1804 - York Joins Lewis and Clark Expedition

On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition officially began its journey to explore the vast, uncharted lands of the Louisiana Purchase. Among the Corps of Discovery was York, an enslaved African American man owned by William Clark. Though little was recorded in official documents, York played a crucial role in the expedition’s success — assisting with labor, hunting, negotiations with Indigenous tribes, and enduring every hardship faced by the team. Native peoples were reportedly fascinated by York, many never having seen a Black man before. Despite his service, York was denied pay, freedom, or formal recognition during the expedition. His story represents both a hidden contribution and the profound contradiction at the heart of America’s westward expansion.