Oney Judge, born around 1773 at Mount Vernon, was enslaved by George Washington and served as Martha Washington's helper. In 1796, she self-emancipated and escaped to New Hampshire, prompting George Washington to attempt to retrieve her through newspaper advertisements offering a reward. Oney's story reflects the complexities of slavery and freedom in early America, particularly in relation to her experiences in Philadelphia among free African Americans.

1. What do you know about Oney Judge?
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2. Two American Stories

3. Two American Stories

4. Two American Stories

5. Two American Stories
George Washington

6. Two American Stories
George Washington and

7. Two American Stories
and Oney Judge

8. Two American Stories
George Washington and Oney

12. Oney Judge was born around 1773

13. Oney Judge was born around 1773

14. Oney Judge was born around 1773 at Mount Vernon.

15. Oney Judge was born around 1773 at Mount Vernon.
When she was around 10, she worked as Nelly Custis's playmate.
Nelly was Martha Washington's granddaughter.

16. Oney's mother, Betty, was Martha Washington's slave.

17. Oney's mother, Betty, was Martha Washington's slave.
Oney was Martha Washington's slave, too.

18. Oney's mother, Betty, was Martha Washington's slave.
Oney was Martha Washington's slave, too.

19. A teacher taught Nelly at home.
Oney asked Mrs. Washington, "May I learn, too?"

20. A teacher taught Nelly at home.
Oney asked Mrs. Washington, "May I learn, too?"
No.

21. Oney became Mrs. Washington's helper.

22. Oney became Mrs. Washington's helper.
Oney made Martha Washington's caps.
First Lady
Martha Washington

23. Oney became Mrs. Washington's helper.
Oney made Martha Washington's caps.
First Lady
Martha Washington
Oney is “handy and useful...
the perfect Mistress of her needle.”

24. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.

25. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.

26. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.
This picture is at the museum in Mount Vernon,
George Washington's home.

27. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.
This picture is at the museum in Mount Vernon,
George Washington's home.

28. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.
This picture is at the museum in Mount Vernon,
George Washington's home.
Oney lived there.

29. We have no pictures of Oney Judge.
Artists created pictures.
This picture is at the museum in Mount Vernon,
George Washington's home.
Oney lived there.
Mount Vernon was my home, too.

30. George Washington lived in this large Mount Vernon house

31. Some enslaved people at Mount Vernon lived in places like this or small houses like this.

32. ...or small houses like this.

33. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797:

34. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797: "We entered one of the huts of the
Blacks...

35. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797: "We entered one of the huts of the
Blacks... The husband and wife sleep on
a mean pallet

36. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797: "We entered one of the huts of the
Blacks... The husband and wife sleep on
a mean pallet

37. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797:
"We entered one of the huts of the
Blacks... The husband and wife sleep on
a mean pallet, the children on the ground

38. ...or small houses like this.
A visitor to Mount Vernon wrote this in
1797:
"We entered one of the huts of the
Blacks... The husband and wife sleep on
a mean pallet, the children on the
ground; a very bad fireplace, some
utensils for cooking, but in the middle of
this poverty some cups and a teapot."

39. George Washington's bedroom

40. Sleeping areas for enslaved people.

41. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.

42. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

43. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

44. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

45. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon under Washington's control.
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

46. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon under Washington's control.
In 1799, there were 317 men women and children enslaved at Mount Vernon's five farms.
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

47. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon under Washington's control.
In 1799, there were 317 men women and children enslaved at Mount Vernon's five farms.
317 men, women & children
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

48. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon under Washington's control.
In 1799, there were 317 men women and children enslaved at Mount Vernon's five farms.
317 men, women & children
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

49. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
Mount Vernon was George Washington's home.
Hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked at Mount Vernon under Washington's control.
In 1799, there were 317 men women and children enslaved at Mount Vernon's five farms.
My mother and I were part of the
hundreds of enslaved people at
Mount Vernon.
317 men, women & children
Enslaved people Hired white workers and family Washington family members

50. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
But in 1799

51. Who Lived at Mount Vernon?
1799 Census
But in 1799, I was not in Mount Vernon.

52. In 1799, I was a FREE WOMAN living
in New Hampshire.

53. In 1796, I self-emancipated.

54. Washington won the vote and became USA's first president in 1789.
Washington, D.C. was not built yet.
New York City and Philadelphia were the first capital cities.

55. Washington won the vote and became USA's first president in 1789.
Washington, D.C. was not built yet.
New York City and Philadelphia were the first capital cities.

56. The Washington family lived in New York City.

57. The President’s House in New York City.

58. Then, they lived in Philadelphia.

59. The President’s House in Philadelphia.
1794

60. The President’s House in Philadelphia.
1794

61. The President’s House in Philadelphia.
2019

62. Oney moved to Philadelphia, too.

63. Oney moved to Philadelphia, too.

64. In April, 1790, seven enslaved people from Mount Vernon moved to Philadelphia to work with the Washington family.

65. In April, 1790, seven enslaved people from Mount Vernon moved to Philadelphia to work with the Washington family.

67. Some historians think this is a portrait of Hercules, an enslaved
man who was the cook for the Washington family.
Hercules and Oney Judge knew each other.

