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. 1880 United States Census |
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| 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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