Boyd Hatfield was murdered in 1931, he was a deputy sheriff at the time. This is our attempt to find his grave in a remote Kentucky area of Hatfield and McCoy feud country. Join this channel to help us do more! / @thehillbillyfiles
HATFIELD, Jeff Jeff Hatfield, who lived on the Kentucky side of Williamson, WV, and who died following an automobile wreck Friday night is the third member of his family to be claimed by violent death. He suffered a fractured skull when his automobile and truck driven by C. R. Ruckley, Maytag salesman of Pikeville, collided at Shafondale, KY and died later at Williamson. Rackley escaping with minor injuries. Hatfield’s brother, Boyd Hatfield, a deputy sheriff was shot and killed by a negro on Pond Creek a few months ago. Another brother, Anderson Hatfield was shot and killed at Matewan, WV in the mine strike there several years ago. Big Sandy News-Recorder, Friday, May 6, 1932
I posted the guys name who shot them. A relative posted it in the comments on a genealogy site. So she may know the whole story. Also my searches pulled up 2 huge downloads mostly about coal wars so I suspect the incident may of been along those lines.
It would totally suck a few short decades after walking in this world to be totally forgotten. You all are doing amazing things giving these people a voice.
Oh my gosh! I got goosebumps when you found Boyd's grave! You could write an incredible book with all the history and pictures you have uncovered on the Hatfield's and McCoy's families. You are doing exactly what I dream of doing: keeping the people alive with their stories. I love your channel! Keep up the great work! God bless you for what you are doing!
Leo, we have numerous ancestors in common. I only have documents on my ancestors but visiting their graves with you has brought them and their stories into my heart.
I think it gives a feeling of restfulness and a tranquil when you visit a family members grave. Thank you Leo for sharing this story and yes I bet someone knows his story
Go to the sheriff's department that he worked for many departments maintain a file of all of their officers killed in the line of duty sorter like a memorial file.
I found this on a site for fallen officers but I didn’t want to join the page. ‘Boyd Westin Hatfield. Deputy Hatfield was shot and killed by a suspect after responding to a disturbance call. He was survived by his wife.’
My great grandmother's sister married a Hatfield. She was Maude Hatfield from KY My husband's grandfather was murdered in an altercation as well. He was 46 when he was stabbed to death outside of a bar. In the 80s I believe
Looking at 1930 on Ancestry, it shows he owned his home valued at 2,000.00. That's interesting. And, his wife's brother and his family lived next door, they owned their home, it was valued at 2,000.00. That is very interesting, especially since the brother is listed as a laborer in the coal mines. And possibly another brother to his wife lived very close, owned his home valued at 2,000.00 and was a coal miner. I watched a video once that said when looking at Census look at entire page, plus page before it and after it, because families lived close to each other.
Hey Leo, did you ever go to a nursing home and talk to an older person who lived in Pensan Ft. ,Kentucky who might remember what happened? When my gma was in a Missouri nursing home there was a lady who remembered her folks in the county my gma was born ‼️ So cool! Just fyi! Bless you both for all your work❤️
Congratulations on finding your family cemetery! So many familiar surnames, my grandmother was a Boyd. We have several that were deputies, a couple were shot on duty. I made a cemetery backpack that has a couple brushes, water, an old toothbrush to clean off the engravings & I always carry silk flowers to put on the graves so they know they aren't forgotten
I agree that Boyd's story deserves to be told at least what you know of it. I hope someone contacts you to tell the whole story. Your persistence paid off & you found him. Excellent work. I think it's so cool that you found even more relatives. it's a pretty little cemetery and is well kept
Leo, I cried seeing the graves of the young people who died. I remember my Mamaw telling me her sister Gertrude’s babies died from the Spanish flu at 2 years old in the 1920’s. She had two little boys. She never could have anymore children. 😢
Columbia! My mother’s name. Never heard of anyone else with that name. Wish she were still here so I could share that with her. I must say, these were some really nice gravestones in this little cemetery.
My Mother was from Perry County not far from where you are at. I love your stories and the beautiful country. She was born in Dwarf Ky. In Perry county.
