York (Born ca. 1770). . York was the only African American on the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean (1803-1806). Enslaved at birth, he grew up near here in the household of William Clark's parents, moved to Kentucky with the family, and came under Clark's ownership in 1799. His hunting and bartering skills, care for the sick, dependability, and reception by Native Americans were important contributions to the success of the Expedition. A group of islands in the Missouri River was named for him. Unlike the other members of the Expedition, York received no money or land for his services. He remained enslaved by Clark through at least 1815 and reportedly was freed before 1832.
York was the only African American on the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Ocean (1803-1806). Enslaved at birth, he grew up near here in the household of William Clark's parents, moved to Kentucky with the family, and came under Clark's ownership in 1799. His hunting and bartering skills, care for the sick, dependability, and reception by Native Americans were important contributions to the success of the Expedition. A group of islands in the Missouri River was named for him. Unlike the other members of the Expedition, York received no money or land for his services. He remained enslaved by Clark through at least 1815 and reportedly was freed before 1832.
Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-99-a.)
Location. 38° 0.086′ N, 77° 35.034′ W. Marker is in Ruther Glen, Virginia, in Caroline County. It is on Ladysmith Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3461 Ladysmith Rd, Ruther Glen VA 22546, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 9, 2025
2. York (Born ca. 1770) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
