Johnse Hatfield is a name of public interest because of his entanglement with one of the most notorious family feuds in American history. Johnse was the son of “Devil Anse” Hatfield, and has a legacy that continues to intrigue historians and storytellers alike. This article looks at Johnse Hatfield’s background, career, family dynamics, and involvement in the Hatfield-McCoy feud.
Background
Johnse Hatfield was born Johnson Hatfield on 1 April, 1862, in Logan County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was the eldest son of William Anderson “Devil Anse Hatfield” and Levicy Chafin Hatfield. As a child growing up amid turbulent Appalachian history, Johnse grew up experiencing the rugged, independent life of the region.
The Hatfield family, known for their wealth and influence, owned large land holdings and were active in timber and livestock farming. Johnse’s early years were marked by a mixture of privilege and hardship, as the family navigated the challenges of post-Civil War Appalachia.
Family and Siblings
Johnse was one of thirteenth children of Devil Anse and Levicy Hatfield. His siblings were Cap Hatfield, another key figure in the feud, William Anderson Hatfield Jr., Elizabeth Hatfield Caldwell, Robert Lee Hatfield, Nancy Bell Hatfield Vance-Mullins, and others. The Hatfield siblings were raised together with loyalty and family honor. That loyalty often kept them in violent disputes during the feud.
Johnse Hatfield’s Marriage and Children
Love, scandal and heartbreak defined Johnse’s private life. He was romantically involved with Roseanna McCoy, daughter of the rival family’s patriarch, Randolph McCoy, in 1880. They had a short relationship during the feud that caused outrage on both sides. Roseanna became pregnant with Johnse’s child, but their union was never formalized due to pressure from their families.
Johnse later married Roseanna McCoy’s cousin, Nancy McCoy, a controversial move that further intensified animosity between the Hatfields and McCoys. Johnse and Nancy had children together but their marriage was reportedly turbulent, reflecting the tensions and drama of the broader family feud.
Devil Anse Hatfield: A Patriarch of Legend
William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield was born in 1839, in what is today West Virginia. A colossal figure in Appalachian history, Devil Anse was nicknamed for his supposedly fearsome disposition and uncompromising nature.
Devil Anse served as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. After the war, he became a timber merchant and farmer renowned in the Hatfield area.
Furthermore, Devil Anse’s prominence is largely tied to the Hatfield-McCoy feud, a decades-long conflict that began in the late 19th century. The feud was fueled by disputes over land, livestock, and personal grievances, including the murder of Devil Anse’s brother, Ellison, by the McCoys. As the patriarch of the Hatfield family, Devil Anse led his clan in skirmishes and legal battles that attracted national attention. He was also a strategic thinker, often handling the feud with aggression mixed with diplomacy. In his later years, however, Devil Anse sought peace and reconciliation, becoming a Christian in 1911. He died in 1921, amid great strength, resilience and controversy.
Legacy and Reflections
The life of Johnse Hatfield, although marred by the Hatfield-McCoy feud, offers another perspective on the personal and familial dynamics of that time. He was the son of Devil Anse Hatfield, and carried both the privileges and the burdens of his lineage.
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