Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Ona Judge


Ona Judge, born around 1773, was an enslaved woman in the household of George and Martha Washington. Her story is a testament to the human desire for freedom and the lengths one would go to achieve it, even when facing the immense power of the nascent American presidency.

Early Life and Enslavement

Ona, also known as Oney, was born at Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of the Washingtons. Her mother, Betty, was an enslaved seamstress, and her father, Andrew Judge, was an indentured servant from England. This mixed parentage was unusual and may have contributed to her lighter complexion, which was sometimes remarked upon by others. From a young age, Ona served as a body servant to Martha Washington, a position that placed her in close proximity to the first family of the United States. She traveled with them between Mount Vernon, Philadelphia (the temporary capital), and New York.

The Escape

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 allowed slaveholders to reclaim enslaved people who had escaped to other states. However, Pennsylvania had a law that allowed enslaved people to claim freedom after six months of residency in the state. The Washingtons, eager to maintain their enslaved workforce, developed a strategy to circumvent this law. They would cycle their enslaved people out of Pennsylvania before the six-month mark, effectively resetting the clock on their potential freedom. Ona was keenly aware of this practice.

In May 1796, while the Washingtons were residing in Philadelphia, Ona learned that Martha Washington intended to give her as a wedding gift to her granddaughter, Eliza Parke Custis Law. This news was a stark reminder that despite her privileged position within the household, Ona remained property, subject to the whims of her enslavers. The prospect of being separated from her existing life and potentially sent further south, away from any hope of freedom, spurred her to act.

With the help of free Black people in Philadelphia, Ona escaped on May 21, 1796. She boarded a ship called the Nancy and sailed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Life in Freedom and Remaining Uncaptured

Ona's escape ignited a persistent pursuit by the Washingtons. George Washington, infuriated by her defiance, used his presidential power and influence to try and recapture her. He contacted customs officials, friends, and even sent agents to track her down.

One of the most notable attempts to recapture Ona occurred in 1799. Washington's nephew, Burwell Bassett Jr., visited Portsmouth and attempted to persuade Ona to return, promising her freedom after the Washingtons' deaths. Ona, however, wisely refused, knowing that such promises were often broken. She famously stated that "she would rather suffer all the hardships of a free life than to return to slavery."

Ona remained uncaptured due for several reasons:

  • Community Support: She found refuge and assistance within the free Black community in Portsmouth, who often helped to hide her and provide warnings of approaching agents.

  • Northern Sympathy: While the Fugitive Slave Act was in effect, some Northerners, particularly in New England, were less inclined to actively participate in the recapture of enslaved people. Public sentiment and local laws sometimes hindered the efforts of slave catchers.

  • Ona's Determination: Her unwavering resolve to remain free, her cautiousness, and her refusal to be lured by false promises played a significant role.

  • Washington's Death: George Washington's death in December 1799 complicated the legal and practical aspects of her recapture. While Martha continued the pursuit, it lacked the full force of the presidency.

In Portsmouth, Ona married a free Black sailor named John Staines and had three children, though only one, Eliza, survived to adulthood. She worked various jobs to support herself and her family, facing the daily struggles of poverty and the constant fear of recapture.

After the Washingtons' Deaths

George Washington's will stipulated that his enslaved people would be freed upon Martha Washington's death. However, Martha, fearing for her own safety, decided to free them a year after George's death. This meant that the remaining enslaved people at Mount Vernon gained their freedom in 1801.

Ona, having already secured her freedom, continued to live in New Hampshire. While she no longer faced the direct threat of being returned to the Washington household, the Fugitive Slave Act remained a danger throughout her life. She was interviewed by abolitionist newspapers in the 1840s, providing valuable first-hand accounts of her life with the Washingtons and her escape.

Accusation of Mental Illness?

There is no historical evidence to suggest that Ona Judge was accused of mental illness because she ran away. The act of escaping slavery was seen by slaveholders as defiance and theft of property, not as a sign of mental instability. Accusations of mental illness were sometimes used to control or dismiss the grievances of enslaved people, but in Ona's case, the Washingtons' actions clearly indicate they viewed her as a runaway property they were determined to reclaim, not as someone suffering from a mental health issue.

Death

Ona Judge Staines died on February 25, 1848, at the age of 75, a free woman in New Hampshire. Her life story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression.

Sources:

  • "Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge" by Erica Armstrong Dunbar: This is a comprehensive and highly regarded book on Ona Judge's life.

  • Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia: The official website of Mount Vernon offers detailed historical information on Ona Judge and her relationship with the Washingtons.

  • National Museum of African American History and Culture: This museum provides resources and exhibits related to slavery and freedom, often including information on figures like Ona Judge




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