George Washington's Enslaved Valet: William Lee
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- 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, and till his death. It is thought that Washington's relationship with Lee altered his view on slavery as he grew older. In this video, one of our character interpreters Brenda Parker shares the story of William Lee, one of the many enslaved workers at Mount Vernon.
Learn more: www.mountvernon.org/slavery
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I wish they taught us this in the schools. It is part of everyone's culture and history. Thank you so much for shedding light to a dark and forgotten past.
I wish they taught us a lot more American history in school!
There are so many silent founding fathers and mothers that we don't know about!
I learned this in school when we studied the Rev War. Then later in more detail when I read about the war as well as watch “Turn” Washington’s Spies. Also, Mary Lee, who sold him was not some stranger, that is a great relative of Robert E. Lee’s family line. Those two families are intertwined through several marriages. You can’t talk about Lee without talking about Washington. So, as many salves were given the masters last name... Lee was later also R.E. Lee’s same family tree branch. There is no surprise considering Custis, Washington, and Lee were the prominent family names of that time among others.
I would point out to those who wish more of this had been included in their school days that they were taught to read and write. Those two skills along with basic maths make it possible for us to read about and widen our knowledge base. Remember yourself and your friends in Elementary and high school, would you really have heard these stories as they were hurriedly offered as teachers tried to open as many windows and doors on the world as possible?
@@kathyk479 They do depending on the area, the US is a big place. I remember learning about Washington and even his servant William Lee.
You have such a soothing voice, Ms. Parker. Thank you for all of your work interpreting and narrating!
She has a beautiful voice.
Autumn Maquillage exactly what I said
He was a mulato child of rape. The war was over in 1783. He freed him 16 years laters. How kind
William Lee needs his own monuments as well, perhaps as a tribute to the enslaved community throughout the ages.
This was a very interesting video! I honestly didn’t know William existed so thank you for sharing his story!
William Lee is a Revolutionary Hero Too.
Why?
Lee didn't get the Freedom Promised after 180 days nor did my Grandfather nor did any other Man Serving in the Continental Army or Navy
I'm pretty convinced if Lee wasn't mullato, he would have been mentioned with all the other great names. Washington and Lee were very close and Lee was his right hand man.
@@MichaelScreamMachineEvans Lee did get his freedom and a lifelong pension from Washington.
@@FCCENM not after his 180 days in the Army that wasn't honored until the Civil War ...... The United States Navy refused to release African American Sailors
Have you ever heard of the USMC?
That's what they were commissioned for
I'm a Veteran and yeah I learned this interesting facts in the Atlantic Fleet
My god, I just love Brenda!! She does so well.
I've watched a couple of these videos and wanted to thank you for helping bring a part of history that needs to be told to life. History is often much more complex than anyone wants to admit. Many will only look one fact or another and judge solely on that without taking the time to look at and understand the whole picture. I enjoy that you are giving us facts and not trying to sit in judgement.
Thanks for watching Keith. We always strive for authenticity
Thanks, Brenda. 😀 I am definitely an admirer. I appreciate you bringing portraits of enslaved women and information about enslaved people and what it was like. I remember seeing something about one of General Washington’s enslaved men working as a spy for him during the war. Was this William Lee?
Amanda, Washington did receive information from an enslaved spy during the revolution, James Armistead Lafayette. His owner was William Armistead of Virginia. James posed as a runaway slave and spied on Brigadier General Benedict Arnold (after he defected) and eventually Lord Cornwallis as well. You can learn more about his efforts and the other spies of the revolution on our website: www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/spying-and-espionage/american-spies-of-the-revolution/
Very insightful, narrated with a voice smooth as silk!
❤️❤️❤️ you Brenda. Thank you for sharing William Lee’s story!
So William Lee was a founding father too! Sally Hemmings was a founding mother As well and there are so many others that I like to call the silent mothers and fathers. There were so many others that enabled the known founding fathers and mothers to do what they did! They really need to be recognized!
This is more important than knowing the myth that Washington had cherry tree wood teeth.
Tbh, I didn’t even know Washington carried about keeping family together but still continued to own slaves and only give them one new set of clothes twice a year.
