America Untold:
Forgotten heroes, Forgotten Stories
Scarlet Ingstad
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
The story of America's beginning is a fascinating tale, full of heroics and revolutionary ideals. However, there are many people during this era who were not held in the same light as others, and were excluded from the general narrative. We owe our freedom to many whose names we do not know--and it is my goal to help change that. This month, I introduce you to William "Billy" Lee, George Washington's enslaved valet. Those who are familiar with Lin Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway Musical might recall that Alexander Hamilton is often credited as being Washington's right-hand man. While in some instances this was true, Washington's real right-hand man was not a free man whom he employed--he was an enslaved man whom he owned. By His Side For two decades, William Lee was by George Washington's side everywhere he went. He was purchased as a teenager by Washington in 1768, along with his brother, Frank Lee. While his brother became the enslaved butler at Mount Vernon, William became Washington's enslaved valet, or manservant .This meant that William was responsible for Washington's daily needs, including bathing, assisting in powdering and tying his hair back into a queue, laying out his clothes, as well as accompanying him on fox hunts, surveying expeditions, and later, the American Revolution. It was likely that during these quiet moments, especially the vulnerable ones, William Lee and George Washington formed a bond of some kind. Martha Washington's grandson recalled: "Will, the huntsman, better known in Revolutionary lore as Billy, rode a horse called Chinkling, a surprising leaper, and made very much like its rider, low, but sturdy, and of great bone and muscle. Will had but one order, which was to keep with the hounds; and, mounted on Chinkling, a French horn at his back, throwing himself almost at length on the animal, with his spur in flank, this fearless horseman would rush, at full speed, through brake or tangled wood, in a style at which modern huntsmen would stand aghast...He also accompanied Washington when he was surveying, both locally and on the frontier." During the war, William not only continued with his manservant duties, he also took on some very unique roles as well. Thanks to the recollections and memoirs from several eye-witnesses, we know William was by Washington's side at all times, including in battles like the Battle of Monmouth. Additional evidence from the memoir of a soldier named Joshua Smith (who was court-martialed regarding his potential involvement in the Benedict Arnold treachery) reveals exactly how close William was to Washington during this time. One line in particular hints that William was privy to secretive information: "...one of Washington's domestics, who daily brought me provisions, and who was a confidential servant of the general's." Washington trusted William enough to task him with providing provisions for a prisoner. Smith's writings also indicated that William was present in Washington's military inner circle and that he felt comfortable in dealing with sensitive situations and highly-educated persons. It makes one wonder how much William also knew about various espionage operations, such as Benjamin Tallmadge's Culper Spy Ring. After the War During the war, William married a free black woman named Margaret Thomas (also known as Peggy Lee) from Philadelphia who became part of Washington's military household. About seven months after they returned to Mount Vernon, William asked Washington to let his new wife move in with him. Washington was not thrilled by the idea, stating that he "never wished to see her more," but he could not refuse William. They had just endured eight years of war together; this was the least Washington could do for his enslaved valet. There is, however, no historical record of whether or not Margaret Thomas ever made it to Mount Vernon. However, William and Washington's attachment to one another is apparent after in the war in the records we do have. Whether this was a genuine, affectionate attachment on William's part cannot be known and should also not be assumed. William was, after all, considered property of George Washington. After the war, William suffered sever back-to-back knee injuries that left him crippled. William insisted on joining Washington in Philadelphia after he became president, but his injuries were too substantial, and Washington ordered him to be returned to Mount Vernon in 1790. Nine years later, Washington drafted a new will--one that demonstrated his own personal attachment to William. Washington wrote that the people he owned were to be emancipated upon the death of both himself and his wife, Martha Washington--all except for William Lee: "...And to my Mulatto man William (calling himself William Lee) I give immediate freedom; or if he should prefer (on account of the accidents which have befallen him, and which have rendered him incapable of walking or of any active employment) to remain in the situation he now is, it shall be optional in him to do so: In either case however, I allow him an annuity of thirty dollars during his natural life...& this I give him as a testimony of my sense of his attachment to me, and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War." William ultimately chose to remain at Mount Vernon, likely due to his injuries and the fact that his family still lived here as enslaved persons. He became a minor celebrity due to his proximity to Washington. Visitors came to visit Mount Vernon after Washington's death in 1799 to pay their respects, and to speak to the enslaved man who was by his side the entire time. Sadly. William developed a drinking problem, likely due to the pain of his knee injuries, and passed away. The year of his death is unknown. Some historians believe he died in 1810, others believe he died in the 1820s. Legacy
