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Date Born
Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, on a plantion near Charlottesvill, Virgnia -
Life as an young man
When Lewis was 20, he found that life on a plantation was not adventurous enough for him. He decided to sign up as a volunteer for General Washington's Army. At the time, the Army was trying to put down the Whiskey Rebellion. Soon after, Lewis was assigned to be an officer in the Army. He remained an officer until 1800. -
Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson was one of the Lewis families oldest friends. He was elected as the third president of the United States. Jefferson wanted to expand the country west of the Mississippi River. He purchased this land from France was is known as the Louisiana Purchase. In 1802, Jefferson planned to lead a exploration to the Pacific Ocean. Meriweather Lewis was well trained and prepared for the journey. -
The Journey Westward
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began there journey west. They led a group on the exploration. There main job was to find a fast route leading to the Pacific Ocean. They were also to report on the land as well as the plants, animals and natural life. Lewis had drawn maps of the new land and noted the geological features. The exploration would not return until 1806. -
Sacagawea
In late October of 1804, Lewis and Clark reached the territory of the Mandan who provided them with supplies during the winter. They were then joined by a French Canadian trader and a Native American woman named Sacagawea who served as a translator and traveled with the exploration throughout the journey. -
Reaching the Pacific Ocean
The exploration reached the Pacific Ocean in November of 1805. Lewis and the group had built Fort Clatsop and spent the winter in what is now present day Oregon. A continent away from home, Lewis had celebrated Christmas in his new quarters. -
The Return Home
In 1806 the exploration had decided to make their way home to Missouri. Lewis and Clark had split the exploration up into 2 separate groups. This was so each group could cover more territory in hopes to find a faster route home. Unfortunately, both groups encountered greta dangers on the way home to Missouri. -
Blackfeet Indians
Heading back towards Missouri, Lewis and his group encountered 8 Blackfeet warriors. The warriors were found trying to steal guns and horses from Lewis exploration. In the fight that followed 2 Blackfeet were killed marking the only bloodshed that took place during the exploration. throughout the next month more had gone wrong for Lewis and his exploration. -
Reuniting at Yellowstone
Lewis and Clark's group reunited again. The group rode on horseback for 24 consecutive hours before they reunited at Yellowstone. -
Back to Washington
Traveling to Washington, Lewis and his group were welcomed as heroes after their exploration. Lewis received payment for his courageous efforts. Jefferson had also given Lewis a good salary and 1,600 acres of land. -
Governor of the Louisiana Territory
Lewis tried to publish the journals that he and Clark wrote during their exploration. Lewis often experience depression and bad moods. He began to have a drinking problem and then started to neglect his duties as governor. -
Tragic end for Lewis
On October 11, 1809, Meriweather Lewis mysteriously died after stopping at the Grinder's Tavern in Tennessee for the night. Many historians believed he committed suicide while in a deep depression. Others believe he was murdered by Mrs. Grinder's husband. He was shot twice with a pistol and when he didn't die right away, he tried cutting himself with a razor. Lewis died at the age of 35.
