Billy Lee Assam

Following the rich tradition of breakfast teas, Billy Lee Assam is a traditional and hearty breakfast tea, containing Estate grown Assam Teas from India.  This is a full-bodied and robust morning tea that contains tippy golden flowery orange pekoe picked at perfection.

TEAME Profile:  BA3

Darjees Revolutionary Profile

William "Billy" Lee (c. 1750^[ 1810) was an American slave and personal assistant of George Washington. At a time of Liberty, the Declaration of Independence declared that all people were free and with inalienable rights.  He was the only one of Washington's slaves who was freed immediately by Washington's will. With his service by Washington's side throughout the American Revolutionary War and occasional depiction next to Washington in paintings, Lee was one of the most publicized African Americans of his time. 

Washington was a frequent fox hunter, and Lee became his huntsman and was in charge of the dogs, a role that required expert horsemanship and blowing horn calls, or signals, on a hunting horn. In his memoirs, Washington's step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, described Lee during a hunt:

Will, the huntsman, better known in Revolutionary lore as Billy, rode a horse called Chinkling, a surprising leaper, and made very much like its rider, low, but sturdy, and of great bone and muscle. Will had but one order, which was to keep with the hounds; and, mounted on Chinkling, a French horn at his back, throwing himself almost at length on the animal, with his spur in flank, this fearless horseman would rush, at full speed, through brake or tangled wood, in a style at which modern huntsmen would stand aghast.