New years day murders - Randall McCoy well and home site - Forbidden cemetery

This area is atv accessible from Williamson and Matewan wv
( Hardy Kentucky) at this location on New Year's Day 1888, the home and its residents were attacked by members of the Hatfield family. Led by Jim Vance. The attack resulted in the death of two of Randolph's children and the destruction of the home. Today, only the site of the McCoy well remain. The land is now the site of a private residence; however, the current owners acknowledge the location's status as a historic landmark and kindly welcome visitors and tourists to view the well and the statue of Randolph McCoy.
The 2 children are buried across the road in the forbidden cemetery. Please find us here / westvirginiaadventure

[@cynthiamosley2264]

My Grandma use to live in the mobile home in front of the FORBIDDEN CEMETERY. Fox the majority of my young life there were no signs and hardly anyone even knew there was a cemetery up there. When I was in high school the state or someone came in and cut that road up to it. Before that we would climb the hill behind her house and play on a broken down fence and what was left of a cabin. I don’t know who lives there now.

[@brandonraykirk2925]

A McCoy descendant sued Vance after he refused to allow tourists to visit the site.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Thanks again for sharing the forbidden cemetery. I understand now how it's unlikely that we'll be able to see it.

[@wyattbreeding7553]

McCoy v. Vance in the KY Court of Appeals explains the final adjudication of the dispute over the cemetery between collateral descendants of the buried and the property owners. The property owners are within their rights as described on the sign. However, as a collateral descendant possessing proof you should be fine to visit. I plan on trying to visit either this year or next to be able to get photos. The appellants were trying to set up a large family gathering and it's somewhat understandable that the Vance's rather that not happen on the property. According to the documents, the Vance's were fine with the public visiting until 1998 when the McCoy descendants drummed up the idea for a gathering. It's surely unfortunate for the public and historical community, but it's already been decided on. Hopefully for history's sake it'll be open to the public sometime in the future. I'm directly related to the McCoys, Hatfields, AND Vances lol with family living in the area so trying not drum up drama any way or the other. Thanks for sharing your visit out there! Eastern KY and WV is an awesome and beautiful part of the country!

[@Fishin_Jimm]

Have you got record the forbidden cemetery yet ?

[@jimbo1959]

I don't believe " Cotton Top " killed anyone. I think he was a scapegoat.

[@infinitycosmos4723]

Buy a drone and get footage from the air please. 💜

[@rolandicard1339]

How much land did Randall own at that time? And how far away were the neighbors. From what I've read, the family next door didn't come until the next morning after, is this true? Thank you. And does anyone have pics of that house before it burnt down? Can't seem to find any.

[@susanhall7199]

This is very selfish, property is just dirt, a lot of people have sympathy for the McCoys and Hatfield's for the hell they lived through. No one is interested in you or your property. I think money should be raised to move the cemetery.

[@Tamibornrex]

Older cemeteries scare me, because of the snakes. If it's overgrown i don't go.

[@rah2209]

Can the family petition the court to dig them up and rebury them with the rest of the family?

[@thehillbillyfiles]

It's already gone to court

[@deborahbehun3614]

I was told that you can't tell people that they aren't allowed to go into a cemetery That it's always public property

[@janicem9225]

It IS public property, so that's true. You can go to the court house and let them know if you're not being allowed to go there. You just can't walk on land where there's a house, etc, to get there, as that IS private property.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

It's already gone to court, they have selected days only family can visit. But they don't have to let just anyone in.

[@truracer20]

But a family cemetery can be on private land if it was never open to public burials. Hence the case of this cemetery, visitation is allowed to family only.

[@susanhall7199]

That's my understanding also when we buried a family member behind our house. These people need to realize the feud is over, been over, they are mean spirited people

[@ginabishop2131]

I am a new sub and I love your channel. I have always been a huge history buff and love studying about the Hatfield/McCoys. When doing my ancestry, I was thrilled to find I am a direct descendant of Randall McCoy, so that just fueled the fire even more to learn more and more about them. Thanks!!

