Advertisement Seeking Recapture of Ona Maria Judge - May 24, 1796

This was the only newspaper advertisement about Ona Maria Judge seeking her freedom that President George and Martha Washington placed to reclaim the human property they believed they lost in May 1796. Kitt, Frederick. “Advertisement” [for the Capture of Oney Judge]. The Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser v. XIII, no. 2365. Philadelphia: A. Brown, printer, Tuesday, May 24, 1796.

Title: Advertisement Seeking Recapture of Ona Maria Judge

Date: May 24, 1796

Object Information: Newspaper; far right column, fifth row (full page)

**Description:**This advertisement in the May 24th, 1796, edition of The Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser was published three days after Ona Maria Judge (often called Oney Judge), became a freedom seeker in the city. Judge was an enslaved servant in then-President George Washington’s household. This ad was the only one published and offers a rare description of her appearance. The ad also reveals glimpses into the relationship between Judge and her enslavers: she had many changes of good clothing (though specific details could not be recalled); she may have had enough money to book passage on a ship; and her escape attempt came as a total surprise to the Washingtons.

TRANSCRIPT

Advertisement.

ABSCONDED from the household 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 masters of vessels are cautioned against admitting her into them, although it is probably she will attempt to pass for 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 and brought from a greater distance, and in proportion to that distance.

FREDERICK KITT, Steward.

May 23.

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