Jefferson Township near Saxonburg in Butler County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

William A. Smith

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011

1. William A. Smith Marker

Inscription. Known as “Uncle Billy” Smith. In 1859, he drilled the world's first successful oil well with tools that he made in his blacksmith shop near Tarentum. The well, 69½ feet deep, was drilled near Titusville for Colonel Edwin Drake. “Uncle Billy” died in 1890. He lies buried about 120 feet southeast of here.

Erected 1955 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 40° 46.104′ N, 79° 47.239′ W. Marker is near Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, in Butler County. It is in Jefferson Township. It is at the intersection of North Pike Road (Pennsylvania Route 356) and Cooper Road, on the right when traveling north on North Pike Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cabot PA 16023, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and in Greater Pittsburgh.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cooper Cabin (approx. 0.7 miles away); Saxonburg Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Brooklyn Bridge (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Roeblings (approx. 1.6 miles away); KDKA "Dog House"

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(approx. 1.6 miles away); German Evangelical Protestant Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); John & Carl Roebling House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Starke Family House (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saxonburg.

Also see . . .
1. William A. Smith - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAhistory.com (Submitted on May 23, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. William Andrew "Uncle Billy" Smith at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on February 20, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011

2. William A. Smith Marker

The tall monumental stone in the graveyard is William Smith's grave

William A. Smith Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011

3. William A. Smith Grave

William A. Smith Grave Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011

4. William A. Smith Grave Inscription

William Andrew Smith
Born February 5, 1812
Died July 27, 1890

Here lies the
Blacksmith of Tarentum,
"Uncle Billy" Smith,
Who made at his own anvil,
the tools he used to drill
the world's first oil well
at Titusville, PA.
Completed August 27, 1859,
giving the world petroleum
in abundance for light,
heat, power and lubrication.

The Petroleum Industry's
millions of workers salute
the memory of the original
oil well driller, William A. Smith,
in tribute to his loyalty,
courage and craftsmanship.

The Oil Industry of Pennsylvania
October 18, 1952

William A. Smith Grave Artwork image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2011

5. William A. Smith Grave Artwork

Carving of Drake Well on William Smith's grave.

William A. Smith image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

6. William A. Smith

Courtesy the Drake Well Museum, PHMC Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums "Uncle Billy" Smith, trained as a blacksmith, worked with Edwin Drake to drill the first successful oil well.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,292 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 22, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on July 27, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.