Across a Continent: The trials, legacy of the first African American to reach the Pacific Ocean, by Gift Luckson York (1770–1775 – after 1815) was an enslaved man who was the only African-American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806.   Background   A lifelong slave and personal servant of William Clark, York participated in the entire exploration and made significant contributions to its success. In doing so, he became the first African American to cross the continent and to see the Pacific Ocean. From Slavery to the Pulpit: The rise of Absalom Jones as first ordained African American priest,...