Billy Lee

A detailed Summary of Billy Lee

Slaves are not supposed to have a dramatic effect on colonial life. They

were viewed as a materialistic object rather then an emotional attachment. George Washington stepped outside of this norm, and accepted William "Billy" Lee into his family. George Washington was not only emotionally attached to Lee, but also depended on him for everyday life and services.

Washington purchased Lee for 61.15 pounds from Smith Ball Lee of Westmoreland County in 1767 (Cunliffe 22). The date in which Lee was purchased has been disputed, as many historians including, William Martin claim he was bought in 1768. His slave name was, "Mulatto Will", but Washington wanted Lee to establish a human quality so he preferred to call him Will (Alden). Calling him either Lee or "Mulatto Will" would show Lee was nothing more then a slave. Washington wanted Lee to represent a person, and not just a slave.

Lee was considered Washington's favorite huntsman before the Revolutionary War. Unlike several other slaves, Lee was Washington's personal valet, and body servant (Ferling 89). Both Washington and Lee were close companions during the war, as Lee was extremely loyal to his white master. Never backing down to anything Lee showed an uncommon deg

Being a slave and almost an unknown, Lee didn't get the recognition he should have deserved. If Lee was a white man then he would have been a prominent figure in the Revolution, instead he's an afterthought. Washington explained why he granted Lee freedom, "As a testimony for his attachment to me and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War." Many leave out such an important person in Washington's life in the cold.

Washington granted one slave freedom immediately after his death in 1799, Billy Lee. This was requested in Washington's will. He stated Lee be provided with all the essentials, and he's to receive thirty dollars per year. It also gave Lee the option of remaining on the estate, the place where he called home since his teen years (Reiss 44). Records indicate he became an alcoholic and died around 1828, when he would have been about 78 years old.

Lee came to Mount Vernon as a teenager. Diary entries from Washington show that Lee became a vital figure in Washington's life. Three times per week Lee joined the general in hunting. Lee was described as someone who "would rush, at full speed, through brake or tangled wood, in a style at which modern huntsman would stand aghast." (Reiss)

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Approximate Word count = 834
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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Billy Lee

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