The following is taken from William Clark’s “Memorandum 1809” which is a daily journal of his travel from Missouri to Virginia in 1809. With him were his wife, Julia, and their firstborn infant son, Meriwether Lewis Clark, who was barely one year old. The below information relates to the Virginia part of the trip. The Virginia Lewis & Clark Legacy Trail, Inc. wishes to recognize the Lewis & Clark Trust, Inc., whose board member initially interpreted this document, with a “Second Look” in 2018 offered by the Botetourt County Historical Society, Botetourt County, Virginia. Their important work helps to reveal the stories during this trip as recorded by William Clark in his own words. Four of the sites Clark describes are currently participating on the trail and others will be added in the future.
From William Clark’s “Memorandum 1809” Travel Journal – Virginia Trip – A second look
9th [Nov] Thursday Rogersville Co. Rogers 23 miles *[$]3.75, servents .12]
10th [Nov] Friday B. at a Mr. Armstrongs *[$]1.50], crossed the N. fork of Holston, stayed all night at Mr. Wm. Sniders at Kings Landing on Holston *[$]4.50 cakes $0.62] 26 miles
11th Novr. [1809] Breakfast at Mr. [possibly Mrs.] Earbis place *[($)1.75], stayed all night at Capt. Goodman’s *[Capt. Goodsons [($)3.25] 28 miles
12th [Nov] Breakfast at Col. John Prestons, passed thro’ Abbingdon, stayed all night at the brick house *[Mr. Carpenters ($)3.25, servants ($)0.25] – met Mr. Minor + his wife and [Miss] [Barber] 21 miles
13th [Nov] Breakfast at a house one mile [lack] of the 7 m[ile] ford *[Jacob (?) Coal one mile from 7 m. ford ($)1.50 apples + pie ($).25] – stayed all night at young Atkinses * young adkinsins ($) 4.62, grain at straw “.25 P[…]whisky grog “.62 To a man to p[itch … to Majr Prestons ($)1.”] 23 miles
*no dates at River Canhaway “ – 75
at Mjr (?) P. Levent (?)“ – 25
At Christians Burgh “- 50
At Roanoke ” – 25
At horse shoeing “- 75
*at young adkinses 13 November 1809
*To Capt Kents house
*Horses at Capt Kents Tavern
14th [Nov] passed through Wyth, staid all night at Majr. Kents a little off the main road, sent [Only] + [sevt] to his Tavern on the road 29 miles
15th [Nov] arrived at Majr Prestons late at night 25 miles
16th [Nov] at Majr Prestons – Mr. Ben Howard arrived late
17th [Nov] at Majr. Prestons – Mr. Ben Howard set out
18th [Nov] at Majr. Prestons
19th [Nov] at Majr. Prestons – Dr. Floyd arrived about sunset
20th [Nov] set out with Dr. + [Mrs] Floyd – crossed at Englishes Ferry – arrived at Christians Burgh – 12 miles […of Alliganey? … *English ferry Christiansburg 25 miles
21st [Nov] Grass covered with snow – met Col. Hancock, George / James Preston Capt. Poiyton [?] on the Turnpike – much joy – Col. H + George return and we stay all night at [Botts], at Forthingay 12 miles
22nd [Nor 1809] Wilson Lewis near Salom [near Salem, not New Salem] – children have hooping cough – “Tied a string around my childs nake [neck] to prevent his taking it” 15 miles
23rd [Nov] arrived at Col. Hancocks [*Fincastle] at dusk – great joy 21 miles
24th 25th 26th 27 at Col. Hancocks
28th [Nov] dined at Mr. Gussens
29th [Nov] at Col. Hancocks
30th [Nov] at Mr. Lockharts Dined [possibly started to write Gussens – crossed out]
2d [Decr] [1809] at Col. Hancocks –“Col Hancock gave me in bank notes + silver $700 to have changed and sent to Gen. [Preston] of Richmon[d] with a letter”
3rd Decr [1809] [team] of 2 horses – Mr. [ ]Conkeys [*McConkeys $1.57] 21 miles
4th Decr breakfast at Mr. Shields in Lexington [*1.25] (Consent – or Court? – Day) – proceeded on to Col. McDowells [*boy .25] [no mileage]
5th Decr Dined at Greenville [*1.25] – stayed all night at Mr. Blanks [*possibly Blacks ($)1.75] [no mileage]
6th [Decr] Breakfast at Rockfish Gap [*$1.12]– and “stay’d all night at Mrs. Marks Gov. Lewis mother, she was not at home”. The family much distressed – I shewed young Mr. Marks all the letters I had about his Brothers situation…” *[Mrs. Marks boy -50] [no mileage]
7th Decr 1809 Charlots ville Mr. Thos. Jefferson – ‘invited me to stay at his house + I went with him and remained all night. Spoke much on the afs [affairs] of Gov. Lewis +c +c +c *[Charlots ville .75, Mr. Jefferson boy -75] [no mileage]
The Virginia Lewis and Clark Trail organization is working in cooperation and collaboration with property owners to support future historic tourism of Lewis and Clark sites in Virginia and to provide the best possible experience for all visitors. As such, we discourage visiting current sites when proper arrangements have not been made with and consent obtained from property owners. If you wish to support this effort in Virginia, the “Along the Trail” page offers contact name, phone number, and websites (if available) for your information.