Publication: Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge.
Background
Ona Judge Staines: Born into slavery on George and Martha Washington's Mount Vernon estate in 1773.
Family:
Mother: Betty, a slave from Martha Washington's first marriage.
Father: Andrew Judge, a white indentured servant.
Life at Mount Vernon
1789: Ona, at age 16, becomes a tailor and handmaiden to Martha Washington.
Responsibilities: Dressing the First Lady daily.
Life in New York and Philadelphia
Moves with the Washingtons to New York; meets free black individuals for the first time.
1790: Relocation to Philadelphia, the temporary capital.
Exposure: Begins contemplating freedom influenced by the free black community in Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania Law
Law allowed slaves in Pennsylvania to claim freedom after six months.
Washingtons’ Response: Regularly shuffled slaves between Mount Vernon and Philadelphia to bypass the law.
Struggle for Freedom
Desire for freedom: Grows as Ona realizes her replaceability and disposability.
Plans escape with the assistance of Philadelphia's free black community.
1796: Escapes to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Life in Portsmouth
Employment: Works as a housekeeper.
Recognition: Elisabeth Langdon identifies Ona, leading to a pursuit by federal officials.
Washingtons’ Efforts to Recapture
Attempts: Washington employs various means to recapture Ona, including fake job offers and sending emissaries.
Outcome: Ona evades capture and remains free.
Later Life
Marriage: Marries Jack Staines, a free black sailor.
Children: Eliza, Nancy, and one unknown son.
Struggles: Faces challenges after Jack's death; her children eventually die of illness.
Final Years: Engages in labor, finds solace in Christianity, and conducts interviews with abolitionist newspapers.
Death and Legacy
Death: 1848 at the age of 75.
Legacy: Represents a powerful story of resistance and the pursuit of freedom.
Additional Stories
Philadelphia’s Story: Ona’s sister, who was freed and contributed to the free black community.
Impact: Philadelphia married William Costin, who freed many slaves.
Author’s Background
Erica Armstrong Dunbar: Scholar of African-American women's history.
Career: Professor of History at Rutgers University; National Director of the Association of Black Women Historians.
Works: Includes books on Harriet Tubman and African-American emancipation.
Conclusion
Never Caught is a detailed narrative that highlights the harsh realities of slavery and the relentless pursuit of freedom by one courageous woman, Ona Judge.
Recommendation: Read to gain deeper insights into the historical context and personal struggles faced by enslaved individuals.