Private Silas Goodrich

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Place of Birth:

Massachusetts

Date of Birth:

June 3rd, 1778 (Reportedly)

Place of Death:

Unknown

Date of Death:

By 1825-28

Place of Burial:

Unknown

Cemetery Name:

Unknown

"Gutrich caught two verry fat Cat fish." - Clark, July 17th 1804

Silas Goodrich was a private on the Lewis and Clark expedition who wasn't remarked on frequently, but when his name did appear it was often to remark on his fishing prowess. This was not to say that he was not someone respected by the expedition or the Captains, but instead showed that his duties he performed were often those that everyone else also engaged in. Unfortunately this leaves little evidence of his true accomplishments on the expedition west.

On the Expedition

On August 20th, 1805, Lewis remarks in his entry for the day "Goodrich caught several douzen fine trout today." Similar entries appear all throughout the journals. This would become the staple of what he was renowned for.

Beyond fishing, Goodrich was interestingly noted as embarking in small teams to visit with various First Nations for trade or other tasks. While not remarked on, he may have been fluent in some basic sign language or had a charismatic nature to him to assist in making deals.

On October 2nd, 1805, Clark remarks "Despatched 2 men Frasure & S. Guterich back to the village with 1 Indian & 6 horses to purchase dried fish, roots &c. "

Christmas Day, 1805, he was shown to have a strong friendship with William Clark when he gifted him "a Small Indian basket," though this didn't fix the constant mispelling of his name as "Gutherich" or "Gutrich."

His potential communication skills may have lead to some unfortunate consequences in contracting diseases while out on the expedition, commented on by Lewis on January 27th, 1806, with his recovery from syphilis: "Goodrich has recovered from the Louis veneri which he contracted from an amorous contact with a Chinnook damsel." Unfortunately it didn't stay gone, as Lewis repeats the comment the following February 27th and March 8th.

His skills were again put to use April 16th, 1806, where Clark writes "Crossed the river and Sent Drewyer & Goodrich to the Skil lute village to envite the Indians to trade horses with us"

May 21st, 25th, 31st, June 7th 1806, all saw Silas visiting villages with one to two others of the expedition.
 

After the Expedition

While Goodrich mostly vanishes into history after the expdition it was known that he worked alongside some of the other expeditionary members to secure land grants for the Indiana and Upper Louisana regions rather than west of the Mississippi. [Lewis-Clark.org]

Otherwise much is up for debate, including his marriage, potential eight children, and where or how he had died. The only solid fact is from William Clark, which lists him as having died by 1826-1828.

Resources:

Morris, Larry E. The Fate of the Corps. Yale University Press, 2004. Print.

Moulton, Gary. The Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition: August 30, 1803 - August 2, 1804 . University of Nebraska Press, 1986. Print.

Moulton, Gary. Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. University of Nebraska Press. Web.

Further Reading:

Learn more about Silas Goodrich at Lewis-Clark.org.