Ona Judge: A Woman Who Escaped Slavery & the Washingtons
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
- Ona Judge Staines was enslaved and forced to work as Martha Washington's personal servant until she escaped from the President's Mansion in Philadelphia. Much is known of Judge's life in comparison to other people enslaved by the Washingtons as a result of newspaper interviews she gave in 1845 and 1847, as well as George Washington’s frustrated attempts to recover her after she self-emancipated.
In this video, African American Projects Coordinator Brenda Parker shares the story of Ona Judge, and how she ran away from the Washingtons to attain her freedom.
Learn more about slavery at Mount Vernon: www.mountvernon.org/slavery
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I love how although she was treated "good", her freedom meant more. This courageous woman never wanted to be a slave.
Precisely, as our historian Mary Thompson's writes: "they were all willing to give up the emotional support of family and friends to risk physical punishment and possible demotion if caught, and considerable insecurity if they were successful, in order to have ultimate control over their own lives" (taken from "The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret": George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon).
No human in their right mind would chose to be a slave
If a person is a slave then they ain't been treated "good."
I guess slavery was a choice
*In my Kanye voice
@@ChiefJayBinns you are 100% correct sir
So someone who owned slaves could be feature on a dollar bill but someone such as Harriet Tubman who freed slaves can't be feature on a dollar bill?
I made this same remark yesterday. Doesnt make sense!!!
great question! but we know the answer!!
Because he was a President. Only presidents can be .
stephanie lindo Oh I don’t know maybe because he was a president??? Cmon use your common sense!!!!!
@@JamesBond-pb2qy I hope yall know Benjamin Franklin was not and never was president and he on the 100 dollar Bill's so your argument is already invalid and also who says only presidents should be on our Bill's how about great people that have done amazing things for this country.
Freedom is priceless and is worth everything 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Rodericka Hairston indeed!
Depends on what kind of freedom.
i agree
Agreed! (Insert non-existent black and white hand clapping emoji)
This must be how it feels like to hear a bedtime story. I could listen to the narrator forever.
Brenda brings life to any story. We may not be able to offer her narration forever but here's another 3 minutes and 30 seconds, enjoy: th-cam.com/video/pWMIqBmZmpk/w-d-xo.html
@@mountvernon she was excellent.
True
T. Washington me too, Her voice is so soothing
Hardly a bedtime story. Unless you can sleep well after hearing stories of oppression?
I really applaud this young womans bravery. I hope someone makes a movie about this some day.
We will be the first in line for a ticket if they do!
You should go watch Harriet Tubman at the movies, it's playing now, in Nov. 2019! An excellent movie!
Becca A exactly
@Run Gunn
Agreed, both parties are responsible...Africans should not have sold their own people and Europeans should not have bought them. It is a reality that in Africa, slavery among conquered tribes was prevelent so African tribes would enslave other tribes. My family was educated in Jamaica and they go into deep detail on the history of Europe which included slavery....
@ThiefRikku0306
There were many Europeans who were against slavery and injustice, and fought against it. There were hero's of every nationality...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_civil_rights_leaders
I guess this kills the argument that if slaves were treated "well" they were greatful to be slaves. As a Southerner whose mother was a maid, what people don't get is that no person/boss/owner is nice everyday, and let's say (for arguments sake) that the person over you is "good to you," that doesn't't mean their spouse, children, or grandchildren would be. And this story is a prime example. There's no such thing as good slave owners: that's Southern propaganda. Good slave owners are only "good" because in comparison to sociopathic slave owners who were void of empathy, the "good" ones lived within a certain code of conduct which made it a little more tolerable for the people they owned.
Yep
Thanks goodness democrats were defeated in 1864
Ona was however willing to return to slavery had Washington promised to free her on his death. Washington tried persuasion; he did not employ force.
B Ruine That also could be what she just told that person and not mean it.
No Shane it does not, she said herself that she would have returned had Washington be able to free her upon Martha's death and did not want to be given to someone else! George did not have that legal right at that time and never did! He also knew and so did Martha exactly where she was a let her be! They wanted her back but never forced the issue! Think about that!
Can you imagine you’re a parent of a fifteen year old girl (or boy) and they just take her away to sell her off where’d you’d never see or hear of her again.
@Emmia B Slaves have been around since the beginning and it's wrong No matter what color your skin is! And BTW it's not a whites only problem! The 1st slave owner in America was a Black man claiming ownership of another Black man!.
@Steevy Horton no he did not her father was a white Tailor and her mother was not Raped!
Blacks are still doing something similar to their children now. Most do not see their children for days and days and then cry when they heard they were shot two days ago.
