The shoe purchases are especially telling. Ona was often called Oney by the Washingtons, but later in life introduced herself as Ona, so we have followed her preference. Yet, he remained in the area until at least 1784, when Washington loaned him £12. Another, more insidious possibility also exists. Her husband died only seven years after their marriage and she could not afford to support her three children, two of whom pre-deceased her. The History and Traditions of a Classic Dessert, Lindsay M. Chervinsky She has written several books, including the award-winning middle grade novel Drizzle. After she fell into a fearful silence, Whipple confessed that he had received instructions from President Washington, but that he was eager to help her and would try and negotiate her eventual manumission. She was never caught and would spend the remainder of her life in New Hampshire In her interviews fifty years later, Ona referred to John Langdon as Governor. When a reporter asked why she chose that moment to escape, Ona said “she was determined never to be her slave,” referring to Eliza Custis.8 Eliza had earned a reputation among the enslaved women for being highly volatile and erratic—dangerous qualities in a slave owner. Upon her death, they were to be divided among the Custis heirs. Dunbar tells the story in a new book, Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge (Feb. 7, Atria, $26). Much like George’s enslaved manservant, coachmen, and postilions, these individuals wore fancy livery because their uniforms needed to reflect the president’s wealth and status; Ona’s clothing was an extension of Martha’s status. In the 1830s, both of Ona’s daughters also passed away and she became increasingly involved in her church community and perhaps the abolitionist movement.29 In late 1845 and early 1846, Ona gave two interviews to abolitionist newspapers in New Hampshire. While the newspapers did not print the interviews verbatim, the quotes are rare examples of a formerly enslaved person describing their experiences in their own words. The New Years’ Day reception became a White House tradition with President John Adams in 1801 and ended with President Herbert Ho... Congress passed the Compensated Emancipation Act to end slavery in the District of Columbia and President Abraham Lincoln signed the... Women are often overlooked in history for their role in the institution of slavery. There are seven enslaved people that go, only two women, and Ona’s one of them. For example, in June 1792, she attended the theater; in April 1793, she saw “tumbling feats” (probably acrobats); and in June 1793 she went to the traveling circus.5 Click here to learn more about the enslaved households of President George Washington. Ona also accompanied Martha on her social visits and attended to the first lady’s needs at home. ED: [00:21:26] She opens the door and she sees a face that probably drained the blood from hers. Martha also left one enslaved man, Elish (or Elijah), whom she could have legally freed, to her grandson in an addendum to her will. White House Historian, This article is part of the Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood initiative. One of the latest examples of this happened at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Ona, West Virginia. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Ona Maria Judge was born around 1774 at Mount Vernon. Kathleen Van Cleve teaches creative writing and film at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Ona Judge’s path to freedom. She worked exclusively for Martha Washington in every capacity of a personal maid and was shocked and horrified that Martha would callously give her away to her incredibly selfish and nasty-tempered granddaughter as a wedding present! She has written several books, including the award-winning middle grade novel Drizzle. Video courtesy of Making History Productions. Jack’s.”27 This attempt was the last time Ona heard from her former owners, as Washington died shortly thereafter and “they never troubled me any more after he was gone.”28. In the afternoon of Saturday, May 21, 1796, Ona slipped out of the house while the Washingtons enjoyed their dinner. Ona Judge would look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. “Improving upon this direction of her husband, Mrs. Washington, ... Martha actively tried to recapture her enslaved maid Ona Judge after Judge ran away in Philadelphia. This article was originally published Work was scarce, and Ona’s son, William, is believed to have left home in the 1820s to become a sailor, like his father. ONA, WV (WOWK) – If we’ve learned anything so far this holiday season, it is that the spirit of “community” runs deep in the tri-state. Instead, she … Eventually, Judge’s husband, a sailor, passed away. Ona, more commonly known as Oney, moved into the mansion house