Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge

1. Ona Judge: A slave's daring escape from George Washington

On Saturday, May 21, 1796, this changes. Watching the dining room from the hallway of the President's House in Philadelphia, Ona's eyes flit back and forth between George and Martha, perhaps eating their salt fish, drinking their wine, discussing things she can't hear. It is time. Now or never: she has made a decision, and now the only question is whether she will have the guts to go through with it.

A young woman's courage. Ona Judge, a light-skinned, freckled slave owned by George and Martha Washington, made a daring escape from the President's House in Philadelphia in 1796. At just 22 years old, she risked everything for freedom, leaving behind the only life she had ever known.

The path to freedom. With the help of free black allies, Ona boarded a ship called the Nancy, bound for Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her escape was meticulously planned, involving a network of supporters who risked their own safety to aid her quest for liberty.

A new life in the North. In Portsmouth, Ona found work as a domestic servant and eventually married a free black sailor named Jack Staines. Though she lived in constant fear of being recaptured, she chose a life of hardship and freedom over returning to slavery.

2. The paradox of freedom in early America

Strangely enough, the American colonies and the American slaves were engaged in a similar quest for freedom.

A nation divided. The newly formed United States of America struggled with the contradiction of fighting for independence from Britain while maintaining the institution of slavery. This paradox was embodied in the lives of the Founding Fathers, particularly George Washington.

Shifting attitudes. As the new nation took shape, attitudes toward slavery began to change, especially in the North:

• Pennsylvania passed the Gradual Abolition Act in 1780
• Many Northern states began to restrict or outlaw slavery
• Free black communities grew and became more influential

The persistence of slavery. Despite these changes, slavery remained deeply entrenched in the South and was protected by the Constitution and laws like the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.

3. Life as a slave in the President's household

Betty had originally been owned by Daniel Parke Custis, Martha Washington's first husband, who died after only seven years of marriage. By this point in America, slavery was as entrenched as the roots of the biggest, oldest tree.

A life of service. Ona Judge was born into slavery at Mount Vernon, George Washington's Virginia plantation. As a young woman, she became Martha Washington's personal attendant, accompanying the family to New York and Philadelphia during Washington's presidency.

The illusion of privilege. While Ona was considered a "favored" slave:

• She had access to better clothing and living conditions than field slaves
• She traveled with the Washingtons and witnessed important historical events
• She was still property, with no control over her own life or future

The breaking point. When Martha Washington decided to give Ona as a wedding gift to her granddaughter, Eliza Custis Law, Ona realized she had to act to secure her own freedom.

4. The power of free black communities in the North

Richard Allen himself lived at 150 Spruce Street, about four blocks away. Absalom Jones lived at 165 South Third Street, less than three blocks from the president's doorstep. Despite its size and status, Philadelphia was an eminently close-knit city. It would have been impossible for Ona not to have known about these influential free black leaders.

A network of support. Free black communities in Northern cities like Philadelphia and Portsmouth played a crucial role in helping fugitive slaves like Ona:

• They provided safe houses and employment opportunities
• They shared information about laws and rights
• They offered emotional and spiritual support

Leaders and activists. Figures like Richard Allen and Absalom Jones in Philadelphia were instrumental in:

• Founding independent black churches
• Advocating for abolition and civil rights
• Providing education and social services to the black community

A glimpse of possibility. Exposure to these communities showed Ona and other slaves that a different life was possible, fueling their desire for freedom.

5. The legal and moral complexities of slavery in the new nation

George Washington was, in other words, breaking his own law. And he was asking Oliver Wolcott and Joseph Whipple to break the law too.

Contradictory laws. The new United States grappled with conflicting legal approaches to slavery:

• The Constitution protected slavery and counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation
• Northern states passed gradual abolition laws
• The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 required the return of escaped slaves

Personal dilemmas. Even those who expressed discomfort with slavery, like George Washington, often prioritized their own interests:

• Washington attempted to circumvent Pennsylvania's gradual abolition law
• He pursued Ona's capture while avoiding public scrutiny
• He freed his slaves in his will, but only after Martha's death

Changing attitudes. As the nation developed, more people began to question the morality of slavery, setting the stage for future conflicts.

6. Ona's life in freedom: Triumph and hardship

Ona had no regrets. Despite the poverty, despite the sorrow, despite the permanent, painful separation from her family, Ona spent her final fifty years on earth living in a freedom of her own making—a freedom that allowed her to marry the man of her choice, bear children when she wanted to have children, and get paid for her labor.

The cost of freedom. Ona's life in New Hampshire was marked by both triumphs and struggles:

• She married Jack Staines and had three children
• She worked as a domestic servant to support her family
• She faced poverty, especially after her husband's death
• She outlived all of her children

Perseverance. Despite these hardships, Ona remained committed to her choice:

• She refused multiple attempts to convince her to return to the Washingtons
• She found solace in her faith and the Baptist church
• She learned to read and continued to value her hard-won liberty

A lasting legacy. In her final years, Ona shared her story with abolitionist newspapers, ensuring that her quest for freedom would be remembered.

7. The impact of one slave's quest for liberty on American history

Ona's interview in the Liberator on January 1, 1847, introduced her story to thousands of readers across the nation, permanently linking her to the crusade for black freedom in the years leading up to the Civil War.

A challenge to power. Ona's escape and continued evasion of capture:

• Embarrassed the most powerful man in America
• Exposed the hypocrisy of the Founding Fathers on slavery
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of Northern free black communities in resisting slavery

Inspiration for others. Ona's story:

• Encouraged other slaves to seek their freedom
• Provided ammunition for the abolitionist movement
• Highlighted the human cost of slavery to Northern readers

A complex historical legacy. Ona's life illustrates:

• The perseverance of enslaved people in seeking liberty
• The gradual shift in attitudes toward slavery in the early republic
• The long, difficult road to emancipation and civil rights in America

Last updated: February 4, 2025