Ann Rinaldi andAnn Rinaldi and The Coffin QuiltThe Coffin Quilt

By: Kennedy Boyce, Darlena By: Kennedy Boyce, Darlena Poling, and Brittany KeeslingPoling, and Brittany Keesling

The Coffin QuiltThe Coffin Quilt ““Fanny McCoy has lived with fear Fanny McCoy has lived with fear

and anger ever since that day in and anger ever since that day in 1878 when a dispute with the 1878 when a dispute with the Hatfields over the ownership of a Hatfields over the ownership of a few pigs set her family on a path few pigs set her family on a path of hatred and revenge. From that of hatred and revenge. From that day forward, the Hatfields and day forward, the Hatfields and McCoys have operated not within McCoys have operated not within the law but within mountain the law but within mountain codes of their own making. In codes of their own making. In 1822, when Fanny’s sister1822, when Fanny’s sister Roseanne runs off with young Roseanne runs off with young Johnse Hatfield, the hatred Johnse Hatfield, the hatred between the two clans explodes. between the two clans explodes. As the killings, abductions, and As the killings, abductions, and heartbreak escalate bitterly and heartbreak escalate bitterly and senselessly, Fanny, the sole voice senselessly, Fanny, the sole voice of reason, realizes that she is of reason, realizes that she is powerless to stop the fighting and powerless to stop the fighting and must learn to rise above the petty must learn to rise above the petty natures of her family and natures of her family and neighbors and to find her own neighbors and to find her own way out of the hatred.”way out of the hatred.”

Quoted from the back of the Quoted from the back of the book.book.

What Really Is A Coffin Quilt?What Really Is A Coffin Quilt? ““Coffin Quilts date from the days when people were rubbing up against death Coffin Quilts date from the days when people were rubbing up against death

all the time, so it was treated a little more matter-of-factly than it is today. As all the time, so it was treated a little more matter-of-factly than it is today. As with most other types of patchwork quilt, they appear to have originally been with most other types of patchwork quilt, they appear to have originally been an American invention.an American invention.

They were usually done in somber shades of grey or brown and consisted of They were usually done in somber shades of grey or brown and consisted of a plain center (the graveyard) surrounded by either pieced blocks (star, nine-a plain center (the graveyard) surrounded by either pieced blocks (star, nine-patch, etc.) or by appliques such as a picket fence. These quilts were patch, etc.) or by appliques such as a picket fence. These quilts were sometimes also embroidered with vines, flowers, and other funerary symbols.sometimes also embroidered with vines, flowers, and other funerary symbols.

Now for the fun part: Appliques in the shape of toe-pincher coffins, each Now for the fun part: Appliques in the shape of toe-pincher coffins, each embroidered with the name of a family member, were loosely basted on the embroidered with the name of a family member, were loosely basted on the quilt’s border. When a relative died, the coffin bearing his/her name was quilt’s border. When a relative died, the coffin bearing his/her name was removed and sewed permanently in the center or graveyard area, along with removed and sewed permanently in the center or graveyard area, along with the date of death.the date of death.

Yeah, that’d be a hoot, wouldn’t it? Going to visit Aunt Agatha and seeing the Yeah, that’d be a hoot, wouldn’t it? Going to visit Aunt Agatha and seeing the little coffin with your name on it, just waiting….little coffin with your name on it, just waiting….

Anyway, if you like to quilt (or would like to learn–it’s truly less daunting than Anyway, if you like to quilt (or would like to learn–it’s truly less daunting than you think), this would be a fun project. It’s nicely morbid, but can claim real you think), this would be a fun project. It’s nicely morbid, but can claim real historical roots if anyone complains. Depending upon your skill level you can historical roots if anyone complains. Depending upon your skill level you can choose a simple block (stick with squares or triangles that make up squares, choose a simple block (stick with squares or triangles that make up squares, like like Churn Dash) or can go nuts with the appliques and make your own ) or can go nuts with the appliques and make your own cemetery, complete with wrought-iron gates.”cemetery, complete with wrought-iron gates.”

http://www.shadowmanor.com/blog/index.php?s=coffinshttp://www.shadowmanor.com/blog/index.php?s=coffins

Just a little historyJust a little history The Hatfield and the McCoy feud involved two families of the West Virginia-Kentucky The Hatfield and the McCoy feud involved two families of the West Virginia-Kentucky

backcountry along the Tug Fork River, off Big Sandy Riverbackcountry along the Tug Fork River, off Big Sandy River

The McCoysThe McCoys lived on the Kentucky side of the Tug Fork (a tributary of the Big Sandy River)lived on the Kentucky side of the Tug Fork (a tributary of the Big Sandy River) fighting for the Union, McCoys were led by Randolph “Ole Ran’l” McCoy [1852-fighting for the Union, McCoys were led by Randolph “Ole Ran’l” McCoy [1852-