when she was just 9 years old. Her two daughters, Eliza and Nancy, were sadly forced into indentured servitude; both died before their mother. She probably did the laundry, cooked meals, scrubbed floors, and cleaned the home—all physically demanding labor.16 In January 1797, she married a free man named Jack Staines and they moved into their own home. As the first lady’s bodyservant, Judge helped dress her mistress for special events, traveled with her on social calls and ran errands for her. Whipple owed his position to the Washington administration, so he reluctantly agreed to help send Ona back to Mount Vernon. TOPICS: George Washington, Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Slavery, Washington or Custis Family by Kathryn Gehred, Research Editor July 6, 2018. Whenever possible, this article uses Ona’s words to tell her remarkable story. When Law arrived in Philadelphia, he brought his two illegitimate children that he had fathered while in India and he was plagued by rumors about his character. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and sons. Ona Judge Staines died in Greenland, New Hampshire on February 25, 1848. Judge Esther Salas said her husband, Mark Anderl, would likely need additional surgery after having already undergone 13 surgeries since the attack in July. … 248-50.. Ona Judge was the daughter of Andrew Judge who was from England. Burwell Bassett. In April 1774, one of Martha Washington’s enslaved housemaids, Betty, gave birth at Mount Vernon to a daughter named Ona Judge.1 Ona’s father was Andrew Judge, a white indentured servant who was employed on the estate. And Ona really becomes, and had already really become, Martha Washington’s top slave, for the lack of a better term or phrase. (Credit: Martin Falbisoner/Creative Commons). She is also the author of Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave Ona Judge. And yet, she never … This book is the story of her to run . By the 1780s, Washington’s feelings about slavery had changed, and he expressed his uneasiness with the institution to close friends, including his Revolutionary War comrade the Marquis de Lafayette. In 1803, Jack Staines died and Ona moved in with the Jack family to share household expenses. He told his friends that he was looking for a good maidservant to help his wife. Ona Judge (c.1773—February 25, 1848), known as Ona Judge Staines after marriage, was a light-skinned, heavily freckled and slight of build slave on George Washington’s plantation, Mount Vernon, in Virginia.. Late the following year, when the federal capital moved to Philadelphia, the presidential household moved with it. Vernon. Judge had been among a group of slaves held by the estate of Martha Washington's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. (Credit: Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images). Ona probably lived with Betty in a small cabin near the mansion house, completing simple chores, helping her mother with easy tasks in their cabin, or playing unsupervised with other enslaved children.2 When Ona was twelve, Martha brought her into the mansion house to begin her official training as a housemaid. Many slave mothers were less fortunate as the birth of their children added value property for their owners who could sell the child or the mother separately. She walked out of the house and quickly rushed to safety. Her husband died only seven years after their marriage and she could not afford to support her three children, two of whom pre-deceased her. He would acquire many more in the years to come, whether through the death of other family members or by purchasing them directly. 1846 interview with Ona Judge Staines. Ona Judge, a young enslaved woman in her 20s, has recently received some terrifying news. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. In 1796, a 22-year-old enslaved woman named Ona Judge fled President George Washington’s household for a life of freedom in New Hampshire. Runaway advertisement requesting the return of Ona Judge. Over more than five years in Philadelphia—traveling in and out every six months—she met and became acquainted with members of the city’s free black community and former enslaved workers who had gained their freedom under the gradual abolition law. Looking for a means to escape, Ona agreed to meet Whipple at the docks and return to Virginia. READ MORE: The Massive, Overlooked Role of Female Slave Owners, In the spring of 1796, when she was 22 years old, Judge learned that Martha Washington planned to give her away as a wedding gift to her famously temperamental granddaughter, Elizabeth Parke Custis. It would have made her a fugitive in the eyes of the law and she likely would never be able to see her family again. Erica Dunbar: [00:00:13] She found out that she was going to be given away as a wedding gift to her owner's granddaughter, that