<P> York ( 1770 -- before 1832 ) was an African - American explorer best known for his participation with the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Enslaved by William Clark 's father and passed down through a will to William Clark , he performed hard manual labor without pay , but participated as a full member of the expedition . Like many other expedition members , his ultimate fate is unclear . There is evidence that after the expedition 's return , Clark had difficulty compelling York to resume his former status , and York may have later escaped or been freed , but nothing is entirely clear on this . </P>
<P> York ( 1770 -- before 1832 ) was an African - American explorer best known for his participation with the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Enslaved by William Clark 's father and passed down through a will to William Clark , he performed hard manual labor without pay , but participated as a full member of the expedition . Like many other expedition members , his ultimate fate is unclear . There is evidence that after the expedition 's return , Clark had difficulty compelling York to resume his former status , and York may have later escaped or been freed , but nothing is entirely clear on this . </P>
what was the name of clarks african american helper
what was the name of clarks african american helper
York
York