Tag Archives: Valentine Wall Hatfield

Johnson Hatfield Property in Logan County, WV (1884-1892)

18 Thursday Feb 2021

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

Johnson Hatfield

No property listed in land books for 1865-1881.

On January 28, 1882, Anderson and Vicy Hatfield deeded 200 acres at Lick Fork of Grapevine Creek to Johnson Hatfield (all of Logan County) for $250. Began at a large rock near the creek bank just above the garden field at the mouth of Lick Fork, thence running out to the center of the point above Lick Fork…to the head of Lick Fork and down the top of the ridge between Grapevine and Thacker Creek… Anderson and Vicy Hatfield signed the deed. Justice Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on January 28, 1882.

No property listed in land books for 1883.

1884-1885: Magnolia District

Johnson Hatfield, Jr.

200 acres Lick Branch, Grape Vine $1.25 per acre no building $250 total

Johnson Hatfield, Sr.

200 acres Lick Branch, Grape Vine $1.25 per acre no building $250 total

[Note: Two entries exist in the land book for a Johnson Hatfield (Sr. and Jr.) in 1884-1885; this is likely the same person and the same property.]

1886: Magnolia District

No entry for him.

1887: Magnolia District

Nancy Hatfield

300 acres Grapevine, Sandy River $1.25 per acre no building $375 total

[Note: This property was transferred from Johnson Hatfield. Presumably, “Nancy Hatfield” is Johnse’s wife, the former Nancy McCoy.]

1888: Magnolia District

No entry for Johnson or Nancy Hatfield.

[Note: In 1888, Johnson Hatfield, Jr. transferred 500 acres on Grapevine, Sandy River (two tracts) worth $1.25 and total value of $625 to J.D. Sergeant of Philadelphia, PA.]

1889: Magnolia District

No property listed.

1890: Magnolia District

Nancy Hatfield

147 acres H.R. Fk Mates Creek $1 per acre no building $147 total

[Note: This may be Johnse’s wife, Nancy.]

1891: Magnolia District

No property listed.

[In 1891, “Jo Hatfield & wife” transferred 258 acres on Left Hand Fork Ben Creek worth $1 per acre and with total value of $258 to H.R. Phillips, trustee. This may or may not be Johnse Hatfield.]

Valentine “Wall” Hatfield Property in Logan County (1874-1893)

13 Saturday Feb 2021

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, Land Book 1887-1892, and Land Book 1893-1899 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Valentine Hatfield

No property listed in 1865-1873.

1874: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek, Sandy River $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

144 acres Double Camp Branch, Beech $0.10 per acre no building $14.40 total

[Note: Regarding the latter tract, the book reads “entered on Books and corrected.”]

1875: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek, Sandy River $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

144 acres Double Camp Branch, Beech $0.25 per acre no building $36 total

1876: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek, Sandy River $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

144 acres Double Camp Branch, Beech $0.10 per acre no building $14.40 total

1877: Magnolia District

The record is blank.

1878: Magnolia District

48 acres Beech Creek $5.25 per acre no building $141 total

144 acres Double Camp Branch, Beech Creek $0.25 per acre no building $36 total

1879: Magnolia District

No records for this year.

1880-1881: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

144 acres Double Camp and Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $36 total

1882: Magnolia District

The Hatfield page is missing

1883: Magnolia District

The record is blank for this year.

1884-1885: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek, Sandy River $5 per acre $50 building $420 total

144 acres Double Camp, Sandy River $1 per acre no building $144 total

1886: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek, Sandy River $5 per acre $15 building $125 total

114 acres Double Camp, Sandy River $1 per acre $75 building $280 total

1887: Magnolia District

84 acres Beech Creek $5 per acre $50 building $420 total

144 acres Double Camp, Mates Creek $1 per acre no building $144 total

1888: Magnolia District

44 acres Beech Creek $5 per acre $50 building $220 total

144 acres Beech Creek $1 per acre no building $144 total

[Note: In this year, Wall Hatfield transferred 40 acres of the 84-acre tract to Doc Mahon.]

1889: Magnolia District

No property listed.

[In 1889, he transferred 89 acres on Beech Creek worth $1 per acre and total value of $89 to Ephraim Hatfield. Also, transferred with others 126 acres on Beech Creek worth $1 per acre and total value of $126 to J.D. Sergeant of Philadelphia.]

1890: Magnolia District

No property listed.

[Note: Wall Hatfield died on February 13, 1890 at Frankfort, KY.]