@@steves6407 we are only gods slaves ... slavery is unchristian
@@fotisnews +We're not Gods slaves either! I don't know of anyone living who claims that slavery is Christian! It does however still exist but you good folks always just ignore that!
WOW, I can hear Ona through you Brenda,,. what a Blessing.
I assume this is the last of this series for now. I will certainly miss it. For those of us who go through life unimpeded, these videos are reminders to never take our freedoms or our daily choices for granted.
Well said! 💗
Wonder how many other slaves the Freemasons are illegally holding even to this day lol 😂
So moving, I applaud her bravery and hope for her story to be told for many years to come.
I cannot tell you how important your work in keeping these stories alive is! How awfully sad it would be if these truths of history were lost to the ages. I am a 67 year old caucaisian, and am blessed by the biographies of so many peiole of every walk of life. I pray these efforts make the human race more humane and empathetic, as they have myself. Bless you.
Gosh this really touched me, I really almost cried of how happy I felt for her that she got to be free and have a family of her own thanks for this video
@Life Is Beautiful! California I agree! & he should have worn his own damn teeth too, instead of wearing his slaves!!
How dare he want freedom for himself and deny it to so many. Thank you for sharing this.
@MusicMadMaurice three fifths?
MusicMadMaurice Right on point. It became about freedom but it was really about what many people want now. Less taxes and not allowing the Crown to permeate every aspect of their lives. Washington himself was no deep philosopher but stood to lose his wife’s fortune. I’m a history buff but the more I learned about him the more I see history made him more saintly than he was. Smartest move he made was to surround himself with people who were smarter. If my memory is correct France’s Lafayette implored him to be the first to free his slaves and that might have ended slavery nearly 100 years before Lincoln had the guts to do so.
@@cindys9491 Slaves were not counted as full human beings.
@@aliciabrillante exactly, they counted as 3/5 of a person (!) per the Missouri Compromise
@MusicMadMaurice the 3/5's rule was for congressional representation in congress. They had to let that rule in because of the south, but got them to limit the number because though they counted, the slaves could not vote on the members going to congress, and had they counted as full the south would overwhelm the government with slavery wanting members of congress by a population they could control and then never ending slavery!
We love to talk about how great our founding fathers were yet, the truth always comes to light.
History is interesting. One day none of this will still be in play and we will have evolved enough as a people to do better. I won’t live to see it but it will happen.
komiczar I disagree regarding how you down play Tubman’s role is history and the growth of our nation. Her role was significant and not limited to just one movement.
komiczar I don’t understand what you mean by that. Help me understand the point you are trying to make. I am confused 🤷♂️
komiczar I like how you are just talking in circles not really making a clear point or clearly stating you point.
komiczar I think you are a troll not really worth it at this point. Say whatever crazy radical thing you want. Hiding behind your screen name. Good luck hope it all works out for you.
Excellent. Thank you, Brenda, for another valuable insight into history and humanity, and for telling Ona's story. I recall something you said to me: "If I don't tell their stories, who will?" I'm thrilled you're finding your voice at MV in this way. Please keep it up. The value of and appreciation for this work will keep increasing as you continue to build this content. You are a special gift to us all. Blessings to you and yours. YMHOS.
And Ethan, I assume your hand is in this. I have thoroughly enjoyed the growth I've seen in your work. Fantastic job! Keep it up, my friend!
I like the inclusion of her fear of being sold to the other woman as one of the reasons for her running away. I think we often forget that even if a slave had a comparatively decent life to other slaves or even poor free people, there is always that risk that they could be traded or sold into a terrible quality of life at anytime. Beyond just being dehumanized because they weren't free, I imagine this constant fear for themselves or their family was terrible.
Thank you for your comment. I whole heartily agree.
And what about poor Betty
And why were white men so hungry for sex with slave women? There was a sexual frenzy when it came to women of color when ever they saw them.
Yet many freed slaves begged former owners to let them stay rather than live independently. If it was so bad an people today commiserate WHY does NO ONE even mention the 70,000 SLAVES in Africa today much less help free them??
They do, maybe you're just not paying attention. @@doreekaplan2589
Amen. For no person should be held in slavery or indentured servitude.
The right to be free should be as the air we breathe.
Second Thought indeed
Indentured servitude was very different from slavery.
person 1 Still doesn’t make it right
It's better to be hungry and FREE than well-fed and 'CHAINED'!!💯
Absolutely 👊🏾👊🏾
That was a very touching story. I'm glad she was able to escape and be free.