Looking back, the American education system taught me nothing about this
Brenda Parker brings history alive. Very touching, especially since we are all no longer free during the pandemic.
Thank you guys for this excellent and informative video ❤️
How kind was Washington to his slaves? They had to work from daybreak to sunset and more, were given insufficient food which they had to supplement themselves and even in old age were beaten if they could not do any work before they dropped dead.
How truthful was he? The black volunteers with the King's forces were settled in Canada as free men. Washington's black soldiers, who had been promised their freedom, were not given it. When the Marquis de La Fayette remonstrated with him, Washington wanted to know who would do all the work if he had kept his word.
She’s reading this like it was a good gig to have!
Thank you for this documentary.
Even under the circumstances of slavery, William Lee had a very interesting life under Washington. He even found himself in the thick of battle and danger.
This narrator has a beautiful speaking voice.
Great information and presentation! Thank you
You learn something new everyday. Great knowledge goes far.
There are a lot of comments casting disgrace upon Washington because he owned slaves. What these people don’t realize is that there was no notion of “liberty and justice for all” or the right for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” without George Washington.
He built the framework that would bring liberty and end slavery. Y’all only view slavery as evil, because our founding fathers gave us the idea that individuals have the right to liberty.
Without Washington and the founding fathers inventing the United States, there’s a good chance none of y’all would criticize slavery (perhaps extremely cruel treatment but not the entity itself), because you would have no sense of it being wrong
You hang the man with the rope he invented. Have some wisdom and understanding and know that you stand on the shoulders of giants while you think you’re flying.
I can assure you everyone who was enslaved knew that slavery was wrong.
@@andrewmakau9702 I don't doubt that.
For arguments sake, tell me what makes it wrong.
Nic Ford I’m fine with seeing all sides of Washington, but even in the 1700s much of the world saw slavery as evil. Religion and economics kept it alive and well in the US far after Washington. It’s absurd to say that without Washington we wouldn’t have come to view slavery was an evil institution.
@@jcs1025 what makes slavery evil? (I do not support slavery, but I want to hear your answer).
Nic Ford Your question is ridiculous and doesn’t deserve to be answered. Have a college freshman level philosophy discussion with someone else.
Wow never knew he had a enslaved man with him during the war. I often struggle with Washingtons legacy I do admire his bravery and what he did for America. But find it hard. That he could justify slavery, im assuming he belived in all men are created equal. And still owned entire familys. Either way im glad Mount Vernon keeps those who were enslaved memories alive.
Most wealthy slaveholders brought one with them. Even in wartime they wanted the luxuries of slavery.
@@YT4Me57 i was never aware of that that they never taught this stuff in high school just glossed over alot of what happened in history.
We all wish slavery never existed. It STILL exists in parts of the world, and even in the US if you look hard enough. I really appreciate Brenda giving them a name, a face and a history so they are remembered as people and not just their enslaved situation.
@@teresahegerich8835 oh yeah shes pretty amazing love to visit one day.
blaze 2019,
There is a book called To Be Slave by Julius Lester that is a an eye-opening book.
Well and fairly done. Thank you.
No man who owned a slave ever loved his brother.
Exactly. To own another human being is a terrible, horrible tragic against Mankind, Our people in general.
Your so right, if there was love,one could not put himself up to owning another human being.
I've seen the page on the Mount Vernon website on Lee, and it's got more info on him than I've found anywhere. It's a pity we don't have more information on him, though.
We will be releasing more information on our website later this year.
@@mountvernon Fantastic! Thanks for providing this info!
@Shanti Saks : Ancient-American History & Style how so? Have you taken the time to find first hand accounts and do some historical work?
@Shanti Saks : Ancient-American History & Style you mean your 4th great grandma?your argument is full of holes unless you have fist hand account and if you don't know what that is good day to you and I won't bother replying. I do family history and when you are at the 1700's it'd be 3rd or 4th great grandmother. is your grandma 300yrs old? Did your ancestors leave journals? I have compiled journals of alot of my ancestors but most are from the 1800's . Good day arguments full of holes.
Shanti Saks : Ancient-American History & Style
And you’re going to believe your grandmother over people who have studied this for years? Tracing back to THE George Washington. Ridiculous how you think.
