Tucked away in the Appalachian mountains, where the mist hangs heavy over the Tug Fork River, lies a piece of American mythology that isn't just a story. It’s a real place. If you drive deep into Logan County, West Virginia, past the winding creek beds and coal-dusted hills, you’ll eventually find a quiet cemetery on a steep hillside in Sarah Ann. This is the Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite, the final resting place of the man who led one half of the most famous blood feud in world history.
It’s eerie.
Most people expect a crumbling, weathered headstone or perhaps a simple wooden cross befitting a rough-and-tumble Civil War veteran and timber man. Instead, you are met with a life-sized, Italian marble statue of William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield himself. He’s standing there, frozen in stone, looking out over the valley. He isn't wearing buckskins or carrying a long rifle in the sculpture; he’s wearing a frock coat, looking every bit the refined patriarch he became in his later years. It’s a weirdly sophisticated monument for a man who spent decades in a shooting war with the McCoys over everything from a stolen hog to a forbidden romance.
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Getting to the Hatfield Family Cemetery
Don't expect a gift shop. This isn't a theme park. To reach the Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite, you basically have to commit to a bit of a climb. The cemetery sits on a ridge, and the path up can be slick if it’s rained recently—which, in West Virginia, is most of the time. Honestly, the drive itself is half the experience. You’ll be navigating Route 44, and while GPS is much better than it used to be, cell service in these hollows (or "hollers" as locals say) is notoriously flaky.
The site is technically on private property, but the Hatfield family has been incredibly gracious about allowing the public to visit for decades. You just have to be respectful. No loud music. No trash. Just you and the ghosts of the Tug Valley. When you get to the top, the air feels different. It’s quiet in a way that makes you want to whisper. You’ll notice the graves of his children are nearby, including those who were central players in the violence, like Cap Hatfield.
The Statue That Cost a Fortune
The marble monument is the centerpiece. People always ask how a mountain man from the 1920s could afford a life-sized statue imported from Italy. It cost about $3,000 back then, which was a small fortune. Adjusted for today's inflation? You're looking at something like $50,000 or $60,000.
His children commissioned it after he died of pneumonia in 1921. It’s important to remember that by the time Anse passed away, he was a celebrity. He had survived the feud, been baptized in the chilly waters of Main Island Creek by his old enemy "Uncle Dyke" Garrett, and lived to the ripe old age of 81. The statue serves as a permanent middle finger to anyone who thought the Hatfields were just "backwoods outlaws." It was a statement of status.
On the base of the monument, his children’s names are carved into the stone. You can see the names of his sons—Johnson, William Anderson Jr., Robert E. Lee, Elias, Troy, and Joe—alongside his daughters. It’s a testament to the fact that while the feud was about blood, his later life was about legacy.
Why the location matters
The Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite isn't in a town square or a high-traffic area. It’s in Sarah Ann because that was his stronghold. After the "Battle of Grapevine Creek" and the hanging of Cottontop Mounts (the only person legally executed for the feud), Anse moved his family away from the immediate border of the Tug River. He wanted a buffer zone. He bought a large tract of land in Logan County where he could live without constantly looking over his shoulder for a McCoy rifle barrel poking out of the brush.
The Reality of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud
We have to talk about the myths. Movies and TV shows like to portray the Hatfields as uneducated hillbillies. That's just wrong. Anse Hatfield was a savvy businessman. He ran a successful timber operation and owned thousands of acres of land. He understood the law, even if he chose to operate outside of it when it suited him.
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The feud wasn't just about a pig. It was about land rights, timber boundaries, and the lingering scars of the Civil War. The Hatfields were largely Confederates, while the McCoys, led by Ran'l McCoy, had more Union leanings. When you stand at the Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite, you aren't just looking at the grave of a fighter; you’re looking at the grave of a man who navigated the industrialization of Appalachia.
The Graves You Might Miss
While everyone stares at the big statue, look at the smaller stones. You'll see the graves of Troy and Elias Hatfield. They didn't die in the feud with the McCoys. They were killed in 1911 during a shootout with a rival liquor agent. It’s a grim reminder that violence seemed to follow the family even after the "official" war ended.
Then there’s Vicey Hill Hatfield, Anse’s wife. She was the backbone of the clan. She bore 13 children and stood by him through the raids, the fires, and the trials. Her grave is right there, beside his. Without her, the Hatfield name probably wouldn't have the weight it carries today.
What to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip, keep a few things in mind. The site is open year-round, but fall is arguably the best time to visit. The foliage in Logan County is spectacular, with the maples and oaks turning brilliant shades of orange and red. It adds to the atmosphere.
- Footwear: Wear boots. The trail is short but can be muddy and steep.
- Etiquette: It’s a cemetery first, a tourist site second. Leave a coin on the headstone if you want—it’s a common tradition—but don’t take anything.
- Nearby Sites: Don't just see the grave. Drive over to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails if you’re into ATV riding, or visit the Matewan Depot to learn about the coal wars that came later.
There is a strange sense of peace at the Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite that contradicts the violent history of the man buried there. You might see descendants of both families visiting at the same time. They held an official truce signing in 2003, which was mostly a symbolic gesture for the media, but the sentiment remains. The war is over.
The Cultural Impact of the Site
Why do we still care? Why do thousands of people drive into the middle of nowhere to see a statue of a guy who died a hundred years ago?
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Part of it is the American obsession with the "outlaw" figure. We love a rebel. Anse Hatfield represented a brand of fierce independence that feels increasingly rare. Standing at his grave, you realize that he wasn't a character in a screenplay; he was a person who made choices that affected generations.
The site has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s. It’s a protected piece of our heritage. It serves as a bridge between the wild, untamed Appalachia of the 19th century and the modern, struggling, yet proud region we see today.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Download Offline Maps: As mentioned, your phone will likely lose data. Download the area map of Logan and Sarah Ann on Google Maps before you leave your hotel.
- Visit the Local Museum: The Logan County Chamber of Commerce and local historical societies often have maps that point out other feud-related spots, like the site of the New Year's Night Massacre.
- Check the Weather: West Virginia mountain storms are no joke. A light drizzle in town can mean a complete washout on a hillside trail.
- Respect the Neighbors: The road leading to the cemetery passes by people's homes. Drive slowly. The locals are used to tourists, but they appreciate those who don't treat their neighborhood like a race track.
Visiting the Devil Anse Hatfield gravesite is a visceral experience. It strips away the Hollywood gloss and leaves you with the cold marble and the damp earth. It’s a reminder that history isn't just in books—it’s etched in stone on a West Virginia hillside.
Go see it for yourself. Look into the eyes of the statue. Think about the complexity of a man who was a timber magnate, a soldier, a fugitive, and eventually, a man of faith. Then, walk back down the hill, grab a pepperoni roll at a local gas station, and take the long way home through the mountains. That’s the real West Virginia.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Pin the Location: Search for "Hatfield Family Cemetery" in Sarah Ann, WV, to save the exact coordinates.
- Consult the Hatfield-McCoy Convention and Visitors Bureau: They provide updated info on road conditions and local events like the Hatfield-McCoy Reunion Days.
- Read "The Hatfield-McCoy Feud: A Bad Blood Documentary" or similar primary-source-heavy books: This will help you identify the names on the smaller headstones surrounding Devil Anse.