68. Oney's mother still lived in Virginia at Mount Vernon.

69. Oney's mother still lived in Virginia at Mount Vernon.
She was a teenager. She probably missed her mother.

70. Many African Americans living in
Philadelphia were free people.

71. Many African Americans living in
Philadelphia were free people.

73. Oney went with Martha Washington on shopping trips.

74. There are records of the Washingtons paying for circus tickets for Oney and other people working
for the family.

75. There are records of the Washingtons paying for circus tickets for Oney and other people working
for the family.

76. When Oney Judge walked on Philadelphia streets, she would see many
free African American people.

77. Maybe Oney Judge saw James Forten.
He was the richest African American in Philadelphia.

78. Maybe Oney Judge saw James Forten.
He was the richest African American in Philadelphia.
He had a business making sails for ships.

79. Maybe she saw Robert Bogle.
He was the best cook in Philadelphia.
Rich people hired him to cook for parties and weddings.

80. Absalom Jones

81. Absalom Jones and Richard Allen

82. Absalom Jones and Richard Allen were respected African
American ministers.

83. Anthony Benezet Instructing Colored Children
Maybe Oney Judge saw African American children going to school in Philadelphia.

84. Maybe Oney Judge talked to women who sold things.
This painting shows a free African American woman
selling pepper pot soup.
Pepper-Pot: A Scene in the Philadelphia Market
John Lewis Krimmel, 1811

85. I had friends among the colored people of Philadelphia.

86. President Washington thought it was a problem if enslaved people like Oney were around free
African Americans.

87. President Washington thought it was a problem if enslaved people like Oney were around free
African Americans. Maybe they would get the idea that their lives were not good.
They might want to run away.

88. The idea of freedom might be too great a temptation for them to resist...
if they conceived they had a right to it, make them insolent.
President Washington thought it was a problem if enslaved people like Oney were around free
African Americans. Maybe they would get the idea that their lives were not good.
They might want to run away.

89. President Washington had another problem.

90. President Washington had another problem.

91. President Washington had another problem.
Pennsylvania law prohibited slavery.

92. President Washington had another problem.
Pennsylvania law prohibited slavery.

93. President Washington had another problem.
Pennsylvania law prohibited slavery.

94. President Washington had another problem.
Pennsylvania law prohibited slavery.
If enslaved people were in Pennsylvania for six months, they became free.
An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery,
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania,
March 1, 1780.

95. President Washington had another problem.
Pennsylvania law prohibited slavery.
If enslaved people were in Pennsylvania for six months, they became free.
An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery,
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania,
March 1, 1780.

96. President Washington's solution:
Every six months, he sent enslaved workers
back to Virginia.

97. President Washington's solution:
Every six months, he sent enslaved workers
from Pennsylvania back to Virginia.

98. President Washington's solution:
Every six months, he sent enslaved workers
from Pennsylvania back to Virginia.

99. One day, Mrs. Washington said to Oney,

100. "I have wonderful news!
You will go to Virginia to be
a wedding present for my niece!"
One day, Mrs. Washington said to Oney,

101. "I have wonderful news!
You will go to Virginia to be
a wedding present for my niece!"
One day, Mrs. Washington said to Oney,
I don't think so.

102. Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia,
I was packing to go, I didn't know where;

103. Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia,
I was packing to go, I didn't know where;
for I knew if I went back to Virginia,
I should never get my liberty.

104. Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia,
I was packing to go, I didn't know where;
for I knew if I went back to Virginia,
I should never get my liberty.

105. I had friends among the colored people of
Philadelphia, had my things carried there
beforehand, and left Washington's house while
they were eating dinner.

106. I had friends among the colored people of
Philadelphia, had my things carried there
beforehand, and left Washington's house while
they were eating dinner.

107. On May 20, 1796, Oney Judge left the President’s House.

108. On May 20, 1796, Oney Judge left the President’s House.

109. On May 20, 1796, Oney Judge left the President’s House.

110. Oney went on a ship in Philadelphia.

111. Oney went on a ship in Philadelphia.

112. Oney went on a ship in Philadelphia.

113. Oney went on a ship in Philadelphia. The ship sailed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

114. Oney went on a ship in Philadelphia. The ship sailed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

115. Please find Oney!
I need her!

116. George Washington tried bringing back Oney.

117. George Washington tried bringing back Oney.
The President asked his steward, Frederick Kitt,
to put notices in newspapers.

118. George Washington tried bringing back Oney.
The President asked his steward, Frederick Kitt,
to put notices in newspapers.
There was a reward for people if they helped
bring Oney back to Virginia.

