May 21, 1796: Ona Judge Escapes Enslavement by President George Washington. On May 21, 1796, Ona “Oney” Judge fled her enslavement to Pres. George Washington, while the first family resided in Philadelphia, then the nation's temporary capital. Yes, Washington was an enslaver.
Judge “was determined,” she recalled, “never to be her slave.” Kitt was right about one thing: after leaving the Washingtons' household, Ona Judge secured passage on the Nancy, a ship commanded by Captain John Bolles and bound for Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
