Nov 10

Nov 10 Temporary Freedom - York and the Corps of Discovery

York was the one enslaved person who joined Lewis and Clark on the Corps of Discovery Expedition.

Please note: York was a slave and, therefore, was not given a last name. However, like many slaves he was generally characterized with the surname of his owner. In this article, we will simply refer to him as York.

Published 4/22/20 - Updated 11/9/21

York

York was born into slavery on the Clark farm in Kentucky.

Birthed the same year as his owner’s son, William Clark, the two boys grew up together.

When William’s father died, York was gifted to him in his will.

York then went from ‘playmate’ to ‘body servant.’

The Corps of Discovery

When William was chosen to be the Clark in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, he insisted upon bringing York along.

Though there was certainly tension regarding the idea of bringing a Black man along for the adventure, York proved to be an extremely important member of the two and a half year trip.

On multiple occasions, his skin color helped win the trust of Native American tribes along the way.

Independence

Perhaps most notable about York's time on the trail were the freedoms he received.

Each member of the Corps, York included, were given an equal vote in decisions that would affect the entire group.

Furthermore, he was given a firearm of his own and sent out on scouting missions with just one other person.

Back to Slavery

Upon their return to the United States, the explorers were given accolades, payment and land for their services.

Well, except for York.

York was cast back into slavery, with William Clark stating that his services were too important.

A Curious Ending

At this point, the remainder of York’s life becomes extremely difficult to track.

It seems that he had a falling out with Clark and was sent away to work on another plantation.

York disappears from William’s records for the next 30 years.

Recognition

Most research agrees that York was granted his freedom about a decade after the Corps of Discovery returned, though the details vary widely.

We are not sure when he passed away, but the two leading theories are that he died travelling to meet William in Missouri or that he went to live with Native Americans in the West.

We do know that York’s story reached an honorable conclusion in 2001 when President Bill Clinton promoted him in military rank to Sergeant. Posthumously, York became an officer in one of the most important units in American History.

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