[@barrykaiser5560]

Hi Gina . just got done watching the video about the McCoy house... How are you related to Randall ?

[@trackpackgt877]

That's cool my family did a genealogy family tree and I'm also related to The McCoys through one of the females I cannot remember who but she was from Pikeville KY I remember that. I will have to find the papers again. Anyway technically u and me are distant relatives

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Interesting video. Perhaps in 20, maybe 30 years, the owners will be more agreeable to letting more people visit the cemetery. Do you know if anyone has ever taken any pictures of the graves of the McCoy children buried there? The well was interesting, I wonder if the water is still drinkable? Thank you, for going to all this trouble, and fighting traffic to share this with us.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

We plan to go on memorial day to visit. We have proof we are related. We will get pictures and videos

[@michaelbedinger4121]

@@thehillbillyfiles Thank you very much for getting back to me, I will look forward to seeing those pictures and videos. I do not know if you guys are into Halloween or not. Heather thought she heard a footstep behind her at the, I think, Hatfield cemetery? But if you are into Halloween, then Happy Halloween!

[@Ruebennowell]

My wife has a relative buried in a cemetery that the people that own it won’t let anybody in their. Those kinds of people are assholes

[@michaelbedinger4121]

@@Ruebennowell AGREED!!!

[@brendahaverfield6035]

I am so looking forward to watching the video on the forbidden cemetery. I knew it had to be a Hatfield that owned the property. When you go in you should watch your back. 😉

[@reneekronsperger5046]

Have you guys ever seen the Mysterious WV channel? The host usually does more recent stuff, but he has done some older cases. It would be a great mash-up to do a show combining the two channels.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

I'm familiar with him, Heather watches sometimes. But he does studio stuff we go to locations. Pretty different styles

[@m988022]

Don't they still use that well for moonshine

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Yes, they do.

[@rhondaroberts9581]

If someone had a drone they might be able to get a glimpse of the forbidden cemetery. I mean, I don't suppose the owners can dominate air space? Just a thought...

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Im open to it lol

[@kathyowens2456]

I see it on Google Earth....not small details, but, it's there....small mowed rectangle....you can see headstones....that's probably as close as you'll ever get....

[@Sweetteatn615]

​@@kathyowens2456 How do you find it on Google Earth? I'd love to see that.

[@cynthiacarter514]

That was so interesting. How did those Hatfields think killing the McKoy family would make things better I do not know.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Bad ideas lol

[@brentcarr8365]

Are there any pictures of the old house before it burned? Thanks for the video

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Not that I'm aware of

[@brentcarr8365]

@@thehillbillyfiles thank you

[@shawnhanns4893]

Have to get yourself a drone. That way you can get into the cemetery.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

for sure!

[@kathystephenson3097]

Thank you for sharing your videos with us! I really appreciate you doing this! Fascinating!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you 🙏

[@jasonrunyon2663]

Love it Brother!!!! Great video!!!

[@GreeneyedkittyNKimJongMeow]

I wonder if you could fly a drone over the Forbidden Cemetery

[@thehillbillyfiles]

We have thought about that, but we recently got proof we are related to McCoys, so we are going to go up on Memorial day and try and visit as the sign says we can.

[@GreeneyedkittyNKimJongMeow]

@@thehillbillyfiles the landowner does not realize that he is missing out on a great opportunity to make some money. Charge admission to see the place.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

@@GreeneyedkittyNKimJongMeow Oh I agree!

[@incognitonegress3453]

@@GreeneyedkittyNKimJongMeow it's not always about money. Money corrupts

[@brendahaverfield6035]

I am so looking forward to seeing your video on the forbidden cemetery. I just knew it had to be a Hatfield that owned the property. Hatred holds you captive and rots your soul. 😔

[@modestinemungo4661]

Lol 😂 :Cottontop" I'm going to give someone that nickname that has a head full of grey/ white hair on top on of his head 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@stevemccoy8138]

Seems like I remember when the exact location of the McCoy House was found, it was on the national news.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Yes you can visit the site it was on, the original well is still there

[@darlenejohnson8864]

Love history. Great video. Love hillbilly files.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you!

