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 York Action FigureKnown to us by the name York, this member of the expedition was the personal property of Captain Clark. We know nothing of his appearance other than the brief description of "muscular and very black."
Owned by the Clark family from birth, he was the son of Old York and Rose. York grew up with William Clark and is believed to have been about the same age. If this is correct, he would have been born around 1770 and would have been 34 years old when the expedition began.
His role in the expedition is listed as servant. York carried a rifle (uncommon at that time) and hunted for the party as one of his duties. Clark noted in his Oct. 9, 1804 journal entry, "The Indians [are] much astonished at my black servant and call him Big Medicine. This nation never saw a black man before."
November 23, 1805 proved to be an historic day as York and the Native American woman, Sacagawea, were both given the right to cast votes to determine the location of their winter quarters. This is the first recorded vote of a black person in American history.
Clark eventually afforded York his freedom in 1816, and he died in Tennessee sometime before 1832.
Adventure figure comes with all accessories shown. Due to small parts, this figure is not recommended for small children.
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