Mary Lee Brady, Ph.D.

William (Billy) Lee so far as we have been able to determine was born around 1815 as a free Negro;  and later able to apparently buy the freedom of his wife Winny and presumably before she had given birth to any children.  We believe her name, like that of Nancy, was used by later generations of Lee offspring but spelled as Vinny.

Indeed, there is much to be learned when successive generations continue to use not only the surname but also the first and nicknames of their perceived ancestors.  So, who are we to suggest William (Billy) Lee was not descended from the William Lee that served General George Washington?   The issue is that of what we choose to believe, rather than denying because sufficient documentation does not exist to affirm in the eyes of skeptics.

Speculation leads us to wonder if below listed William Lee identified by census may have been person cited above. 

Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace  William LEE   Self   M   Male   B   66   VA   Farmer   VA   VA   Eliza LEE   Wife   M   Female   B   55   VA   Keeping House   VA   VA   Mary LEE   Dau   S   Female   B   22   VA   Laborer   VA   VA   Mary F. LEE   Dau   S   Female   B   4   VA      VA   VA    Source Information:     Census Place South Side, Appomattox, Virginia   Family History Library Film   1255354   NA Film Number   T9-1354   Page Number   386B

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