1914]1914]

The HatfieldsThe Hatfields lived on the West Virginia sidelived on the West Virginia side fighting for the Confederacy, Hatfields were led by William Anderson “Devil Anse” fighting for the Confederacy, Hatfields were led by William Anderson “Devil Anse”

Hatfield [1839-1921]Hatfield [1839-1921] ””Devil Anse” Hatfield’s timbering operation was a source of wealth for his family, but Devil Anse” Hatfield’s timbering operation was a source of wealth for his family, but

he employed many non-Hatfields, and even hired Albert McCoy, Lorenzo Dow he employed many non-Hatfields, and even hired Albert McCoy, Lorenzo Dow McCoy, and Selkirk McCoy McCoy, and Selkirk McCoy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- both families were part of the first wave of pioneers to settle the Tug Valleyboth families were part of the first wave of pioneers to settle the Tug Valley both were involved in the manufacture and sale of moonshineboth were involved in the manufacture and sale of moonshine both were involved in guerrilla activity during the American Civil Warboth were involved in guerrilla activity during the American Civil War

How it StartedHow it Started

According to historian, Michel Sellers, it began when a According to historian, Michel Sellers, it began when a Hatfield wanted to marry a McCoy, but the clans Hatfield wanted to marry a McCoy, but the clans disagreed and strife resulted. “Most people believe disagreed and strife resulted. “Most people believe that the Hatfield-McCoy feud began with the death of that the Hatfield-McCoy feud began with the death of Asa Harmon McCoy (Randall McCoy’s brother) on Asa Harmon McCoy (Randall McCoy’s brother) on January 7, year unknown.” The uncle of Devil Anse, January 7, year unknown.” The uncle of Devil Anse, Jim Vance, and his “Wildcats” despised Hans Hall Jim Vance, and his “Wildcats” despised Hans Hall McCoy because he joined the Union army. Harmon McCoy because he joined the Union army. Harmon had been discharged from the army early because of had been discharged from the army early because of a broken leg: several nights after he returned home, a broken leg: several nights after he returned home, he was murdered in a nearby cave.he was murdered in a nearby cave.

More…More… The 1The 1stst recorded instance of violence in the feud occurred recorded instance of violence in the feud occurred

after 1873 dispute about the ownership of a hog: Floyd after 1873 dispute about the ownership of a hog: Floyd Hatfield had it and Randolph McCoy said it was his. But the Hatfield had it and Randolph McCoy said it was his. But the truth, the dispute was over property lines and the truth, the dispute was over property lines and the ownership of land. The pig was only in the fight because ownership of land. The pig was only in the fight because one family believed that since the pig was on their land, one family believed that since the pig was on their land, that meant it was theirs: the other side objected. The that meant it was theirs: the other side objected. The matter was taken to the local Justice of Peace, and the matter was taken to the local Justice of Peace, and the McCoys lost because of the testimony of Bill Staton, a McCoys lost because of the testimony of Bill Staton, a relative of both families. The individual presiding was relative of both families. The individual presiding was Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield. In June 1880, Staton Anderson “Preacher Anse” Hatfield. In June 1880, Staton was killed by two McCoy brothers, Sam and Paris, who was killed by two McCoy brothers, Sam and Paris, who were alter acquitted on the grounds of self defense. But the were alter acquitted on the grounds of self defense. But the court decided later on it was not self defense; it was first court decided later on it was not self defense; it was first degree murder.degree murder.

And More…And More…

The feud escalated after Roseanna McCoy began an The feud escalated after Roseanna McCoy began an affair with the Johnse Hatfield (Devil Anse’s son), affair with the Johnse Hatfield (Devil Anse’s son), leaving her family to live w/ the Hatfields in WV. leaving her family to live w/ the Hatfields in WV. Roseanna eventually returned to the McCoys, but Roseanna eventually returned to the McCoys, but when the couple tried to resume their relationship, when the couple tried to resume their relationship, Johnse Hatfield was kidnapped by the McCoys and Johnse Hatfield was kidnapped by the McCoys and was saved only when Roseanna made a desperate was saved only when Roseanna made a desperate ride to alert Devil Anse Hatfield, who organized a ride to alert Devil Anse Hatfield, who organized a rescue party.rescue party.

Despite what was seen as a betrayal of her family on Despite what was seen as a betrayal of her family on his behalf, Johnse abandoned the pregnant his behalf, Johnse abandoned the pregnant Roseanna, marrying her cousin, Nancy McCoy in Roseanna, marrying her cousin, Nancy McCoy in 1881, instead.1881, instead.

