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Ona Judge- George Washington's Slave...Who Got Away
In this gripping episode of Storyteller, we uncover the incredible true story of Ona Judge, the enslaved woman who made a daring escape from none other than George Washington and his household in 1796.
Born into slavery at Mount Vernon, Ona Judge was raised to serve Martha Washington as a personal maid—living in close proximity to power, wealth, and the founding of a nation built on “freedom.” But behind the image of America’s first family was a calculated system of control, exploitation, and legal manipulation designed to keep people like Ona enslaved.
When Ona learned she was to be “gifted” as property to a volatile granddaughter, she made a life-altering decision: run.
With the help of Philadelphia’s free Black community, Ona escaped—triggering a relentless manhunt led by the sitting president of the United States. What followed was a high-stakes pursuit involving deception, political pressure, and attempted capture under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.
But Ona refused to be reclaimed.
This episode dives deep into:
- The hidden realities of slavery inside the presidential household
- How Washington circumvented Pennsylvania abolition laws
- The bravery of enslaved women resisting sexual and physical exploitation
- And the extraordinary life Ona built after choosing freedom—at any cost
This is not just American history—this is the story they didn’t teach you.
Support the show
✨Follow us on Social Media✨
Instagram @storyteller.pod
TikTok @StorytellerPod
Facebook @Storyteller Podcast
✨Support the show✨
If you enjoy the stories we tell and want to help us keep bringing them to life, you can support the podcast here:
🔗 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535436/support
Every contribution goes directly back into the show — from research and recording to editing and equipment. Your support truly means the world to us and helps us continue sharing strange, mysterious, and unbelievable tales every week. Thank you for listening and being part of the Storyteller family.
✨🔮🕯
INTRO Music used : " SINI...
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By Courtney and Teresa✨In this gripping episode of Storyteller, we uncover the incredible true story of Ona Judge, the enslaved woman who made a daring escape from none other than George Washington and his household in 1796.
Born into slavery at Mount Vernon, Ona Judge was raised to serve Martha Washington as a personal maid—living in close proximity to power, wealth, and the founding of a nation built on “freedom.” But behind the image of America’s first family was a calculated system of control, exploitation, and legal manipulation designed to keep people like Ona enslaved.
When Ona learned she was to be “gifted” as property to a volatile granddaughter, she made a life-altering decision: run.
With the help of Philadelphia’s free Black community, Ona escaped—triggering a relentless manhunt led by the sitting president of the United States. What followed was a high-stakes pursuit involving deception, political pressure, and attempted capture under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.
But Ona refused to be reclaimed.
This episode dives deep into:
- The hidden realities of slavery inside the presidential household
- How Washington circumvented Pennsylvania abolition laws
- The bravery of enslaved women resisting sexual and physical exploitation
- And the extraordinary life Ona built after choosing freedom—at any cost
This is not just American history—this is the story they didn’t teach you.
Support the show
✨Follow us on Social Media✨
Instagram @storyteller.pod
TikTok @StorytellerPod
Facebook @Storyteller Podcast
✨Support the show✨
If you enjoy the stories we tell and want to help us keep bringing them to life, you can support the podcast here:
🔗 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535436/support
Every contribution goes directly back into the show — from research and recording to editing and equipment. Your support truly means the world to us and helps us continue sharing strange, mysterious, and unbelievable tales every week. Thank you for listening and being part of the Storyteller family.
✨🔮🕯
INTRO Music used : " SINI...