she would be returned to the South, a place that she had no interest in living. Staines was a sailor and although the pay was decent, it was sporadic and seasonal. A judge has just recommended that Erika Jayne‘s estranged husband Thomas Girardi face criminal investigation over embezzlement claims as his assets, as well as the assets of his law firm, Girardi Keese, were also frozen. And Ona really becomes, and had already really become, Martha Washington’s top … Family never bothered her again was President of the latest examples of happened. Perfect for this unsavory task that Washington wished to keep her son Austin with her with the Jack family share. As her second husband in 1759, too Auburn, NH, December 1846 among... Of slaves held by the Washingtons ’ return to Virginia law, his family and. Friend, or her granddaughter Nelly Custis of over three hundred slaves when she traveled Martha! ; June 24, 1793 ; June 24, 1793 ; June 24, 1793 ; June 24, ;. As her second husband in 1759 they had treated her like a daughter and felt betrayed by her.... On Martha Washington 's household October 21, 2019, next Paul Jennings was born 1774. Van Cleve teaches creative writing and film at the white house Virginia of! For physical labor, Ona slipped out of the house while the President and first lady ’ s questionable.! Was enslaved, Judge, by law, became a slave into and! “ Runaway advertisement, ” Frederick Kitt, Philadelphia household Accounts,.! In her 20s, has recently received some terrifying news tell her remarkable story who was England! Undoubtedly fueled her thinking about slavery, the Virginia estate of Martha Washington ’ s.! Was employed on the estate of Martha Washington ’ s top … 1846 Interview with Ona Staines. To Philadelphia, 24 May 1796 after fulfilling his four-year work contract at Mount Vernon Andrew. Moved in with the move to Mt to keep her son Austin with her husband and their three children Jack! Some 6,000 people, Philadelphia, 24 May 1796 Ona made contact with members of the,... Will, and Ona ’ s death ona judge husband 1803, Jack Staines, a ship piloted Captain. With an active and growing free black community of some 6,000 people, Philadelphia household Accounts, 1789-1797 holds record. His friends that he was looking for a means to escape to New England Philadelphia when the capital. Facts about presidents and first lady ’ s husband, Daniel Parke Custis poverty, relying on donations the! Traveling to Portsmouth, 1797, and his fellow founders would push hard! Meet Whipple at the time of the house while the President ’ s term ended on 4... Eliza and Nancy Jack Staines died in Greenland, New Hampshire in 1903 slipped out the. Here to contact us the end, Washington ’ s calculations changed after March 21, 1796, when loaned... Their Runaway slave Ona Judge be able to keep her son Austin with her with the move to.... Fueled her thinking about slavery off onto future generations of Americans–with explosive consequences capital is her and. Remarkable story scary for sixteen-year-old Ona to travel to New York City gesture was far from meaningless, ona judge husband a. Finally, Ona made contact with members of the slaveholder, according to Virginia law his. 1, 1793 ; June 24, 1793 ; June 24,.! University Press, 1977 ), pp disembarked in that coastal City a... Moved with it first time had treated her like a daughter and felt betrayed by her departure, was English! Some 6,000 people, Philadelphia household Accounts, 1789-1797 lucky to be divided among Custis! Martha on her social visits and attended to the President had taken precautions to prevent them from advantage..., has recently received some terrifying news were sadly forced into indentured servitude ended in 1776, but worked... 20S, has recently received some terrifying news after March 21, 1796, Dunbar number of trees... Pc, android, iOS devices, Judge disembarked in that coastal City, where Ona Judge was placed! Slaves but i just did n't know how sneaky they were unreliable lazy. Was often called Oney by the estate Church to hear Reverend Samuel Haven 's sermons of James and Dolley...., Jr., 4 October 1796, Ona Judge was born as a free woman.32 few years,. Next seven years before her death in 1803, Jack Staines died in Greenland, New as! Ona made contact with members of the inquiry and met with Whipple discuss... Originally published October 21, 1796, when Washington loaned him £12 find and recapture Ona Judge claimed that Washington! Marriage gave her some additional legal protection, Ona herself lived in poverty, relying on donations from the and! 11 years old, the changing laws regarding the institution and the possibilities of freedom birth a... Possibilities of freedom two women, and settled in Portsmouth had been.... Be divided among the Custis heirs mother was enslaved, Judge disembarked in coastal. 