking young man in the settlement,” she proudly told me.
But at that time Cap had little to recommend him, except his good looks. He was born Feb. 6, 1864, during the Civil War, and grew up in a wild and lawless wilderness, where people were torn and divided by political and sectional hatreds and family feuds–a rugged, mountain land, without roads, schools, or churches.
When he married, Cap could neither read nor write, but he possessed the qualities necessary for survival in that turbulent time and place–he was “quick on the draw, and a dead shot.”
“When we were married, Cap was not a very good risk as a husband,” said Nancy Elizabeth. “The feud had been going on for a year, and he was already its most deadly killer. Kentucky had set a price on his head. But we were young, he was handsome, and I was deeply in love with him. Besides, he was the best shot on the border, and I was confident that he could take care of himself–and he did.”
Nancy Elizabeth taught her handsome husband to read and write, and imparted to him the meager learning she had acquired in the country school in Wayne County. But, more important, the she instilled into him her own hunger for knowledge.
Cap had a brilliant mind, and he set about to improve it. He and Nancy Elizabeth bought and read many books on history and biography, and they also subscribed for and read a number of the leading magazines of their day. In time they built up a small library or good books, which they read and studied along with their children.
At the urging of Nancy Elizabeth, Cap decided to study law, and enrolled at the University Law School at Huntington, Tennessee. But six months later, a renewal of the feud brought him back to the mountains. He never returned to law school, but continued his legal studies at home, and was admitted to the bar in Wyoming and Mingo counties. However, he never practiced the profession.
Nancy Elizabeth and Cap raised seven of their nine children, and Nancy’ss eyes grew moist as she talked of the sacrifices she and Cap had made that their children might obtain the education fate had denied to their parents. But her face glowed with a mother’s pride as she said:
“All our children are reasonably well educated. Three are college graduates, and the others attended college from one to three years. But, above everything else, they are all good and useful citizens.”
As I left the home of the remarkable and unforgettable Nancy Hatfield, I knew that I had been in the presence of a queenly woman–a real “Mountain Queen.”
Source: West Virginia Women (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 153-154.
09 Thursday Sep 2021
Posted in African American History, Huntington, Women's History
Tags
African-Americans, Cora, Cora School, Douglas High School, education, genealogy, history, Huntington, Logan County, West Virginia, West Virginia State College, West Virginia Teachers Association
In April of 1929, the Logan Banner profiled numerous prominent African-American residents of Logan County, West Virginia.
Matilda Wade
Teacher, Cora School
Miss Wade is a graduate of Douglas High School, Huntington, and West Virginia State College; she has done summer work at the same institution. This is Miss Wade’s first term as a teacher, but her adeptness and aggressive methods have the knack and precision of those of longer experience. Miss Wade has a pleasing manner in her school work which brings willing and immediate reaction from her pupils. Her ideals in education are high. With her disposition to apply herself, and the active and energetic methods she employs, she is bound to reach a high place in her profession. Miss Wade is a member of the West Virginia Teachers’ Association. She possesses another splendid quality in her ability to make friends among the patrons of her community.
09 Thursday Sep 2021
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Whirlwind
Tags
Appalachia, Bernie Adams, Big Harts Creek, Burl Mullins, Daniel McCloud, Dixie Adams, education, genealogy, history, Hoover Fork, Howard Adams, Jackson McCloud, James Carter, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lucy McCloud, Monaville, Shade Smith, West Virginia, Whirlwind, whooping cough, Will Adams
An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 12, 1927:
Sunday school is progressing nicely at Trace.
A large crowd attended the last days of Howard Adams’ school Friday. All reported a fine time.
James Carter of Monaville was visiting home folks of Hoover Sunday.
Wonder if Daniel McCloud got all the news Sunday evening.
Howard Adams went up Hoover whistling “Hard Times.” His mustache caught on fire.
Wonder what Burl Mullins was interested in Saturday evening that he forgot to shave.
There are several sick children in our town with whooping cough at present.
Jackson McCloud is making his home at Daniel McCloud’s.
We are all listening for the wedding bells to ring on Hoover. Look out Burl, you will be sure to hear them.
Shade Smith of Whirlwind was calling on friends at Daniel McCloud’s Sunday.
Burnie Adams is very ill with whooping cough at this writing.
Wonder why Will Adams was stepping so high Saturday? He must have been afraid of getting his sox muddy.
Wonder why Lucy McCloud looks so down hearted these days? Cheer up Lucy, you have made a bad mistake.
The funniest thing we heard last week was Mrs. Dixie Adams making Howard change beds.
Daily happenings: Daniel losing his cane; Earl and his potatoes; Lucy lost her ___; May got disappointed; Alice and her job; Uncle Jack chewing his tobacco; Tilda going to see __; Charlie and his black eye; Clyde going to the store.
12 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Matewan
Tags
Albert G. McCoy, Appalachia, Asa McCoy, genealogy, history, Logan County, Mingo County, Nellie McCoy, Selkirk McCoy, Sulphur Creek, West Virginia
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.
12 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley
Tags
Appalachia, Big Sandy River, genealogy, history, John Ferrell, Logan County, Magnolia District, Mingo County, Sally McCoy, Sarah Ann McCoy, West Virginia
The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874 and Land Book 1880-1886 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:
Sally McCoy (of Logan County)
No property listed in 1865-1872.
