William clark

William Clark's Life

By Raidyn Coursey

  • Birth

    Birth
    On August 1st, 1770, William Clark was born in Caroline County Virginia to a family of 12. He was the ninth of ten children.

  • Joining the Military

    Joining the Military
    When Clark was 19 (no specified date) he joined the military. Specifically, he joined the Kentucky Militia.

  • Meeting Meriwether Lewis

    Meeting Meriwether Lewis
    Some time in 1795 (though the exact day, or month even are specified), Lewis was placed under Captain William Clark when he joined the military. This is the first time Lewis & Clark have met. This is the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

  • Clark's Resignation From the Military

    Clark's Resignation From the Military
    On July 4th, 1796, William Clark resigned from the military due to extremely poor health, despite being only 26 years old.

  • Taking Command of the Corps of Discovery

    Taking Command of the Corps of Discovery
    On June 19, 1803, Lewis wrote a letter to Clark, telling him that he wanted him to share leadership of the Corps of Discovery, who would explore the Louisiana Territory.

  • Start of the Expedition

    Start of the Expedition
    On May 14, 1804, the Corps of Discovery left Camp at River Dubois to go explore the Louisiana Territory.

  • The Journey Back Home

    The Journey Back Home
    In October of 1806, the Corps of Discovery had returned to St. Louis and were coming back home from 2 years of exploration with many animal skeletons & plants.

  • 1st Marriage

    1st Marriage
    On January 5, 1808, Clark married Julia Hancock in Fincastle, Virginia.

  • Clark's First Child

    Clark's First Child
    On January 10th, 1809 Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. was born. He was names after William's friend and associate, Meriwether Lewis. He grew up to become an architect. William and Julia had 4 more children together, none of which had a very long life.

  • Becoming Governor of the Missouri Territory

    Becoming Governor of the Missouri Territory
    In 1813, Clark was named Governor of the Missouri Territory until the state of Missouri was created in 1820.

  • Julia's Death

    Julia's Death
    On June 27th, 1820 Julia Hancock passed away after being married to William Clark for 18 years. Julia gave birth to 5 children during her marriage with William.

  • Clark's 2nd Marriage

    Clark's 2nd Marriage
    Sometime in late 1821, William Clark married his 2nd wife Harriet Kennerly Radford, they had 3 children together.

  • Harriet's death

    Harriet's death
    On Christmas of 1831, Harriet Kennerly Radford, William Clark's 2nd wife, had passed away.

  • William's Death

    William's Death
    On September 1st, 1838, William Clark at the age of 68 had died of natural causes