Andrew Howard (left) plays “Bad” Frank Phillips (right) in the History Channel TV series, “Hatfields & McCoys.” One local descendant of Phillips said the show is not an accurate telling of events.
WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
McDERMOTT — The History Channel is airing a series of shows on the Hatfields and McCoys feud. Paul Phillips of McDermott has ties to both families, and he is disappointed with the way the story was told.
History.com describes the show as “the true American story of a legendary family feud — one that spanned decades and nearly launched a war between Kentucky and West Virginia. ‘Hatfields & McCoys,’ a three-part miniseries, showcases an all-star cast led by Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton. It chronicles a clash of clans that inspired passion, vengeance, courage, sacrifice, crimes and accusations, while forever transforming the two families and the region they lived in.”
Phillips’ great-grandfather, “Bad” Frank Phillips, was the sheriff in the Hatfield-McCoy fight. In the series, he is played by actor Andrew Howard.
“Nancy McCoy (Paul Phillips’ great-grandmother) originally married Johnse Hatfield. She was the first one to intermix the McCoys and the Hatfields. They had two kids. She got divorced and married my great-grandfather, Frank Phillips, and he adopted the two Hatfield kids. That’s how I got both sides in me,” Phillips said.
Phillips said he heard stories growing up about the feud from his grandfather, Jesse J. Phillips. Those stories differ from what the History Channel portrayed.
“They had my great-grandmother as being a prostitute, and she was no prostitute. On the show Frank Phillips was shot dead on his wedding day,” Phillips said. “Her (Nancy McCoy) wedding dress is on display at the 1810 House from their church wedding. If they did not have any kids how am I here?”
Phillips said his initial excitement about the show diminished after watching it.
“I do not think the show stayed true to the family story or anything close. I DVR’d (digitally video recorded) the show and have already recorded over it. To me it was a joke, I was very disappointed with what was shown.”
Phillips said parts of the show were accurate, however.
“There were bits and pieces of the show that was accurate, but not much.”
He said there are four other direct descendants of the family living in Scioto County: Florida Cade, Frank J. Phillips, Susie Sines, and Timmy Lee Phillips.
The Associated Press reports that the three nights of “Hatfields & McCoys” were the top-rated entertainment telecasts ever for ad-supported basic cable, according to ratings released by the History Channel. Wednesday’s finale of “Hatfields & McCoys” was the most-watched of the three nights, with 14.3 million viewers. According to the History Channel, that makes it the No. 1 non-sports and non-news program ever on ad-supported cable.
Parts one and two of the star-filled drama were right behind with 13.9 million and 13.1 million viewers, respectively.
The six-hour series debut ran May 28 through 30. According to History.com, The series will air again on Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
Married Matilda Phillips (1st Cousin) on 12-15 Jun 1878. No Children.
Married Mary Francis Rowe on 17 Sep 1881. Children:
John b.1882
Mary b.1886
Frank b.1890
Pearl b. 1894
Lee b. 1896
Affair with Eva McCoy (never married), but had one child:
Robert Lee b.1884
Married Nancy L. McCoy on 5 Sep 1895. Children:
Elsa b.1889
Jessie b.1892
Flora b.1893
Golden b.1897
Frank also took care of Nancy's previous two children from her marriage with J. Hatfield.
If you look at the dates, Frank had his affair with Eva McCoy while married to Mary Rowe. Frank also had children with Nancy while married to Mary Rowe. Frank had children with Mary Rowe while married Nancy. Frank was not very loyal to his wives during their marriages, but upon his death, he was very loyal to all children and provided for all of them according to his two page hand written will which I have a copy of.
I descend from Frank and Eva McCoy's affair, Robert Lee Phillips. Frank was a wild man with his women and alcohol, but he did take care of his family upon his death.
I would like to hear from other Frank Phillips' descendents. Please contact me at dbrianphillips@hotmail.com. Thanks. Brian Phillips.
Amy the decendent
What type of sheltered life has this guy lived? Of course that part could plausibly be whitewashed from your family history.
As far as the movie goes..we all should just remember that the hollywood types really only care about making money and not if they are correct or not.TAKE CARE
Bad Frank Phillips was not shot on his wedding day in the film. his shooting by his own deputy was later on, after the feud had been over, and he wrote a book. Nancy was selling the dime novels and he was signing them. then Perry Cline approaches Bad Frank with his fiance from South Carolina (i believe it was SC) so this was months possibly years later, NOT on Frank and Nancy's wedding day.
By intervening in place of the law they escalated the feud horribly. Frank Phillips himself was NOT a good guy at all from ALL accounts. Thats why his nickname was "Bad". OH well, these people will get over it. History is History, even if we don't agree with it.