Whitehouse, Joseph, approximately 1775-approximately 1860

Joseph Whitehouse was born in Fairfax County, Va. around 1775 and moved with his family to Kentucky in 1784.

Whitehouse enlisted in the U.S. army as a private in 1798 for a standard five-year term. He reenlisted in 1803 and later that year was transferred to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. While on this historic expedition, Whitehouse kept a fairly detailed journal from May 14, 1804 to April 2, 1806. After the expedition's successful return to St. Louis, Whitehouse was discharged from the army. He later reenlisted in 1807 serving on the western frontier and in the War of 1812 until 1817 when he deserted. The remainder of his life is obscure. Whitehouse died about 1860 and on his deathbed he gave this manuscript journal to his Catholic confessor, Canon di Vivaldi.

From the description of Joseph Whitehouse, journal commencing at River Dubois [i.e. Wood River, Ill.] ..., 1804 May 14-1805 Nov. 6. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 41067882