These videos are beautifully done
Thank you, Alexis!
Maybe this man was Washington's son. Of course he wasn't going to admit it.
True...very odd. Yet, I could believe that George Washington was his father.
Yes good point
@@tiffany4628 Right indeed. George Washington was probably his father just look at Thomas Jefferson who owned & was in love with Sally Hemmings.
George Washington wasn’t above that sort of thing. I read he wasn’t so much in love with Martha as he was her considerable fortune. In fact I read he was in love with his best friend’s wife-
He wasn’t. Washington had no kids, white or black. He was likely impotent. A disease he had as a child left him unable to have kids, though he and Martha tried.
I thank you for sharing, I didn't know eny of this stuff.keep up the good work.and may GOD bless and keep you
You tell the truth....not positive nor negative.... just the facts.... very enjoyable indeed...I learned something new today....thank you so very much for sharing and teaching us this history and allowing each audience member to make their own opinion and perhaps judgement....
But one should judge by mid to late 1700s standards and education and belief systems of the day....
If they were alive today....
They would judge us by the standard of their own day......I dare say none would pass muster to them..
God bless you 😇
Lee wasn’t only a slave! He was best friend and protector of Washington. More Americans should be proud of history regardless of ethnicity.
Thank you for teaching something new.
Thank you
❤️
Ms Parker is wonderful!
Her tone of voice is soothing.
I went there today for a feild trip
We hope you had a great time! Thanks for visiting us.
Washington - like every great man- had egregious faults. Come to think on it that pretty much describes all of us. But he was the father of our country. He put himself & his estate to penury in order to win the war that created the nation that eventually fully encompassed the revolutionary idea that all are created equal. Condemn him for moral failings viewed through a 21st century lenses all you like, but this nation, with all the faults , and all the blessings , would never have been birthed without him. He was a flawed man? So are we all. But we are all free because of him
Run Gunn well, can't reason with stupidity.
Run Gunn there is a difference between minimizing something & merely trying to re- establish reasonable perspective. Using words like ' holocaustal' to define the north American version of slavery is over emotional sensationalism. Up to the time of Washington slavery was a common practice globally and it wasn't always practiced in its most benevolent form - as it was in the American colonies. This was most especially true in sub Saharan Africa & in Spanish South America where slaves were worked to death and horribly abused. European countries were just beginning to withdraw from the trade in slaves & the domestic practice of it during this time. If you are so hell-bent on condemning a great man for what we now see as a character flaw, then- especially in this case- you must condemn the entire world up to this historical point because every nation & every culture up to that time practiced some form of slavery. The great good that Washington accomplished far outweighs any evil he might have done. PC culture so blindly points out the failings of certain historical figures while ignoring the same failings in others. Martin Luther King was a great man. One of the top 3 Americans in history imo, but he was an adulterer, and a woman abuser, and far too cozy with the Communists trying to overthrow our government. He had flaws. He was still a great man. Heroes have mortal flaws. They are still heroes because they accomplished great things for mankind in spite of their flaws. In short- get over it. Give credit where credit is due. Washington - in spite of his human flaws- is due all the praise & thanks this wonderful country he created can give him
Run Gunn HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That's hilarious!
I think you are all stuck in the victim rut. You will never progress or improve yourselves unless you just get over it. How would I feel if I had been a slave? I don't know. Neither does any other American. However, all of our greatest countrymen had faults- some of them rather glaring. George Washington was one of them, but the United States of America wouldn't exist without him. God uses us all - with all our faults - to accomplish his will. Washington will always be the greatest of all Americans, even with his all - too - human faults
Run Gunn well if by plantation you mean the Southern planters of the early days of American history then there really is no reasonable comparison there to concentration camps. That's just silly. And nothing in that previous sentence can be, nor should be, misinterpreted in such a way as to pretend that it supports the institution of slavery. But someone on this thread almost certainly will, I'm thinking
Thanks so much for this. This is my grandfather
EXCELLENT VIDEO
There was another video that said Washington freed his slaves in his will but the "Custus dower slaves" remained in Martha Washington's possession and were divided among heirs upon her death. I think I understand the legal basics but why, after many years of marriage, were not the 'dower slaves' part of the whole Washington estate and freed in Washington's will? I understand what we today call prenuptial agreements and think that is more or less the issue, but what expectations should Martha Washington's heirs have had to inherit anything after her years of marriage to George?