[@lisabarger574]

You should put on the recorder on your phone, you might be surprised 😯 at what you pick up 😯

[@Amber12332]

Do you know why the 4 children are not buried where Randal and Sarah is buried? Why are they separated? Also why are they buried on land where people don't care for McCoy's?. The history Channel totally made stuff up they show the whole Mccoy family in the same cemetery even baby Sarah. They also portrayed Alifair as a child and Calvin as a young teenager.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Yes that's why we felt motivated to tell the real stories. Its all fabrication of media. 5 of the children are buried near the old house in hardy at the cemetery you can't visit easily. Those are the 3 shot boys and alifair and Calvin. Then they moved to Pikeville. Its quite a trip by wagon so I assume they just stopped using that cemetery. Its also said they never wanted to return to that place if bad memories. They had many children scattered all over with their own family and wives. Dils cemetery has Roseanna and one son. 2 are in cattlesburg KY. That's all I know at the moment. I also don't know why they are now owned by those people.

[@nidyabronstrup2375]

❤❤❤

[@Cool-Lake]

Thank you.

[@Old_8_gauge]

I did enjoy it & thank you.

[@nathanfisher1826]

Thank you

[@hikerx9366]

Okay I could be hearing things but when you yelled down the well twice, on the second "Hello" I heard an elderly woman's voice say "Hello" back. Her "Hello" pitch is real high at the end of it. Check it out.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Very cool! I will check it out. I have caught voices a few times. Can't explain it

[@lorimorris6520]

Maybe a ghostie

[@rhonatamichellenew3706]

This is awesome 😎

[@deboraadkins-smith2092]

If your related to McCoys your related to Charles Manson 😂

[@thehillbillyfiles]

oh well lol

[@Doecop72]

I was there today. The guy giving the verbal tour said that the guy that owns the land of the forbidden cemetery is a descendent of Jim Vance and that is why he didn't want the MCcoys on his land. They took him to court and family is all that can go up there. And if you try to claim that you are family, you better bring proof.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

The state wanted a memorial there but he wouldn’t let them

[@chrisevans8694]

Very much appreciated sir

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Most welcome

[@WarrenHolly]

Awesome!🤓👍🏾

[@brandonraykirk2925]

The Hatfield gang came to the house to intimidate Ran’l McCoy over the warrants. We can only speculate as to whether or not the Hatfields intended to kill or kidnap the old fellow. When Ran’l and his son Calvin began shooting with deliberate intent, the scene turned bloody. Not sure anyone would have been hurt otherwise.

[@susanhall7199]

There's this story, that story with the truth in the middle

[@bruinsfan8278]

Well Done ! Thank You

[@jamesdolan5236]

Hmm. I thought Alifair was only 13. Not 30.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Alifair McCoy (1858 - 1888)

[@jamesdolan5236]

@@thehillbillyfiles good deal.

[@geofftaylor934]

Is there any stories of exactly what direction the Hatfields came from? I know that the area at that time was covered in woods and it would have been quite a ride for them cowboys to make in the freezing weather...interesting story though!!! Love this stuff...

[@brandonraykirk2925]

Yes.

[@corinnestearns6661]

Thank you for showing

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Your welcome 😁 thanks for watching

[@chrisphillips4859]

I'm related to bad frank Phillips not bragging mind you but in those days only law was what you could enforce.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

yes this is true, that being said, we are working ion a bad frank video right now, thats pretty neat your are related though.

[@jamesdolan5236]

The Ku Klux Klan has a bad reputation everywhere, but up in the hills, a lot of the time, the Klan could enforce the law easier and faster than the local Sheriff could or would.

[@keithstiltner3539]

Are you from Phelps Chris? Frank Phillips has a holler named after him.. and it's the meanest holler around go figure haha I live at the intersection in Phelps

[@kennethjames5775]

Very interesting

[@celestinaliebrecht4679]

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