William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"I am free now"
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
1. "I am free now" Marker Text
Oney Judge's strong desire for freedom drove the 22-year-old enslaved seamstress to flee the President's House on May 21, 1796. With the help of friends of African descent, she found passage to New Hampshire, where she married, raised a family, and lived to old age.
"Whilst they were packing up to go to Virginia, I was packing to go, I didn't know where; for I knew that if I went back to Virginia, I should never get my liberty. I had friends among the colored people of Philadelphia, had my things carried there beforehand, and left Washington's house while they were eating dinner."
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1796.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 57.029′ N, 75° 9′ W. Marker was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It was in William Penn Annex East. It was at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the left when traveling west on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 530 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America.
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Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Pennsylvania. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: "We shall come to a civil war" (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!" (here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); The opener of the Way (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker); "I will fear no Evil" (here, next to this marker); A Day of Reciprocity (here, next to this marker); The Keeper of the House (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Executive Branch (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.
Also see . . .
1. Oney Judge. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Story of Oney Judge (YouTube video). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Oney Judge's Journey to Freedom (NPS Lesson Plan). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Oney Judge's Burial Site?
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
2. "I am free now" Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Removal of signs, exhibits, and educational materials.
The March 2025 executive order EO 14253 "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" initiated the removal of signs, exhibits, and educational materials at Washington D.C. monuments and national park sites. This order targeted content deemed to "inappropriately disparage" American history, leading to the removal of information on slavery, Native American history, and climate change.
— Submitted March 22, 2026.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017
3. "I am free now" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 177 times this year. Last updated on August 16, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
