Yes, Ona Judge is often considered a lesser-known figure from the Revolutionary War era and American history more broadly. Born into slavery at Mount Vernon, Virginia, Ona Judge was one of the enslaved people owned by George Washington and Martha Washington.
In 1796, Ona escaped to freedom while the Washingtons were in Philadelphia, where Pennsylvania's gradual abolition law made it difficult for them to keep enslaved people. Her story highlights the intersection of slavery and the founding ideals of freedom and liberty during the Revolutionary War period.
Judge lived for many years in New Hampshire, where she continued to evade capture, despite attempts by the Washingtons to bring her back to slavery. Her courageous act of escaping and her subsequent life exemplify the struggle for freedom faced by many enslaved individuals during this time.
Ona Judge's story is an important reminder of the complexities of American history and the contributions of those who fought for their freedom, even if they are not as widely recognized as other figures from the Revolutionary War.
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