Randolph McCoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Randall McCoy
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| Born |
Randolph McCoy
October 30, 1825 Tug River Valley, Kentucky
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| Died | March 28, 1914 (aged 88) |
| Resting place | Dils Cemetery, Pikeville, Kentucky |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Ole Ran'l |
| Occupation | Farmer and ferry operator |
| Known for | Hatfield–McCoy feud |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah McCoy (m. 1849–1890s) |
| Children | 17 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | 45th Virginia Battalion Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Randolph "Randall" or "Ole Ran'l" McCoy (born October 30, 1825 – died March 28, 1914) was an important leader of the McCoy family. His family was part of the famous Hatfield–McCoy feud in America. He was born in the Tug River Valley in Kentucky.
Randolph was the fourth of thirteen children. His parents were Daniel McCoy and Margaret Taylor McCoy. He lived mostly on the Kentucky side of the Tug Fork. This river is a branch of the Big Sandy River.
The feud with the Hatfield family lasted almost thirty years. During this time, Randolph lost five of his children to the violence. The feud was a long and bitter conflict between the two families.
Contents
Family Life and Children
Randolph McCoy married his cousin, Sarah "Sally" McCoy, on December 9, 1849. They were married in Pike County, Kentucky. Both Randolph and Sarah were of Scottish background. They had 17 children together.
Their children included:
- Josephine McCoy (born 1848)
- James "Jim" McCoy (1849–1929)
- Floyd McCoy (1853–1928)
- Tolbert McCoy (1854–1882), killed during the feud
- Lilburn McCoy (1855–1855), died young
- Samuel McCoy II (1856–1921)
- Alifair McCoy (1858–1888), killed during the feud
- Roseanna McCoy (1859–1888), died during the feud from illness
- Calvin McCoy (1862–1888), killed during the feud
- Pharmer McCoy (1863–1882), killed during the feud
- Randolph "Bud" McCoy (1864–1882), killed during the feud
- Kay McCoy (born 1865)
- William "Bill" McCoy (born 1868)
- Trinvilla "Trinnie" McCoy (born 1868)
- Adelaide McCoy (born 1870)
- Fannie McCoy (1873–1943)
- Mary Katherine McCoy (born 1875)
Roseanna McCoy was one of their most well-known children. She had a relationship with Johnse Hatfield, a member of the rival family. They had a daughter named Sarah Elizabeth. Randolph was very upset about this relationship. Johnse Hatfield later married Nancy McCoy, who was Roseanna's cousin. Roseanna's baby died young, and Roseanna herself passed away at age 29.
The Hatfield–McCoy Feud
The Hatfield–McCoy feud was a long and violent conflict. It took place mainly in the areas of West Virginia and Kentucky. The feud lasted for many years, causing much sadness for both families.
During the American Civil War, Randolph McCoy fought for the Confederate Army. He was a private in the 45th Virginia Infantry Battalion. He was a prisoner of war from 1863 to 1865. After the war, he returned home to Kentucky.
However, Randolph's younger brother, Asa Harmon McCoy, joined the Union Army. After Asa Harmon returned home, he was killed. Many believed that Jim Vance, an uncle of Devil Anse Hatfield, and other members of the Hatfield family were responsible. No one was ever charged for Asa Harmon's death.
In the late 1870s, a land dispute added to the tension. Devil Anse Hatfield and Randolph McCoy's cousin, Perry Cline, both claimed the same land. Hatfield won the case in court, which made the McCoys even angrier. They felt the court was unfair to them.
In 1878, Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing one of his hogs. Hogs were very important for farming back then. The case was decided in favor of the Hatfields. This made the feud much worse. Later, two McCoy brothers were accused of killing Bill Staton, who was involved in the hog case. They were found innocent because the judge said it was self-defense.
The feud reached its worst point in 1882. Three of Randolph's sons killed Ellison Hatfield, who was Devil Anse's brother. In revenge, Devil Anse and his group captured and killed Randolph's three sons: Tolbert, Pharmer, and Randolph Jr. They were killed without a trial near Matewan, West Virginia.
On January 1, 1888, the Hatfields attacked the McCoy home. "Cap" Hatfield and Jim Vance led the attack. Randolph's house was burned down. Many family members were killed or hurt. Randolph's son, Calvin, was killed in the fight. His daughter, Alifair, was shot while trying to escape the burning house.
Randolph's wife, Sally, was badly hurt trying to help Alifair. She suffered broken ribs and skull fractures. She survived but was disabled for the rest of her life. Randolph and his remaining family escaped into the woods. They suffered from frostbite because they were not dressed for the cold.
After the attack, Randolph moved his family to Pikeville, Kentucky. He lived there for the rest of his life, filled with sadness and anger. He worked as a ferry operator in Pikeville. By the end of the feud, he had lost seven of his children and his wife was severely injured.
Soon after the New Year's attack, a Kentucky deputy named Frank Phillips and a group of McCoys chased the Hatfields. They killed Jim Vance and arrested nine Hatfield family members. These Hatfields were taken to jail.
Later Life and Death
Randolph McCoy died at the age of 88. He was badly burned in a cooking fire. He is buried in the Dils Cemetery in Pikeville, Kentucky. His wife, Sarah, who died in the 1890s, is buried next to him.
Conclusion of the Feud
After the New Year's attack, Wall Hatfield and eight others were arrested. They were taken to Kentucky to face trial for the murder of Alifair McCoy.
The fighting became so serious that political leaders got involved. The governor of West Virginia said Kentucky was wrong to arrest the Hatfields. He took the case to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1889, the Supreme Court decided that Kentucky could try the Hatfields.
Private detectives searched for many Hatfields. However, Devil Anse Hatfield was never tried or jailed. In 1890, Ellison Mounts was executed in Kentucky for his part in the McCoy killings. He was one of the men who had been captured. After Mounts' execution, the feud slowly came to an end.
On June 14, 2003, the McCoy family and Reo Hatfield, a descendant of the Hatfields, signed an official truce. This was a symbolic act. It showed that people can overcome their differences and unite.
See also
In Spanish: Randolph McCoy para niños
