William Clark and York at Cumberland Gap

1806 Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

The exact date Clark and York passed through the Cumberland Gap in 1806 is uncertain. However, Col. Arthur Campbell, the gentleman Lewis made the celestial observation for on 23 November, states in a letter to Virginia’s Governor Cabell dated 23 February 1807, “I have showed the paper (meaning the Certificate of Observation made by Lewis) to General Clarke.” Campbell attached a second copy of the certificate to the letter sent to Cabell.⁽¹⁾

Document courtesy of the University of Kentucky, Margaret King Library

Source:

(1) Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts from Jan, I, 1799 to Dec, 31, 1807, Vol. 9, Page 504.