The Story of Ona Judge
Ona Judge was an enslaved seamstress at Mount Vernon. She was forced to travel to and from the Presidential house in Philadelphia and eventually gained her freedom by journeying to New Hampshire in 1796. Ona remained free for the rest of her life, despite Washington's attempts to bring her back into enslavement. Scroll to learn more about her life, experiences, and resistance.
Ona Judge
Read about how Ona Judge successfully self-emancipated from enslavement and Washington's efforts to re-enslave her.
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Video
Watch this three-minute video that describes Ona Judge's life, self-emancipation, and interaction with the Washingtons.
Watch Ona's Story
Character Interpretation and Telling Stories
Listen to this podcast and hear from "Ona Judge," who talks about her enslavement. The interpreter then explains how performing as a formerly enslaved person can build bridges between communities.
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Washington's Reaction
After Ona Judge traveled north, George Washington was angry. He wanted to re-enslave Ona. He wrote this letter describing his plans to recapture her. Despite his efforts, Ona was never recaptured and lived the rest of her life in freedom.
Resistance
Ona Judge wasn't the only enslaved person at Mount Vernon to resist bondage. Many enslaved peoples resisted in various ways, from avoiding work to feigning illness, to seeking freedom.
Labor in the Mansion
Before Ona Judge labored in the Presidential Mansion in Philadelphia, she worked as Martha Washington's personal maid and seamstress in the Mount Vernon Mansion.
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more about Ona Judge and enslavement? Explore these additional sources!
- Ona Judge
- Researching Slavery
- Primary Sources on Enslavement
- George Washington on Ona Judge
- Fugitive Slave Act of 1793
- Database of the Enslaved: Ona Judge
- Biographies of Enslaved Peoples
- Labor in the Mansion
- Martha Washington as an Enslaver
- Explore: The Women's Slave Quarters
- Explore: The Slave Cabin
- Explore: The Slave Memorial