The Childhood of Ann RinaldiThe Childhood of Ann Rinaldi Born in New York city Born in New York city Date: August 27, 1934Date: August 27, 1934 Parents: Michael and Marcella Feis Parents: Michael and Marcella Feis Marcella died soon after Ann’s birth so Ann lived w/ aunt & uncle in Marcella died soon after Ann’s birth so Ann lived w/ aunt & uncle in

Brooklyn Brooklyn Claims that living w/ teenage cousins was the only happy part of Claims that living w/ teenage cousins was the only happy part of

growing upgrowing up Father soon abruptly came and forced her to live w/ him a stepmother Father soon abruptly came and forced her to live w/ him a stepmother

and her 4 siblings in New Jerseyand her 4 siblings in New Jersey Father was a newspaper editor Father was a newspaper editor He did everything he could to discourage her wants to become a writer He did everything he could to discourage her wants to become a writer He would not allow her to go to college, previous schooling also did He would not allow her to go to college, previous schooling also did

not go wellnot go well She entered the business world and became a secretaryShe entered the business world and became a secretary 1960 married Ron Rinaldi because he was “middle-class and sane”1960 married Ron Rinaldi because he was “middle-class and sane”

Ann’s Writing CareerAnn’s Writing Career After having 2 kids Ann left the business world and After having 2 kids Ann left the business world and

became a writerbecame a writer She wrote 4 novels but she thought they were horribleShe wrote 4 novels but she thought they were horrible 1969 she got a weekly column in the Somerset Messenger 1969 she got a weekly column in the Somerset Messenger

Gazette earning $7 a weekGazette earning $7 a week 1970 she switched to writing 2 columns a week for the 1970 she switched to writing 2 columns a week for the

Trentonian Daily Trentonian Daily Within a few years she was writing features and soft news Within a few years she was writing features and soft news

as well as columns as well as columns This was beneficial to learning the newspaper businessThis was beneficial to learning the newspaper business 1979 Ann finished a short story she had been working on 1979 Ann finished a short story she had been working on

for a long time for a long time Term Paper (her short story) was published by the first Term Paper (her short story) was published by the first

publisher who read itpublisher who read it Promises Are For Keeping (the sequel) was published Promises Are For Keeping (the sequel) was published

soon aftersoon after

Books Written by: Ann RinaldiBooks Written by: Ann Rinaldi A Ride Into MorningA Ride Into Morning A Break With CharityA Break With Charity The Fifth Of MarchThe Fifth Of March Finishing Becca Finishing Becca The Secret of Sarah Revere The Secret of Sarah Revere An Acquaitaince With DarknessAn Acquaitaince With Darkness Cast Two ShadowsCast Two Shadows The Coffin QuiltThe Coffin Quilt The StaircaseThe Staircase Or Give Me DeathOr Give Me Death An Unlikely FriendshipAn Unlikely Friendship Come JuneteenthCome Juneteenth Keep Smiling ThroughKeep Smiling Through Hang a Thousand Trees With Hang a Thousand Trees With

RibbonsRibbons An Unlikely Friendship An Unlikely Friendship Come Juneteenth Come Juneteenth The Ever-After BirdThe Ever-After Bird Juliet's MoonJuliet's Moon The Letter WriterThe Letter Writer

Term PaperTerm Paper Promises Are for KeepingPromises Are for Keeping But In The Fall I’m LeavingBut In The Fall I’m Leaving Time Enough For DrumsTime Enough For Drums The Good Side of My HeartThe Good Side of My Heart The Last Silk DressThe Last Silk Dress Wolf by the EarsWolf by the Ears In My Father’s HouseIn My Father’s House The Second Bend in the RiverThe Second Bend in the River Mine Eyes Have SeenMine Eyes Have Seen Amelia’s WarAmelia’s War Quilt TrilogyQuilt Trilogy 1. 1. A Stitch In TimeA Stitch In Time 2. 2. Broken Days Broken Days 3.3. The Blue Door The Blue Door Dear AmericaDear America My Heart Is On The Ground: The My Heart Is On The Ground: The

Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux GirlGirl

The Journal of Jasper Jonathon The Journal of Jasper Jonathon Pierce, a Pilgrim BoyPierce, a Pilgrim Boy

And More…And More… The escalation continued in 1882 when Ellison Hatfield, The escalation continued in 1882 when Ellison Hatfield,

brother of “Devil Anse” Hatfield, was brutally murdered by brother of “Devil Anse” Hatfield, was brutally murdered by three of Roseanna McCoy’s brothers, Tolbert, Pharmer, three of Roseanna McCoy’s brothers, Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud. Ellison was stabbed 26 times and finished off and Bud. Ellison was stabbed 26 times and finished off with a shot. The brothers themselves murdered in turn as with a shot. The brothers themselves murdered in turn as the vendetta escalated. They were kidnapped and tied to the vendetta escalated. They were kidnapped and tied to pawpaw bushes where each was shot numerous times. pawpaw bushes where each was shot numerous times. Their bodies were described as “bullet-riddled”.Their bodies were described as “bullet-riddled”.

