The large Clark Family at the Falls of the Ohio, Louisville, was very close knit, sharing happiness, work, and sorrow. Julia had expressed her homesickness and desire for letters from the Clark family in Louisville.⁽¹⁾ As they had traveled east with 9-month-old Meriwether Lewis Clark, we must wonder if William reflected on how Sacagawea had cared for Jean Baptiste during the exploration of the West with only the assistance of York. There is little doubt that Julia had her hands full with a baby, even with help from Chloe and Rachel.

We can only speculate about the activities for William and Julia in Louisville, no notes were entered in the 1809 journal. Through other sources, we can be sure the next 13 days was a busy period and that William and Jonathan discussed William’s duties as Federal Indian Agent and personal business. Williams’s letter of 26 August to Jonathan clearly reflects a concern for the sensitive nature of his thoughts and the need for private conversations.⁽²⁾

Assuredly, there was an extended visit to Locust Grove, the home of sister Lucy Clark Croghan and William Croghan, where brother George Rogers Clark lived after his leg was amputated in February of 1809. William had been closely involved in attempting to settle Brother George’s financial affairs, including land ownership, before the western exploration. William had grown-up listening to Brother George’s accomplishments during the Revolutionary War including George’s skills dealing with the American Indians.⁽³⁾ In 1797 William wrote to Jonathan: “Our bro G’s business is in a disagreeable situation”. “I have rode for Bro Geo in the course of the past year upwards of 3000 miles”.⁽⁴⁾ George was eventually awarded a $400 per year pension by Virginia. Unfortunately, the expenses for the Revolutionary War winning of the Old Northwest by George was never paid by the State of Virginia or the U.S. Government. We can see this failure on the part of the State and Federal Government weighing on William’s mind when he is considering Meriwether Lewis’ similar situation with rejected bills of exchange.

The close relationship between George and William was a source of William’s education in other fields. In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, dated 12 December 1802, George assured the President that “William (has) every information in my power on this, or any other point which may be of Service to the Administration”.⁽⁵⁾⁽⁶⁾ The letter strengthened the reasoning that Lewis selected Clark as his Co-leader for the western exploration. 

Did William or Julia make any purchases at the Fitzhugh and Rose Store while in Louisville? What did Scott, Chloe and Rachel do, did they have extended families in the Falls area to visit? Were special foods or recipes shared like Mrs. Temple’s Sweat Meats? Did William visit Mulberry Hill and his parent’s graves? Unfortunately, infant Meriwether Lewis Clark contracted a bad cold during the visit in Louisville.⁽⁷⁾ The very busy pace during the 13 days is partially seen in William’s letter to Jonathan on 28 October 1809, “I have missed my Corduroy bag of Small money of forty odd dollars”. He also had left letters received at Jonathan’s, letters that he asked to be forwarded to him by family members. One of those letters was written by Meriwether Lewis from New Madrid, MO and has never been found.⁽⁸⁾ All of these questions are lost in the news that William learns on 28 October after leaving “Bro Jon on the 26th and proceeding to Col. Andersons”.  The interesting social custom of family and friend traveling with a family member as they depart or arrive is seen once again as Jonathan Clark traveled with William to the Andersons.⁽⁹⁾

Col. Anderson was Richard Clough Anderson, husband of William’s sister, Elizabeth Clark Anderson.⁽¹⁰⁾ Soldiers Retreat was approximately 10 miles east of Louisville and near present-day Hurstbourne Lane between I-64 and US 60. The Anderson family cemetery and some outbuildings remain but the present house was built near or atop the original location.⁽¹¹⁾