Welcome everybody. I am the founding director for the study of George Washington and we are delighted to welcome you again with some conversation and history also the cspan audience recording us this evening it is great to have you back in the library. For the evening book talks are special for a variety of reasons to bring exciting stories to the community but also it is sponsored by ford who has been a great donor over many years. We do not take any government moneyhi completely private based on philanthropy so we depend on groups like the ford family and Ford Motor Company the first fire engine to keep the house from burning to the groundnd so with that ongoing challenge through the Fire Suppression efforts i would like to welcome you all out here but also to mention Upcoming Library programs the annual Martha Washington lecture to discuss 18th century women that is a fantastic conversation led by the senior curator the first of the three lectures coming up with Benjamin Franklin in london and that is one you definitely want to try to sign up for which was the extraordinary house museum with an extremely large personality. So lets get to the main event. We are exceptionally please to have doctor dunbar from the university of u delaware to be featured in the New York Times recently but this is where she belongs was a very important subject. In 2011 the dog youll director of the program of africanamerican history and the founding director. Her first book a fragile freedom published by yale is extremely w wellregarded and understudied topic up to that point with the challenge lets all give a big round of applause. [applause] good evening everyone happy black history month. Here i am left laugh so first let me offer a few think use thank you. There is no other place i should be to give this talk i have vertically challenged. [laughter] is this better . Also steve and emily to arrive here it has been a very busy week this book just came out tuesday so as an academic my with book was published the Yale University press this is more of a crossover trade book so it is a very different experience that is rewarding and i am a little tired so forgive me if my voice comes in and out talking more than usual. Tonight is such a pleasure to be here to be where the story begins i on mount vernon. I will read a little bit of you some context. Here we are. Ms. Judges life and what i wanted to do with this book but about 20 years ago i was doing some research on my first book about africanamerican women in the north but i came across an advertisement from a runaway running from the president s house in philadelphia. I was looking through the microfilm and i said wait. Who was this person who ran away . Was named in the advertisement i said wait. Ii know this person and this is my area of expertise onie judge and i didnt know who she was in it was telling about this advertisement never escaped me and i said i will come back to the story i will trace her because i needis answers. So now here i am manyy years later was a lengthy process to recover the work of the life of onie judge. To do early africanamerican history doing this in the archives with the evidence is more factual or doesnt exist because of people of color to remain so what i will say there is no way i could have written this book had i not written my first book for those that are really doing the work of the academics i needed a grounding to write this book of a woman who is magnificent when you read the book you will be blown away by her life so many hear from mount vernon this isnt new. We know about the judge and now more people will know her but i want her name to become a household name like Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman because she runs away decades before they do. So this is actually one ofst my first choices for the title resenting it to some people and the publishers hated it. They said you are giving away the story. [laughter] but so is 12 years a slave. We understand it will end at some point. It is a history of how a woman was a fugitive never found freedom. She was never caught that is a big distinction especially as i tried to dismantle slavery itself and the north and this moment when the nation to and this is one of theit other things i was trying to do was allow us to use what the early days of this new country looked like to be enslaved that is the opportunity of early virginia pennsylvania, new york and newo hampshire and can follow her life looking at how the nation i is changing grappling with slavery and this time through a young black woman who made the choice to run away. So i said i will read a bit and look at a few slides and walk through this journey of heran life. Entrenching the streets of philadelphia whether in the city of brotherly love this time of year vacillating between a extreme cold and heat rain was almost always appreciated in the nation affable lung capital to erase the filth that permeated the cobblestone road of the nation and reminded philadelphians the long and punishing winter was behind them the spring rain would clan the street to usher in optimism and hope with the feeling of rebirth onie judge a young black and slave woman receive devastating news to learn she would not leave philadelphia the city that had become her home but had to travel back to virginia to prepare herself squeeze to her owners granddaughter one of the most understudied fugitive slaves in america at the age of 22 judge stole herself from the washingtons as the fugitive she would test the president s will. The most important man in the nation to win then, revolution could not reclaim this enslaved woman. She did but very few others could do, she beat the president. Judge was never caught. I show this next line you dont need it but there are earlier images but i try to keep this so people know where she was for the long period of yearsfe during her 16 of course you all were here but today i will introduce calling her a new American Hero a slave girl raised at mount vernon with those ideas was compelled to perceive that at any cost she found the courage to defy w the president and to escape and out negotiate and survive. As we