119. 1796

120. 1796

121. Ten Dollars Reward
ABSCONDED from the household of the Presi-
dent of the United States, on Saturday after-
noon ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled,
with very black eyes and bushy black hair-- She is of
middle stature, slender, and deli-cately made, about 20
years of age. She has many changes of good clothes of all
sorts, but they are not sufficiently recollected to describe
As there was no suspicion of her going off, and it
happened without the least provocation, it is not
easy to conjecture whither she has gone --or fully, what
her design is; but as she may attempt to escape by water,
all masters of vessels and others are cauti-oned against
receiving her on board, altho' she
may, and probably will endeavour to pass for a free
woman, and it is said has, wherewithal to pay her
passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person, (white or black)
who will bring her home, if taken in the city, or on board
any vessel in the harbour; and a further reasonable sum if
apprehended and brought home, from a greater distance,
and in proportion to the distance.
FRED. KITT, Steward.
May 24
1796

122. Advertisement.
Absconded from the household of the President of the United
States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very
black eyes and bushy hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and
delicately formed, about 20 years of age.
She has many changes of good clothes, of all sorts, but they are
not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion
of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture
whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is; but as she may attempt
to escape by water, all masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting
her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass for a free
woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if
taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a
reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater
distance, and in proportion to the distance.
FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23
1796

123. Advertisement.
Absconded from the household of the President of the United
States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very
black eyes and bushy hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and
delicately formed, about 20 years of age.
She has many changes of good clothes, of all sorts, but they are
not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion
of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture
whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is; but as she may attempt
to escape by water, all masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting
her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass for a free
woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if
taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a
reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater
distance, and in proportion to the distance.
FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23
1796

124. Advertisement.
Absconded from the household of the President of the United
States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very
black eyes and bushy hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and
delicately formed, about 20 years of age.
She has many changes of good clothes, of all sorts, but they are
not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion
of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture
whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is; but as she may attempt
to escape by water, all masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting
her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass for a free
woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if
taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a
reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater
distance, and in proportion to the distance.
FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23
1796

125. Advertisement.
Absconded from the household of the President of the United
States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very
black eyes and bushy hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and
delicately formed, about 20 years of age.
She has many changes of good clothes, of all sorts, but they are
not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion
of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture
whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is; but as she may attempt
to escape by water, all masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting
her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass for a free
woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if
taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a
reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater
distance, and in proportion to the distance.
FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23
1796

126. Advertisement.
Absconded from the household of the President of the United
States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very
black eyes and bushy hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and
delicately formed, about 20 years of age.
She has many changes of good clothes, of all sorts, but they are
not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion
of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture
whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is; but as she may attempt
to escape by water, all masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting
her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass for a free
woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage.
Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if
taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a
reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater
distance, and in proportion to the distance.
FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23
1796

127. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

128. A family of free African Americans invited Oney to
live with them in Portsmouth.
Oney earned money sewing.
She learned how to read and write.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire

129. A family of free African Americans invited Oney to
live with them in Portsmouth.
Oney earned money sewing.
She learned how to read and write.

130. A family of free African Americans invited Oney to
live with them in Portsmouth.
Oney earned money sewing.
She learned how to read and write.
Oney married Jack Staines, a free sailor.
They had children.

131. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.

132. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.

133. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.
The second time, Martha Washington sent her
nephew to bring back Oney.

134. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.
The second time, Martha Washington sent her
nephew to bring back Oney.
Oney must come back home!

135. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.
The second time, Martha Washington sent her
nephew to bring back Oney.
He found Oney.

136. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.
The second time, Martha Washington sent her
nephew to bring back Oney.
He found Oney. He told her, "I promise you
freedom if you come with me."

137. Two times, men tried to bring Oney back to the
Washington family.
The first time, Oney fooled the man.
The second time, Martha Washington sent her
nephew to bring back Oney.
He found Oney. He told her, "I promise you
freedom if you come with me."
No.
I am already free.

138. My name is John Langdon. I lived in Portsmouth.
I was the governor of New Hampshire.
I signed the Constitution,
I knew George Washington

139. My name is John Langdon. I lived in Portsmouth.
I was the governor of New Hampshire.
I signed the Constitution,
I knew George Washington,
and I helped Oney Judge escape from Martha
Washington's nephew.

140. My name is John Langdon. I lived in Portsmouth.
I was the governor of New Hampshire.
I signed the Constitution,
I knew George Washington,
and I helped Oney Judge escape from Martha
Washington's nephew.
Governor John Langdon,
ABOLITIONIST

141. Abolitionists

142. Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves

143. Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people

144. Charlotte Forten Grimke Frederick Douglas William Still
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people

145. Charlotte Forten Grimke Frederick Douglas William Still
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people

146. Charlotte Forten Grimke Frederick Douglas William Still
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people

147. Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people and White people

148. William Lloyd Garrison Harriet Beecher Stowe John Brown
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people and White people

149. William Lloyd Garrison Harriet Beecher Stowe John Brown
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people and White people

150. William Lloyd Garrison Harriet Beecher Stowe John Brown
Abolitionists
• worked for freedom for slaves
• Black people and White people

151. William Lloyd Garrison

152. In 1845, I published an interview
about Oney Judge in my popular
abolitionist newspaper when she was
a very old woman.
William Lloyd Garrison

154. She says that she never received the least mental or moral instruction,
of any kind, while she remained in Washington's family.
The Liberator, January 1, 1847

155. February 25, 1848, Oney died in Greenville, New Hampshire.
She was poor when she died, but she was free.

156. February 25, 1848, Oney died in Greenville, New Hampshire.
She was poor when she died, but she was free.

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