You go, Ona! So inspiring! She was so cool! I'm glad she found the freedom she was looking for!
Good for her.
She made it sound nicer than it really was 🤦🏾♂️
@Dee Cee You can't be serious...a "good slave owner" is such an oxymoron, I don't care how "good" they were...
@Run Gunn 😔😞
Sounds like she wanted to escape. That doesn't sound good at all.
@Dee Cee if you doubt every owner of an enslaved person was mean then why don't you allow your young female or male relative to be taken by the current Human Traffickers??? Today's Human Traffickers are kidnapping people and forcing them into prostitution. Maybe the men that are ravaging their bodies are really nice businessmen & presidents who will buy them nice things & allow them to stay in beautiful homes!
ENSLAVEMENT itself is "mean". Maybe the women being brutally RAPED on the plantations was just an earlier version of the book 50 "Shades of Grey". Maybe the practice of BUCK BREAKING where demonic white men GANG RAPED kidnapped African men & then enslaved Black men to control & punish them was just "boys being boys!"
@Dee Cee your opening comment of "allowing me to rage on" further exemplifies your ignorance which was evident in your original comment.
I will allow you to wallow in the mire of your thoughts!
I'm so sorry she lost her family, but am glad she maintained her freedom!!!
But she never really escaped the fear. How brave she was!
Such a powerful story and video. Thank you
Wow, such an amazing story of bravery! I would have never returned again, either. How dare they, make bondage of one person over another person just because of our differences in complexion, and language! History will Forever look back at this time in total disgust. Glad we are hopefully moving towards a better world, where we can all live together, with love and respect for each other. God bless to all.🙏🏽💕
Amazing story and even better story telling. This woman is phenomenal, fantastic transitions of accent when quoting judge making the story feel even more real.
Excellent work as always Ms. Brenda. I love that you are telling these stories. Thank you.
Thank you Joy. Tell you husband I said hello.
I would love to see this as a movie.
Her story is truly astounding, it would be a must-see movie
Can’t you see the pickets??? ‘’Negroes were treated fairly”
ONA JUDGE WANTED HER FREEDOM.
Anthony West
We all do
Excuse my improper English: Ain't nothing like your FREEDOM.
Thank you so much for bringing this woman to life, and doing it so very well!
Now what I find curious is why over 250 people dislike this? A great piece of American history.
Those people are called "racists".
She was brave
This is a very sanitized version of that story
Please tell ? Or where can I find more details. I'm intrigued I'm going to make a note to look for this
I agree because I didn't know Washington but a man that own many slaves why you would beg for her return.
😮😮
@@gabrielleallen4925 he was a kkk bastard just became the president...
@@marlaturner1262 the kkk did not exist until about a century after Washington lived.
I really appreciate these living historical lessons. We weren't taught Black American History in school. I was 15 when Alex Haley's Roots aired on TV. I've been educating myself on the harsh realities of my country's shameful past. The USA hasn't done enough to amend for the cruelties and atrocities.
When I was about 10 or so we had to do reports on Black Leaders in our history in the early 70' - and I was in Georgia! Thought all schools taught it then!
@@ramonasp4989 I knew there was slavery, knew about Rosa Parks, MLK and civil rights but didn't really learn about the harsh realities till I saw Roots. I grew up in Dearborn MI. Our mayor Orval M Hubbard and Henry Ford were raceiest so it may have something to do it.
So devastating for all those people that lived during that time in history. We are all so fortunate to be living in a time where we are all free and able to achieve our dreams.
It’s so hard to understand how someone could refuse GOD’s given rights of another and hold them against their will. Thanks for spreading the light of these early American heros and heroines who risked it all to pursue happiness
You can buy material things but no price can be placed on freedom. Great narration and beautiful story
I can not imagine what it's like to be owned by someone else. To never be able to decide for yourself. It was a horrible life... I admire her for her convictions.
Children are being sold as sex traffickers today all over the world. I don't think Washington was cruel to his slaves. He freed them in his will so I hope they were treated better than some slaves are today.
She is a great story teller. I wanted to keep listening. I would buy an audio book of hers.
Amazing story of FREEDOM at ALL cost! Thank you for this video.
I LOVE THIS NARRATION HER VOICE MAKES YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT SLAVERY WAS ABOUT EVEN THOUGH IT HURTS ME TO MY HEART WE HAVE TO KEEP THIS OUT BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILDREN NEED TO NO THIS ..PEACE AND BLESSINGS FAM 🙌🙏
The real story is so much better than a 1970's Washington mini-series portrayed it. It showed Martha teaching Ona to sew rather than the reverse. After Ona had escaped someone who had known her shows up at the Washington home and Martha tells the person, "Please tell Onie that we'd like to see her sometime", as if Onie was just an old friend whom Martha missed.
