Description | 1) William "Billy" Lee (1750–1828), also known as Will Lee, was a slave and body-servant to George Washington, and was with him from 1767, when Washington purchase him from the estate of Col. John Lee, throughout the revolution, and into the early years of Washington's presidency. Lee appears with Washington in a number of portraits. After a couple of accidents severely damaged his knees, Lee was retired to Mount Vernon where he became a shoe-maker. He was the only slave freed outright by Washington in his will. He was given a pension of $30.00 and the option of living out his life at Mount Vernon, which he accepted. Whenever a Revolutionary veteran visited Mount Vernon, he would meet with him to reminisce. Although his grave is unmarked, he is the only person known by name to be buried in the Mount Vernon slave cemetery. William Lee (valet) in Wikipedia |