Oney Judge, Martha Washington’s Slave

Did you know that Oney Judge lived as fugitive for 52 years? Oney Judge was a slave that belonged to President and Lady Washington. A dower slave, owned by the estate of Martha Washington’s first husband, Oney could not expect to be freed by George Washington’s will. When Oney learned that Martha Washington intended to offer her as a wedding present to her granddaughter, and that Oney’s transfer back to the south was imminent, Oney created a plan – one that would label her a fugitive – and carried it out in 1796 by escaping north to New Hampshire. Participants will learn more about her life and her experiences.

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