can tell only lengthy account of a fugitive once held by the washington perhaps the only fugitive account the judges expose the seeing of slavery and guarded what would become a freedom for her every day of the life never regretting the decision for what she believed to be her right. Which was freedom. In 1789, washington was elected first president of the United States traveling to new york, the nations First Capital and they would take with them seven slaves from mount vernon this is where president washington would take the oath of office eventually make her way up to new york he was unhappy about the move and made that known to everyone that she went and took seven slaves people with them and onie judge was one of them. She was taken from her mother and her other siblings. But to give you an idea what that moment must have been like. She was far from the experienced traveler. The teenager only knew mount vernon. That only meant the Auction Block although notd to be sold she was forced to leave her family for the unfamiliar destination hundreds of miles away. Judge would have no choice but to stifle the terror that she felt to go on about the work folding linens, packing dresses and personal accessories helping with grandchildren. These were all things that onie judge would be involved in with the task at hand and not her place to complain or question to remain strong and steady if not for herself for her mistress who appeared to be falling apart at the seams. Martha washington had no choice her life was at the direction of her husband who was now the most powerful man in the country they may have shared similar concerns but of course only Martha Washington could express discontent she was happy and everyone knew that. Including her pregnant slave. Also soon to be made aware things were in disarray. As 1789 and 81 chosen to escort his aunt and grandchildren to new york and to be a bit concerned with the hectic scene. And with those conflicting feeling. To describe that parts are on 1789 a emotional moment for theuo slaves quote after the early dinner to make necessaryry arrangements, and brought us to 3 00 oclock in the afternoonth to the servants of the house making their appearance to take leave of their my and equally so. But to be an agitated slave not only losing her 16yearold daughter but also with her son austin austins wife charlotte and then watched mount vernon what little control slave mothers had over the lives of their children. And if she found any comfort in that day it would w have been brother and sister were traveling together. And to look out for his youngerha sister but still they knew the relationship would never be the same. The washingtons word travel to new york but onie judge would go with the washingtons one out of ninee enslaved people that were going to head south actually. Pretend you see the president s house. [laughter] it was an image of a f lithograph which actually right now the house is right there. E. Watching the preelection coverage former president barack obama andac Hillary Clinton smack in the middle of the courtyard of independence hall. And off to the right is where the president s house to and i thought here we a are, watching this moment and onie judge is right there she will not let me go. She is everywhere. February, 1796 bringing the unease the executive mansion a thick tension prompted onie judge and her enslaved companions to tread lightly around george and Martha Washington. Slave men and women moved about their days with caution not knowing what event sour or sweetening owners mood. A slave that was in the same household could m be like a landmine like the accidental breaking of a dish or bad weather could alter a decision of an owner although the president did not earn the reputation to be violent or extremely punishing slaveowner he would lose his temper on occasion. Perhaps attending to martha with extra care as she helped her dress. For seven years judge had served her mistress well. She became Martha Washingtons closest body slave they were all familiar with judge she often accompanied her mistress on social calls. Moving to new york than philadelphia her days were filled with socializing andta Public Events so it is important to really realize thisla relationship was very intimate not necessarily in the best of ways that was around her constantly helping her with the most intimate responsibilities like bathing or her hair and she heard everything that went on in the executive mansion. Judge understood her mistress and just how much Martha Washington loved her grandchildren every single one of her children were fathered by her first husband she had no choice to look to her grandchildren for hope and enjoyment and although only 27 when she married George Washington the marriage never yielded offspring. After the death of her son john martha and george welcome to appear small children into their home raising them into adulthood with that inter Generational Community was there from the beginning with the first president. Judge must have witnessed the shockhe and concern of her owners reading the mail on february 6. The president and then attention to mary with her engagement to thomas for british only recently to america and to be involved with land development. She was 20 years his junior and romance her into engagementea so in some ways washington stood in as the appropriate surrogate to approve or reject a marriage proposal. The news mustve sent the executive mansion into a tailspin everyone who lived within the walls knew exactly what was happening john adams writes about this situation and questions of who this thomas law was. Neither george nor martha and about the seriousness of this relationship between eliza and law. And there was much to be concerned about arriving in america with two of his three children both of whom were the office ring and they were biracial. His children and age raised eyebrows also concerned he could go back england taking eliza with him. Onie judge watched her owners feel their way through those dramatic events. Her concerns must have turned to optimism because then she announces the upcoming matrimony moving through her