I so much enjoy your beautiful videos. History must be looked at with truth and accuracy and you do that. Thank you!
@Sunshine Baker Well put.
@Run Gunn I respect what you have said but nothing is ever simple. A lot of factors need to be understood before historic people can be judged. At that time there were beliefs that slaves were like children in need of parental-type control, for their own good of course. Since slaves were not allowed to travel or learn and educating them was usually illegal, these people were more like children. There were also questions of what would happen to people of color if they were freed. After the Civil War, white, European immigrants to places like New York, demonstrated against African Americans taking jobs. The continuing tragedy of slavery was that even with freedom, people of color did not have a secure, positive place in the economy or country.
None of this justifies slavery but IMO it is necessary to understand every aspect and belief of the times before accurate judgement can be made. Remember too, the Bible which was the great moral guidance of the day, at minimum says that slaves should be content with their lot.
On the other hand, if Washington was against slavery, it is hard to understand why he put out quite a bit of effort to reclaim a slave who had escaped. (One of the videos in the series hers.) All through that video I kept hoping Washington would kind of forget about that woman and let her go her way in freedom.
(Considering presidential 'crimes against humanity', be sure to check out Andrew Jackson whose picture is till on the $20 bill.)
@Run Gunn I don't really disagree with what you have stated but I believe all historical issues need to be analyzed in all their parts. There are certainly some things in history I think should have been recognised as 'crimes against humanity'. For instance, IMO there is no excuse for Romans or anyone else to have crucified people. Anyone should know that is unacceptable. I mentioned Andrew Jackson in my previous post. His genocide of Native Americans as well as slave trading, IMO reach the level of such crime.
That said, I still think the Washingtons were products of their time, judging their actions as humane within the context of those times.
@Run Gunn the Mennonites and Quakers were not the majority however. If they were laws would have changed more rapidly and equal opportunity for freed POC would have been accepted by society. Racism is one of those things that are generationaly taught . People don't want to go against societal norms and be outcasts and during that time it was expected to behave in a certain way or you wouldn't do well in business. It's not right but it happens.
as any one knows the "times " DO matter. As any good historian or anyone knows the modern lens we see things through is completely different than how people saw things during that time period. Does it mean it's right ? No!! Do I support historical Slavery or modern slavery ? Hell no! So get off my back and find something better to do with your time because I don't support racism or slavery in any way shape or form.
I wanna go to my Vernon to see the house and to pay respects to those slaves 🖤
It's Mount Vernon, and it's a memorable place.
Yea that’s what I meant, thanks
We hope you come visit us and check out our Lives Bound Together Exhibit. It focuses on slavery at Mount Vernon and the personal stories of the enslaved community. We are open 365 days a year and the exhibit is open until September. Thanks for watching!
@grass flowerz The exhibit is free to all visitors as well as our specialty tour about the enslaved community. These are both included when visitors purchase their ticket to enter the estate, unlike our other specialty tours which are an additional cost. You can find out more information here, www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/the-enslaved-people-of-mount-vernon-tour/
This is a great channel. I've just subscribed.
Thank you for subscribing!
Thank you.
A life never truly free. 😥
Lee was not his valet. Washington never saw him like that.
He was Washington's valet but you are correct their relationship was much more complex. We have more details on our website: www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/william-billy-lee/
@Tasha Ms SweetTea S. Freed him though.
He is recognized for his Work.
Impossible to survive 8 years of war and not be close.
They were good friends. Washington respected him a-lot Ive read a bunch of letters where he praises him.
Friends?
Good friends don't keep friends in forced servitude.