1891: Magnolia District

Jane Hatfield

84 acres, Beech Creek, $2 per acre, no building, $168 total

[Note: “Entered with 1 yr B tax.”]

1892-1893: Magnolia District

Jane Hatfield

84 acres, Beech Creek, $2.50 per acre, $40 building, $210 total

Anderson Hatfield Property in Logan County (1869-1893)

12 Friday Feb 2021

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1866-1872, Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, Land Book 1887-1892, and Land Book 1893-1899, as well as various deed books, at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Anderson Hatfield

[Property listed in name of Levecy Hatfield in 1869, Levica Hatfield in 1870-1871, Levisa Hatfield in 1872, 1874, and 1876, Levitna Hatfield in 1873, Lavisa Hatfield in 1875, Levica Hatfield in 1889, Lovicy Hatfield in 1890-1891, Lovica Hatfield in 1892, and Levicy Hatfield in 1893.]

No property listed in land books for 1865-1867.

On October 19, 1867, George* and Nancy Hatfield of Pike County, KY, deeded 100 acres on Mate Creek to Levicy Hatfield of Logan County, WV, for five hundred dollars. The property began in the upper end of Mash Field and extended to the mouth of Meadow Branch. Witnessed by JP William Tiller on October 19, 1867.

No property listed in the land book for 1868.

1869: Magnolia Township

100 acres Mates Creek $4.20 per acre no building $420 total

55 acres Mates Creek $2.10 per acre $75 building $136.50 total

[Note: Based on the land book, both tracts were acquired in 1869 from George Hatfield of Kentucky. Also, the 55-acre total value figure did not include the value of the building. Note the actual date of purchase for one of the tracts was 1867, as per the deed.]

1870: Magnolia Township

100 acres Mates Creek $4.20 per acre no building $420 total

55 acres Mates Creek $2.10 per acre no building $136.50 total

1871-1872: Magnolia Township

100 acres Mates Creek $4.20 per acre no building $420 total

55 acres Mates Creek $2.10 per acre no building $115.50 total

[Note discrepancy in the valuation for the 55-acre tract.]

1873: Magnolia District

100 acres Mates Creek $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

55 acres Mates Creek $4.20 per acre no building $420 total

1874: Magnolia District

100 acres Mates Creek $4.20 per acre no building $420 total

55 acres Mates Creek $2.10 per acre $115.50 total

On December 29, 1874, Anderson and Lovicy Hatfield sold 200 acres to Polly Hatfield (all of Logan County) for $780 on Mates Creek. Began at the foot of the north hill at the upper end of the old Mash Field, a conditional corner between Ephraim Hatfield and Anderson Hatfield to the mouth of Meadow Branch to include all the land that George Hatfield had deeded to Lovicy Hatfield. Anderson and Lovicy signed the deed using an “x.” Justice of the peace Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on December 29, 1874.

[Note the original 100 acres from the 1867 deed has now become 200 acres.]

1875: Magnolia District

100 acres Mates Creek $4 per acre $50 building $400 total

55 acres Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $13.75 total

1876: Magnolia District

100 acres Mates Creek $4 per acre no building $400 total

55 acres Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $13.75

[Note: In 1876, according to the land book, Anderson Hatfield transferred 200 acres on Mates Creek worth $0.25 per acre and with a total worth of fifty dollars to Polly Hatfield; the deed is dated 1874 (see above); the 1878 land record corrected the acreage to 55 acres by order of P.A. Counts]

1877: Magnolia District

No records available for this year.

On July 2, 1877, Anderson and Lovicy Hatfield deeded 150 acres at Double Camp and Road forks of Mates Creek for $75 to Floyd Hatfield (all of Logan County). Began at the back line of the John Green survey below Double Camp, then up the main ridge to the top of the point above Road Fork, thence to John Green survey line. Anderson and Lovicy signed the deed using an “x.” Justice of the Peace Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on July 2, 1877.

On December 24, 1877, Anderson and Levisa Hatfield deeded 1500 acres on Grapevine Creek to James Vance, Jr. (all of Logan County) for $1400. Began near the mouth of Wolf Pen Fork, thence to the top of the mountain between Grapevine and the river, thence with mountain to dividing ridge between Grapevine and Beech Creek, thence to head of Thacker Creek, thence down ridge between Thacker and Mates Creek… References the ridge between the Wolf Pen and Mill Seat Fork. Anderson and Levicy signed the deed using an “x.” Justice Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on December 24, 1877.