fear and anger to think about this union and the most positive way possible. To begin the unraveling of her life. So on march 21 the marriage signaled the beginning of major changes he most certainly knew time in philadelphia was limited by that march wedding that he would not run again and eventually all of their lives would change the idea with reconnecting with loved ones must have given some of the slaves reason to celebrate. Judge had lived in the north for seven years. The thought of returning to mount vernon did not go well. That was a reminder they were considered property of another person. After living in the free north this was a difficult concept to swallow. But for onie judge that uncertainty vanished as her fate was revealed. Onie judge comes to philadelphia as a teenager at 16 or 17 years old in these formative years watching free black philadelphia. She saw free black men and women selling apricots and fruit they were entrepreneurs. And it wasnt necessarily easy but she saw freedom. She can almost feel it or tasted or see it or smell it and go to the circus in the theaters and could never do in virginia. But then with the marriage of eliza but her fate was revealed. This would cut the residency short t. Unlike the other slaves she would not return to philadelphia. She would not be around to witness the president s final months in office. Martha washingtons deep concern for her granddaughter with any relationship she may have forged. That marriage that she was not prepared the first lady made a decision although that term isntt moved on use later but i do use it as part of the narrative. To help her granddaughter navigate the transition of marriage. She would give onie judge to allies. Although judge earned the top spot with her personal slaves those who have that emotional capital and then to change her mind. Her fate is now in the hands of eliza. Same age, to the be difficult and volatile temper. That she was a force to be reckonedne with. But her family wrote about her temper this would be something that onie judge was familiar with. And then most likely would have a life of poor treatment and uncertainty. But to give you an idea what that moment was like that judge what the future held with those free black associates. Going back to virginia she would never have a chance to escape. Once she learned upon the decease of her master and mistressy would be the property of a granddaughter of theirs there and she knew that she had to flee. Sheeg imagined her work would begin immediately. Prompting clearing about her future and her dislike for eliz eliza. In her interview at the end of her life she said quote she was determined never to be her slave. Her decision was made. She would risk everything to avoid the clutches. Judge was wellinformed and knew her decision to flee was far more than risky but still with those dog sniffing kidnappers andt bounty hunters the rest of her life. Yes it was consuming was her fear but so was herng anger. Judge could no longer stomach thee enslavement in the change of the ownership to pull the trigger andin had given everything to the washington and for 12 years serving the mistress faithfully and now cut from the material light from her dresses everything she had come to have evaporated but no matter how you would never be considered fully human. And was there property be sold or mortgagor treated so that was a weekend out of the recesses of her mind now to fighter that is her right in her decision was just the beginning the waiting was difficult. But for nearly two weeks she called her nerves and planned her escape. So judge worked in tandem as they made the necessary preparations for the trip back to mount vernon she said while they were packing to go to virginia i was packing to go. I didnt know where but if i went back to virginia i should never get my pretty. Judge kept her plan a secret. With anyone who lived in the executive mansion she knew fearful or jealously were responsible and decided to rely on the blacks on the other side of the walls of the president s home. Not onlyy did onie judge have to pack her leave mom pack her things but decide when she woulds leave. But judge was the first and had to be available at all times but there was only one duty of meal preparation with the kitchen staff sometimes she had some free time during the afternoon meal. As others were served mom assigned to serve sometimes the president entertained extending the festivities into the evening inviting guests to retire to the parlor to enjoy the wine and additional conversation. This is the only moment that judge could use to her advantage. When the moment arrived he gathered her nerves and fled. On saturday may 21, 1796, onie judge slipped out of the executive mansion while the Washington State their supper. She disappeared into the free black video philadelphia. Although judge makes this decision to leave, one thing i want people to understand about the lives of fugitives is to remember the plan to leave is always strategic and in the case of onie judge the same thing and she knew the moment she walked out of h the mansion that her status as the trusted slave would immediately come to an end. No longer the favored slave of her mistress instead of fugitives. On may 23 the household steward to george placed an ad in thedd philadelphia gazette one week after her disappearance there were two newspapers as well as the philadelphia cannot believe everything you see on wikipedia because for the longest time it was attributed to the pennsylvania gazette but it was philadelphia gazette for four weeks they ran advertisements in the attempt to recapture onie judge. In the philadelphia gazette to announce to the world she defied the president from absconded on saturday afternoon here at mount vernon i believe it was the diminutive of her name and i call her by the name she went by at the end of her life but much freckled and bushy black hair a to be slender and delicately made and this offers the award which is the cost of a barrel of flour at that time. And that offers the reward that this would be paid to anyone white or black. Subsequently that language was taken out. For the four. Rou