Between 1880 and 1891, the feud claimed more than a Between 1880 and 1891, the feud claimed more than a dozen members of the two families, becoming headline dozen members of the two families, becoming headline news around the country and compelling the governors of news around the country and compelling the governors of both KY and WV to call up their state militias to restore both KY and WV to call up their state militias to restore order after the disappearance of dozens of bounty hunters order after the disappearance of dozens of bounty hunters sent to calm the conflict.sent to calm the conflict.

And More…And More… Eight Hatfields were kidnapped and brought to KY to stand Eight Hatfields were kidnapped and brought to KY to stand

trial for the murder of Alifair McCoy. She had been shot trial for the murder of Alifair McCoy. She had been shot after exiting a burning building that had been set on fire by after exiting a burning building that had been set on fire by a group of Hatfields. Because of issues of dues process a group of Hatfields. Because of issues of dues process and illegal extradition, the United States Supreme Court and illegal extradition, the United States Supreme Court became involved. Eventually the eight men were tried in KY became involved. Eventually the eight men were tried in KY and all were found guilty. Seven received life imprisonment and all were found guilty. Seven received life imprisonment while the eighth was executed in a public hanging (even while the eighth was executed in a public hanging (even though this was prohibited by law), probably as a warning though this was prohibited by law), probably as a warning to end violence. Thousands of spectators attended the to end violence. Thousands of spectators attended the hanging in Pikeville, KY. The families finally agreed to stop hanging in Pikeville, KY. The families finally agreed to stop the fighting in 1891the fighting in 1891

ON June 14, 2003, descendants of the Hatfield and McCoy ON June 14, 2003, descendants of the Hatfield and McCoy families signed a truce in Pikeville, though the conflict had families signed a truce in Pikeville, though the conflict had ended a century earlier.ended a century earlier.

Just something InterestingJust something Interesting There had been some recent speculation in the press There had been some recent speculation in the press

(Associated Press, April 6, 2007) that the feud may (Associated Press, April 6, 2007) that the feud may have been fueled in part by a rare tumor, have been fueled in part by a rare tumor, pheochromocytoma (“pheo”), that sometimes leads to pheochromocytoma (“pheo”), that sometimes leads to “hair-trigger rage and violent outbursts”. In the McCoy “hair-trigger rage and violent outbursts”. In the McCoy family, pheos are one of the consequences of a rare family, pheos are one of the consequences of a rare disease known as Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), disease known as Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), which is prevalent among McCoy descendants. The which is prevalent among McCoy descendants. The condition sometimes produces tumors of the adrenal condition sometimes produces tumors of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytomas), leading to excess gland (pheochromocytomas), leading to excess adrenaline production. According to the National adrenaline production. According to the National Cancer Institute, most people interpret these surges as Cancer Institute, most people interpret these surges as panic attacks or palpitations. Pheos occur also in the panic attacks or palpitations. Pheos occur also in the general population, and in families with any of five general population, and in families with any of five other genetic mutations.other genetic mutations.

‘‘Nuf Fussin’ and Fightin’Nuf Fussin’ and Fightin’

To sum up the whole power point, To sum up the whole power point, Families Feud and Fight but in the end we realize we Families Feud and Fight but in the end we realize we

love each other.love each other. Enough lovey dovey junk: The feud was a horrible Enough lovey dovey junk: The feud was a horrible

time, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters were time, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters were killed over a few disagreements over marriage and killed over a few disagreements over marriage and pigs.pigs.

We both read the book and highly encourage you to We both read the book and highly encourage you to read it too.read it too.

Beware it is emotional and intense, YOU WILL LOVE Beware it is emotional and intense, YOU WILL LOVE IT!!IT!!

If you hear…If you hear… Do this...Do this... Say this loud…Say this loud…

HATFIELDHATFIELD GrrrrrrrGrrrrrrr

McCOYMcCOY Lets form a Lets form a posseposse

FEUDFEUD Make a gunMake a gun Bang BangBang Bang

HOGHOG Hand on noseHand on nose Snort SnortSnort Snort

ROSEANNAROSEANNA Fan Fan Ooh la la Ooh la la

JOHNSEJOHNSE Big musclesBig muscles Mountain manMountain man

BABY GIRLBABY GIRL Fists on eyesFists on eyes Waaa WaaaWaaa Waaa

Song:Song:Stay off the Hatfield SideStay off the Hatfield SideAlways off the Hatfield SideAlways off the Hatfield SideStay off the Hatfield Side Stay off the Hatfield Side for lifefor life

If you cross the TugIf you cross the TugYou will have bad LuckYou will have bad LuckSo, Stay off the Hatfield So, Stay off the Hatfield Side for lifeSide for life