The Slaves Who Escaped from President George Washington

Even with a minimal amount of research most, people know that President George Washington was a slave owner just like many of the presidents after him. I am presently reading a book entitled: “Never Caught,” written by Erica Armstrong Dunbar. It tells the true story of two of President Washington’s slaves who ran away and were never caught. One of the slaves was named Hercules and the other was Ona Judge.

Hercules was one of the favorite slaves of President George Washington and his wife Martha. He was the prized cook. He dressed in a velvet-collared coat with bright buttons, shiny shoes, and a cocked hat. He also carried a gold-headed cane. The following is a quote from the book by Erica Dunbar: “As the president’s famed chef, Hercules cultivated a relationship with George Washington that earned him an elevated status and a modicum of respect. Viewed as a crucial member of the staff, he prepared the president’s breakfast of hoecakes, white corn-mush patties, and Saturday evening meals of salt fish hash. The president and his wife truly relied on Hercules. They also had several trusted slaves that included the slave woman Ona Judge. However, what they did not take into account was the fact that although these slaves were seen as having a different status, the one thing that they wanted was their freedom. One day Hercules packed up his clothes and disappeared never to be seen again. President Washington tried to find him, but his search was not successful.”

One of the things that historians point out is that the home of the president was in Philadelphia at one time. He moved here from New York City in 1790 while waiting for the completion of the federal buildings in Washington. He lived in a three-story mansion that became known as the President’s House. The eight slaves that he brought with him from Virginia included Ona Judge and Hercules. Here in Pennsylvania, there were free Blacks who lived among enslaved Africans. There were active abolitionists who advocated freedom for all slaves. Hercules and Ona Judge saw this and deep in their hearts they longed for freedom. Both decided to do something about it.

Ona was in charge of Martha Washington, dressing her and taking care of all of her personal needs. Although Ona also had a degree of trust from her masters, she knew what all enslaved African women knew – she was at the mercy of white males who could rape and take advantage of her at any time because she was still a slave. Ona decided to escape when she heard that she would be given to one of the president’s grandchildren as a wedding present. This was the final straw. One night she packed her bag and escaped while the president and his wife were eating dinner.

Free Blacks in Philadelphia helped her to escape. She boarded a ship called “the Nancy” and sailed to New Hampshire. She was in constant danger because the president was determined to get her back. He sent people to look for her all over the country. But with the help that she received, he never found her.

This history is documented in the newspapers of the time. When interviewed and asked if she missed life with President Washington, her reply was, “ No, I am free, and have been made a child of God.” Ona Judge died in Greenland, New Hampshire on February 25, 1848.

Ona Judge and the story of Hercules with thousands of other slaves remind us of these words: “Before I Be A Slave, I’ll be buried in my grave – and go home to my Lord and be Free.”