1878: Magnolia District

Anse Hatfield owned no property in 1878.

[In 1878, as per the land book, Anderson Hatfield transferred 150 acres on Double Camp and Road Fork of Mate to Floyd Hatfield worth twenty cents per acre and with a total worth of $20. Records showed this as “transferred from Anderson Hatfield.” Note: The deed (above) shows the transfer as 1877.]

1879: Magnolia District

No records exist for this year.

1880-1881: Magnolia District

As per land book, Anse Hatfield owned no land.

On December 9, 1880, Anderson Hatfield, Lovicy Hatfield, Elias Hatfield, and Henry Mitchell deeded 200 acres on Wolf Pen Fork of Grapevine Creek to Robert Cox (all of Logan County) for $200. Anderson Hatfield, Lovicy Hatfield, Elias Hatfield, and Henry Mitchell signed the deed. Justice of the peace Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on December 10, 1880.

1882: Magnolia District

The Hatfield page is missing from the land book.

On January 28, 1882, Anderson and Vicy Hatfield deeded 200 acres at Lick Fork of Grapevine Creek to Johnson Hatfield (all of Logan County) for $250. Began at a large rock near the creek bank just above the garden field at the mouth of Lick Fork, thence running out to the center of the point above Lick Fork…to the head of Lick Fork and down the top of the ridge between Grapevine and Thacker Creek… Anderson and Vicy Hatfield signed the deed. Justice Valentine Hatfield witnessed the deed on January 28, 1882.

1883: Magnolia District

Records for this district are blank.

1884: Magnolia District

37 acres Tug River $1 per acre no building $37 total

2900 acres Grape Vine, Tug River $1.25 per acre $50 building $3625 total

[Note: In 1884, Anse transferred 100 acres to Daniel Christian on Grape Vine and Sandy River worth $1.25 per acre with no building and valued at $125. In 1884, Anse transferred 150 acres on Beech Creek and Sandy River to Jacob Francesco worth $1 per acre with no buildings and total value at $150. This latter tract states “by A. Hatfield by P. Mayhorn” and adds that “books don’t show A. Hatfield is owner.” Anse is not named in the 1884 deed to Jacob Francesco.]

1885: Magnolia District

37 acres Tug River $1 per acre no building $37 total

2750 acres Grapevine Creek and Tug River $1.25 per acre $50 building $3437.50 total

[In 1885, he transferred 50 acres on Sandy River to Moses Christian worth $1.25 per acre with a total worth of $62.50. In 1885, he transferred 100 acres on Grapevine Creek to Samuel Mayhorn worth $1.25 per acre with a total worth of $125.]

1886: Magnolia District

No property listed for him in 1886.

[In 1886, he transferred 500 acres on Pigeon Creek to James Ferrell worth $1.12 per acre with a total worth of $500. This note referenced him as “A. Hatfield Sr.” In 1886, he transferred 25 acres on Tug River to E.S. Murphy worth $1 per acre and a total worth of $25. In 1886, he transferred 340 acres on Beech Creek to Harrison Steel valued at $2.25 per acre and with a total worth of $765. This latter note stated: “2 years back tax and with interest; transferred from Ans Hatfield.”]

1887: Magnolia District

37 acres Tug River $1 per acre no building $37 total

2360 acres Grape Vine $1.25 per acre $50 building $2950 total

[Note: For both entries, the record reads: “one yr bk tax & interest.” In 1887, he transferred 69 acres on Sandy River worth $1 per acre and total worth of $69 to James Mounts. In 1887, he transferred with others 100 acres on Sandy River worth $1 per acre and total value of $100 to Charles R. Mounts. In 1887, he transferred 200 acres on Beech Creek to Harrison Steel worth $1 per acre and total value of $200.]

1888: Magnolia District

No property listed for him, but a note in 1893 lists back taxes owed for

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9297.75 total

[Note: In 1888, he transferred 300 acres on Grapevine, Sandy River worth $1.25 per acre and total value of $375 to J.D. Sergeant of Philadelphia, PA. In 1888, he transferred along with others 1385 acres on Sandy River worth $1.25 per acre and total worth of $1632 to J.D. Sergeant.]

1889: Logan District

Levica Hatfield

250 acres Island Creek $1 per acre no building $250 total

200 acres Island Creek $1.40 per acre no building $280 total

[Note: The 250-acre tract was transferred from S. or L.D. Steel. The 200-acre tract was transferred from S.S. Steel.]

