Ona Judge Historic Marker in Mount Vernon

Title of the Document

Ona Judge Historic Marker in Mount Vernon

One Line Summary

A historic marker recognizing Ona Judge's history at George Washington's
Mount Vernon plantation.

Author

Mount Vernon Historic Society

Date Created

2021

Location

Mount Vernon, Virginia

Type of Document

Artifact

Publisher

Mount Vernon Historic Society

Transcription

Ona Judge (ca. 1773-1848)
Ona (or Oney) Judge, born into slavery at Mount Vernon, became Martha Washington's personal
attendant as a child. After George Washington was elected president in 1789, Judge was brought
to New York City and later to Philadelphia to serve his household. Washington periodically sent
her back to Virginia to skirt a Pennsylvania law that might have granted her freedom based on
long-term residency. In 1796, after learning that she was to become a gift for Martha
Washington's granddaughter, Judge escaped from Philadelphia to New Hampshire. There she
married, had three children, taught herself to read and write, and lived for more than 50 years,
having resisted Washington's attempts to recover her.

Related

Ona Judge, George Washington, Martha
Washington, Elizabeth Custis Law (implied)

Ona Judge Staines (ca. 1773-1848)

Provenance

Janette Barnett, Ona Judge Historical plaque, Mt. Vernon, VA.