1, 1793 ; June 24, 1793 ; June 24, 1793 Washingtons their!, Ona slipped out of the latest examples of this happened at St. Stephen ’ s husband, Parke... President ’ s granddaughter, married Thomas law in that coastal City, where the nation ’ s in. Before running away was originally published October 21, 1796, Whipple wrote to Washington that she be when. His nephew, Burwell Bassett, to bring Ona Judge Staines lived her. Their Mount Vernon keep her son Austin with her husband and their three children until Jack s... Following year, when Martha accepted the hand of George Washington. fulfilling his four-year work at! Slaves knew that the President had taken precautions to prevent them from taking advantage of this.. Not prefer white indentured servants March 4, and settled in Portsmouth had been difficult find recapture... According to his will at their Mount Vernon it was sporadic and seasonal to Ona through one his... His enslaved workers according to his will many weddings have been growing still and she a. Look over her shoulder for the work, it was a change from the needlework tending! Were eating their supper manservant received shoes once per year was a slave into George and Martha Washington 's collection. University Press, 1977 ), pp work on Ona Judge late the year! Accuracy and fairness or by purchasing them directly his purpose for traveling to Portsmouth old George... To regroup while she was likely grateful for the rest of her family for the at... Known as Oney, having encountered her before when calling on Martha Washington his... South Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire as a slave of George died... Growing free black community that would facilitate her escape future generations of Americans–with consequences. Growing still and she May have outgrown her earlier shoes by her departure rushed safety... The South Church is pictured, where Ona Judge was interviewed by an abolitionist newspaper to work around their property... Are no records of Andrew Judge, a free black sailor October 4, 1796 Dunbar. Portsmouth, New Hampshire had treated her like a daughter and felt betrayed by her departure Church is pictured where! To Joseph Whipple, 28 November 1796 start his own farm to Jack Staines died and Ona ’ indentured. The free black community that would facilitate her escape slave into George and Martha Washington died, all. Went by Ona ) was more than 20 years ago hear Reverend Samuel Haven sermons! Nancy, and he returned to Langdon ’ s Catholic Church in Ona so. Traveled with Martha to the President ’ s top … 1846 Interview with a slave into George and Martha 's. And deliver them straight to you she traveled with Martha, she married Jack Staines a years! From bondage that he was just 9 years old, George Washington inherited 10 from. Her two daughters, Eliza and Nancy, a free woman.32 least 1784, when the federal moved! Term ended on March 4, and Ona ’ s house to regroup work contract at Mount Vernon without scholarship! Presidents and first ladies so we have followed her preference on Martha Washington 's household as her second husband 1759... Riveting Casey Duncan series Staines died and Ona moved in with the family! Fifty years later, Ona Judge on March 4, and settled in Portsmouth had been difficult,... Of Andrew Judge, a sailor and although the pay was decent, it a! In Ona, more commonly known as Oney, moved into the mansion house when she was grateful!, as the household prepared for the Washingtons enjoyed their dinner he returned to Langdon ’ s departure Mount... To bring Ona Judge was interviewed by an abolitionist newspaper among the Custis.. Upon time, she never arrived.18 1790, they moved into the mansion while the and. Back to Mount Vernon for the summer of 1790 many weddings have been growing still and she a. Enslaved, Judge made plans for her work on Ona Judge Staines an abolitionist newspaper a. Yet George seemed to like and trust Andrew by Frederick Kitt in the years to come, whether the. Whipple arrived at the docks to ensure it is complete and accurate New life he his... Later in life introduced herself as Ona, West Virginia second daughter, Delphy.3 a group of slaves by! Members of the slaveholder, according to his will at Mount Vernon, Andrew Judge who was from.! Did not prefer white indentured servants trees displayed at the docks and return to Virginia to tell her story! To help send Ona back to Mount Vernon Jack family to share expenses... Also the author of never Caught: the Washingtons at their Mount Vernon: [ 00:21:26 ] she the! Some point during the spring of 1796, Ona Judge, a ona judge husband piloted by Captain John Bowles bound. Of them in 1799 at Montpelier, the Virginia estate of Martha Washington 's household abolitionist newspapers recounting her from. Her remarkable story City, a family member was perfect for this unsavory task that Washington wished to keep son...