1889: Magnolia District

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9297.75 total

1890-1891: Logan District

Lovicy Hatfield

250 acres Island Creek $1 per acre no building $250 total

200 acres Island Creek $1.40 per acre no building $280 total

1890-1891: Magnolia District

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9297.75 total

1892: Logan District

Lovica Hatfield

250 acres Island Creek $2 per acre no building $500 total

200 acres Island Creek $5 per acre $500 building $1000 total

1892: Magnolia District

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9297.75 total

1893-1894: Logan District

Levicy Hatfield

250 acres Island Creek $2 per acre no building $500 total

200 acres Island creek $5 per acre $500 building $1000 total

1893: Magnolia District

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9297.75 total

[Note: In 1893, the tract at Grapevine Creek was noted: “entered with 5 yrs back taxes and interest.”]

1894: Magnolia District

Anderson Hatfield

2656 1/2 acres Grapevine Creek $3.50 per acre no building $9298 total

*George Hatfield (1804-1883), son of Ephraim and Anna (Musick) Hatfield; father of “Preacher Anse” Hatfield.

NOTE: Many discrepancies exist between the land books and deeds for Anderson Hatfield.

Ephraim Hatfield Property in Logan County (1865-1885)

02 Tuesday Feb 2021

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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:

Ephraim Hatfield

1865-1867: Magnolia Township

70 acres Murphys Branch, Mate Creek $0.50 per acre no building $35 total

125 acres Meadors Branch, Mate Creek $0.50 per acre no building $62.50 total

115 acres Mate Creek $6.00 $200 building $690 total

45 acres Double Camp $2.00 no building $90 total

20 acres South Side, Mate Creek [added in 1871, five years back tax]

24 acres Straight Fork $3.00 per acre no building $72 total

84 acres Beech Creek $5.00 per acre no building $420 total

1868: Magnolia Township

The book contains no entries for Magnolia Township)

1869-1872: Magnolia Township

70 acres John Murpheys Branch, Mate Creek $0.52 per acre no building $36.75 total

[125-acre tract was gone by 1869, bestowed to Nancy Varney, who had 125 acres on “Meadow” Branch worth $0.52 1/2 in 1869]

115 acres Mate Creek $6.30 per acre $200 building $724.50 total

45 acres Double Camp $2.10 per acre no building $94.50 total

20 acres South Side, Mate Creek $0.52 1/2 per acre no building $10.50 total

24 acres Straight Fork $3.15 per acre no building $75.60 total

84 acres Beech Creek $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

1873: Magnolia District

70 acres John Murpheys Branch, Mate Creek $0.52 per acre no building $36.75 total

[Note: The above building was likely noted in error.]

113 acres Mate Creek $6.30 per acre $200 building $724.50 total

[Note: The 115-acre tract is likely noted as 113 acres in error.]

45 acres Double Camp $2.10 per acre no building $94.50 total

20 acres South Side, Mate Creek $0.52 1/2 per acre no building $10.50 total

24 acres Straight Fork $3.15 per acre no building $75.60 total

84 acres Beech Creek $5.25 per acre no building $441 total

1874: Magnolia District

115 acres Mates Creek $6.30 per acre $200 building $724.50 total

45 acres Double Camp $2.10 per acre no building $94.50 total

20 acres S Side Mate Creek $0.52 per acre 1/2 no building $10.50 total

24 acres Trough? Fork $0.15? per acre no building $75.60 total

[Note: He transferred the 84-acre tract to Valentine Hatfield]

1875: Magnolia District

115 acres Mates Creek $4.00 per acre $45 building $460 total

45 acres Double Camp of Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $11.25 total

20 acres Double Camp $0.25 per acre no building $5.00 total

24 acres Strat Fork $0.25 per acre no building $6.00 total

1876: Magnolia District

115 acres Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $11.25 total

45 acres Double Camp Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $5.00 total

20 acres Double Camp Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $6.00 total

24 acres Straight Fork $0.25 per acre no building $18.75 total

1877: Magnolia District

Records are missing for this year.

1878: Magnolia District

15 acres Mates Creek $4.00 per acre $25 building $60 total

20 acres Double Camp Branch Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $5.00 total

24 acres Strate Fork Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $6.00 total

368 acres Mates Creek $0.10 per acre no building $36.80 total

[Note: In 1878, Ephraim transferred one tract of 100 acres on Mate Creek worth four dollars per acre containing a $25 building with a total worth of $400 to Smith and Patterson Hatfield. He also transferred one tract of 50 acres on Nashes Buck? Hollow Double Camp worth twenty-five cents per acre with no building and total worth of $12.50 to Floyd Hatfield.]