That series was George Washington Foraging of a Nation 1986 with Barry Bostwick. Good series and portrayal of Washington
This was very informative. Wow, all the stories that we have yet to hear. Your voice is very pleasant making it easier to take in this knowledge. Thank you for sharing. 💜💜
Why in the world would she regret leaving slavery? Only someone born and remained free all their life would ask such a question!
Keep in mind that even this story is told from the dominatrix perspective. The acceptable story as it is relayed to us tells us that she was treated "well" because there is a record of Washington buying her "things" and providing her with occasional pocket change. But we don't really know for sure how she was treated on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes valuable history has a way of falling through the cracks when people want to hide the details.
Thank you for sharing this history! It’s lovely to learn of stories that exceed the ones taught to us in grade school!! I’ll share this with my daughters.!! Thank you again 😇
Plays, the circus , gowns and stocking and new shoes..none of that compares to freedom.💔
Ina Judge, happy to learn about this lady ! Wow, what a bio ? She knew she was born to be “Free.” She was gorgeous !
Great narrator. Great history. 💜
So she named her daughter after the fierce tempered granddaughter?!? I assume as a reminder why she Would Never Return💕💪🏾💕
I'm thrilled she escaped..and remained adamant about not going back to the Washingtons good for you lady ..!!!!
There is a book written about this. “Never Caught”. I got it from the library. It’s very good.
It is exceptional I think as well. I saw Erica Dunbar here when she was interviewed for The Post before the books launch. I have also heard her lecture here before too. I was just happy that we were finally telling the stories of people on the property on a more personal level. trying to give them agency, and will and a life.
That was Beautiful, courageous and encouraging. Thank you for that piece of knowledge 😍
Thank you. I've seen your work before. You are one of the greats.
I would have done the same. I was nearly in the same place as she was when my mother & her boyfriend wanted to force me into sexual slavery. I ran at 16 & chose to die before I'd let them do that to me!
Glad you left. A life of what you went through is real! Many blessing to you and keep your children if you have any safe🙏💐
@@tonimarie9985 I have one son. He is someone to be very proud of
All I can say is Amazing. I have 2 daughter's. They were raised attached to my hip. Even working 12 hr shifts they would be with mama at times. You have a wonderful remaining of the week. Leave the past behind move forward. Never look back. 🌞
That's horrible. Sorry to hear that 💔
Thank u for you’re Fabulous Narrative ❣️👍 Now, if we the People can take what we’ve hurd and apply it to the person in the Peoples House now, we shall be Free! Freedom Is Everything 💓👌💗🌺
Brenda, you have such a wonderful voice. Perfect for storytelling. If you were my teacher I would've learned a lot more in school.
This is so wonderful! Thank you for this.
Thank you for this informative video.
I love to hear these stories.......it tell me to keep fighting every day for life.
Thank you for making videos about our American history. I really truly love learning new facts about the past. Really helps understand the present.
Your voice is so soothing story teller.
Thank you 🙏🏾
Really great presentation!
God why did we suffer such harsh treatment 😢
This was a beautiful performance. I really enjoyed the video and learning about this courageous woman!
Thank you so much! I love your videos! God bless!
I’m reading, “The Water Dancer”, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. This reminds me when Hiram made it to Philadelphia and was free to be “free”. Very powerful, poignant, and tantalizing novel. This book is so well written and so very descriptive, you can see every chapter as you would a movie. I highly recommend this read!
We will have to see about offering this in our bookshop. Thank you for recommending this to our viewers, Samuel!
Samuel Toomer , Keep reading he has more excellent!
George Washington's Mount Vernon np!
Lady Desiree yes ma’am. I’m about to read “Between The World and Me” soon after I finish my other book! Thanks for the encouragement!
I love the name Ona, in Irish it means lamb, in Hebrew it means graceful and in Latin it means the one and in African it means fire! This name is surprisingly international, she sounds like one of a kind.
In Polish ona means "she". It is almost symbolic. The strength of a woman.
Which African language are you referring to? There isn't an African langauge that is called "African"
I truly enjoyed your skit, and you can sing thanks for shareing history in a very eloquent way.
Amazing job on the narration and story telling- technically the samething. Please do keep it up. You gave me those chills/shivers of excitment and empathy. Amazing
She does such a wonderful job of explaining things that seemed normal to people of the day, but that seem so odd and sad to us now!
