John Shields
Encyclopedia
Private John Shields was, at 35, the oldest member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
.
), Richard, David, and William are all elder siblings, followed by John (himself), James, Joseph, Arnett, Ezekial (whom did not survive his first year), Benjamin, Joshua, and Robert. John and his brothers helped his parents build Shield's Fort, which is located where modern day Pigeon Forge is, near where Dollywood currently stands. Most of the cabins found in Cades Cove near Pigeon Forge were built by the family also.
.
from October 19, 1803 until October 10, 1806. Despite the Captains' rule that they would only consider unmarried men for the exploring enterprise, they recruited Shields. John served as gunsmith and blacksmith for the duration of the expedition. Along with Private
John Colter
, he threatened John Ordway
's life on March 29, 1804. He was put on trial for mutiny, but spared. See John Ordway
for more information.
Lewis would say of him "Nothing was more peculiarly useful to us, in various situations, than the skill and ingenuity of this man as an artist, in repairing our guns, accoutrements, &c." Lewis recommended that he be given a bonus for his services.
He became one of the permanent members of the Corps of Discovery.
with Daniel Boone
, to whom he was related.
John settled in Indiana by June 1807. He was appointed Captail of the Clark County militia in July 1807.
In 1809, John died in Harrison County.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
.
Early Life
John Shields was born in Rockingham County, VA in 1769. His parents were Robert Shields and Nancy Stockton, who were known as the "Parents of the Ten Brothers". He is one of twelve children sired by Robert and Nancy, Janet (the only daughter, who would marry Joshua Tipton and have son John TiptonJohn Tipton
John Shields Tipton was an American politician.Tipton was born in what is now Sevier County, Tennessee. His father was killed by Native Americans. His great uncle, also named John, was a prominent man in the area...
), Richard, David, and William are all elder siblings, followed by John (himself), James, Joseph, Arnett, Ezekial (whom did not survive his first year), Benjamin, Joshua, and Robert. John and his brothers helped his parents build Shield's Fort, which is located where modern day Pigeon Forge is, near where Dollywood currently stands. Most of the cabins found in Cades Cove near Pigeon Forge were built by the family also.
Family
In 1790, John married wife Nancy. Nancy and John fathered a daughter, named Martha Jennette, whom would grow to marry John Shields TiptonJohn Tipton
John Shields Tipton was an American politician.Tipton was born in what is now Sevier County, Tennessee. His father was killed by Native Americans. His great uncle, also named John, was a prominent man in the area...
.
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Shields served as a private for the Lewis & Clark ExpeditionLewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...
from October 19, 1803 until October 10, 1806. Despite the Captains' rule that they would only consider unmarried men for the exploring enterprise, they recruited Shields. John served as gunsmith and blacksmith for the duration of the expedition. Along with Private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
John Colter
John Colter
John Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Though party to one of the more famous expeditions in history, Colter is best remembered for explorations he made during the winter of 1807–1808, when Colter became the first known person of European descent to enter the region now known...
, he threatened John Ordway
John Ordway
Sergeant John Ordway , the youngest of ten siblings, was an important part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the United States. John Ordway was one of the sergeants from the United States Army who stepped forward as a volunteer for the expedition...
's life on March 29, 1804. He was put on trial for mutiny, but spared. See John Ordway
John Ordway
Sergeant John Ordway , the youngest of ten siblings, was an important part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the United States. John Ordway was one of the sergeants from the United States Army who stepped forward as a volunteer for the expedition...
for more information.
Lewis would say of him "Nothing was more peculiarly useful to us, in various situations, than the skill and ingenuity of this man as an artist, in repairing our guns, accoutrements, &c." Lewis recommended that he be given a bonus for his services.
He became one of the permanent members of the Corps of Discovery.
Post Expedition
After the expedition, Shields did some fur trapping in MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
with Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
, to whom he was related.
John settled in Indiana by June 1807. He was appointed Captail of the Clark County militia in July 1807.
In 1809, John died in Harrison County.