1879: Magnolia District

Records are missing for this year.

1880: Magnolia District

15 acres Mates Creek $4.00 per acre $25 building $60 total

20 acres Double Camp Branch Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $5.00 total

24 acres Strate Fork Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $6.00 total

68 acres Mates Creek $0.10 per acre no building $36.80 total

[Note: In 1880, Ephraim transferred 300 acres from the 368-acre tract to Ellison Hatfield. Note also that he died before the 1880 census.]

1881: Magnolia District

15 acres Mates Creek $4.00 per acre $25 building $375.00? total

20 acres Double Camp Branch Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $99.00 total

24 acres Strate Fork Mate Creek $0.25 per acre no building $200.00

68 acres Mates Creek $0.25 per acre no building $109.00

[Note errors in total valuation for his property.]

1882: Magnolia District

The Hatfield page is missing from records.

1883: Magnolia District

Records are missing for this year.

1884: Magnolia District

15 acres Mates Creek $5.00 per acre $40 building $75 total

20 acres Double Camp Branch $1 per acre no building $20 total

68 acres Mates Creek $1 per acre no building $68 total

[Note: The 50-acre tract was listed under Ephraim, Sr. and was transferred from Floyd Hatfield. The 114-acre tract was transferred from a commissioner.]

1885: Magnolia District

15 acres Mates Creek $5 per acre $40 building $75 total

20 acres Double Camp Branch, Mates Creek $1 per acre no building $20 total

68 acres Mates Creek $1 per acre no building $68 total

1886-1888: Magnolia District

No property is listed for 1886, 1887, and 1888.

Hatfield-McCoy Feud Prisoners (1889-1890)

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Hatfield-McCoy Feud

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In December of 1887 and January of 1888, Frank Phillips and his posse captured nine members of the Hatfield faction accused of murdering various members of Randolph McCoy’s family. Captured persons included Selkirk McCoy, Mose Christian, Tom Mitchell, Valentine “Wall” Hatfield, Doc Mahon, Sam Mahon, Andy Varney, Plyant Mahon, and L.D. McCoy. In November of 1888, detectives captured Hatfield partisan Alex Messer. The following information is derived from Kentucky State Penitentiary records:

VALENTINE HATFIELD

NAME: Valentine Hatfield

SEX OR COLOR: White Male

CRIME: Murder

SENTENCE: Life

COUNTY SENT FROM: Pike

TERM OF COURT: August 1889

RECEIVED: January 2, 1890

NO. OF COMMITTAL: 73

AGE: 56

HEIGHT: 6′

WEIGHT: 162

COMPLEXION: Fair

COLOR OF EYES: Yellow

COLOR OF HAIR: Dark

EDUCATION: Com.

NATIVITY: Ky

OCCUPATION: Farmer

PREVIOUS HABITS: Int.

SOCIAL RELATION: M

SUNDAY SCHOOL: No

DESCRIPTION: Book 2, page 117

FORMER CONVICTIONS: —

HOW AND WHEN DISCHARGED: Died February 13, 1890

MARKS, SCARS, ETC.: Mole on left side of neck; ____ in front of neck; scars on right knee and shin; some varicose veins on legs; two dark moles on outside left thigh

ALEXANDER MESSER

NAME: Alexander Messer

SEX OR COLOR: White Male

CRIME: Murder

SENTENCE: Life

COUNTY SENT FROM: Pike

TERM OF COURT: August 1889

RECEIVED: September 7, 1889

NO. OF COMMITTAL: 420 (or 419)

AGE: 52

HEIGHT: 5’8 ¼”

WEIGHT: 158

COMPLEXION: Fair

COLOR OF EYES: Blue

COLOR OF HAIR: Grayish

EDUCATION: None

NATIVITY: Ky

OCCUPATION: Farmer

PREVIOUS HABITS: Temp.

