York, allegedly "Benjamin" York, was a "black manservant" companion to Clark all throughout his life. He was later bequeathed to Clark in his father's will and they lived together in Clarksville, Indiana Territory. Though he is rarely mentioned in journals during the early months of the expedition, he is later credited for his superb hunting abilities. His unique features and great strength was viewed with astonishment and awe by natives who were not accustomed with the company of colored people. Taking advantage of this, he joked with the natives telling some that he ate children. These banters were not appreciated by the captains however. York's accompaniment proved to be useful however in a December 26 journal entry where he proved to be involved in many assignments with the men of the expedition opposed to serving as a personal slave to Clark. I was also proven that unlike many of the other men, York had the ability to swim. Many times, York would swim out to gather meals for the captains and in one situation, took it upon himself to search for Clark, Sacagawea, and her family when they were caught in a flash flood. He also tended to Sergeant Charles Floyd as his primary care during his last days before his death. York became ill three times during December but continued to build huts for the rest of the Corps. Clark also named a small tributary stream after his slave calling it "York's Dry River."
After the expedition concluded, Clark described York on September 23, 1806 as a man "looked up upon with decided partiality and received his share of adulation" despite his race." Though he remained a slave immediately after the end of the expedition, he was sent to Kentucky to his wife in 1809 and was granted his freedom ten years later. He then entered the freighting business in Kentucky and Tennessee before dyeing of cholera supposedly before 1832.
After the expedition concluded, Clark described York on September 23, 1806 as a man "looked up upon with decided partiality and received his share of adulation" despite his race." Though he remained a slave immediately after the end of the expedition, he was sent to Kentucky to his wife in 1809 and was granted his freedom ten years later. He then entered the freighting business in Kentucky and Tennessee before dyeing of cholera supposedly before 1832.