Thomas Jefferson was an explorer and statesman who explored the American continent. His expeditions led him to the crest of the Rockies and the Gulf of Mexico. Jefferson’s explorers paved the way for modern exploration of North America. His expeditions were followed by Meriwether Lewis and Samuel Frayser. These men were instrumental in the founding of the American nation and the development of the modern world. But before they were able to find these regions, they had to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a noted explorer and author of the Declaration of Independence. He was the third president of the United States and contributed much to the creation of this new nation. During his time in office, he dreamed of a republic that spanned from the Atlantic to the Pacific. An ardent supporter of scientific exploration, Jefferson was interested in the lands west of the Mississippi River. He was also interested in the potential for trade and agriculture, and was suspicious of any foreign designs in those regions.
The United States needed a new route to the Pacific Ocean, and Jefferson was committed to exploring the region. As president, he was concerned about the plight of Native Americans and the security of the West. However, his efforts to discover a new route to the Pacific Ocean were largely unsuccessful. Regardless of his failings, he remained dedicated to the idea of expanding the United States’ borders. Jefferson bought the French-held territory of Louisiana, demonstrating his desire to explore the land. His instructions to Meriwether Lewis, which were written on June 20, 1803, were filled with scientific, geopolitical, and economic issues.
While living in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Dr. Walker was named guardian of Thomas Jefferson when his father, Peter, died. Walker also served as Commissary General of Virginia troops during the French and Indian War. Sadly, his wife died soon after the birth of their 12th child. At 66, he married Elizabeth Thorton. A friend of Thomas Jefferson, he called her “Peacemaker” and signed peace treaties with Indian tribes in Virginia and Ohio.
In 1803 Jefferson obtained the Louisiana Territory from France. He sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition up the Missouri River to the Pacific. Other expeditions were sent to find the headwaters of the rivers and to gather scientific data about Native Americans. Despite the ambiguity, Jefferson’s expeditions led to a plethora of discoveries. And he made sure to include the American Indians in his plans. He even gave Lewis a piece of land in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1804 he had a passion for knowledge. While serving as president of the American Philosophical Society (APS), he encouraged American participation in a variety of fields. He promoted the westward expansion of America, and sent Meriwether Lewis to study with five Philadelphians, who each had a particular specialty. In fact, he stressed the relationship between science and national pride. While he was president of APS, he was an early supporter of explorers in the west.
A great intellectual and idealist, Jefferson lacked the charisma of a great person. He was also aloof and hypocritical. His life, therefore, was far from perfect. The historian Chandler presented a one-sided view of Jefferson’s character, while novelist Byrd painted a more realistic portrait of the man. Byrd’s biography provides a more balanced view of Jefferson’s life. A book of his life may be just the thing to get you started on a new adventure.
Meriwether Lewis
The Louisiana Purchase Treaty, passed by the U.S. Senate in 1803, helped the United States buy Louisiana from France. The treaty also created the opportunity to explore a vast expanse of new territory. The resulting expedition produced over 140 maps, collected over 200 new species, and established peace with 70 Native American tribes. Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774. His father, William Lewis, died of pneumonia when he was only five years old. Lewis’ mother, Lucy, had married a man named Captain John Marks and moved to Georgia.
Born in Virginia, Meriwether Lewis spent his early childhood in Georgia, and then returned to Virginia to attend college. While in Virginia, he met many Indian tribes and joined the Virginia state militia, which helped put down the Whiskey Rebellion. At twenty-seven, he had become a captain in the U.S. Army and President Thomas Jefferson’s personal secretary. When Jefferson decided to expand his nation’s territory, he selected Lewis as his deputy, and he was named Louisiana Territory governor.
A major question that arises when discussing Meriwether Lewis’ death is: did he commit suicide? If so, how? The NPS and history have no definitive answer, but the unsolved suicide case remains controversial. The NPS has already approved a $4 million improvement project for the site, which will focus on his accomplishments and his death controversy. And it’s hoped that the new project will give the Meriwether Lewis site a new face.
In addition to the eloquent title he held, Meriwether Lewis was a committed military man, a young plantation owner, and a staunch Jefferson confidant. Sadly, Meriwether died in 1809 of gunshot wounds while traveling to Washington, D.C. to clear his name. And his family was not pleased with the news. Meriwether died on October 11, 1809.
In 1806 Lewis was 35 years old. Although most historians claim that his death was a suicide, his descendants demand that the case be investigated. Today, a twenty-foot limestone column commemorating Lewis, surrounded by old oaks, is a monument to the mystery that surrounds his death. The monument is a permanent reminder of his life and legacy. And Jefferson himself accepted the report of suicide. The truth is much more complicated.
As an explorer, Meriwether Lewis was a member of Jefferson’s private secretary. His lifelong relationship with Jefferson made him the most fascinating part of the expedition, but it was also a source of significant emotional problems. Although Meriwether Lewis was Jefferson’s favorite man, he had serious emotional problems. Jefferson saw him as his pet project, his eyes and ears in the West. It is a fascinating look at the lives of these two men.
After the Louisiana Purchase, Thomas Jefferson and his fellow Presidents appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory. In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led a successful expedition across the western half of the United States. They discovered new resources, such as uranium and lead, and ultimately, created a nation. But they were tragically cut short. However, they were not the only men to cross the West, and Meriwether Lewis, Jefferson Explorer, and his team were instrumental in bringing about freedom for America.
Samuel Frayser
Samuel Frayser, a Jefferson explorer, was born in 1740 in Pennsylvania. He was the eldest son of Joseph and Margaret (BALPH) Graham. He was a farmer and learned the trade of carpenter. He married Eliza J. BARTLEY on February 8, 1864. Their marriage took place in the township of Penn. The couple had three children. Samuel was a renowned explorer who wrote about his travels in many books.
The WELSH family had a prosperous business career for twenty years before moving to Jefferson township. He and his family moved into a farmhouse near the southeast corner of the township and farmed there until 1853. They were members of the Presbyterian church and filled the office of elder in Jefferson township. Their children lived and worked on the family farm. They are buried in Jefferson township, Pennsylvania. While the WELSH family is buried in Jefferson township, the Welsh family is buried nearby.
His children, Herman and Louise, also settled in the township. He was fourteen when he left his home in Saxony to live in Jefferson. His wife Hanna J. HARTMAN, a native of Indiana county, lived nearby. The couple had four children, one of whom was a steel worker. The other two, Lewis, worked in farming in the Great Belt. Their daughter Caroline, a native of Indiana county, later married Fred WETZEL. They were members of the German Lutheran church and the Republican Party.
While his children, including William, lived in Clinton township, Samuel M. LOVE, SR., had emigrated from Ireland to the United States and settled in the Clinton township. The two men were married there, and they had four children together. Their first wife, Mary Ann, died in Ireland in 1847. The youngest, John, died in 1847, joined the United Presbyterian denomination soon after.