ONA'S INTERVIEW  

The True Story of George Washington's Runaway Slave

In 1796, 19-year old Ona Judge was an enslaved African, and the favorite waiting maid in the household of President George Washington, and his wife Martha. That year, Ona escaped the Founding Father's Philadelphia household to live as a free person.

Although the President and Mrs. Washington maintained a relentless pursuit of their runaway slave, Ona Judge was never caught. President Washington died in 1799, and Ona found refuge as a free person in exile in the state of New Hampshire.

In 1845, Reverend T.H. Adams, a reporter for the abolitionist's publication The Granite Freeman, was the first person to interview the 70-year-old Ona Judge.

Drawn from primary sources, Ona's Interview, is a theatrical re-enactment of this historic event.

RUNAWAY ADVERTISEMENT FOR ONEY JUDGE

"ABSCONDED from the houshold of the President of the United States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very black eyes and bushy black hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and delicately formed, about 20 years of age. 

She has many changes of good clothes of all sorts, but they are not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is;—but as she may attempt to escape by water, all matters of vessels are cautioned against admitting her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass as a free woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage. 

Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater distance, and in proportion to the distance." 

FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23

FREEDOM SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY

When George Washington became President of the United States, the nation's capitol was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At that time, Philadelphia had a "fairly large, vigorous, and one might even say prosperous free black community" and widespread pro-abolition sentiment. 

As waiting maid to Martha Washington, America's first "First Lady", Ona was exposed to the lifestyles of free African-American people, as well as white indentured servants, who could come and go as they pleased.

1780's Act for The Gradual Abolition of Slavery, one of the first "gradual abolition" acts of its kind to ever pass in the country, decreed that slaves brought to Pennsylvania were allowed to apply for freedom after six months of being in the state. 

However, George Washington would "routinely find loopholes" to ensure that the slaves he brought with him to Pennsylvania could never apply - including sending them on "overnights" in nearby New Jersey before their six months were up. By taking their slaves out of the state, the clock for their unpaid servitude would start all over again.

On May 21, 1796, 19-year-old Ona Judge fled from the Washingtons' residence in Philadelphia, and made her way to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Where she had previously wore and sewed fine clothing in the home of President Washington, she now lived a life of poverty.  

But when the 70-something Ona Judge was asked if she had any regrets, she replied, "No. I am free."

SCHOOLS & EDUCATORS

Bring Ona's Interview to your school.

This educational presentation is a great addition for Black History Month or Women's History Month.

Supplemental lesson plans can be tailored on request.

BOOKS ABOUT ONA JUDGE

Never Caught (Original) 

Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit Of Their Runaway Slave by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Never Caught (Young Readers) 

Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge (Young Readers Edition) by Erica Armstrong Dunbar & Kathleen Van Cleve

Ona Judge Outwits the Washingtons

Ona Judge Outwits The Washingtons: An Enslaved Woman Fights For Freedom by Gwendolyn Hooks

Buried Lives

Buried Lives: The Enslaved People of George Washington's Mount Vernon by Carla Killough McClafferty

NEVER CAUGHT NOW OPTIONED FOR FILM!

George Washington Runaway Slave Movie in the Works - Hollywood Reporter

SCHOOLS & ORGANIZATIONS:

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • All of our Arts-in Education programs are available as live and pre-recorded virtual sessions.
  • We have a Zoom account which can accommodate up to 100 students per session, but we can upgrade to a 500 person room, if needed.
  • If a teacher isn’t available to monitor a Zoom performance, a class parent or teacher aide may be present.
  • The students will be muted during the theatrical programs, and then unmuted for a live Q&A. The music workshops will remain unmuted for questions between musical performances.
  • Our schedules are flexible, and we are able to provide morning and afternoon performances, at your request.
  • All of the programs can be tailored to different grade levels. We are also happy to develop programming based on your curriculum.

CONTACT:

Ona's Interview is a theatrical re-enactment of the interview of Ona Judge and Rev. T.H. Adams, performed by Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes. Also known as "Carla & Keyes", they are a performing duo based in Yorktown Heights, New York.

To invite them to perform Ona's Interview for your school or organization, please email hello@carlaandkeyes.com, or call 914 659 7468.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL ARTS-IN-EDUCATION PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS FROM CARLA & KEYES