I have two different police officers that are my ancestors who were killed in the line of duty, 30 years apart. One was on my Dads side and he was killed in the 1890's, and the other which was on my Mom's side, died in the 1920's. Strange thing is, they worked for the same department, Dallas Police. I had always heard about Officer Crain, on my Mom's side but until I accidentally uncovered the other Officer's story (on my Dads side), I hadn't known he was a cop or killed on duty... It's reasons such as this that I started my own channel. I have buried way too many Family and Friends and their stories are lost when we lost them. I have had quite a bit of serious strangeness occur to me in my life, and I didn't want to have those stories die along with me. Plus, I wanted to provide an avenue in which others could anonymously share their own stories. I always enjoy your videos and hearing stories of those who have passed and are no longer with us. And I'm sure they do as well. I mean think about it, who wouldn't appreciate hearing that infectious laugh of yours....be they dead or otherwise. LOL
This was a very moving video. Thank you very much Leo, for telling Boyd's story. It was very tragic how he died and left a family. I am glad that you found his grave, finally. I read some of the comments below, at least you found out a little bit more about what happened to him. Thank you very much again, Leo and Heather, for another great video. Take care. P.S Good job fixing the gate.😊
First off . That looks like a very peaceful place to rest . R.I.P. Boyd ... You know , as much younger than Julius, some of his brothers and sisters were in that picture . One or two of them might still be alive . Great video , with lots of research , so we the viewers would know who these people are .. TY ..
Such a beautiful place. Are they all facing East, to rise on that great getting up morning? It's nice to know they are resting in that lovely peaceful place.
I have asthma, and I can't tell you it will work for you. Before I climb stairs or go up hill. I stop, and take very deep breath. I noticed that when I'm climbing I do hold my breath too. Had to stop and make sure I breathe. Before I couldn't make it up the basement steps without needing to catch my breathe or starting to wheeze. Now I'm doing just fine with the steps.
Great story. Seems like ya'll had a time researching this one. Its a shame that there are so many unanswered questions about people in the past. Sure makes me wish i had spent more time, when i was younger, asking more questions of my relatives. Now that I have an interest in knowing more about my own history. Ya'll do a fantastic job of research and conveying the stories. Thank yall so much for all the hard work ya'll put into this. God bless ya'll, a cd hope you find more answers than questions. ❤
This was a beautiful story, you on the search of a family member.. and ending up with so much more family members and their history. It was a lovely homey feel cemetery.
Edna Hatfields maiden name was Justice. She remarried November 1933 Pilgrim, Martin, Kentucky, United States to Betrem Farkey. Her death date is unknown but she's supposed to be buried in Georgia W Hatfield cemetery
I'm glad you were able to find him Leo. I am sorry you don't know much about him. I hope someone out there can help you with more of his story. He deserves fir his story to be told. Keep it up Heather and Leo you guys are wonderful.❤
Thanks for showing this beautiful cemetery. A very nice peaceful place. It look very well kept too. I liked the buzz if the flies. I had one here in the house annoying me at the same time.
Leo and Heather, I found several newspaper articles dealing with Boyd’s death. If you’re interested, please let me know and I’ll be glad to send everything to you
Elbert Lee Vipperman was my 9th cousin on ky mother's sidre. He was married to Martha Dotson. She remarried a man named Dewy Hager and she died at the age of 90. She is buried in the Dotson Cemetery along eith some of their children.
Wonderful Video..Mr. Hatfield is a mystery. Can you imagine being a census taker back then? Amongest the Hatfields and McCoys? That could've been dangerous! LOL
This video touched me in the old clunkr....lol.... for some reason....im not sure why but i sense a connection with Boyd.... well... And by the way, Leo.... somehow, you and i are cousins....😂 i am a descendant of Ephraim Hatfied... (big Eaph), and i know i heard you say that you were....
@The Hillbilly Files - Legends and Locations I am not real familiar with Boyd. However, if he is descended from Ephraim (big Eaf) Hatfield, then we would be cousins. It's been at least 2 years since I was in research mode, so I'm a little fuzzy. But my liniage comes from Lucinda Hatfield and Joseph Propes
You should find what police department he worked for. Most police departments have a wall of falling police officers They would still know what happened to your cousin. Him being a Hatfield. Then go to the towns News paper office And the local library
the census people weren't from the area they were documenting. One of my grandmothers name was Georgia, but in a census of that area of Tennessee it is spelled Georgie which is how it is pronounced.
That's very common the spelling of names was left up to the auditor. Took me a while to track mine down because of spelling. Now I have the history of 3 of 4 great grand parents to the 1600s. My grandma's on my moms side were gangsters from west Virginia. The Palmers I been stuck I'm the late 1800s trying to work it out.
On one of your ancestors it says Anderson Hatfield was Anderson his first name or a secondary last name because I have a lot of Anderson ancestors that have been berried in Tennessee,Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma
My dad side of the family started in Virginia but some move to Tennessee, Kentucky,Arkansas, Oklahoma the last name is Anderson. I see some Anderson’s on the name on the graves that you have been showing with the Hatfields is the Anderson part of the last name?
Do you happen to remember the first name of the Ratliff in this cemetery? I haven't been able to locate my great grandparents William Jefferson and Tempa.
