Billy Lee Essay, Research Paper

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 degree of courage each time he followed the general into battle. During public gatherings Lee displayed a high-social level, acted in a professional manner, and presented himself as an intelligent man. Washington s respect toward Lee was displayed when he would refer to him as my servant or my fellow , and never calling him my slave . (Nell 12) This is displaying the close relationship Washington and Lee had together, as many other slaves around America were treated like filth.

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) Lee was regarded as, An accomplished horseman with a sturdy athletic build. (Nell 45) His main duties were handling the General s letters, clothing, and fixing his hair. Washington always had his general hair, and Lee was responsible for him looking professional.

Margaret Thomas was the apple of Lee s eye, and they were married during the Revolutionary War. Margaret was a free mulatto, who acted as Washington s spy in Pennsylvania, keeping the general informed about British activities (Washington 90). After the conclusion of the war, Thomas was invited to live at Mount Vernon. The novel Citizen Washington claims she never accepted Washington s offer. This left Lee depressed, and he started to drink, heavily (Randall 499). Once a strong and athletic man, turned into an alcoholic with two bad knees not enabling him to perform his duties at Mount Vernon effectively. Lee s knees would frequently give out, not allowing him to move or carry objects. This seriously handicapped what he could do while living at Mount Vernon. The depression of accepting his wife was essentially gone, and his working career was over Lee turned to alcohol, and his life was changed forever.

Displaying his loyalty towards Washington, Lee would always be at his side during the war. Through the smoke of gunfire and volleys, Lee was constantly standing beside the general. Miraculously Lee left the battlefield almost unscratched. His life started a downward spiral after the war ended though. On a trip to Washington in 1785, he fell and broke his kneecap. Three years later, he fell again while on an errand to the Alexandria Post Office and broke his other knee. (Flexner 65) Thus crippled, he lost his status as Washington’s No. 1 slave and became the plantation’s shoemaker.

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.

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.