The Escape of Ona Judge
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Judge (c.1773-1848) was brought to Phila. in 1790 as the enslaved house servant of First Lady Martha Washington. She escaped from the President's House on May 21, 1796, to New Hampshire with the assistance of the city's African American community. Pres-ident Washington’s attempts to recapture her were unsuccessful, as he met resistance from federal officials who would not comply with the Fugitive Slave Act. Judge lived as a free woman for the rest of her life.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Ona Judge was brought to Philadelphia as an enslaved servant of Martha Washington while the city served as the young nation's capital. In May 1796 she slipped away from the President's House and made her way to New Hampshire, aided by Philadelphia's free Black community. Even the president's efforts to reclaim her failed, as federal officials declined to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act on his behalf, and Judge lived out her life in freedom.
Why it matters
Judge's escape exposed the glaring contradiction of a founding household built on slavery, and her courage made her one of the era's most telling witnesses against it.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Liberty Bell Centernearby · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Independence Hallnearby · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hallnearby · Philadelphia, PA
- Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish Historynearby · 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
- Old City Hallnearby · Philadelphia
- Philosophical Hallnearby · PA
Attractions
- President's Housenearby
- Liberty Bellnearby · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.1 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Benjamin Franklin Grave0.2 mi away
- Carpenters' Hall0.2 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Tour0.2 mi away
Food & drink
- La Colombe Coffee Roastersnearby
- Red Owl Tavernnearby · 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Dunkin'0.1 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- LaScala's0.1 mi away · 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Social0.1 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Time & Peace0.1 mi away · 36 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.1 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District0.2 mi away · 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.2 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.3 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels0.3 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.3 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Ona Judge
- · Martha Washington
- · George Washington
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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