Lee, Frank, -1821

Frank Lee (-1821) was an enslaved man and the younger brother of William Lee, valet to George Washington during the War of the American Revolution. He was owned by Mary Lee of Westmoreland County, Virginia, and sold to George Washington in 1768.

Frank Lee worked in the Mount Vernon Mansion in several capacities, eventually working as a butler. He was listed in the 1799 inventory of Mount Vernon.

Frank Lee was married to Lucy, a dower slave who was the daughter of Doll, a cook at Mount Vernon. Because Frank Lee was owned by George Washington, he was freed according to Washington’s will in 1801. Lucy and their children were enslaved to Martha Washington’s first husband, so they remained enslaved as part of the Custis estate. Nelly Parke Custis Lewis inherited ownership of Lucy, as well as children Mike and Patty at Woodlawn Plantation. His son Phillip Lee became the enslaved valet of George Washington Parke Custis at Arlington House.

Lee passed away in 1821.