From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 28 July 1784
To Clement Biddle
Mount Vernon July 28th 1784
Dear Sir,
The Mulatto fellow William who has been with me all the War is attached (married he says) to one of his own colour a free woman, who, during the War was also of my family—She has been in an infirm state of health for sometime, and I had conceived that the connection between them had ceased—but I am mistaken—they are both applying to me to get her here, and tho’ I never wished to see her more, yet I cannot refuse his request (if it can be complied with on reasonable terms) as he has lived with me so long & followed my fortunes through the War with fidility.1
After promising thus much, I have to beg the favor of you to procure her a passage to Alexandria either by Sea, by the passage Boats (if any there be) from the head of Elk, or in the Stage as you shall think cheapest & best, and circumstances may require—She is called Margaret Thomas als Lee (the name which he has assumed) and lives at Isaac & Hannah Sills, black people who frequently employ themselves in Cooking for families in the City of Phila.2 I am—Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (photocopy), NjP: Armstrong Photostats; LB, DLC:GW.
1. GW bought William (Will, Billy) Lee in 1768 from Mary Lee, the widow of Col. John Lee of Westmoreland County, Virginia. In April 1785 while surveying with GW, Lee broke his kneepan, and in 1788 a similar accident left him crippled for life. By his will, GW gave his old servant his freedom and an annuity of £30, with the right to remain at Mount Vernon if he wished. No evidence has been found that Margaret Thomas, or Margaret Lee, came to Mount Vernon.
2. No further information about Isaac Sills and his wife Hannah has been found.