MAY 1st
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ON THIS DAY IN 1796
ONA JUDGE ESCAPES
“To sieze, and put her on board a Vessel bound immediately to this place, or to Alexandria which I should like better, seems at first view, to be the safest and least expensive.”
Enslaved Woman’s Bonnet
NMAAHC
To the Secretary of the Treasury (Private)*
Thursday Morning, 1 September 1796
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the name, and description of the Girl** I mentioned to you last night. She has been the particular attendent on Mrs. Washington since she was ten years old; and was handy and useful to her being perfect Mistress of her needle.
We have heard that she was seen in New York by someone who knew her, directly after she went off. And since by Miss Langden, in Portsmouth; who meeting her one day in the Street, and knowing her, was about to stop and speak to her, but she brushed quickly by, to avoid it.
By her being seen in New York (if the fact be so) it is not probable she went immediately to Portsmouth by Water from this City; but whether she travelled by land, or Water to the latter, it is certain the escape has been planned by some one who knew what he was about, and had the means to defray the expence of it and to entice her off; for not the least suspicion was entertained of her going, or having formed a connexion with any one who could induce her to such an Act.
Reward: Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, 27 May 1796
Library of Congress
Whether she is Stationary at Portsmouth, or was there en passant only, is uncertain; but as it is the last we have heard of her, I would thank you for writing to the Collector of that Port, and him for his endeavours to recover, and send her back: What will be the best method to effect it, is difficult for me to say. If enquiries are made openly, her Seducer (for she is simple and inoffensive herself) would take the alarm, and adopt instant measures (if he is not tired of her) to secrete or remove her. To sieze, and put her on board a Vessel bound immediately to this place, or to Alexandria which I should like better, seems at first view, to be the safest and least expensive. But if she is discovered, the Collector, I am persuaded, will pursue such measures as to him shall appear best, to effect those ends; and the cost shall be re-embursed and with thanks besides.
If positive proof is required, of the identity of the person, Miss Langden who must have seen her often in the Chamber of Miss Custis, and I dare say Mrs. Langden, on the occasional calls on the girl by Mrs. Washington, when she has been here, would be able to do this.
I am sorry to give you, or any one else trouble on such a trifling occasion, but the ingratitude of the girl, who was brought up and treated more like a child than a Servant (and Mrs. Washington’s desire to recover her) ought not to escape with impunity if it can be avoided. With great esteem & regard I am always Yours
G:o Washington
* Oliver Wolcott, Jr.
** Ona “Oney” Judge (enslaved at Mount Vernon and at the President’s House in Philadelphia)