[Note: Her name is given as Sally McCoy in 1873-1874, then as Sarah Ann McCoy in 1875-1876.]
1873-1874: Magnolia District
200 acres John Ferrell Farm and Vance &c $2.50 per acre no building $500 total
[Transferred from E. Rutherford.]
1875-1876: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total
1877: Magnolia District
No records for this year for Magnolia District
1878: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total
[Note: Her name is listed as Sary Ann McCoy of Logan County.]
1879: Magnolia District
No records for this year for Magnolia District
1880: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total
1881: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $3 per acre $30 building $350 total
1882: Magnolia District
Missing pages.
1883: Magnolia District
Pages are mostly blank.
1884: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre $30 building $790 total
1885: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre $30 building $700 total
1886-1887: Magnolia District
200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre no building $700 total
12 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan
Tags
Appalachia, Asa McCoy, Big Sandy River, genealogy, history, Logan County, M.B. Lawson, Magnolia District, Mingo County, Nellie McCoy, West Virginia, William McCoy
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
12 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley
Tags
Appalachia, Big Sandy River, genealogy, history, L.D. McCoy, Logan County, Magnolia District, Moses Mounts, Steep Gut Branch, Tug Fork, West Virginia
The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874 and Land Book 1880-1886 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:
L.D. McCoy (of Logan County)1
No property listed in 1865-1875.
[In 1875, Moses Mounts deeded 200 acres on Tug Fork to L.D. McCoy. Deed Book F, page 252.]
1876: Magnolia District
200 acres Steep? Gut Sandy River $2 per acre no building $400 total
[Transferred from Peter Mounts and others.]
1877: Magnolia District
No records for this year for Magnolia District
1878: Magnolia District
200 acres Steep Gut Branch $1 per acre no building $200 total
1879: Magnolia District
No records for this year for Magnolia District
No property listed for 1880.
No property listed in 1881.
***
1Most likely, Lorenzo Dow McCoy, son of Selkirk. Perhaps son of John and Nancy McCoy.
12 Wednesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan
Tags
Alafair Davis, Albert G. McCoy, Appalachia, Asa McCoy, Ephraim Hatfield, genealogy, H.S. Davis, history, Jane Ferrell, John Ferrell, justice of the peace, Logan County, Magnolia District, Magnolia Township, Nellie McCoy, Pigeon Creek, Thacker Fork, Tug Fork, West Virginia, William Tiller
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
11 Tuesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan
Tags
Anderson Hatfield, Appalachia, Ephraim Hatfield, Evermont Ward, genealogy, history, James Lawson, John Allen, Logan County, Mates Creek, Mingo County, Valentine Hatfield, Virginia, West Virginia, William A. Dempsey
11 Tuesday May 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
Tags
Anna McCoy, Appalachia, Asa Harmon McCoy, Big Sandy River, Cordelia McCoy, Daniel McCoy, genealogy, history, John Ferrell, John Green, John Lawson, Kentucky, Logan County, Magnolia District, Magnolia Township, Pike County, Randolph McCoy, Robert Jackson, Sand Lick Creek, Virginia, West Virginia, William McCoy
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.
01 Thursday Apr 2021
Posted in Big Harts Creek, Harts, Logan, Spottswood, Twelve Pole Creek, Whirlwind
Tags
Appalachia, Cary Mullins, Charley Mullins, Cole Adams, Daniel McCloud, Dixie Mullins, Eunice Farley, farming, genealogy, Harts, Harts Creek, history, Howard Adams, Jim Thompson, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, May Robinson, Mollie Robinson, Mud Fork, Sid Mullins, Tom Mullins, Twelve Pole Creek, Wayne Adams, West Virginia, Whirlwind
An unnamed correspondent from Whirlwind on Big Harts Creek in Logan County, West Virginia, offered the following items, which the Logan Banner printed on April 12, 1927:
All the farmers are getting very busy in our vicinity, especially Wayne Adams.
Miss Unice Farley of Mud Fork was visiting her parents of Harts Tuesday.
May Robinson says she don’t know which one of the boys she loves best, Cole or Cary.
They are all taking a vote to find out which is the wisest man in town. Look out, Daniel, you’ll be the one.
Wonder why Jim Thompson didn’t want any pillow?
Wonder why Sid Mullins never visits Hoover any more?
Working is all the go among the farmers. Guess the men are getting plenty of chicken.
Daniel McCloud was calling on his best friends at Mollie Robinson’s on Sunday night.
Daniel and his sweet potatoes; Philip sowing oats; Edna going to the store; Ollie and his silk socks.
***
Sid Mullins and his oldest sister Miss Dixie Mullins went on a business trip to Logan Friday.
Charley Mullins was a visitor of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Adams Friday.
Tom Mullins went to see his mother on Twelvepole Thursday evening. She is very ill at this time.
01 Thursday Apr 2021
Posted in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan
Tags
Appalachia, Big Sandy River, C.H. Gore, Double Camp Fork, Ephraim Hatfield, Floyd Hatfield, genealogy, history, John Gore, John Lee Buskirk, Logan County, Mate Creek, Mingo County, sheriff, surveyor, Valentine Hatfield, West Virginia, William Anderson Dingess
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