Welldigger in Clark County Kentucky

Pam Bringar, September 1999

Excerpts from A Narrative of the Life & Travels of John Robert Shaw, the well-digger, now resident in Lexington, Kentucky, Lexington (KY), printed by Daniel Bradford 1807.

Excerpter's note: included on John Shaw's list of wells he dug during his career is one in Clarke county Kentucky. It was commissioned by Hubbard Taylor and was 20 feet deep when completed. His narrative of the Clark County experience:

Page 180
I then proceeded on to Mr. Hubbard Taylor's, living in Clarke county, for whom I dug a well

Page 181
and for which he honourably paid me. I then went on to Strode's station, where I spent all my money.

At Strode's station I met a soldier who was amongst those who took me prisoner, and whom I treated kindly, as he was in part the means of my continuing in a land of liberty. Taking up goods on Cock and Lytle's store, to the amount of eighteen pounds, I jogged with them to Clarke court house, and there commenced a roaring frolic with a set of as jovial fellows as ever sat over a half pint of whisky, amongst whom was a jolly Irishman, who cut as many didos as I could for the life of me; consequently he and I became the butts of the company, and at length began to wrestle, he being booted and spurred, and being likewise dextrous at the fun, had the great advantage of me, who had no shield against his steel but a thin pair of trowsers, and nothing to oppose his dexterity but strength; however, by repeating our wrestling, I gained some knowledge of the art, and ultimately got the better of the old Hibernian, though not before I had my legs properly indented with the steel gaffs; the only recompence I could make for which, was to lay him on his back in the fire to dry as it were. Here I exchanged all my goods for whiskey; then turned to jobbing about the town, and shewing Mr. Baker, the proprietor of the land a number of places where water might be found. He kept me there a considerable time, endeavouring all in his power to acquire of me some knowledge of bletonism, after which he sent me off without either fee or reward.

Page 182
I now started for Lexington, frolicking as usual....

A few years later, when John Shaw solicited funds to publish the 1807 account of his exploits, several Clark County residents purchased subscriptions:

Samuel M. Taylor
Richard Graham
N.S. Dallam
James Spilman
George Webb
Archibald Bristow
Valentine Crawford
J. Rawlings
Benjamin Mallory
H. Taylor
William N. Lane
George Stevenson
James Boyle
John Thompson
Mathew Thompson
Henry Daniel
John Bailelle
Mordecai Gist
Richard Stevens
John Sudduth
John W. Hinde
John Pearson
Isaac L. Baker
Branch Tanner
James Ritchie
W.R. Brasfield
Philip Richardson.