SOCIAL RELATION: M

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Yes

DESCRIPTION: Book 2, page 78

FORMER CONVICTIONS: —

HOW AND WHEN DISCHARGED: —

MARKS, SCARS, ETC.: 2nd finger of left hand scarred at end; scar on each knee; great toe on right foot crooked and badly scarred where it joins foot; great number of scars behind left shoulder; scars in small of back; scar under right nipple; scar on right side

DOC MAHON

NAME: Doc Mayhorn

SEX OR COLOR: White Male

CRIME: Murder

SENTENCE: Life

COUNTY SENT FROM: Pike

TERM OF COURT: August 1889

RECEIVED: January 2, 1890

NO. OF COMMITTAL: 74

AGE: 35

HEIGHT:   5’9 ½”

WEIGHT: 156

COMPLEXION: Fair

COLOR OF EYES: Blue

COLOR OF HAIR: Sandy

EDUCATION: Com.

NATIVITY: W.Va

OCCUPATION: Farmer

PREVIOUS HABITS: Int.

SOCIAL RELATION: M

SUNDAY SCHOOL: No

DESCRIPTION: Book 2, page 118

FORMER CONVICTIONS: —

HOW AND WHEN DISCHARGED: —

MARKS, SCARS, ETC.: Vaccine mark on right arm; scar inside right wrist; small scar outside right hip

PLYANT MAHON

NAME: Plyant Mahorn

SEX OR COLOR: White Male

CRIME: Murder

SENTENCE: Life

COUNTY SENT FROM: Pike

TERM OF COURT: August 1889

RECEIVED: January 2, 1890

NO. OF COMMITTAL: 75

AGE: 37

HEIGHT: 5/10 ½”

WEIGHT: 148

COMPLEXION: Fair

COLOR OF EYES: Blue

COLOR OF HAIR: Sandy

EDUCATION: Com.

NATIVITY: W.Va

OCCUPATION: Farmer

PREVIOUS HABITS: Temp.

SOCIAL RELATION: M

SUNDAY SCHOOL: No

DESCRIPTION: Book 2, page 118

FORMER CONVICTIONS: —

HOW AND WHEN DISCHARGED: —

MARKS, SCARS, ETC.: Vaccine mark on right arm.

Sources:

Eddyville Prisoner Description Book 1889-1910, Roll No. 7009897

Eddyville Prisoner Register 1885-1910, Roll No. 7008244

Frankfort Prison Cell House Register 1883-1919, Roll No. 7010207

Frankfort Prison Sentence Register 1874-1894, Roll No. 7010211

Frankfort Prisoner Descriptions 1887-1906, Roll No. 7009898

Frankfort Register of Prisoners 1848-1893, Roll No. 7009891

Frankfort Register of Prisoners 1880-1911, Roll No. 7009892

Interview of Jean Hatfield at Sarah Ann, WV (2001), Part 4

01 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Cemeteries, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan

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In 2001-2002, I wrote a series of popular stories for the Logan Banner that merged aspects of well-known Hatfield-McCoy books written by Otis Rice and Altina Waller in the 1980s. I had previously enjoyed Rice’s narrative and Waller’s analysis; I did not conduct any new research. Even though I believed the definitive Hatfield-McCoy Feud book remained unwritten, my purpose in writing these stories was not a step toward writing a book; my purpose in writing these stories was to revisit the narrative with some analysis for Banner readers. My hope was that readers would see what I saw: first, fascinating history (or folk story) for its own sake; second, the power of history to create a popular type of tourism.

I was fortunate during this time to meet Jean Hatfield. Jean, born in 1936, operated a Hatfield family museum at Sarah Ann, WV. Jean was not a native of West Virginia but had lived her entire adult life locally and had personally known several of Anderson Hatfield’s children. I really appreciated her desire to promote regional history. She “got it.” She inspired me. Anytime that I drove up Route 44, I stopped to visit Jean at the museum. She was always welcoming. Knowing her reminded me that every Hatfield (and McCoy) descendant is a source of information–-and that for the most part they have yet to tell the story in their own words. Three notable exceptions include The McCoys: Their Story by Truda Williams McCoy (1976), The Tale of the Devil (2003) by Coleman Hatfield and Bob Spence, and The Hatfield and McCoy Feud After Kevin Costner: Rescuing History (2013) by Thomas Dotson.

What follows is Part 4 of my interview with Jean, which occurred on August 7, 2001:

What kind of house did Johnse have?

Probably just a frame house.

I don’t know much about what he did for a living.

I really don’t know either. There’s not that much on him. Maybe he just spent his time chasing ladies. I don’t even know what type of work he did. But he had to work. He worked for his father, for one thing. But now there’s some of his grandchildren still living. But I’m like you, he’s not as good looking as most of the other boys were. But then when you’re like eighteen years old, everybody’s good looking at eighteen.