I love your voice Ms. Brenda!
Brenda is so talented. Watch her narrate the life of George Washington's Enslaved Housemaid, Caroline Branham, here: th-cam.com/video/pWMIqBmZmpk/w-d-xo.html
Thank you kindly.
You are such an amazing story teller♥. Thank you.
This is amazing. Thank you for this
Amazing story.
I’m glad she got away
I won’t believe it happened this way unless Ona Judge tells me herself which isn’t gonna happen...America loves to put a nice pretty bow on history
I love reading about Ona. Thank you.
So good to hear such a heartfelt story of George Washington’s compassion. With all his prestige and power he allowed her to be free even though it made him seem weak in those times. He could have forced her to return at any time. It is obvious the so called bounty was for appearances only. Long live the greatness of George Washington and the educated ability of Americans to see these stories with periodical context and reflection.
She wasn't his direct slave, but Martha's dower slave. So truthfully she wasn't his direct slave, plus with his views at that time, he probably was a bit indifferent, but acted out because of his wife.
Beautiful story. No matter how nice or tolerable the masters were its not better than being a FREE man or woman.
Thank you for sharing this story!
Ive wanted to visit Mount Vernon again, i went as a teen with my school, just to see Brenda.
Every time I see an interview or story with her, I feel like crying.
While I have infinte respect for Ona Judge, and honor her life, it is utterly unaccceptable that the title insults her by framing her as George Washington's. She was a human being. A human that was held captive. Not ever his. He, like all slaveholders, was a monster full stop.
I agree with you 100%. The title is truly repulsive.
@yuckitupyo. He was a demanding and brutal slave owner but he eventually freed them in 1799. As for you calling him a “monster” if you are implying that for his flaws as a human being you are wrong. If you choose to dismiss the good and focus on the bad and ugly of him instead of balancing it you are also wrong.
How old was she at 1840 ? Such a great account
Birth records were not kept for enslaved individuals but it's believed that Ona was born circa 1773. Based on that approximation she would have been 67 years old.
@@mountvernon How old was she when she ran away?
I’ve never heard this story. A movie, mini series or something needs to be made of it. Thank you for sharing💫
They will NEVER permit that. In fact they want us to forget that slavery ever existed, but those of us who know, can not.
Thank you for sharing this story
WoW! Just WoW! WoW 😔
The is so weird, I feel like I’ve never really knew what slavery was until I looked into but now that I truly no I feel like some has to be stupider than dirty to think that’s okay...
It’s confusing how someone could do this...
It doesn’t hurt me
It doesn’t make me angry or sad
It mad me scared and confused..I genuinely don’t understand what would drive someone to do this?
You and me both
Sadly with very few exceptions until the eighteenth century in cultures that had slavery as part of their society was slavery ever questioned by the prevailing ethical system. No Ancient Greek or Roman philosopher denounced slavery, Aristotle thought some men were naturally 'slavish', Seneca, who as Stoic believed in universal brotherhood, still accepted slavery. The attitude of Christianity and other faiths to slavery is well known.
Simply priceless.. So happy she got to be free and get married and have a family ❤.. Slavery was wrong on many different levels.. Freedom for ALL people is so important and is worth risking it all.. Thank you for sharing her story ❤
Beautiful documentary done by narrator. Thank you. ✌❤🙏
He story would make a great film, but only if Jurnee Smollett- Ball or a newer actress could play the role. Our Blackness is beautiful. Thanks, for the upload.
Why her or a newer actress?? Why would it matter who plays Ona?? As long as her story is told, that's all that matters.
Give Mt Vernon to a black organization, so the history of his slaves can be the highlight of this plantation, not the horrific George and Martha
I am working hard to make sure that their voices and lives are told daily. I am really trying and so far the descendants of some of these people approve and support my efforts.
These videos are so good. Fascinating.
We're glad to hear you enjoyed it David and we will let our team know!
Love history !!! Very well done video. Thank you.
one question: when will they give us our reparations for the 400 years of free labor our ancestors gave to them? we are still in slavery with their horrible laws
Your ancestors deserve the reparations. Not you.
Im not sure if this is correct but, I heard some people can inherit the psyco trauma from the enslaved Africans.
Hopefully soon. The U.S. owes your families more than could ever be repaid but we still need to try.
Why don't you go f****** ask the Africans that sold your people into slavery
Don't worry the current Governor of Virginia and the First Lady will recapture this slave.
Scum bag
This made me cry.
Thank you.
Now. Why would 155 ppl dislike this video..? Was the one of the best slave narratives I've ever heard. 🥰