Hatfield Family Papers, 1842/2019

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

Boxes 1-6 and 8-11 are stored offsite. Please make an appointment before visiting.

Box 7 cannot be retrieved for use at this time. Please contact the West Virginia & Regional History Center for more information.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Hatfield Family Papers, A&M 4490, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
3.75 Linear Feet 2 document case, 5 in. each; 3 document case, 2.5 in. each; 1 record carton, 15 in.; 2 flat storage boxes, 3 in. each; 1 flat storage box, 3.5 in.; 2 flat storage boxes, 1.5 in. each
Creator:
Hatfield family
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Hatfield Family Papers, A&M 4490, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers and artifacts of the Hatfield family of southwest West Virginia, as compiled by their descendants. Best known for the Hatfield and McCoy feud during the late 19th century, this collection is connected to Devil "Anse" Hatfield, his wife Louvisa Hatfield, and four of their 13 children: Elias, Tennyson ("Tennis"), Joseph Davis ("J.D."), and Detroit ("Troy"). The most common types of materials found in the collection are newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and later academic writings on the Hatfield and McCoy feud. To complement the archival material, biographical and online print outs have been included in the collection by the donor. When possible, we have kept the original order of photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. Most of the content is regarding the everyday life of the Hatfields and their extended family, including the children's experiences working for the Pocahontas Coal Company, holiday and greeting cards, delinquent account notices, and land deeds.
Record Series include
Series 1. Correspondence, 1894-2000, undated.
Series 2. Legal and Financial Documents, 1872- 1983, undated.
Series 3. Printed Material, 1897-2019, undated.
Series 4. Photographs, ca. 1900-1940, undated.
Series 5. Oversized Materials, 1824-1995, undated.
Series 6. Artifacts, 1928-2003, undated.

Majority of content is correspondence between Anse and Louvisa Hatfield and their children. Most are from Elias, J.D., Troy, and Tennis Hatfield while they were away working at Pocahontas Coal Company. Content is mainly regarding family updates, although there are some symphathy letters regarding the deaths of Elias and Troy in 1911. Also included in the series is a folder of supplemental printouts regarding the history of the Hatfield and McCoy feud and Hatfield genealogy, along with a folder containing newspapers and newspaper clippings. More detailed information on correspondents is available on request or in the control folder.

Includes grocery receipts, general store receipts, delinquent account notices, circuit court documents, checks, and land deeds related to Anse and Louvisa Hatfield. Notable documents are related to Louvisa Hatfield and J.C. Williamson, regarding land disagreements in Mingo county. Also included in this series is a 1983 Logan Banner article regarding Hatfield family history.

Includes various pamphlets on the Hatfield-McCoy feud, newspaper articles regarding the Hatfields and the Matewan massacre, West Virginia Goldenseal articles, and printed pages from a genealogy website. Notable contents include a 1920 Logan County Sheriff Election letter from Joe D. Hatfield and the 2003 signed Hatfield-McCoy peace treaty.

Includes print photographs (and scans) from photograph albums of Hatfield family members (many with identification), greeting cards, and postcards. Subjects are mostly the children of Louvisa and Anse Hatfield. More detailed information on subjects of the photos is available on request or in the control folder.

Includes a vintage cloth, newspapers, 1842 Parcel of Land document, and oversized photographs. Notable items include a 1924 "Vote for Tennis Hatfield" poster and an oversized image from Louvisa Hatfield's funeral.

Includes physical objects belonging to the Hatfield family, many of which belonged to Louvisa Hatfield. Notable artifacts include a vintage teapot and stand, a 1914 military morphine kit, and various trinkets.

Processing information:

Many of the photographs were orginally arranged in scrapbook style albums which were numbered by their creator. For preservation, the orginal page arrangments of the photographs were scanned, and the photographs were removed.

Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard