Devil Anse Hatfield

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

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

Hatfield was born in Logan, West Virginia, the son of Ephraim Hatfield and Nancy Vance. He ran a logging operation, which accrued much wealth for his extended family.

A southern sympathizer, Hatfield formed a Confederate guerrilla fighting unit during the American Civil War that he named "The Logan Wildcats."^[1] In 1865, he was suspected of having been involved in the murder of his rival Asa Harmon McCoy, who had fought for the Union Army and was waylaid by "The Logan Wildcats" on his return home. Hatfield had been home ill at the time of the killing, which was most likely committed at the instigation of his uncle, Jim Vance. This sparked the beginning of the notorious feud between the two families which would claim many lives on both sides.

Hatfield Family Cemetery

He died at the age of 81 and is buried in the Hatfield Family Cemetery along West Virginia Route 44 in southern Logan County. His grave is topped by a marble statue of himself.

Marriage and children

On April 18, 1861 in Logan, Hatfield married Levicy Chafin (December 20, 1843- March 15, 1929), the daughter of Nathan Chafin and Matilda Varney; their 13 children were: Johnson, William Anderson, Robert, Nancy, Elliott, Mary, Elizabeth, Elias, Detroit "Troy", Joseph, Rose, Willis, and Tennyson "Tennis". Levicy outlived her husband by eight years.

Notes

1. ^ Hatfield - McCoys at www.libby-genealogy.com

Persondata
Name	Hatfield, William Anderson
Alternative names	devil anse
Short description
Date of birth	September 9, 1839
Place of birth
Date of death	January 6, 1921
Place of death

Family: The Richardsons are related to this family some include: George Bricky Richardson, George Arthur Richardson, Theresa Marie Richardson and Celeste Gabrielle Richardson.