Historian Fritz Hirshfeld said: "If Billy Lee had been a white man, he would have had an honored place in American history because of his close proximity to George Washington during the most exciting periods of his career. But because he was a black servant, a humble slave, he has been virtually ignored by both black and white historians and biographers." Thankfully, that is changing. William Lee's story is unique for an enslaved person. The majority of enslaved persons during this era were barely recorded, and when they were, it was for the property records of their enslavers. However, due to William's proximity to Washington, we known more about his particular story. William Lee was by Washington's side every day for over twenty years--something even Martha Washington cannot claim. After being born into a world where slavery was readily accepted, Washington went from thinking little of the practice, to expressing a desire to "be quit" of it. Washington did not end slavery in America (that would take another generation and another war to accomplish). What he did do was alter his will to free those he owned after the death of himself and his wife, setting an example for other enslavers of his generation. William Lee was likely a major reason behind this decision. Stories like that of William Lee and James Armistead Lafayette provide a unique look into Revolutionary America and the institution of slavery. There are dozens upon dozens of stories during the Revolution period that have gone largely untold. Until the day comes that their names are as well known as George Washington, we must keep telling their stories. Please pay particular attention to the "Want to Learn More" section below--lot's of excellent material here, including a brand new podcast series by Mount Vernon! Episode 3 stars William Lee, and it was released TODAY! Sources: - MacLeod, Jessie, "William (Billy) Lee." - Thompson, Mary V. "William Lee & Oney Judge: A Look at George Washington & Slavery." - Thompson, Mary V. The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret, 2019. - Lossing, Benson J. Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington, by His Adopted Son, George Washington Parke Custis. - Washington, George, October 20, 1770, The Diaries of George Washington, 2: 294. - Ferraro, William M. "A Glimpse of William 'Billy' Lee: George Washington's Enslaved Manservant." - Smith, Joshua Hett, An Authentic Narrative of the Causes Which Led to the Death of Major Andre, 1809 (reprinted in 1969). - Washington, George, The Last Will and Testament of George Washington and Schedule of his Property, to which is appended the Last Will and Testament of Martha Washington, Fourth Edition, edited by Dr. John C. Fitzpatrick. Want to Learn More? Television and Podcasts: - Check out Mount Vernon's BRAND NEW podcast, "Intertwined," available wherever you prefer to get your podcasts. Narrated by Brenda Parker, "Intertwined" explores the lives of the enslaved persons at Mount Vernon. New episodes are posted weekly. TODAY, William Lee's episode was posted. Visit www.georgewashingtonpodcast.com for more information! - TURN:Washington's Spies: William Lee, portrayed by Gentry White, is in this show regularly beginning in season 2. I cannot say enough good things about Gentry White's portrayal of William. Absolutely phenomenal! William is also the star of the Valley Forge episode in season 2--it's a must-watch! Books: - The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret by Mary V. Thompson - Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington's Mount Vernon, edited by Susan P. Schoelwer, introduction by Annette Gordon-Reed - By His Side: The Story of George Washington and William Lee, by Jinny Powers Berten - An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America, by Henry Wiencek - Never Caught: The Washington's Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge, by Erica Armstrong Dunbar - The General's Cook, by Ramin Ganeshram - Amazing Grace: An Anthology of Poems About Slavery: 1660-1810, edited by James Basker - Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth, by Claire Bellerjeau and Tiffany Yecke Brooks Preview of Next Month's Hero: Did you know that Alexander Hamilton's closest companion was also one of the loudest voices in the abolition movement during the American Revolution? Learn all about the life of John Laurens in January's edition of Revolutionary Voices!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Scarlet Ingstad
I am an independent author and historian seeking to uplift the stories of the lesser-known heroes and heroines of the American Revolution, alongside modern-day heroes and heroines who have served in the U.S. military and continue their service through their historical work. Archives
March 2022
Categories |