In April 1853 the justices ordered the committee to contract for a metallic pump for said well and the contract given to William Lockhart to dig the well was altered. In October 1853 Lockhart was paid $195 for digging the well. Also it included pay for building a house over the well. Apparently the pump was not satisfactory for in July 1855 Joseph J. Yarbro offered to give another pump. In July 1856 Thomas B. Atkins was paid $51 for replacing the pump. More trouble? In 1860 Atkins was ordered again to contract for repairing the well and enclosing it. Lastly in 1869 A. A. Mitchell was allowed $65 by the County Commissioners to put a new pump in the well in Yanceyville and he contracted to keep same in good order.
The pump is now gone -- the old well covered with ground and grass. One must remember that before 1920 the entire public square in Yanceyville was dirt -- no pavement -- one could ride straight through the public land. It was not until 1921 that the streets were paved -- the public square enclosed with cement and the Confederate Memorial Monument erected.
Katharine Kerr Kendall
"If you want a cheap and durable apparatus for your well don't fail to examine the Howlett Well Fixture before you purchase, and see those who have them and ask them what they think of them. One can be seen in operation at the public well here [on the Yanceyville Square]. W. H. Thompson agent."
Source: The Caswell News (Yanceyville, NC), 19 February 1886.
Watering Trough
