Who was the French trapper who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition?

Answer 1

Toussaint Charbonneau was born in Boucherville, Quebec. He was of Métis descent and had in fact guided George Rogers Clark (William Clark's brother) in his conquest of Cahokia, Kaskaskia, and Vincennes during the Revolutionary War. Charbonneau worked for a time as a fur trapper with the North West Company. While working for the company, Charbonneau encountered the established settlement of Mandan and Hidatsa tribes near present-day Bismarck, North Dakota. He settled amongst these tribes as a trapper, laborer, and an interpreter of the Hidatsa language. Soon after his arrival, Charbonneau purchased two captive Shoshone women: Sacagawea and "Otter Woman", from the Hidatsa who became his "wives".

In 1804 Charbonneau was interviewed to interpret Hidatsa for the Lewis and Clark expedition, but Lewis and Clark (esp. Clark) were not overly impressed with him. However, Sacagawea spoke Shoshone and Hidatsa, so they hired Charbonneau on November 4, and he and Sacagawea moved into Fort Mandan a week later. During the winter of 1805, Charbonneau's and Sacagawea's son Jean-Baptiste was born on February 11. At age 24, Charbonneau was the youngest member of the expedition. However, he did make several contributions to the success of the expedition. He was helpful when the expedition encountered French trappers from Canada. He served as a cook and his skill in striking a bargain came in handy. After the expedition, William Clark offered Toussaint and his family a place in St. Louis and a proper education for Jean-Baptiste (at a time where there was no opportunity for Native Americans to receive an education). He then took a job with the Missouri Fur Company, and stayed at Fort Manuel Lisa in present-day North Dakota. Evidence suggests that, while Charbonneau was on an expedition with the company in 1812, Sacagawea died at the fort. The following year Charbonneau signed over formal custody of his son and his daughter Lisette to William Clark. During the period of 1811-38, Charbonneau also worked for the Upper Missouri Agency's Indian Bureau as a translator. He may have gained this position by the patronage of William Clark, who was the governor of the Missouri Territory. He is said to have died at Fort Mandan.