They were NOT friends! Lee was property. He did not have a choice
@@YT4Me57 Don't be an idiot. The slave system was larger than any of single one them. It was well acknowledged that it had turned into a monster system that would have to be dismantled carefully. Only a tragic war was able to stop it. The greedy tried to get it to go on forever. There were many benign slaveholders, who chose to take good care of their slaves under that massive system., Many became good friends and actually held together with deals not to separate families and kin through sales or auction. A great many situations bore children and became quite complicated. Washington himself realized that he was losing money with an over abundance of slaves under his charge. He could not get rid of them and accepted the losses because it was the moral thing to do. Giving outright freedom jeopardized many because their chances of making it outside of his influence were very low. Many would starve to death as employment and freedom from many abuses were not guarunteed. Washington face a huge dillema in the management of the the slaves he inherited and procured in business. A great many of them took his name after they were freed which is a testament that he must have treated them well, if they did not reject his name...
@@MacroX1231 SMH.
I was trying to find out how much 30.00 would be worth today. The only thing I could find went back to 1914; then worth about 755.00. Since that is still about 100 years off, 30.00 would have been substantial.
Love your velvet voice!
Most interesting... thanks for sharing.
Oh wow he gave him 30 bucks... but what about the rest of them? These people where beyond evil.
30 bucks then is about 610 dollars today.
When I was a on holiday and in the Gambia I went to see were thay keept them before sending them them I felt so sorry for the way thay were kept so I'm so sorry to you
Has anyone answered if it was Lee standing off to the right in the Famous painting of the Washington family? I would think so.
A very good presentation.
He was indeed.
It's sad a black women will act like the slave master had compassion as if it was a honor to be the servant of any man mindtrick
They had to "act" in order to survive.
Brandon Latimer Go read a damn book. 🙄
Beautiful Miss Brenda.
Mayb he was washingtons son?
it wouldnt surprise me!
There is no evidence of this because most historians conclude that George Washington was infertile. While he had children, they were directly related to him as they were from Martha's previous marriage.
@@mountvernon bullshit!! He was a rapist and even If he did y'all would try to erase it from history like Thomas rapist Jefferson. They would never be on the books as his kids
@@natalieshepp641 having sex and fathering children are two different things. He and his wife didn't have children, her children were from her first marriage and she was young enough to have more but didn't. So it's a fair conclusion that Washington either had a performance problem or was infertile so never fathered any children by anyone including his slaves.
@@Cynnas STFU he was a rapist!!!!! Periodt
First im ever hearing this thank you
Something is not quite right about this “relationship “Just saying.
Hey......love has no boundaries 🤣.
You mean that he was enslaved, .. surely?
@@ah5721 nope I mean the devotion they showed each other and the large monthly payments.
William Lee is probley a relative of Washingtons. General Lee off Alington is also a relative of Washingtons strange how General Lee got rid of his slaves a decade before that war.
Excellent video.
This was great
Such a touching story. General Washington was very affectionate of Mr. Lee for sure!
30 damn dollars for being faithful to George Washington, when we all knew he had so much more money to give.
Yep that's about 978 dollars a year in today's money not a lot but he also got freed just think compared to the other slaves who got nothing he was rich lol
William lee an American hero.
Ive watched a few of these videos...so was slavery ok if you was owned by George Washington ?????
She never said slavery was ok, no matter who owned them. She's only telling what was he like, what were his duties and so on.
Interesting
I’d love to visit that place. X
Is this the beautiful actress that acted out the enslaved chambermaid video? If so she is fantastic in that!
I think you’re thinking of Cheyney McKnight from Not Your Momma’s History.
My father name was William Lee
Truth Hurts damn
George Washington was considered the best horseman in Virginia Willie Lee was the 2nd best horseman in Virginia
I do not believe this will become very well-known.
So he got paid maybe about 30.000 a year until his death?
That was allot of money then. Actually
@@kristingallo2158 it was. To bad he didn't escape with his family 😔
Many of the founders shifted away from slavery, from greater uneasiness to outright abolitionist in some cases like Ben Franklin. The founders were good men able to evolve. Men like Lee were good witnesses to the humanity of slaves to them.
Reminds me of the story about Hitler who allowed the Jewish doctor, Eduard Bloch, to leave safely because he looked after his family. Odd that he was reformed about slavery but only freed one. Sad more than odd.
Its funny all of this stuff is coming to light now with the UA-cam algorithm. how uncannily prescient, I'm sure that has nothing to do with computers.
Censorship of history in any form is wrong. Thank you for posting this.
