Hatfield Family

**The Hatfield Family** is a family who originated in England before settling in America. This family is also connected to the Hatfields from the Hatfield-McCoy feud.

## Origin

The first known ancestor of the Hatfield family was Thomas Hatfield I (1602-?). According to Geni, *"*He was a religious dissenter who escaped religious prosecution from England by fleeing to Leyden, Holland with Dr. John Robertson and his congregation. He went from Yorkshire, England to Leyden, Holland about 1610 and was of the congregation of John Robinson's church at the time of his marriage. He and his sons appear to have come to America about 1660. Thomas married Anna Hentem Cox. Robinson had been an Anglican minister, but came to believe, like the Puritans, that the church was becoming too much like the Roman Catholic Church. Thomas Hatfield I and Matthias Hatfield were weavers at New Haven and Elizabeth."

Through Matthias's(Thomas & Anna's son) wife, Mariken Melyn, the Hatfield family also contains Belgian and Dutch ancestry. Matthias was originally born in the Netherlands in 1635 or 1640. He and many of his brothers and father moved to America around 1610. He worked as a weaver.

According to Geni.com, "Matthias was born in Holland, of Scots Irish descent,, and was a member of the New Haven Colony. Mathias first appeared in New Haven, CT in 1660 where he took the Oath of Fidelity. He subsequently moved to the area of the present day Elizabethtown, NJ in 1665, and took the same oath there." Matthias was also one of the original "Associates" (along with his two brother-in-laws) who founded and settled Elizabethtown, New Jersey around 1664-1665. Additionally, Geni.com also states that: "Matthias bought the most pretentious house in Elizabethtown, NJ at the foot of Pearl Street and the Elizabeth River. This Hatfield house played an important part in the Colonial Wars, for under the trees in front of the house were held The Indian Councils and Treaties of Peace. December 5, 1673 Matthias Hatfield bought this stone house on Pearl Street at the corner of Hatfield, from Lubberson; it remained in the family for 241 years, until 1914. The property, from the stone house, extended to the Elizabeth River where he had tanneries. He gave land for the Presbyterian Church and burial ground (which is now the center of town. Alexander Hamilton used to walk there learning his lessons while attending school at Barbers.) Matthias was one of the leading men in town, was a wealthy man, and greatly respected. Matthias Hatfield sat in the Justices Court as a chosen Freeholder. He was also a Justice, a High Sheriff, and a Collector for the County. He also sat in the Justices Court as a chosen freeholder."

## Migration

George Abraham Hatfield I's son, George, was born in Lee, Virginia. However, according to records, all of his siblings were born in New Jersey. I am not sure if this is an error or not. George I was the grandson of Matthias. George II raised his family in Virginia, however, his death place is listed as two possible different places; one in Kentucky and the other in West Virginia. His grandson, Reuben, was also born in Virginia along with his father, Joseph. After marrying Mary Comstock, Reuben moved his family to Iowa.

Reuben's son, Joseph, was born in Tennessee, however, he later raised his family in Oklahoma. The Hatfield family then moved to Missouri, and then back to Oklahoma before moving to Arkansas. Finally, they settled in Fresno, California.