I wonder what Devil Anse thought about people taking his photo?

There was just always somebody wanting to take his picture. Now this is by Life magazine. They done a story.

I love the one in his hat.

That’s a very rare one. And the one with the long rifle. Because most of the time in the pictures you see him with his little shotgun. But that has the long rifle. I think that’s the muzzle-loading type.

Not nearly as many photos of Randolph McCoy.

This one here, when we did the McCoy monument, they didn’t have any pictures. We had gathered up quite a few of the McCoys and we made a collage picture and that one was in it. That’s the one mostly you see of him is that one. But I have a couple here somewhere when he was younger but it’s not a very clear copy. But he looks very sad and very old and very sick in that one. But he was like thirteen years older than Grandpa, though.

Did your husband hold any grudges?

No.

Was he raised to?

Oh no. He says on the History Channel tape that he went to school with McCoys and he never did have any animosity towards any of them. In fact, our postmaster down here, she was a McCoy before she married. And she and I get along real good.

So not all of Devil Anse’s brothers were involved in the feud…

Well now, like Wall Hatfield, he wasn’t concerned in it nowhere and they took him before a jury and found him guilty of murder, which he didn’t do. And he died in the pen just not long after he got in because he just couldn’t handle penitentiary life. And he’s buried down under that highway. The highway went over the graves of the prisoners that were buried there. Isn’t that terrible? That’s what the family said. Uncle Allen Hatfield from Beech Creek was one of his children. That’s where that come from.

Where did they bury Ellison Mounts?

I think he’s buried over at Hatfield Cemetery at Matewan. That’s where Grandma and Grandpa’s mother and father is buried. Ephraim. He was buried there.

Are they marked?

Yeah. I think they have a small marker is all. Devil Anse’s father was Big Eph Hatfield and she was Nancy Vance. That’s where Uncle Jim come in at. That was her brother. So that would have been Grandpa’s uncle. He loved Grandpa so well, he would kill for him, that was all there was to it. And Grandpa didn’t have to tell him. He went out on his own and done it. I think that had a lot to do with it. In all that I read, Grandpa’s personality just didn’t seem like he was that type of a person.

Did they ever talk about him doing things like singing or whittling?

He was a joker. Like my mother-in-law said, Tennis had give her a new diamond ring. And she was out helping Grandpa milk the cow and she was showing him her pretty ring and he said, “I’d just soon have a pewter button.” He was always joking with people and things like that. Now my mother-in-law was a very scary person. And if he’d a been a mean person she wouldn’t have stayed around him. But her and Tennis lived with them until they had two children. He couldn’t have been very threatening.

Who had the home when it burned?

Tennis. He inherited it from his momma. It burned after she passed. That was on the land that he inherited. All of the children got a certain amount of land.

Did Devil Anse sell out in Mingo County?

Yeah. Cline got it. He just let him have it all and he moved over here.

Who owned the old property where the cemetery is in Mingo County?

That’s part of the other estate, I’d say, Ephraim. That would be part of his. Delorme and up in that area was where they were all at mostly. Delorme, Red Jacket. I don’t know a whole lot about Mingo County. And we lost one of our good little relatives over there: Dutch Hatfield. He used to be chief of police of Matewan and he knew everybody. And him and Henry was really close together and they passed within a year of each other. But he was pretty well up on all of the relatives and who was whose child and all of that.

Why was Cap’s family not buried with the other Hatfields?

Cap and Grandpa and the boys, seems like there was a rift there all the time. He was at Grandpa’s funeral but they hadn’t had much dealings from what I can understand. So when he died he just wanted to be buried on his own land. They started their own little cemetery down there. They may have had some people die before that and buried them there.

Where is Johnse buried?

Johnse is buried up here.

Any of his wives buried with him?

No.

That’s sad that he had so many wives and none are buried with him.

Yeah. That’s a lesson to those men. Better find one and be loyal to them.

I hope someone can figure out how to make this tourism work here.

If you happen to see them down at the Chamber of Commerce, you ask ‘em about a road up here. See if we can get it changed some way. Because if they’re going to use this for tourism they’re going to need to be able to locate it. This is 44. 18 miles from the boulevard to the top of the mountain—that’s as far as 44 goes. And they’re advertising it through the rest stop areas. And Sarah Ann’s not even on the map. Stirrat is.

They don’t have it together in the county seat either.

No. I think it’s one group pulling against another group and if they don’t get together nothing gets done.

