Lewis’s Personal Items at Grinder’s Stand

While no one knows what became of Lewis’s trunks, Freeman’s memorandum of the items does state that one trunk was square and black and must have been quite large because it was not convenient in shape or size for packing.

Meriwether Lewis wrote a very concise last will on September 11, 1809 while in New Madrid (in today’s southeastern Missouri).

This will was one of the many items found in the Governor’s two trunks at Grinder’s Stand. Upon his death, the trunks were left in the care of William C. Anderson who was from the Nashville area. Thomas Freeman was to convey the trunks and contents to Richmond, Virginia on November 23, 1809.

An inventory of the trunks was taken that day, in the presence of U.S. Army Captain Boote, U.S. Army Captain Brahan, Freeman, and Anderson. Among the many items were Lewis’s clothing and personal items, memorandum books, personal and official papers, maps and charts, bundles of silk, a handsomely mounted tomahawk, and many other things.

The trunks and items were shipped to William D. Meriwether in Richmond, who served as Lewis’s guardian after the death of his stepfather. Now many years later, Mr. Meriwether was responsible for settling Lewis’s affairs.

A full list of the inventory is listed in “Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition”, Volume 2, edited by Donald Jackson.