Never Caught: The Fascinating Story of Ona Judge, George Washington's Runaway Slave

In this incredible narrative, historian and National Book Award finalist Erica Armstrong Dunbar reveals a fascinating and heartbreaking behind-the-scenes look at the Washingtons when they were the First Family. Specifically, she sheds light on their slave, Ona Judge, who dared to escape from one of the nation's Founding Fathers.

Born into a life of slavery, Ona Judge eventually grew up to be George and Martha Washington's 'favored' dower slave. But as she grew older, she longed for freedom and eventually made the courageous decision to escape. In 1796, at just twenty-two-years-old, Ona became the subject of an intense manhunt led by George Washington, who used his political and personal contacts to recapture his property.

Despite being a 'favored' slave, Ona was still denied her freedom. Every six months, Washington would send his slaves back down south just as the clock was about to expire, rather than complying with the law. However, when he set up his household in Philadelphia, he brought along nine slaves, including Ona Judge.

When George Washington was elected president, he reluctantly left behind his beloved Mount Vernon to serve in Philadelphia, the temporary seat of the nation's capital. But even as he grew accustomed to Northern ways, there was one change he couldn't abide: Pennsylvania law required enslaved people be set free after six months of residency in the state.

In Never Caught, Dunbar weaves a powerful tale and offers fascinating new scholarship on how one young woman risked everything to gain freedom from the famous founding father and most powerful man in the United States at the time. The book has received widespread acclaim, earning starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, as well as being named a National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction.

This is a story about extraordinary grit and determination, as Ona Judge faced immense challenges to achieve her freedom. Never Caught is a powerful reminder of the complexities of America's past and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Never caught by erica dunbar