USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A fronteirsman, hunter, and the first African American to cross the continent, York was an American explorer who made important contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was also the enslaved body servant to Captain William Clark and after the expedition’s return was denied his payment and his freedom.

Detailed explanation-2: -Historians have stated that York died before 1832 of the disease cholera, possibly while trying to rejoin William Clark in St. Louis. Much of his life after the expedition is unknown; however, the journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition reveal pieces of who he was and what he had to endure.

Detailed explanation-3: -They chose interpreters and French oarsmen who knew the country better than they. And they chose York, Clark’s 6-feet, 200-pound “body servant.” According to In Search of York, by author Robert B. Betts, York was born into slavery, the son of “Old York” and Rose, two enslaved laborers owned by Clark’s father John.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the late summer or early fall of 1809, York’s “misconduct” led to a falling out with his master. Clark removed him from his “privileged” status of body servant and he hired York out for at least a year to a Louisville farm owner by the name of Young.

Detailed explanation-5: -Lewis and Clark, for example, were both slave owners. In fact, Meriwether Clark is described historically as one who routinely abused his slaves.