close up, 1  to come together in close array; converge: The enemy was closing up on us from both flanks. 2  to bring to an end; cease: The company is closing up its overseas operations. 3  to become silent or uncommunicative. 4  to reduce or eliminate spacing material between (units of set type).
For the US Navy officer, see George Washington Williams (naval officer). George Washington Williams (October 16, 1849 â August 2, 1891) was an American Civil War soldier, Christian minister, politician, lawyer, journalist, and writer on African-American history. Shortly before his death he travelled to King Leopold II's Congo Free State.
George Washington and slavery. George Washington (John Trumbull, 1780), also depicts William Lee, Washington's enslaved personal servant, who for many years spent more time in Washington's presence than any other man. George Washington, the first President of the United States, held people in slavery for virtually all of his life. His will provided for freeing the enslaved people he held upon the death of his widow Martha Washington. In January 1801 Martha freed her husband's slaves, just over a year after his death.