Have you ever seen that play in Beckley?

No. I’ve had people say it’s good. I don’t like to stay overnight away from home. I’m a home body.

***

Jean died in 2011. I miss seeing her when I drive up Route 44.

Paw Paw Incident: Dan Whitt Deposition (1889)

20 Saturday Apr 2019

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

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The killing of Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy by a Hatfield-led gang on August 8, 1882 represented one of the most sensational events of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. What follows is Dan Whitt’s deposition regarding the affair:

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The Commonwealth then introduced as a witness Dan Whitt who proves that [he] knows the Defts Doc & Plyant Mayhorn. Knew the three McCoy Boys. Saw them on head Blackberry. Ance, Cap, & Jonse Hatfield, C. Carpenter, Alex Messer were there with me. I saw Defts at Rev. Anderson Hatfield’s was there when we came down the creek to that place, do not remember whether they had any arms or not. All the balance of us had arms. Defts. was somewhere above there when we formed line do not remember whether they got in line or not. Do not remember how Defendants crossed the river. Saw them on the West Virginia side. Had no trial at the mouth of Blackberry. Defendants went to the school house on Mate Creek where the McCoy boys were taken. Do not remember that the Defendants had guns or was armed. There was arms there and they was handled through each other. When Aunt Sally come Ance objected to her seeing the boys but consented afterwards. Wall told Aunt Sally that if they were bothered they would shoot the boys as full of holes as a sifter bottom. Myself, Ance Hatfield, Cap, & Jonce Hatfield, Alex Messer, Jo Murphy, Tom Mitchel C. Carpenter Doc & Sam Mayhon Moses Christian and Jeff Whitt crossed over river into Ky with the McCoy boys we crossed in a flat boat we took them up the bank and up the river a piece to a flat place and there surrounded them and set down and some one said something about a shooting match and I told them if that was what they was for I would leave and me and Sam Mayhorn, Jeff Whitt, & Moses Christian run and got 15 or 20 steps away and the guns fired. The boys was tied together. After the shooting the balance all come to where we was on the bank of the river and we all crossed back together in the boat and when we got to the mouth or Just up in the mouth of Mate we found Wall Hatfield, Elias Hatfield, Plyant Mahon, & Elijah Mounts. They was near the sign board. Wall Hatfield there. Saw the crowd that had been near the river to protect each other and never tell anything that had happened that night. I was indicted for this offense and my father in law got a letter from McKenner saying that if I would come in and give up and tell all I knew about the case he would dismiss the indictments against me and I should not be prosecuted. The prosecution has been dismissed against me. I did not take the oath. We left Ance Ferrells in West Va, that is me, Ance, Jonce, & Cap Hatfield, Alex Messer, C. Carpenter, Jo Murphy, Tom Mitchel, Bill Tom Hatfield, & Jeff Whitt with the agreement to go and Hang the McCoy boys. We staid all night at Farmans store at the mouth of Blackberry in Pike Co Ky. We had no agreement with the Mayhon boys to hang the McCoy boys and they knew nothing of the agreement made at Ance Ferrells. I said at the Jail that I would give same amount to know which one of the Mayhon boys was across the river…[cropped]

Paw Paw Incident: Andy Varney Deposition (1889)

14 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud

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The killing of Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy by a Hatfield-led gang on August 8, 1882 represented one of the most sensational events of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. What follows is Andy Varney’s deposition regarding the affair:

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The Commonwealth then introduced as a witness Andy Varney who proves that he knows Defts Wall, Ance, Cap, & Jonce Hatfield, C. Carpenter, Alex Messer. Knows the McCoy boys. I first saw them over on Blackberry just a little above Rev. Anderson Hatfield. Saw Ance, Cap, Jonce, Wall, and Defts. Do not remember seeing defendants with any arms. I next saw them at the river. Was at the school house on Mate creek Tuesday evening to the best of my knowledge the defts had arms there. Guns, I think. The crowd come to Elias Hatfields about 11 oclock. Wall, Elias, Jonce, Ance, Cap, Alex Messer, and the defts they were all armed. They were all there next morning. I was Lying on the porch when the parties came to Elias Hatfield. I saw these two Mayhorn boys there. I staid there all night. I had a gun. I was guarding the prisoners while at school house on Mate. Some one told me he had a summons for a sufficient guard. I have been staying at old man McCoy’s. I was indicted with defendant but the case has been filed away. I was behind all the way down Blackberry Creek with Harrison Steele.