Randolph Profile

Appalachia Project explicitly states:

• “There is no evidence that this William is a descendant of Archibald McCoy and Elizabeth Blair.”

This is important  Hatfield–McCoy : Old William’s parentage is not confirmed, and the Archibald connection is considered incorrect by modern researchers.

He married:

• Cordelia Campbell, around 1772  

They had a very large family—11 to 13 children, depending on the source. Consistent children across sources include:

• Walter McCoy

• Ezekiel McCoy

• William McCoy Jr

• Samuel David McCoy

• Nancy McCoy

• Mary “Polly” McCoy

• Elizabeth McCoy

• John McCoy

• Daniel Effert McCoy

• Richard McCoy

• Joseph McCoy

• Benjamin Thomas McCoy

• Randolph McCoy (the patriarch of the feud era)

• He served in the American Revolutionary War.

This is consistent across multiple genealogical databases.

William “Old William” McCoy is considered the progenitor of the McCoy family that later lived in:

• Floyd County, Kentucky

• Pike County, Kentucky

• Logan County, Virginia (later part of West Virginia)

This is the exact region where the Hatfield–McCoy feud later erupted.

He died around 1822 in:

• Pike County, Kentucky  

Find‑a‑Grave lists:

• Death: 1822

• Burial: McCoy Cemetery, Burnwell, Pike County, Kentucky  

 The Most Reliable Profile

William “Old William” McCoy

• Born: ~1750–1755, Montgomery County, Virginia

• Parents: Unknown (NOT Archibald & Elizabeth Blair)

• Married: Cordelia Campbell (~1772)

• Children: 11–13, including Randolph McCoy

• Military: Revolutionary War service

• Died: ~1822, Pike County, Kentucky

• Legacy: Founding patriarch of the Kentucky/Virginia McCoys central to the Hatfield–McCoy feud

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• Full name: Randolph “Rand’l” or “Old Ranel” McCoy

• Born: 1825 (Kentucky side of Tug Fork)

• Died: 1914 (commonly cited, though some sources list 1921 for the feud era patriarchs; Randolph’s death is earlier than Devil Anse’s)

• Residence: Pike County, Kentucky, along the Tug Fork River, directly across from the Hatfields of West Virginia

• Occupation: Farmer; owned a 300‑acre farm and livestock, making him modestly prosperous but not wealthy compared to the Hatfields

• Reports said the fight began over insults exchanged at the polls. Three McCoy brothers attacked Ellison Hatfield, who later died of his wounds. The Hatfields captured the brothers and executed them before officers could intervene. Papers called it “the act that rekindled the ancient hatred.”

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• Family: Father of 17 children (some sources say 13, but 17 is the most consistently cited)

Randolph was known as stern, proud, and deeply protective of his family — traits that align perfectly with the character you’re building in your film.

Randolph McCoy was the leader of the McCoy clan, opposite William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield, leader of the Hatfields. Their families lived on opposite sides of the Tug Fork, creating a natural border tension.

Key Events Involving Randolph

1865 – Murder of Asa Harmon McCoy  

• Randolph’s brother was killed by the Logan Wildcats, a militia group tied to Hatfield allies. This is often cited as the earliest spark of the feud.

1878 – The Hog Trial  

• Randolph accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing one of his hogs — a serious matter in a poor region. The trial was overseen by a Hatfield relative, and Floyd was acquitted, enraging the McCoys.

1880 – Roseanna & Johnse Affair  

• Randolph’s daughter Roseanna ran off with Johnse Hatfield. This romance intensified tensions between the families.

1882 – Killing of Ellison Hatfield  

• Three of Randolph’s sons mortally wounded Ellison Hatfield. In retaliation, the Hatfields executed Tolbert, Pharmer, and Randolph Jr. — a major escalation.

1888 – New Year’s Night Massacre  

• Hatfields led by Jim Vance attacked Randolph’s home, killing his children Alifair and Calvin, beating his wife nearly to death, and burning the cabin. Randolph escaped into the woods. This was the feud’s violent peak.

After this attack, Randolph’s authority and family were shattered. He lived out his remaining years quietly, away from the river that had defined his life.

Sources consistently describe Randolph as:

• Proud and stubborn

• Deeply loyal to family

• Less politically connected and less wealthy than the Hatfields

• A subsistence farmer hardened by loss

He was respected but not feared the way Devil Anse was. His life was marked by tragedy — the deaths of siblings, children, and the destruction of his home.

🪦 Legacy

Randolph McCoy has become a symbol of Appalachian endurance and the human cost of generational conflict. His home site in Hardy, Kentucky, is now part of the Hatfield–McCoy Feud Historic District, marked by historical signage.📰 Major Newspaper Stories About Randolph McCoy

1. The New Year’s Night Massacre (January 1, 1888)

This is the most widely reported event involving Randolph McCoy.

Newspapers across Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, and even farther states covered it.

Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Jan. 9, 1888)  

Reported the burning of Randolph’s home, the murder of his children Alifair and Calvin, and the shooting of his wife.

Randolph escaped the burning house and returned fire.

Cincinnati Enquirer (Jan. 8, 1888)  

Reprinted in multiple papers, describing the Hatfields’ attack on the McCoy home and the earlier killings that escalated the feud.

These articles are sensational, emotional, and perfect for cinematic adaptation.

2. Election Day Killing (August 14, 1882)

This earlier event is often cited as the spark that reignited the feud.

Wheeling Register (Aug. 14, 1882)  

Reported the stabbing of Ellison Hatfield by three McCoy brothers and the retaliatory execution of those McCoy boys by the Hatfields.

3. Randolph McCoy’s Final Months (1914)

Several newspapers reported on his tragic death.

Norwich Bulletin (Jan. 10, 1914)  

Reported that Randolph fell into an open fireplace and was fatally burned.

Dakota Farmers’ Leader (Jan. 16, 1914)  

Reprinted the same story, noting he was 86 years old.

Big Sandy News (Jan. 16, 1914)  

Reported he fell backward into the fire at his grandson’s home and was badly burned.

These articles give you powerful material for the end of his character arc.

4. Randolph McCoy’s Obituary (March 31, 1914)

Pikeville, KY obituary  

Reported that the entire village turned out to honor him.

Summarized his role in the feud, including the killing of his brother Harmon and the elopement of his daughter with Johnse Hatfield.

5. Historical Overviews & Newspaper Coverage Summaries

These aren’t single articles but explain how newspapers covered Randolph and the feud.

NewspaperArchive Blog (2026)  

Explains how the feud was covered nationwide from the 1880s–1890s and how Randolph appeared in both dramatic stories and everyday community mentions.

AppalachianHistorian.org (2025)  

Provides a biography of Randolph based on census records, military records, and newspaper accounts.