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William Lee (c. 1750 [1] – 1810 [2]) was an American slave and personal assistant of George Washington. He was the only one of Washington's slaves who was freed immediately by Washington's will.
William Lee spent two decades as George Washington's enslaved valet accompanied him nearly everywhere.
Dec 22, 2021 · William Lee was the enslaved valet of George Washington for nearly two decades. Purchased by Washington in 1768, when he was at least sixteen years old, Lee was assigned to household work at Mount Vernon and accompanied Washington when he traveled, including during the American Revolution (1775–1783).
William “Billy” Lee was an enslaved man who acted as General George Washington’s personal manservant during the American Revolution. In 1767, George Washington purchased brothers William and Frank Lee from Mary Lee of Virginia.
Feb 8, 2019 · For two decades, William Lee was by George Washington's side and forged a close relationship with him. He was with Washington throughout every moment of the Revolutionary War,...
Sep 6, 2021 · Washington’s most loyal companion, the man who could have like so many other slaves, defected to the British to both free himself and provide colonial loyalists and the British with invaluable intelligence, instead spent his last days working as a shoemaker and living quietly at Mount Vernon.
William Lee—who preferred to be called by that name, though Washington often called him “Billy” or “Will”—was George Washington’s enslaved valet for 20 years. During that time, Lee rarely left Washington’s side, meaning that there are numerous records preserving Lee’s travels and responsibilities.
