What first comes to mind when you hear the name George Washington? First president of the United States of America? General in the Revolutionary War? Mount Vernon? Slave owner? That last one caught me off guard, but in retrospect, it should not have. George Washington was a wealthy land owner in what is now the state of Virginia, which would be a slave state. Why wouldn’t George Washington own slaves.

This book was a wake up call for me in this regard. Oney Judge was the daughter of a slave and a white indentured servant. Any child born to a slave was automatically a slave. Oney’s father left the Washington’s service once his debt was paid.

Oney was Martha Washington’s personal maid. Oney went where ever Martha went: shopping, visiting friends, and parties included. “Trips with the Washingtons helped open Oney’s eyes to a whole new world.” (25) During these outings Oney was introduced to the free black community of Philadelphia. They would eventually help her escape when the time came.

Oney made her decision to escape when she found out Martha was gifting Oney to her granddaughter as a wedding present. Oney , whom the Washington’s considered family, was in fact property.

This book gives background on how slavery and slave laws evolved in the colonies/United States. One such law stated “that enslaved people who lived in Philadelphia for more than six months would be considered residents. They would become free. This law was meant to eventually end slavery.” (27) The Washingtons lived in Philadelphia, as the first United States Capitol. They moved their slaves back and forth between Mount Vernon and Philadelphia to avoid loosing their slaves due to this law.

After Oney ran away, the Washingtons placed a newspaper advertisement offering a reward for her return.

Oney made her way to New Hampshire, a free state, and lived her life in poverty rather than return to a life of slavery.

The book includes: Fast Facts, Stop and Think, Online Resources, Learn More, and an index.