49 George Washington’s Advertisement for the Capture of Oney Judge

George Washington’s Advertisement for the Capture of Oney Judge (May 25, 1796)

Introduction to Primary Source:

In 1796 Oney Judge, a young woman enslaved by Martha Custis Washington, lived with the President and his family while they resided in Philadelphia. The Washington’s ensured that Judge never spent more than 6 continuous months in Philadelphia as under Pennsylvania law she could sue for freedom. As the Washington’s were prepareing to return to Virginia upon the President’s retirement Judge learned that she would be given to Martha Washington’s newly married granddaughter. Realizing that a return to the South and her being “gifted” to a young family member meant perpetual slavery, Judge decided to make a break for freedom and “stole” herself from the Washingtons. She successfully escaped from slavery and lived as a free woman until the end of her life. The Washington’s spent 20 years unsuccessfully chasing and attempting to return her to slavery.

Document:

Transcript of advertisement in Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser (May 25, 1796), Page 3.

Ten Dollars Reward.

ABSONCDED from the household of the President of the United States, on Saturday afternoon, ONEY JUDGE, a light Mulatto girl, much freckled, with very black eyes, and bushy black hair.—She is of middle stature, but slender and delicately made, about 20 years of age. She has many changes of very 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 is gone—or fully, what her design is, but she may attempt to escape by water, all masters of vessels and others are cautioned against receiving her on board, altho’ she only, 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

Kitt, Frederick. “Advertisement for the Capture of Oney Judge, Claypoole’s American (May 25, 1796)” Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (07 Dec. 2020). Web. 29 Jul. 2025