If Washington really felt remorse he would of gave him that 30 and freedom before he died. Hey son go do this and go do that. And she want people to keep it respectful. Poor William died in pain because of trying to help this racist. Washington died a racist and this Black woman is a clown!
What happened to Slaves when they were Elderly? Were they allowed to stay until Death?
Were they allowed to stay?
As a slave owner Washington was better than most. That isn't saying much.
So sad. How American hero's are people who held other people as possessions.
Obivious Oblivion , thank you for thinking in reality. They glorify these horrible, despicable rapist as heroes. Hell no! They were some vile evil bastards.
@@anthonyhay3063 you're attacking a museum. They are only telling the history. History is NOT politcially correct. IF they talk about slavery, like in this video, you accuse them of "glorifying" slavery. If they didn't talk about slavery then you would say they are "white washing". You people on the left can't have it both ways. I understand you're angry at slavery but you're attacking the innocent. Museums and historians are not guilty of slavery.
Ps never ever call another man mAster or father.
The sing-songy tone of voice describing the life of an enslaved human being is so disturbing. I'm sure Washington was fond of him like he was fond of the family dog. And would have had a much easier time setting the dog free than this actual person. I think about what this man would have aspired to be and to accomplish, just like we all aspire to be something and accomplish something with our lives. Millions of people were completely robbed of that, and of building a legacy for their children and watching them thrive. It's not something to be so sing-songy about. Ugh.
Lee was actually quite accomplished. When Washington bought him, Washington was already a very wealthy and very prominent politician. And after Washington's death, Lee was granted an annual pension equal to about 50% of what Washington originally paid for him. I wonder what would result if one considered the purchase of William Lee to be Washington's first act in anticipation of the Revolutionary War, -- three years after the Stamp Act and five years before the Boston Tea Party. I've heard that Washington considered Lee to be a better horseman than himself, which is a substantial professional endorsement. The institution of slavery is abhorrent to all, but it's also an error to assert that African Americans walked around with frowns on their faces for 400 years.
We need to view history in the context of the time- NOT by our feelings today. The fact GW felt the way he did for Lee and the privision for Lee was revolutionary.
Funny! According to Wikipedia William Lee died in 1828.Who is wrong?
Funny! According to American Battlefield Trust William Lee died in 1810. Who is wrong?
Do you think Washington allowed Lee to learn to read & write???
Definitely.
Try not to break into song lady.. Do not sugar cost it either. The man was still born into a horrific life of SLAVERY!!!
William Costin?
Just think about how there were millions of slaves just like William Lee, Ona Judge, Hercules and the others we’ve had the privilege of learning about, who will unfortunately never have their stories told or names remembered.
Mr.Lee must of been able to read.
So his views on slavery changed dramatically during the war? Well the war ended in 1783 and he died in 1799. So 15 years later he decided to instruct the release William Lee once he died and had no more use for him. I kind of think his views didn't change that much!
I get that it was a different time. I get that Washington wasn't doing anything different to anyone else of his status was doing in North America in the 18th century. What gets me is trying to spin it like it was some kind of pretty fairy story, where this guy was some sort of companion or best buddy to him, when in reality he was just property purchased and used to make Washingtons life easier. Employing an African-American woman to make it out to be a romanitc plot for some hollywood movie.
Maybe Billy Lees Father was Washington himself...!
Put on that new jumex
Noooooooooooooooooooo
So william was a good slave?
William lee came from the lee plantation virgina.
Um....no thanks...
This is Disturbing to me....
Cold blooded smh
I personally Will prefer death than to live a life calling another man Master! Death is so much better a freind.
Death is nothing, life at least has the possibility of change and to be better.
They all should have been repatriated.
They should not be with us now.
gee i dont think any of my relatives ever got to work for the president of the united states.
guy must have been a pretty impressive person
He didn’t work for the president. He was enslaved by the president. He say it like it’s an honor. I can assure you his descendants think otherwise.
Oh how sweet, he had a change of heart and decided to no longer buy any more enslaved people. But he had no issue with continuing to enslave those he had, nor put them to hard work until he died and write them in his will to pass on the "less educated" ones to his daughter-in-law.