The name never appears in any of the many records of the Lewis and Clark expedition, nor in any other document. There is a single, unsupported oral report, from 1965, that York also had the name Ben. William Clark called York his 'playmate'. This would make Scipio, Daphney, Juba, and Nancy the half-siblings of York. The most plausible family tree based on this description and others is that York was the son of Old York, not by Rose, that Scipio (also spelled Sippo, Seppo, Sep, and Pipo, likely named the same as the Roman general Scipio Africanus) and Daphny (also spelled Dafney, Daphney, and Daphne) were Rose's children not by Old York, and that Nancy and Juba were Old York and Rose's biological children. one black man named York, also old York and his wife Rose, and their two children, Nancy and Juba also three old negroes, Tame, Cupid and Harry. three slaves, to wit Peter (Vegas child), and Scipio and Darathy (Rose's children). The will of John Clark III (father of George Rogers and William Clark) states: : 142 He and several members of his family were enslaved by the Clark family. York was born in Caroline County near Ladysmith, Virginia. There are reliable reports of a Black man living with the natives of north-central Wyoming, who may have been York see below. These references-York's desire to return to slavery-are discussed below as self-serving. However, according to Clark as reported by Irving, York was lazy, would not get up in the morning, did not take good care of his horses, longed to return to slavery, and died of cholera. About 20 years later, Clark told Washington Irving that he had freed York and set him up in business, giving him six horses and a large wagon to start a drayage business moving goods between Nashville and Richmond. ĭocumentation concerning York is lacking for the years immediately following the expedition. He also expressed irritation at York's insistence on remaining in Louisville, where his wife and possibly children were. York expected to be given his freedom after the successful expedition was over, in view of what he called his 'immense services', but Clark refused repeatedly and got angry with York when he would not go back willingly to his pre-expedition role of submissive body servant. Like most of the enslaved, York was illiterate, and information about him is scant. His skin was dark: he was 'black as a bear', said one who knew him, and his hair was short and curly.

He was about the same age as Clark, perhaps a few years older or younger, and naturally strong. York was a large man his weight has been estimated as 200 pounds (91 kg). William inherited York from his father in 1799. York was born enslaved, the son of Old York and Rose, who had been enslaved by John Clark III, William Clark's father. He has become an American icon and several monuments depicting him have been erected honoring his legacy. : 302 : 152 He was the first African American to cross the continent and see the Pacific. York (1770–75 – after 1815) was an American explorer Īnd historic figure, being the only African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition he participated in the entire exploration and made significant contributions to its success. Sergeant (honorary posthumous – Presidential citation) Juba (brother), Nancy (sister), Scipio (half-brother), Daphney (half-sister) Participating in the Lewis and Clark Expedition

D3 farming forgotten souls 2.4