George Washington and Billy Lee
Lecture : OCTOBER 31, 2015
The Daughters of the American Revolution
Washington DC Headquarter Facility
William Lee, known as Billy Lee, was George Washington’s personal slave from 1767 until Washington’s death in 1799. For some heretofore unexplained reason, six months before his death, Washington granted Billy Lee his freedom and a life pension. Although he was moved to make these generous provisions, he did not grant his former huntsman and valet an interview prior to his death.
Author James Thompson discusses George Washington’s relationship with his “mulatto man” and why he remembered him in his will.
See this lecture on CSpan at: https://www.c-span.org/video/?400118-1/george-washingtons-billy-lee
